Has anyone noticed a change with the clarification holds? I have been completing the shops for a few years now, have completed at least 80 shops and have never had an issue until lately. My pics seem to be coming back as incomplete or not wide enough. It can be hard enough getting some of the pictures in a busy location, or that there is literally no way to capture the entire shot, but I have always made the editors happy. Now, I find myself resubmitting a lot more pics lately, and having to go back to complete more angles than usual. I pride myself on getting several shots, but I have never seen this kind of demand to detail as now. I find it is taking me three times as long to take so many pictures. I am not in any way complaining, but I am wondering if other contractors are having this issue as of late? Thanks, and happy shopping.

Brigid, not sure your yellow is my yellow but I've had a couple lately that snapped my head around. For years I've submitted a pic of the towel slot if they're out of towels. Recently I had to go back and shoot the whole valet because my editor couldn't tell if they were out of towels from my shot. Said she couldn't make out what it was. So, I went back and shot the entire valet and of course you can't tell if it's out of towels or not unless you reach in and check the slot. Good grief . . . I haven't had the problems on wanting wider angle shots. I did have one other wonky edit but I can't recall what it was. Something strange. I think it's new editors.

Someone told me there are a LOT of new employees so most likely it's new editors wanting to be careful and do a good job. I think gas station editors should have to do some gas station audits before they can edit. But that's just me.

The seashore editors have given me fits lately. I think those gasoline fumes got to them.

I agree with all of you. I also was told there are a lot of new editors (fresh out of college and apparently wanting to prove their worth). Fortunately I only do the seashore shops when I have free time. I was also told there are a lot of complaints from shoppers. I will put these shops on the back burner and try a few nearby in a month or so after things settle in. Maybe it will take even longer than for the rookie editors to mature a bit.

I just spoke with a scheduler who informed me that yes, they have new editors and it is in fact NOT the client who has changed their minds on the photos. I was told that the editors are scared of rejections. I feel better knowing that I am not the only one who had experienced this. Thank you, all. <3

There must be new editors for the banks also. I have literally done hundreds of banks the last couple of years and use the same routine (scanning the documents) and have never had a problem. I had to re-submit a business card because the editor found it "blurry". I looked at it and it appeared normal but I took a closeup photo anyway and sent it in. Hopefully this will resolve itself quickly as it is not unusual for new employees to be a little over zealous at first.

Yes, I am disgusted with them right now. I have shopped for them and done gas station audits for years and they were nit-picking my pictures on one also. But the best part is that they didn't notify me until almost 4 weeks after I had done the audit. Are you kidding me???? I also noticed how long 2 of my audits sat and sat before being sent through their system... this was for at least 3 1/2 weeks. I have definitely been rethinking about doing any more in the future because of the fact that they want "so" many pictures of things now and the fact that the pay is terrible. How much time am I seriously expected to put into these things for that kind of pay? Then when I was uploading the pictures I messed up because it had been a while since I had done these (a couple years). If you notice, they want you to upload the first set of pics, submit them and then, and only then, are you allowed to go back in and upload the second set. I was blown away that there were not 2 slots for each required photo on the page. So I screwed my first one up and had to call them on the weekend, and of course nobody there could do anything for me. I had to wait until Monday to deal with it and have it reset so I could go back in and finish uploading. But giving them credit, they did help me out quite quickly on that Monday, and they were very nice. But overall, I doubt I'm going to be doing much for them in the future. Waste of time for very little pay.

Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 10/16/2015 04:18AM by DawnMB27.

You lost me. I don't do anything for them that requires uploading two sets of pictures. On all the stations I do, if you fill every picture slot and hit submit it goes and there is no opportunity to add anything else. Only if one slot is empty do I get the opportunity to go back and double up on some of the pictures if I'd like to, but in no case am I ever required to submit two pictures per slot. I don't understand the report you're discussing.

Four weeks is a long time for them to be coming back for more pictures and I can understand that's disappointing. I haven't had that experience yet. It's tough to go back on anything after a two year layoff. I'm sure it will smooth out for you if you give it a chance. As far as the pay being terrible, I can't agree with that. It's possible to streamline these audits and reports and do well financially on them. If you're thinking they don't pay well enough, I'm thinking you haven't done enough of them to be effective yet. It can get better.

When I did them (if I'm thinking of the same big yellow you are all thinking of) there were two sections where they wanted photos: The Overall Photos section where you put photos of individual areas of the station (the c-store, the forecourt area, the overall station, etc.) before you started filling out the form. Then there was a second opportunity to add photos to any of the questions where you answered "no". I misunderstood this the first time I did the report and thought I needed to add a photo to each question whether I marked yes or no. That was a long report! But the system helpfully removed all the "yes" photos I had painstakingly added, so there's that.

I was beginning to worry about this until I read this thread. Let me go ahead and say it is not just the the big yellow or bank shops. I have had a few yellows from 2 - 3 weeks ago pop up with clarification holds. On top of that, I have had a few for another client chain "held for internal review" with a message stating they will contact me if there are any questions. Does anybody know what the internal reviews could be?

Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 10/16/2015 05:34AM by SouthernCharm.

@MDavisnowell wrote:

You lost me. I don't do anything for them that requires uploading two sets of pictures. On all the stations I do, if you fill every picture slot and hit submit it goes and there is no opportunity to add anything else. Only if one slot is empty do I get the opportunity to go back and double up on some of the pictures if I'd like to, but in no case am I ever required to submit two pictures per slot. I don't understand the report you're discussing.

Four weeks is a long time for them to be coming back for more pictures and I can understand that's disappointing. I haven't had that experience yet. It's tough to go back on anything after a two year layoff. I'm sure it will smooth out for you if you give it a chance. As far as the pay being terrible, I can't agree with that. It's possible to streamline these audits and reports and do well financially on them. If you're thinking they don't pay well enough, I'm thinking you haven't done enough of them to be effective yet. It can get better.

What I meant is the fact that you are required to have 2 photos of pretty much everything. When you go to the photo upload page, there is the little browse box for you to upload qty of 1 photo for each item...ie....1 of the front view, 1 of the forecourt, etc. I got confused because there were not 2 upload boxes for each item. Any other company would have 2 upload boxes per item in this case, but not Maritz. So first you upload 1 photo of each item and then submit and then it lets you upload the second photo for each item. This is what totally confused me at first because I kept wondering how the heck to get the 2nd photo of each item on there. It is ridiculous, in my opinion. Not trying to argue.....just saying that it was tedious compared to any other companies websites. Also, the fact that they want you to go back and take more pictures if they are nit picking as was above mentioned, etc. All of it together, does not seem worth the money any longer as far as I'm concerned. The time involved of doing the audit, taking the photos, going out and taking more photos if needed (many weeks later), submitting everything on the site (after you figure out exactly how this is supposed to go), etc. It was a huge headache. And once again, I'm just stating an opinion based upon what I personally dealt with.

I have never uploaded two sets of pics. I think they tell you to take two so you will have spares if needed.

I was a bit confused at first over the 2 sets of pictures as well. But I agree with Coffee in that the 2nd photo is a spare in case the first is not good. I also received a "hold for internal review" on one and have no ideas what that is. Like I said, hopefully the new young editors will gain a little experience quickly and stop looking for problems so that they can justify their jobs.

I just checked the job board and all holds (2 or 3) and the internal review hold are gone. I did get a hold on a bank shop for a blurry business card, as mentioned earlier, with and urgent response requested. I sent a new photo within an hour or two and them the shop sat there for two days. I finally called, spoke with a scheduler who spoke with her supervisor, and presto, the hold was removed. I do like the (mostly) ladies at Maritz and they are easy to reach and helpful but it would be nice if the editors got on the same page as the rest of us.

CoffeeQueen-On the phone they told me I had to upload both sets of photos. They want 2 pics per item that is required....ie....overall view, primary ID, front of building, bathrooms, etc. That's what I was told anyways.

@DawnMB27 wrote:

@MDavisnowell wrote:

You lost me. I don't do anything for them that requires uploading two sets of pictures. On all the stations I do, if you fill every picture slot and hit submit it goes and there is no opportunity to add anything else. Only if one slot is empty do I get the opportunity to go back and double up on some of the pictures if I'd like to, but in no case am I ever required to submit two pictures per slot. I don't understand the report you're discussing.

Four weeks is a long time for them to be coming back for more pictures and I can understand that's disappointing. I haven't had that experience yet. It's tough to go back on anything after a two year layoff. I'm sure it will smooth out for you if you give it a chance. As far as the pay being terrible, I can't agree with that. It's possible to streamline these audits and reports and do well financially on them. If you're thinking they don't pay well enough, I'm thinking you haven't done enough of them to be effective yet. It can get better.

What I meant is the fact that you are required to have 2 photos of pretty much everything. When you go to the photo upload page, there is the little browse box for you to upload qty of 1 photo for each item...ie....1 of the front view, 1 of the forecourt, etc. I got confused because there were not 2 upload boxes for each item. Any other company would have 2 upload boxes per item in this case, but not Maritz. So first you upload 1 photo of each item and then submit and then it lets you upload the second photo for each item. This is what totally confused me at first because I kept wondering how the heck to get the 2nd photo of each item on there. It is ridiculous, in my opinion. Not trying to argue.....just saying that it was tedious compared to any other companies websites. Also, the fact that they want you to go back and take more pictures if they are nit picking as was above mentioned, etc. All of it together, does not seem worth the money any longer as far as I'm concerned. The time involved of doing the audit, taking the photos, going out and taking more photos if needed (many weeks later), submitting everything on the site (after you figure out exactly how this is supposed to go), etc. It was a huge headache. And once again, I'm just stating an opinion based upon what I personally dealt with.

I'm sorry you had that experience. It reminds me of the first bank shops I did when I had to resize every picture one at a time with Paint because I didn't know any better.
You only have to upload one set of pictures. I rarely have to go out and get more pictures if needed because I take tons at the site. Its very fast to take a lot of pictures and then I already have them if they decide something isn't good enough. I take all the required pictures at the required size and then I change the setting on my camera and take pictures at a bigger size. This way if they want a picture days later, I can usually cut out a pic of what they want from one of the really big ones. As you get more practice you will have to do that much less.
I agree with Mary that you can do financially well with them. I personally do quite a few of them. I am stepping back at the moment until bonuses kick in and then I'll see what is left because of the new editors. Anyway I have my green routes to finish up.
So good luck, don't give up.

@DawnMB27 wrote:

CoffeeQueen-On the phone they told me I had to upload both sets of photos. They want 2 pics per item that is required....ie....overall view, primary ID, front of building, bathrooms, etc. That's what I was told anyways.

We seem to have cross posted. I find that very peculiar. Like I said, I have never uploaded both sets. I have never been asked to, either.

I have always submitted 2 sets, per the guideline. I don't mind taking the pictures -- it's a good idea anyways -- but going through the extra steps to submit the second pictures is a PITA, especially when the report already is so time consuming. (I would never do these at base rate,) But I have noticed when a shop gets returned to me for some reason, the second set of pictures has been deleted by the editor. It was probably a good idea for me to submit both sets when I was starting out, but I think I might try leaving them out.

I've only done a few of these, but I've never submitted the second set of pictures. I always take them when I'm at the site, but then I just pick the best of the two when uploading and keep the second as a spare in case it's needed.

I have only done a few (and won't be doing more) but I only submitted 1 set of photos also.

Dawn, they have a lot of new editors. The guidelines do say you have to take two shots (I take three of everything from exactly the same position) but you can do a report submitting only one photo per slot. Going back and adding more is optional and not required. You got a newbie who just didn't understand how it works. Sorry that happened.

Coffee has a great idea about switching to a higher resolution and taking some sweeping shots. Love it.

@DawnMB27 wrote:

CoffeeQueen-On the phone they told me I had to upload both sets of photos. They want 2 pics per item that is required....ie....overall view, primary ID, front of building, bathrooms, etc. That's what I was told anyways.

I have a hold right now on a yellow gas shop.... they want a picture showing there is no food offer. .... ummmmm I submitted pictures of the entire inside of the building, I can't take a close up of something that's not there. This shop was done sept 20 th. ... I have a route of green gas stations that have been waiting for an editor for over a week now, and a home improvement shop.

Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 10/17/2015 06:28PM by luckygirl0100.

Luckygirl, when there's no food offer, they accept a picture of the fountain/coffee area in that slot.

Thanks Mary, good advice. I also find it difficult to take a picture of something that is not there and one of the reasons I have the seashore shops rated 3rd. Sometime ago I was asked to upload a nothing picture and I went back and forth for days the editor and scheduler until he/she relented and accepted the shop. The shop was a distance away and I had no plans to return to the area anytime soon. I would have turned the shop back rather than travel the distance to take a phantom photo. I am going to put a note in my worksheet to include that photo when there is no food offering and the suggestion to take a picture of the areas where pop might be found (in front of the building or in front of the canopy area) when it is missing. Also that ice cream and pre-packaged baked goods are now considered food items.

Since they added prepackaged baked goods and ice cream cooler items to the list, I have not had a location that didn't have a food offering. Before that happened I frequently had "no" food offering in smaller locations and used the picture of the fountain area. I made a mistake once and submitted prepackaged sandwiches as a food item -- that's a no no. Prepackaged sandwiches are considered a product offering. I know, I know. I just try to float along with the form of the day. And, have y'all noticed that the form varies from shop to shop? I kid you not - not always exactly the same and I'm not just talking about the impressed - comfortable - disgusted list.

I know what you mean, Mary - it is very hard to keep up with the forms when each site seems to be different. The differences between "food offering" and "product selection" absolutely change with the location! I refer to the book every time to make sure I get the right photo shots...but some locales have barely anything while others have everything, and I have been getting shots back stating that one does not mean another. I know what I am doing, and always take extra photos. Why it is different now is frustrating. I am no longer going back to a 20 mile out of the way route shop to get one picture of one candy counter (ex). I despise going back to explain myself a month later to the staff member. Someone here mentioned the perfect solution: Get those editors out on the field and see how they do. Maybe then they will understand. I know it is a waiting game for us until the editors relax, but in the interim Maritz is losing shoppers to the nit-picking. Ah, the back and forth! It's what we shoppers live for! Sigh.

Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 10/18/2015 09:13AM by Brigid12.

Impressed, comfortable, disgusted, give me a break. I can not get emotional over a gas station. If I'm not shopping one and need gas, which is rare, it's because it is convenient and has the best price. And I don't use the C-store or rest room.

Jake, "give me a break" - that's a good one. We should have a tic box for that. And on the go back question, I need a tic box for "are you kidding me?" Seriously, most of my yellow stations are great or close to it but every once in a while I see one that makes me want to throw up. No, I would not return and no, I would not recommend, and yes, I understand the scale.

@MDavisnowell wrote:

Jake, "give me a break" - that's a good one. We should have a tic box for that. And on the go back question, I need a tic box for "are you kidding me?" Seriously, most of my yellow stations are great or close to it but every once in a while I see one that makes me want to throw up. No, I would not return and no, I would not recommend, and yes, I understand the scale.

There are a bajillion of them here and mostly they are pretty nice. However there is one in a neighboring town I won't touch with a ten foot pole. I do the C-store mystery shop for another company and that is bad enough. They are going to have to pay someone a LOT for that one. And it probably won't be me. I like my easy C-store mystery shops and a reveal would ruin them.