"Trust"? LOL.

Overall, I've had a good experience with this company over the years and I've always been treated well, even recently while I've been throwing temper snits over the telephone. However, I don't think the problem lies entirely with the MSC. I believe the client has gone all stranger (that means more stranger than usual, not unacquainted) on us.

That report is MUCH more lengthy. We are now reporting on SIX items on the pumps instead of two. One of these items is required a couple of questions later, not up in the numbered pump section. I was told reporting all these doesn't take very longer because I can get that information off the data collection sheet included in the documents. Please, gimmie a break, when I look at that pump sheet I go cross eyed.

I can't even imagine trying to pick up the information from the pump sheet and enter it in the report much less the time I would spend standing in front of a pump and the back and forth on all the options listed on the pump sheet. Okay, I admit the MSC is responsible for the collection data sheet. But hey, they tried. I can't figure out myself how to tell another person to efficiently get this data and report it. You note I said efficiently. Yes, I can do it with all the skill of a kindergartener making mud pies. I'm getting a editorial wave on kindergartener. Guess I can't spell, either.

Two questions:
1. Do any of you actually use their pump data collection sheet?
2. What are you drinking today?

Not to mention, Okay, I am mentioning, the weird questions on the pole signs. Yes, they do have poles. No, they don't have signs. Try getting that in there without explaining yourself.

@MDavisnowell wrote:

Two questions:
1. Do any of you actually use their pump data collection sheet?
2. What are you drinking today?
.

I find their data collection sheet confusing and cumbersome to use. The method I prefer is using voice to text on my smartphone. This works best for me because I can move quickly from one pump to another and not have to spend any time writing/texting notes. I agree that there is much more work involved. However, that evening eligible pay does make things a little more tolerable.

I'm drinking hot tea to soothe the nerves in preparation for a 13 shop day.

@MDavisnowell wrote:

That report is MUCH more lengthy. We are now reporting on SIX items on the pumps instead of two. One of these items is required a couple of questions later, not up in the numbered pump section. I was told reporting all these doesn't take very longer because I can get that information off the data collection sheet included in the documents. Please, gimmie a break, when I look at that pump sheet I go cross eyed.

What's driven me nuts is when you report the items on the QDispenser 1-24, there is no spacing between each set of questions. Would that have killed Maritz? A couple times in my double checking I noticed that I originally checked the wrong box just because of their terrible spacing of the items.

@MDavisnowell wrote:

Two questions:
1. Do any of you actually use their pump data collection sheet?
2. What are you drinking today?

1) I re-created my own.
2) Zephyrhills Spring Water

You're right about the spacing. It would have helped tremendously. Another unnecessary burden is having all twenty four pumps to check off on every report.

I made my own data sheet which I fill out at home from the pictures. I shoot full size so I can pick up details and then resize before I transmit.

I use my own worksheet. Wouldn't it be nice if their online report asked how many pumps were at the site before the actual pump report? Then, if you reported 5, it defaulted to just 5 separate pumps to report upon; the remainder would be blanked out. How difficult would that be for the software guy? I think I could write that code.

As for my drink - its chicken noodle soup in a cup. Appropriate for a snowy day like today!

I also shoot full-size pictures of the pumps, and then look at the pictures when filling out the reports. Sometimes I take note of certain things like the credit card apps when I know they won't show clearly in the pictures. I never use a form - I just get my pics and move on to the next shop after taking minimal notes.

I'm drinking Diet Coke on ice. It's sunny and hot here, and I've got the AC going.. My tomatoes are even wilting.

You people are entirely too sober. Perhaps that's why you aren't having issues.

They frown on drinking alcohol in the middle of the day at my FT job.

@Sybil2 wrote:

They frown on drinking alcohol in the middle of the day at my FT job.

I'm so sorry.

Although I'm not actually drinking today (yet) I like to have the option when I'm home. That Q was more of a joke than anything else. Lately this work has been driving me toward drink and I admit to a wee nip of Weller late last night before tucking in. Too bad my heart now requires the nip to be wee and seldom. I don't work while drinking and I don't report while drinking. That would be an overall waste of a wee nip of Weller.

I have been using their data collection sheet, but it is cumbersome with all the things to check now. I may to have create my own. I draw a line down the row of the number of pumps as soon as I arrive. I write the order I do the pumps on top of each pump number on the top in case there are no pump #s on the pumps. I agree totally about having spacing on the report between the data. I am certain I will check off an incorrect box or two before long. I do use my own cheat sheet for everything else and that makes it easier.

I ran back to a station this afternoon to grab a photo of the under canopy diesel pumps that I have always ignored before. The report hasn't been sent back yet, but if it is, at least I'll have the pictures ready. I missed that little change. Grrgh.

1. I do not use the data collection sheet. I use my own worksheet which I updated over the weekend to include all the new stuff. It is detailed well enough that I normally don't have to go back and check my photos for details.
2. Wine

I did my first 3 today and the 2nd and 3rd got progressively easier and will continue to do so when I no longer have to look at my binder to check current and expired POP. The debriefing is tedious but I think will also get faster with time. I think a $3 increase would be more in line for the additional work but, of course, that's not going to happen.

I did find out a few things. If the attendant asks the reward questions and earns a bonus you don't have to ask for the home address. His name and the station address will suffice. A photo of the shirt and a separate photo of the name tag is not needed if the name is legible. There is some confusion, at least on my part, concerning the pole POP.

I will continue to do these stations and believe that both the shop and the debrief will get quicker with a little time.

@LIJake wrote:

I did my first 3 today and the 2nd and 3rd got progressively easier and will continue to do so when I no longer have to look at my binder to check current and expired POP. The debriefing is tedious but I think will also get faster with time. I think a $3 increase would be more in line for the additional work but, of course, that's not going to happen.

Just curious...how long did it take you to perform the first shop with the new requirements? I did my first one for this round after work tonight and it took over double the amount of time that it usually does. The station and store were both very busy with the after work rush crowd.

The first shop took 43 minutes. It had, however, 12 pumps. I use a binder with the documentation printed out rather than a tablet and I had to retrieve it from the car to check which POP was current and which was expired. The second one took 29 minutes (4 pumps) and the third 36 minutes (10 pumps). I think I eill be able to get these inspections down to 20-25 minutes once I am more familiar with the POP and don't have to refer to my binder. The first debrief took 35 minutes and the 2nd & 3rd about 25. This too will get quicker the more I do.

I did notice that the emotional question disappeared. I'm glad I don't have to feel excited and impressed any more. Although that cute blue-eyed blond attendant..... never mind.

That's why you get an opaque cup with a lid and straw. Add some juice, vodka and ice. You can't smell vodka on your breath. Not that I would ever do this at my office

I use my own worksheet to complete these shops, and am drinking Mountain Dew LOL.
I have completed 25 of them now and they do seem to get a LITTLE shorter after a while. I still have 60 more to do this month. I just need to make sure I allow more time for each shop when I plan my route out. When I do my maps I generally put in 30 min for each one, and even though some take longer, it generally equals it self out with some of the smaller locations. I really am hoping after June this is really over. And personally I think that the pay should have been increased to a minimum of $14 with the amount of paperwork and time these shops now take. Not to mention the amount of ink to print out all the paperwork.
And out of the 25 I have completed 3 have asked about Plenti and I had no problem with getting their information, and all 3 wanted the card mailed to their home.

Also, is anyone else noticing how long these shops have been sitting under current shops and not getting edited?
Only the 5 that were returned to me have been removed and I did these shops on Sunday and Monday. This really worries me because the pay cut off is the 15th and if I do some on the 12th or 13th I am worried that they are not going to get put on May 1st check. That they want us to get the reports in within 12-24 hours but the editors have yet to check my reports 5 days later seems a little unfair.

Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 04/09/2016 12:21AM by mizzessummer.

The exact thing happened to me this week. I am new to them and this was my first shop with them. I was on my tablet and missed the same question 3 times and got locked out. I didn't know and did the shop anyway. When I tried to enter the shop it would not let me. I let the scheduler know after a lot of emails threating that my report was late and it was reset eventually. I just entered the report this morning. Hope I get paid for it. The scheduler was really patient with me.Now I believe something is wrong with the test.

The exact thing happened to me this week. I am new to them and this was my first shop with them. I was on my tablet and missed the same question 3 times and got locked out. I didn't know and did the shop anyway. When I tried to enter the shop it would not let me. I let the scheduler know after a lot of emails threating that my report was late and it was reset eventually. I just entered the shopnthis morning. Hope I get paid for it. The scheduler was really patient with me.Now I believe something is wrong with the test.

@kidney1 wrote:

Now I believe something is wrong with the test.

I hate to disillusion you Kidney but the test is not really that hard and nothing is wrong with it. I suggest when you take it again, and if you fail twice you contact the schedulers and they will walk you through it. Once you pass, print out the completed test as you will be quizzed again.

@LIJake wrote:

@kidney1 wrote:

Now I believe something is wrong with the test.

I hate to disillusion you Kidney but the test is not really that hard and nothing is wrong with it. I suggest when you take it again, and if you fail twice you contact the schedulers and they will walk you through it. Once you pass, print out the completed test as you will be quizzed again.

Two suggestions for Maritz shops:

Okay, here's my little secret for test taking: i keep a notebook where I write down my answers. I just number my questions and next to each number, I write down the answer I gave. I've never really had a problem. Sheesh! You get to take the thing 3 times, plus its open book!
Like Jake says, call if you fail on the second attempt. They'll walk you through it.
Second secret: Once you've passed the test, you should be able to click on the visit ID and then click on the "enter results" section. Enter the security code and voila! you will be able to preview all the questions for the shop. This is helpful as a way of reviewing exactly what the MSC wants.

I feel like I gave up too much!

As much as possible, in a "go" cup in the cup holder....Scottish through and through, so single malts and gin, all depending, you know?

I'm not suggesting there's something wrong with the test for the hardware shop, but next time I won't do it on an iPad. Of all the inane questions on that stupid quiz, the one I missed was "What hours can you perform the shop?" I hit the answer, and I know it's correct since I just did one two weeks ago. Since it was on an iPad, I think maybe it didn't take it as an answer. I didn't know that you got locked out after 3 attempts.

Having done more than 20 of these shops, I have awarded a few of the certificates. During that time, I've only come across one shop where the employee thought he had asked about the card. The scenario went like this:

After finishing all the required portions of the mystery shop and reveal, picture taking, etc, I was ready to leave. I reentered the shop with the "leave behind" literature that describes the promotion and left it with the attendant. Halfway back to my car, the attendant asked me to return, where I found the manager holding the "leave behind" lit. He asked about the program and I explained how it worked - attendant asks me about the card, promotes the card, etc. If they do any of those actions, I then will award the certificate and ask for the attendant's full name and address. The card will then be mailed to the attendant after I file my report.
The manager then says that the attendant said he asked me about the card. "No, he didn't," I said. "If he had, I would have given him my card to scan and it would show up on the receipt." I showed him my receipt - no card scan. He gave the attendant a dirty look.

I asked pleasantly if there was anything more. He shook his head. I thanked him and left.

I suppose the gist of this learning experience is that the shopper should have the card with them and have it scanned to prove or disprove the assertion of the attendant.

My shops from last Sunday, April 4th, are still sitting there unedited. This seems like a really long time to me. And it must be because they have new editors because I am having shops returned for things such as the editor not being able to see CC Aps in the picture, when they are clearly there. I am hoping this doesn't cause a pay issue. I'm about to call them today and see what's going on.

Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 04/12/2016 01:09PM by mizzessummer.