Is the Ipsos job-board system weird (as some have alluded to), or do they just not want me? I'm starting to feel paranoid. I registered with them a couple of months ago, and applied for one or two jobs, which everybody in the universe was applying for as well. So I wasn't surprised that I didn't get them. I assumed long-term shoppers with Ipsos would get preference, although I had done these shops for the MSC that previously handled them. The did show up on my job board as filled but back-up apps being taken.

Another job came up that I wanted to apply for, but when I logged back in to the board, it was gone. When I asked about it, they said they post more of that particular shop than what's actually needed, and if they fill their quota, they pull the remaining jobs. OK, I get that.

In the last two weeks, I've applied for three more jobs. Two had been posted for weeks. I applied, thinking that because I could do them before Thanksgiving, I might get them. They disappear! Within hours. They weren't in my pending applications, not in my assigned shops, and not on the board as filled but back-ups being accepted. Just poof. Gone.

Same thing happened this morning. A batch of brand-new appliance shops came up. I apply for one, wait a couple of hours, log back in, and poof again. Shop is gone, nowhere to be found--either open or filled. Nobody could have grabbed the shop, finished it, and submitted it in that time frame. Or could they? Or do some shoppers see these on their boards before the rank and file get them?

When I apply, I get the pop-up box asking when I can do them, and asking for a statement in support of the application. I always say I can do same day, next day, or day after; always before the deadline date and after the "start" date. I always put a very short sentence in support of my application, usually stating that I've successfully done (several, if applicable) such and such a shop (or type of shop) before.

Now I'm thinking they don't like what I have to say and are blocking me from seeing certain types of jobs. I suppose that sounds ridiculous, but I've never done a shop for them, so I can't be on any "list of lousy shoppers" or anything. Should I simply not put any statement in support of my application, and just state the dates I can do the job?

Is this a common occurrence with Ipsos? Do jobs appear and disappear with regularity? TIA!

These shops are wildly popular, and have been for years. Maybe you've got lots of competition, who are ready to pounce at exact times of postings, beating you to the punch.

@Mert wrote:

These shops are wildly popular, and have been for years. Maybe you've got lots of competition, who are ready to pounce at exact times of postings, beating you to the punch.

Could be, but I don't think there are an abundance of shoppers in my area. Many, many shops stay on the boards unfilled, or not filled until bonused. Even those shops that used to be done by another company are now staying up for days before being filled. But I usually don't do them unless I really have something to send. So, those I could probably pick up, but there aren't any close by that work for me right now.

If these other shops are being taken as soon as they show up on the board, why wouldn't they show as filled but open for back-up applications???? I don't think anyone is actually in the stores doing them at 10 or 11 p.m., or 6:30 a.m.!

I was assigned one of the appliance shops this morning. I completed it this afternoon and submitted the report tonight. There are none left in my area. Since they were paying a decent shop fee, I am sure that they got snatched up very quickly.

BTW, OP I had put short comments in my application because I had specific dates for specific locations. I doubt these schedulers have time to read lengthy comments so keep it short and sweet.

@Sybil2 wrote:

BTW, OP I had put short comments in my application because I had specific dates for specific locations. I doubt these schedulers have time to read lengthy comments so keep it short and sweet.

As I previously noted, I do keep it short and sweet: The dates on which I can do them, then one short sentence, limited to about 10 - 12 or fewer words, in support of my application. Can't get much shorter than that....



Edited 2 time(s). Last edit at 12/04/2015 02:30AM by BirdyC.

@BirdyC wrote:

As I previously noted, I do keep it short and sweet: The dates on which I can do them, then one short sentence, limited to about 10 - 12 or fewer words, in support of my application. Can't get much shorter than that....

Actually you can. You can leave it completely blank or you could write just a simple "yes" or a one-word answer to whatever question they ask. For example, do you understand that you must do this and that to complete this job? Answer: Yes. Do you understand that your report must be submitted by 11;59 pm on December 5, 2015? Answer: Yes.

@BirdyC wrote:

Now I'm thinking they don't like what I have to say and are blocking me from seeing certain types of jobs.

Most if not all of the Ipsos shops seem to be scheduled by an outside scheduling company. Maybe you pissed off one of their schedulers in the past and they recognize your name. Or it is just the luck of the draw and other shoppers are quicker with their applications.

@Sybil2 wrote:

@BirdyC wrote:

As I previously noted, I do keep it short and sweet: The dates on which I can do them, then one short sentence, limited to about 10 - 12 or fewer words, in support of my application. Can't get much shorter than that....

Actually you can. You can leave it completely blank or you could write just a simple "yes" or a one-word answer to whatever question they ask. For example, do you understand that you must do this and that to complete this job? Answer: Yes. Do you understand that your report must be submitted by 11;59 pm on December 5, 2015? Answer: Yes.

True, if that were the situation, but it's not.... The questions asked are: "What date(s) can you do this shop?" Then something to the effect of, "Please include a statement in support of your application." So, that's what I do. I'm answering by assuring them--very briefly--that I've completed similar such shops. Since I've never shopped for them before, I thought it would be a good idea to let them know I've got experience. But maybe they don't really care?

I've only pissed off a scheduler once, to the best of my knowledge, but all was forgiven once I completed the shop. And it was an internal scheduler for a specific MSC, not someone from a scheduling firm.

If other shoppers are applying for and being given these assignments before I'm fast enough, I'm still wondering why they don't show up as filled but back-up applications being accepted? (The shipping shops do, but everything else simply disappears.) That's my biggest question at the moment, and I'm hoping someone who knows more about Ipsos's system can enlighten me.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 12/04/2015 01:17PM by BirdyC.

I'm with Sybil on this one. I just put in the dates and be done with it unless there is a particular circumstance that I want to address.

I am thinking if you have done very few shops (or no shops with them) they are picking the shoppers they know, who have performed multiple shops for them in the past.

Trendsource did this when I was a newbie. I kept getting passed over on everything then they finally gave me a chance and now I get a lot of shops.

Just to clarify, we have been getting projects lately where they want the shops right away. Since "right away" isn't always possible in the scheduling world, they supply a lot more locations than are needed. So maybe 800 locations are posted but only 150 need to be assigned. When 150 (and maybe a few extra for anticipated flakes) are assigned, the others are pulled back. It's certainly not meant as an inconvenience to shoppers.

Thank you, Judith. Well, I did know that had happened on at least one shop I tried to schedule, but since the same thing keeps happening, it started to appear very odd to me. I will just need to be "quicker on the draw," then!

"Could be, but I don't think there are an abundance of shoppers in my area. Many, many shops stay on the boards unfilled, or not filled until bonused. Even those shops that used to be done by another company are now staying up for days before being filled. But I usually don't do them unless I really have something to send. So, those I could probably pick up, but there aren't any close by that work for me right now. "

Why don't you MAKE them work for you, get a few shops under your belt and get known with IPSOS as a reliable shopper? Then you might pick up some of the shops you really want.

Or am I naive?

@ceasesmith wrote:

Why don't you MAKE them work for you, get a few shops under your belt and get known with IPSOS as a reliable shopper? Then you might pick up some of the shops you really want.

Or am I naive?

What I meant by "not working" for me right now is that the shops that are currently open in my general area are at least 30 to 45 minutes away from me, and away from each other. So, I can't even make a route of two or three that would make it cost effective. I would do them without having something that needs shipping (by shipping to a buddy), but as much as I'd like to shop for Ipsos, I'm not spending $5 or $10 on gas for a shop or two worth $12 each. I still have to be smart about how much time, effort, and money I expend in trying to make money!



Edited 2 time(s). Last edit at 12/04/2015 06:35PM by BirdyC.

Maybe I shouldn't say anything, as I won't park my car and walk across the street for $12. I have yet to accept one of these shops. Even when I was doing them, I always had something [this gives away the client]. Getting the [this gives away the client]made the difference. But most of [this gives away the client]. I[this gives away the client]
But if you're signed up with lots of MSCs, maybe you can find other shops within a block or two of the [this gives away the client]. The nearest [client name deleted] shop offered to me is 60 miles away, in a tiny town in the middle of nowhere. But I can pick up a Sonic, a McDonald's, an Arby's, a gas station, and the [client name deleted] shop and make
$165 for my drive. Two hours driving, 2-3 hours shopping, 2 hours reporting (half that on the stupid Arches report)...up to 7 hours, $165.

But I don't have a full time job anymore, so I have time to plot and scheme and schedule....I have found Presto Insta maps SO useful in picking up shops in these little towns, as the "tag" on the map tells me which company I have to be signed up with in order to get the shops.

I apologize if none of this is relevant to your situation. I actually just really hate the [client name deleted] shops; I hate standing in line, a few minutes on my feet just destroys my back, and I feel like an idiot taking an item in and buying the [client name deleted] very overpriced mailing supplies! I can only think people who buy them, it's totally because of the convenience, and they just don't know any better.

But then, I know kids who have recently graduated high school who don't have a clue how to [this gives away the client], and have never been in a [client name deleted] in their entire lives.

Mod note: Please read the posting guidelines before you post again

@ceasesmith wrote:

I apologize

@deleted for multiple ICA violations wrote:

.

Well, that's really what I was saying, too, as far as the shops--they come in very handy when I have an online order to send out, even if I have to drive across town. But to do just one 25 miles away to get my foot in the door with the MSC doesn't make sense. If there were one open at my local , I'd do it; it's worth the five-minute drive. Or, if I could do a short route of them (I couldn't bear more than two or three max. in the same day!), and not spend a lot of time or money.

I've been lucky, though, on those shops. I tend to get lucky with locations or go at times when I rarely have to wait in line. Although I don't mind a short wait, because that's when I do a lot of my observations. When you get taken right away, it's a little odd to hang around afterward inspecting all the displays!

Kids who don't know how to write a letter, address an envelope, or talk on a real telephone.... Yikes.

Mod note: This post has been edited to remove ICA violations

I learn something new every day, but not everyday!
I've learned to never trust spell-check or my phone's auto-fill feature.

I apologize. I've been on the other thread (the scheduler one), and I guess I was blundering around.

Sorry. I have read the guidelines.

But I forget stuff too easily.

And sometimes need reminding.

So thanks for the reminder. I will be more careful.

@ceasesmith wrote:

Maybe I shouldn't say anything, as I won't park my car and walk across the street for $12. I have yet to accept one of these shops. Even when I was doing them, I always had something [this gives away the client]. Getting the [this gives away the client]made the difference. But most of [this gives away the client]. I[this gives away the client]
But if you're signed up with lots of MSCs, maybe you can find other shops within a block or two of the [this gives away the client]. The nearest [client name deleted] shop offered to me is 60 miles away, in a tiny town in the middle of nowhere. But I can pick up a Sonic, a McDonald's, an Arby's, a gas station, and the [client name deleted] shop and make
$165 for my drive. Two hours driving, 2-3 hours shopping, 2 hours reporting (half that on the stupid Arches report)...up to 7 hours, $165.

But I don't have a full time job anymore, so I have time to plot and scheme and schedule....I have found Presto Insta maps SO useful in picking up shops in these little towns, as the "tag" on the map tells me which company I have to be signed up with in order to get the shops.

I apologize if none of this is relevant to your situation. I actually just really hate the [client name deleted] shops; I hate standing in line, a few minutes on my feet just destroys my back, and I feel like an idiot taking an item in and buying the [client name deleted] very overpriced mailing supplies! I can only think people who buy them, it's totally because of the convenience, and they just don't know any better.

But then, I know kids who have recently graduated high school who don't have a clue how to [this gives away the client], and have never been in a [client name deleted] in their entire lives.

Mod note: Please read the posting guidelines before you post again

Wow! I think this post wins the award for Most Moderated Forum Post. Congrats!

I just started working for Ipsos about three months ago. I have done four or five shops for them, and I think I got almost every shop for which I applied. Maybe it depends on where you are located and how many shoppers are in your area.