Goodwin's response is B.S. I have submitted nothing but quality reports to them and have submitted my reports on time. I have never moved or had any of the issues they are referring to and yet, I have had to chase them down for almost EVERY SINGLE PAYMENT they owed me. They simply do not pay their shoppers on time, no matter how good a job the shopper does or how well the shopper follows instructions.

To send that message out blaming the shopper for their horrendous payment delays is inexcusable.

That is pretty much my reaction as well CheeChild, and as mentioned in the repost, the reason for reposting was it provided a phone number and some insight into the company attitude.

When a company has a significant number of shops they must reject they either are not giving good instructions, they are asking things that are not feasible to observe or they are not properly matching shoppers with shops. A corollary to 'good instructions' has to be instructions that are in keeping with the overall value of the shop to the shopper. (I am not going to read a book for a $4 shop)

When a company cannot process quickly the number of shops submitted, they need to get more editors or clarify and simplify reports so they can be handled more efficiently. Most of them do this because they see their contractual obligation as providing quick turnaround for the client. Of course that is more expense to the company if they just hire more editors, so cash flow gets more difficult.

When a company cannot process quickly their payments it is either due to inefficiency in accounting (or no money with which to pay shoppers) or inefficiencies up the line with editing and scheduling. Goodwin pays very little aside from reimbursements, so I have to assume that the money is passed through from the client and my suspicion is that their terms of payment with the client are generous at the expense of the shopper. And I do expect that Goodwin's employees are paid their salaries in a regular and timely fashion, because that is required by labor law, then the 'leftovers' are used to pay the oldest shops and squeakiest shoppers.

Goodwin is not alone, unfortunately, in all of this. Until and unless such a company reforms itself, a shopper will always be 'at risk' of not being paid per contractual agreement.

I did a fast food shop for them. They paid, but it just took a longer time than all of the other Mystery Shopping Companies to pay. It seems like it was around 4 months. I did not have to bother them. I am doing another. Hope they pay.

*peeks in*

***whispers***

Goodwin actually paid me in the 60-90 range without me having to contact them one time.

*gasp*

I'm still hesistant to do jobs for them now. Just because I do like the restaurant ones and some of their local ones, but I can't wait until August to get paid.

Trying to contact Goodwin for payment; I have had to do this before. I won't be doing anymore shops for them until I get paid; it's only $35 but I have had to submit 3 requests for an over 90 day overdue payment without a response. At least it isn't as bad as Franchise Compliance, but I am not happy about this.

I worked for this company a big project, promise to reimbursement up to $200 and $100 gift card. I spent $190 for this assignment and waited for my payment for couple of months did not received the payment. When I asked for the payment, they said they will pay me $148 (the price I bought for the tickets)instead of $200+ $100 gift card. Later on, they said they did not received my receipts so they won't pay me anymore. Since there client did not accept this report.

I have not received the payment so far.

JASFLALMT Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Trying to contact Goodwin for payment; I have had
> to do this before. I won't be doing anymore shops
> for them until I get paid; it's only $35 but I
> have had to submit 3 requests for an over 90 day
> overdue payment without a response. At least it
> isn't as bad as Franchise Compliance, but I am not
> happy about this.


I did get paid shortly after I wrote this post. Since then I have done shops for them and been paid within 60 days each time.

Better be careful - the internet cops will swoop down and nail you to the wall - atleast the social network wall!!!

I did 3 fast food shops and got paid each time. I was hesitant since I had not heard of them. After being scorned by the carpet cleaning shop (that was almost $200.00), I am a bit gun shy to do unfamiliar shops. I'm glad they pulled through since I enjoy their food shops!

youqing Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> I worked for this company a big project, promise
> to reimbursement up to $200 and $100 gift card. I
> spent $190 for this assignment and waited for my
> payment for couple of months did not received the
> payment. When I asked for the payment, they said
> they will pay me $148 (the price I bought for the
> tickets)instead of $200+ $100 gift card. Later on,
> they said they did not received my receipts so
> they won't pay me anymore. Since there client did
> not accept this report.
>
> I have not received the payment so far.

You should always keep your receipts at least until paid, and when available, the shop # confirmation (Goodwin supplies a number after you submit.) Goodwin is a slow-payer and shoppers often have to ask for payment, but they DO pay. Something sounds amiss regarding your situation -- I hope you kept the receipts to re-submit!

Re: the having to ask for payment dilemma, the last time I did a shop, I was also paid before 60 days, and without prompting. If they keep up this kind of behavior, more shoppers would be inclined to shop for them.

cheryljane Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Better be careful - the internet cops will swoop
> down and nail you to the wall - atleast the social
> network wall!!!

Not true, CherylJane. The difference between the discussion about Goodwin's payment issues and those you have posted about several other MSCs is that Goodwin, until very recently, has been well-known on this forum as an extremely slow payer. Multiple forum members have shared their experiences in this regard. However, it seems that due to continued complaints from shoppers, Goodwin is stepping up to correct these problems. This is great news.

There are a few -but very few - offenders among the MSCs that forum members share information about in order to ensure that others can avoid having the same issues. Topics like this are usually opened up with a question to others to find out if they have experienced any similiar problems. The possibility that this may be a one-off situation is kept under consideration. Only after many others have verified that they, too, have been dealing with the same issues, is that MSC recognized universally as one that shoppers may want to avoid. This kind of specific and detailed information is important, and appreciated.