I've been shopping since like 2007 or so and in all that time, there's only been 2 companies I can think of that I stopped doing business with because of their practices. Maritz is about to be #3. The people are always nice enough when you talk to them but I am sooooooooo frustrated with the inefficient processes! You can email them till you are blue in the face and ask for a return email about whatever the issue is and they still ignore the request and leave you voicemail asking for you to call them. It's so inefficient and annoying!

I had a shop that was supposed to be done on Saturday. They got back to me Friday afternoon and left a voicemail asking me to call them rather than simply confirming the information I had asked about in my email! I've explained that I'm often out and calling is not convenient at all, plus my cellphone provider has informed me that I can be charged for even toll-free numbers to the states. But the biggest reason is it's a hell of a lot easier for me to get my answers by email and also gives me a paper trail I can refer back to if necessary. They just keep ignoring this regardless.

I got another voicemail today which was incomplete in addressing my questions (which are not extensive by any means.) I'm willing to try to complete this last shop and then I plan on deactivating my account once I'm paid. There's just no working with a company that refuses to modernize their communication process and ignores repeated requests from agents.

Signed,
Super Frustrated Angel



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 11/16/2015 07:32PM by Angel.

Average age of their employees is well over 60 years? Computers are scary for them. That's my experience.

That is an ageist statement. Most seniors I encounter are well versed with computers, tablets and Facebook. My grandmother uses a desktop computer and she evens has a color printer.

@Angel wrote:

I've been shopping since like 2007 or so and in all that time, there's only been 2 companies I can think of that I stopped doing business with because of their practices. Maritz is about to be #3. The people are always nice enough when you talk to them but I am sooooooooo frustrated with the inefficient processes! You can email them till you are blue in the face and ask for a return email about whatever the issue is and they still ignore the request and leave you voicemail asking for you to call them. It's so inefficient and annoying!

The peon team members do not have email access through the company. The supervisors and higher-ups do. It is the MSC's fault not their employees.

@Sybil2 wrote:

That is an ageist statement. Most seniors I encounter are well versed with computers, tablets and Facebook. My grandmother uses a desktop computer and she evens has a color printer.

All of which are anecdotal evidence.

@thegov2k2 wrote:

@Sybil2 wrote:

That is an ageist statement. Most seniors I encounter are well versed with computers, tablets and Facebook. My grandmother uses a desktop computer and she evens has a color printer.

All of which are anecdotal evidence.

Sybil is correct.

I am 61, and have been working with computers since 1976. I am as computer literate, or more so, than many younger people. My husband is 57, and has had to teach people at work who are younger than him to use computers efficiently and productively.

I'm 53, I purchased my first real PC in 1992. A couple thousand dollars for a 360 with like 2k memory and 20g HD. Dial-up was all the rage back then, LOL. My Smartphone can do more than that PC ever did. BTW, we also had Pong.

My parents are almost 80 now. My father can edit videos with his PC. He even learned, from me, how to update my mother's website for her art. On the other hand, my mom still posts using all caps, but at least she uses email, social media, and buys things online.

Maritz is my favorite company. I prefer speaking to someone that can get to the minute detail of whatever questioning I have at any time.
They will talk with me until every bit of any issue is entirely resolved. I don't expect them to sort of read my mind on what I am asking.
Me thinks you should drop them and let me have some of what you are currently getting from them.
What is the old song title "Go Away Little Girl...."?

Your proof please?
They are over 60 years old?
Prove it would be good.

I can understand those who appreciate the ability to speak on the phone. However, email is easier for me. Combine that with having to take my pictures and edit them down to 640 x 480 one by one, and it becomes a pain in the neck. With that said, they offer some pretty good bonuses to do shops at the last minute, and I have no plans to stop shopping for them. It would just be nice if they entered the 21st century!

Lord, grant me the serenity to accept that Maritz will not use email,
the courage to call them with ever higher bonus requests,
and the wisdom to recognize that a boatload of money is better than email.

@SoCalMama wrote:

Average age of their employees is well over 60 years? Computers are scary for them. That's my experience.

While there may be millions of over 60 people who are computer literate, my experience has been similar to SCM's. Maritz employees are scared of their computers and most often cannot understand how to operate their own systems.

I once called about a location and the nice lady was confused because she could not find it. I gave her the full address over and over including the location name. Finally she said maybe I should try searching 75 miles from your zip code instead of 50. I was like ma'am this location is 300 miles from my zip code, I've already given you the zip code of the location, you won't find it searching my zip code. She was absolutely and totally flustered and replied that she had no idea how to find something outside of my zip code and she wasn't even sure they assigned shops more than 50 miles away.

@bgriffin wrote:

@SoCalMama wrote:

Average age of their employees is well over 60 years? Computers are scary for them. That's my experience.

While there may be millions of over 60 people who are computer literate, my experience has been similar to SCM's. Maritz employees are scared of their computers and most often cannot understand how to operate their own systems.

I once called about a location and the nice lady was confused because she could not find it. I gave her the full address over and over including the location name. Finally she said maybe I should try searching 75 miles from your zip code instead of 50. I was like ma'am this location is 300 miles from my zip code, I've already given you the zip code of the location, you won't find it searching my zip code. She was absolutely and totally flustered and replied that she had no idea how to find something outside of my zip code and she wasn't even sure they assigned shops more than 50 miles away.

Sounds about right.

@Sybil2 wrote:

That is an ageist statement. Most seniors I encounter are well versed with computers, tablets and Facebook. My grandmother uses a desktop computer and she evens has a color printer.

Perhaps she should work at Maritz?

@BirdyC wrote:

@thegov2k2 wrote:

@Sybil2 wrote:

That is an ageist statement. Most seniors I encounter are well versed with computers, tablets and Facebook. My grandmother uses a desktop computer and she evens has a color printer.

All of which are anecdotal evidence.

Sybil is correct.

I am 61, and have been working with computers since 1976. I am as computer literate, or more so, than many younger people. My husband is 57, and has had to teach people at work who are younger than him to use computers efficiently and productively.

Neither of you work at Maritz.

@nevercoldinhouston wrote:

Your proof please?
They are over 60 years old?
Prove it would be good.

Sorry. I can't figure out what this means.


Subject of the thread:
Why on earth does Maritz ignore the request for an email response???

My experience (I have worked for them since the 1990's) is that most of the people in the office are old and are better on the phone than on the computer. Feel free to argue that old people use computers as well as young people. In some cases, that may be true. In most cases, it is not true.

@SoCalMama wrote:

@Sybil2 wrote:

That is an ageist statement. Most seniors I encounter are well versed with computers, tablets and Facebook. My grandmother uses a desktop computer and she evens has a color printer.

Perhaps she should work at Maritz?

Don't you f'ing smack talk my grandmother. She is suffering from Alzheimer's and computers are a great tool for her mind. So get off your high horse. Maybe you will live long enough to become old.

Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 11/17/2015 12:57PM by Sybil2.

@SoCalMama wrote:

Neither of you work at Maritz.

You have no idea where I work so you can not accurately make that statement.

@SoCalMama wrote:

My experience (I have worked for them since the 1990's) is that most of the people in the office are old and are better on the phone than on the computer. Feel free to argue that old people use computers as well as young people. In some cases, that may be true. In most cases, it is not true.

You're generalizing based on your experience with Maritz. Which is apparently valid, based on others' experiences. But, I think you have a misconception about what "old" actually is. Sixty is not "old" these days. If you're talking about elderly people (say, 75 and older), I imagine that many of them aren't very computer literate. But people in my age range (i.e., those 10 years younger to 10 years older) were just getting out into the working world when computers were emerging on the scene in normal businesses. Or were entering middle and high school when the PC was becoming common. Many of us took programming courses in college (you were crazy back then if you didn't take at least one programming course if you wanted to major in business, for example). My tax preparer is in his 60s, worked in programming for decades, and knows more about computers than probably anybody I know.

I don't know how old the folks at Maritz are, but your assumption that they're all over 60 and thus can't possibly be computer literate is a reach. Maybe they're all 75 and older? Who knows? Unless you've been face to face with them, or have asked them how old they are, you don't know. Hell, I know people younger than me who only know how to use e-mail and browse the internet (mostly to use Facebook). Some younger people are computer illiterate. Not all, of course, but some. Just as not all "old" folks are computer illiterate. But some are.

Stereotyping people and making generalizations rarely gives one an accurate view of reality.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 11/17/2015 02:13PM by BirdyC.

I'm totally sidestepping the discussion of age and tech-savviness to say that it is really bizarre business practice to change the method of communication half-way through an exchange. There is no logical reason that an email should be answered with a phone call unless the nature of the question was much too in-depth to respond to efficiently in writing.

I agree that I prefer to communicate via email because I want a paper trail. If something isn't clear in guidelines, I'd like the answer to my question in writing because if it comes back to me later during editing, I'd like to be able to point out what I was told.

@Angel wrote:

I've been shopping since like 2007 or so and in all that time, there's only been 2 companies I can think of that I stopped doing business with because of their practices. Maritz is about to be #3. The people are always nice enough when you talk to them but I am sooooooooo frustrated with the inefficient processes! You can email them till you are blue in the face and ask for a return email about whatever the issue is and they still ignore the request and leave you voicemail asking for you to call them. It's so inefficient and annoying!

I had a shop that was supposed to be done on Saturday. They got back to me Friday afternoon and left a voicemail asking me to call them rather than simply confirming the information I had asked about in my email! I've explained that I'm often out and calling is not convenient at all, plus my cellphone provider has informed me that I can be charged for even toll-free numbers to the states. But the biggest reason is it's a hell of a lot easier for me to get my answers by email and also gives me a paper trail I can refer back to if necessary. They just keep ignoring this regardless.

I got another voicemail today which was incomplete in addressing my questions (which are not extensive by any means.) I'm willing to try to complete this last shop and then I plan on deactivating my account once I'm paid. There's just no working with a company that refuses to modernize their communication process and ignores repeated requests from agents.

Signed,
Super Frustrated Angel

I think we have gotten off track here. I have little interest in whether Maritz employees are young or old (I've encountered all ages) or whether they are computer literate in their personal lives or not. The decision to use telephone communication almost exclusively appears to be a Maritz corporate decision rather than a decision made by individual employees.

I prefer e-mail also. But I try to keep in mind who the customer is. As independent contractors, we are service providers. We are not the customer in this instance and we have no expectation that the company will meet our terms or give us good customer service. It's not up to my customer to change their expectations to make things easier for me. It's up to me to work with my customers (the MSCs) in the manner in which they wish to work. If I am uncomfortable with the manner in which a customer works, then I (the service provider) need to stop asking for work from that customer.

I think the best answer here is for Super Frustrated Angel to walk away from Maritz and find other customers who work in a manner in which she is more comfortable so she can give good customer service while being happy with her work.

@AustinMom wrote:

I prefer e-mail also. But I try to keep in mind who the customer is. As independent contractors, we are service providers. We are not the customer in this instance and we have no expectation that the company will meet our terms or give us good customer service. It's not up to my customer to change their expectations to make things easier for me. It's up to me to work with my customers (the MSCs) in the manner in which they wish to work. If I am uncomfortable with the manner in which a customer works, then I (the service provider) need to stop asking for work from that customer.

I totally agree, AustinMom! E-mail is much easier for me as well (even though I'm an old fart at 61 ), unless something is really urgent. And provides easy documentation. But if my client, the MSC, prefers phone communication, then that's how I'll communicate with them. But if most of the communication is done via phone, shoppers need to have a pad of paper close by and write detailed notes on what was said. Who was spoken to, the date and time, the instructions given, etc. At least if an issue arises later, you have great notes for reference and credibility. And it is nice to be able to speak to a "live" person in real time when something can't wait.

Yes, we did get off track, but the statement that computers are scary for those over the age of 60 was so outrageous and inaccurate that it could not be left to stand as "fact." Which is how it was stated.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 11/17/2015 03:00PM by BirdyC.

@thegov2k2 wrote:

@Sybil2 wrote:

That is an ageist statement. Most seniors I encounter are well versed with computers, tablets and Facebook. My grandmother uses a desktop computer and she evens has a color printer.

All of which are anecdotal evidence.

And since we are not in court here, I would think that would be just fine. If your against anecdotal evidence, perhaps you could show us lowly peons how to research a topic and present actual FACTS. Since you seem to want hard evidence, give us some.

@Sybil2 wrote:

@SoCalMama wrote:

@Sybil2 wrote:

That is an ageist statement. Most seniors I encounter are well versed with computers, tablets and Facebook. My grandmother uses a desktop computer and she evens has a color printer.

Perhaps she should work at Maritz?

Don't you f'ing smack talk my grandmother. She is suffering from Alzheimer's and computers are a great tool for her mind. So get off your high horse. Maybe you will live long enough to become old.

Nice.

Maritz chooses to communicate on the telephone. That's the way they do business. I would rather use email. They don't care. I want to work for them. I adapt.

It's got nothing to do with who is old and who is not old. I'm old. Most of the ladies and gentlemen there are younger than I am.

If you can't adapt, then you are the one who is truly aged.

nevercoldinhouston 2y November 17, 2015 12:15AM
"Maritz is my favorite company. I prefer speaking to someone that can get to the minute detail of whatever questioning I have at any time.
They will talk with me until every bit of any issue is entirely resolved. I don't expect them to sort of read my mind on what I am asking.
Me thinks you should drop them and let me have some of what you are currently getting from them.
What is the old song title "Go Away Little Girl...."?"




First off, it's not necessary for them to do any mind reading, I was very clear on what I needed confirmation on and it was very basic. Secondly, I've already stated I am going to drop them. And lastly, by all means, if you want to travel all the way up from Houston, be my guest and take the odd job I get from them.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 11/17/2015 06:07PM by Angel.

elynbeth 5y November 17, 2015 09:44AM
"I'm totally sidestepping the discussion of age and tech-savviness to say that it is really bizarre business practice to change the method of communication half-way through an exchange. There is no logical reason that an email should be answered with a phone call unless the nature of the question was much too in-depth to respond to efficiently in writing.

I agree that I prefer to communicate via email because I want a paper trail. If something isn't clear in guidelines, I'd like the answer to my question in writing because if it comes back to me later during editing, I'd like to be able to point out what I was told."


Exactly, thank you! Too many times, you are told one thing and then later no one remembers that you were told that. I prefer to have my info. by email so I can forward it if there is any question later on.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 11/17/2015 06:05PM by Angel.

@AustinMom wrote:

I think we have gotten off track here. I have little interest in whether Maritz employees are young or old (I've encountered all ages) or whether they are computer literate in their personal lives or not. The decision to use telephone communication almost exclusively appears to be a Maritz corporate decision rather than a decision made by individual employees.

I prefer e-mail also. But I try to keep in mind who the customer is. As independent contractors, we are service providers. We are not the customer in this instance and we have no expectation that the company will meet our terms or give us good customer service. It's not up to my customer to change their expectations to make things easier for me. It's up to me to work with my customers (the MSCs) in the manner in which they wish to work. If I am uncomfortable with the manner in which a customer works, then I (the service provider) need to stop asking for work from that customer.

I think the best answer here is for Super Frustrated Angel to walk away from Maritz and find other customers who work in a manner in which she is more comfortable so she can give good customer service while being happy with her work.

Oh I agree with you, things were taken way off-topic with all the discussion of ages. As for the rest, I've already stated I won't be doing any more work from them and they rarely have jobs for me anyways. I'd be happier dealing with a company that is easy to communicate with and others who don't mind the phone tag are welcome to deal with them.

@MDavisnowell wrote:

Maritz chooses to communicate on the telephone. That's the way they do business. I would rather use email. They don't care. I want to work for them. I adapt.

It's got nothing to do with who is old and who is not old. I'm old. Most of the ladies and gentlemen there are younger than I am.

If you can't adapt, then you are the one who is truly aged.

I'd remind you that I am not the one who said anything about people's ages, that was other people on the thread thank you. As for "if you can't adapt, then you are the one who is truly aged." I beg to differ. My time is better spent working on jobs that can be efficiently done, that's just a fact. When a lot of time is wasted via inefficient processes, that job begins to be less and less valuable to me considering all the time and frustration it entails.

Working for Maritz is frustrating for you because you're fighting their system. I find the Maritz program different from most but realize they're a major force in what we do. Every year I shop for fewer and fewer MSCs working the convenience stores and I shop for more and more brands under the Maritz banner. I do believe they're doing their job. I'll try to do mine. And I still believe it doesn't matter what age you are, if you refuse to adapt that handicaps you. Of course, if you don't want to adapt, that's different. In any case, yes, you should move on. No point in throwing gas on a burning bridge.

@MDavisnowell wrote:

Working for Maritz is frustrating for you because you're fighting their system. I find the Maritz program different from most but realize they're a major force in what we do. Every year I shop for fewer and fewer MSCs working the convenience stores and I shop for more and more brands under the Maritz banner. I do believe they're doing their job. I'll try to do mine. And I still believe it doesn't matter what age you are, if you refuse to adapt that handicaps you. Of course, if you don't want to adapt, that's different. In any case, yes, you should move on. No point in throwing gas on a burning bridge.

I think perhaps they are a major force in some areas, in my area, there are very few jobs that they offer and most are low pay. I also think that not everyone's situation is the same. If I am out on the road and have to keep calling and playing phone tag with them in the states (I'm in Canada,) that can be expensive (yes, even a toll-free # to the states can be charged to me according to my cellphone provider) and it's not an expense that is even justified given how easy it is to simply respond by email. They also insist on sending a cheque rather than using paypal or direct deposit, again this is not so easy for those who work outside the U.S. for them. I have gotten around it by opening a U.S. bank account but Canadians living farther in from the border would have to basically wait up to a month for the hold to be taken off a foreign cheque. I'm sure that's part of the reason why most MSP's use paypal. So while the procedures may not seem a handicap to some, they are a handicap to me and so yes, I will be deactivating my account.

@bgriffin wrote:

While there may be millions of over 60 people who are computer literate, my experience has been similar to SCM's. Maritz employees are scared of their computers and most often cannot understand how to operate their own systems.

I once called about a location and the nice lady was confused because she could not find it. I gave her the full address over and over including the location name. Finally she said maybe I should try searching 75 miles from your zip code instead of 50. I was like ma'am this location is 300 miles from my zip code, I've already given you the zip code of the location, you won't find it searching my zip code. She was absolutely and totally flustered and replied that she had no idea how to find something outside of my zip code and she wasn't even sure they assigned shops more than 50 miles away.

They like to call me to tell me they have a close by location.. They come up with somewhere obscure.. Sometimes out of province that I have to google map it. It will be usually 2-7 hours one way, and then half of them laugh when I say 150-300 minimum depending. They seem to have no idea where the location is versus anything else.

Received a call today offering a shop in my area. Couldn't take it as it requires a second person, and there's no way in hell I'm gonna coerce / drag a friend or my mom into doing this shop with me. Nonetheless, I appreciate the phone calls. I prefer email but the phone calls are fine.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 11/18/2015 12:06AM by retrodaddy.