MF Deactivation?

I know there's been some discussion previously on MF deactivating shoppers. Does anyone know, if that happens, what actually happens to your profile when you sign on?

I had completed two shops with them and had signed up for two additional. I had to reschedule one of the additional shops I had scheduled, but it was still within the shop window and I was able to change it without issue. But soon after I rescheduled that shop, I no longer have a link to view open jobs. I've since completed both shops (one was 15 days ago, one was 8 days ago) and haven't had any questions or issues arise from these shops, although I do realize there's still plenty of time for something to be asked.

But, my question in all of this is, when MF deactivates, do you still have access to log on and view your previously completed shops and complete already scheduled shops, but simply don't have access to see new shops? Or is something else going on? If I'm deactivated, so be it...my fault for double booking myself, but mostly just curious.

Thanks for your insight!

Shopping central Arizona.

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More About Deactivation

When I was deactivated (shortly after receiving a commendation for completing something like 750 shops), I was able to complete the shops still assigned to me, but not accept new ones. I got an email telling me that they expected me to complete the shops already assigned to me. For 2 or 3 months, I could access my previous shop history, then that level of access disappeared as well. Attempts to appeal were met with "you are either too hard or too easy compared to an average shopper and our high security prevents us from telling you which you are."

Shopping Southeast Pennsylvania, Delaware above the canal, and South Jersey since 2008

Usually not seeing shops you could select is deactivation. I gather if they think you are worse than just unnecessary they block you entirely. If in your heart of hearts you feel that they should have had no issues with your shops, give the Help Desk a call and ask. I mention this because as they have done software changes I have had my email address disappear (yes, I was able to put it back in just as it was), have seen shops disappear only to reappear a few hours later and other weird stuff. I just checked and indeed I can still view shops. You may want to try logging in again and see if you can before calling them.

I don't really feel like there were any issues with the shops...at the time I noticed my deactivation, my two completed shops had been verified and approved and I've even been paid for them both, so I don't think either of those were at issue. That's what leads me to believe it was the rescheduling. I've checked fairly regularly since I first noticed it (including just before I posted this thread, just in case it had come back), and no dice. I'll give them a ring when I have some free time. If not, I won't sweat it. Thanks for your input!

Shopping central Arizona.

Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 09/28/2015 08:46PM by asilverstein.

Rescheduling 1 shop out of 4 should not have triggered a deactivation if you were still scheduled within the window and performed the shops.

I was deactivated for rescheduling shops, but I did get my account reactivated. They do it based off the number of rescheduled shops vs total shops assigned.

Rescheduling isn't much of an issue for MF. I do it all the time, even by contacting the Help Desk, and there is never a problem. Sometimes, however, my gmail account is supposedly unreachable by MF, and they'll suspend my self-assign ability until I confirm my email is in fact able to receive emails.

They deactivated me by telling me I made three mistakes in a year, and as stated by a previous shopper, after commending me for completing 500 shops with an excellent record.

I had about 20 shops left to complete and they let me complete them. I had access to everything but could not select new shops. I had access to the previous shops and the payment page for a few months and then all was gone.

@mgoodreau wrote:

They deactivated me by telling me I made three mistakes in a year, and as stated by a previous shopper, after commending me for completing 500 shops with an excellent record.

I had about 20 shops left to complete and they let me complete them. I had access to everything but could not select new shops. I had access to the previous shops and the payment page for a few months and then all was gone.

So they just deactivated you and you were done with them for good? I just can't believe a company would cut someone with that good of a record! Is it really easier for them to start fresh with someone new as opposed to someone who has proved him/her self?

@Liz36 wrote:

So they just deactivated you and you were done with them for good? Is it really easier for them to start fresh with someone new as opposed to someone who has proved him/her self?

Yes, it is easier for them and probably cheaper. New shoppers self-assign shops quickly without waiting for a bonus. MF is an ideal "starter company" for new shoppers, because their instructions are very detailed and their reports are short and easy with little or no narrative required. The shops typically don't pay much but they are easy and usually fast (compared to those of many other MSCs). Their shops are designed for new shoppers with no experience. Because it is so easy to register and start self-assigning shops, MF has a huge influx of new shoppers. Several times (once on nationwide television on the Judge Judy show), different MF corporate representatives have described the requirements for the ideal MF mystery shopper as "they just have to be breathing." For this large company, shoppers are a dime a dozen and the company sees little difference between shoppers depending on experience.

If you haven't heard from them directly, make sure you contact them to find out. It could be something really simple, like one their e-mails getting sent back. You won't know for sure, until you contact them. Also, even if you were deactivated, we have seen people on here make and appeal and get reactivated. There are no guarantees, but it is worth a shot.

Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 09/29/2015 03:34PM by spaztck.

On those occasions when I suggest mystery shopping to someone, I always recommend MF as the place to start. The signup process is easy, and you can almost always self-assign. Rarely is there a narrative, and the instructions are clear (it is still possible as posts on the forum make abundantly clear to mess things up). It hurt my ego to be dismissed by them, but I recovered and hold no grudges. For a few years, they represented the bulk of my shops. I moved on and feel that I have done better (number of shops, amount of fees) now that I don't have to schedule around the Arches assignments. The qualifications for signing up and accepting shops with MF seem to be the ability to actually sign up and accept shops with MF.

@Liz36 wrote:

@mgoodreau wrote:

They deactivated me by telling me I made three mistakes in a year, and as stated by a previous shopper, after commending me for completing 500 shops with an excellent record.

I had about 20 shops left to complete and they let me complete them. I had access to everything but could not select new shops. I had access to the previous shops and the payment page for a few months and then all was gone.

So they just deactivated you and you were done with them for good? I just can't believe a company would cut someone with that good of a record! Is it really easier for them to start fresh with someone new as opposed to someone who has proved him/her self?

Shopping Southeast Pennsylvania, Delaware above the canal, and South Jersey since 2008

This is very strange to me. I reschedule (usually through self-reschedule but sometimes through contacting the Help Desk) frequently with MF and am still shopping with them. I find it very odd that they would deactivate you after ONE reschedule. I would definitely advise contacting the Help Desk. Hope you can get this sorted out.

Happily shopping the Pacific Northwest. Shopping since 2013

I often reschedule with them since I sometimes have to grab the shops before I know what my work schedule is going to be. I try to schedule my MS according to what my usual work schedule is, but in retail, they have a tendency to change everything as soon as you get used to things.

Are you sure you were deactivated? There for a few days (this past week), I could not see any available shops and it has happened before. However, I am now able to see shops. Another thing, you can be deactivated from one 'store/shops' but still be active in others. I have found also that one has to use all their searching options to get all possibilities. I was deactivated a year or so ago for three infractions for one of their stores but, still shop others.

Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 10/02/2015 10:24PM by 5842meg.

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