Service Scouts is going to fine me $150!!!

@tracy@servicescouts.com wrote:

Actually, you canceled last minute last year as well. I gave you a second chance this season. I also did send you the copies of all of the notifications that were sent to you within the invoice. I did so a second time when you requested that information. In fact, if you look at the notification email stating you were assigned the shop, it specifically states that your tickets are printed for you and left in your name at will call. It also states that whether or not you complete the offered training, you are still obligated to complete the assignment per the shopper agreement and requirements.

If you are referring to me you are mistaken. I did not cancel a shop at the last minute last year. The email that you are asking me to refer to was never received. If I would have received it on 3/17 we would not be having this issue. I received an invoice with a typed statement of what the emails said, not actual copied emails with headers. In that email it said that I was assigned an event in Indianapolis, not St. Louis.

I have been mystery shopping for a long time. I have completed a lot of shops and I have developed great relationships with my schedulers. Every now and then a mistake occurs.
Sometimes it is my fault and some times it is theirs. We have managed to work things out.

I have never received such harsh treatment with any other scheduler and frankly it's uncalled for.

Create an Account or Log In

Membership is free. Simply choose your username, type in your email address, and choose a password. You immediately get full access to the forum.

Already a member? Log In.

Tracy, whether you have the right shopper or not is apparently in question. Meanwhile, you should never use the name of a shopper, first or last, who has not published that information on this site.

Equal rights for others does not mean fewer rights for you. It's not pie.
"I prefer someone who burns the flag and then wraps themselves up in the Constitution over someone who burns the Constitution and then wraps themselves up in the flag." -Molly Ivins
Never try to teach a pig to sing. It's a waste of your time and it really annoys the pig.
@tracy@servicescouts.com wrote:

[shopper name removed], When you joined Service Scouts- you electronically signed a shopper agreement which states what you are obligated to in the contract- you have one for every company you work with as a mystery shopper. There are two. One has a higher penalty than the other. Please read your documentation shoppers. Really- if you don't agree to the terms of the contract, then don't join the company as a shopper.
[question removed by mod] Who is Angela from one of your other posts? I guess Tracy likes outing her shoppers identities in a public forum.

I perform sporting events for another MSC and they treat me like gold. Consistently awesome seats. Comped food. Reimbursed alcoholic drinks and fan trinkets (hats, t-shirts, giant foam finger.) Even when something goes slightly awry during the shop (life happens), they have always been professional and willing to work with me. I get paid a fee PLUS the comped tickets and other perks like valet parking.
@Sybil2 wrote:

@tracy@servicescouts.com wrote:

When you joined Service Scouts- you electronically signed a shopper agreement which states what you are obligated to in the contract- you have one for every company you work with as a mystery shopper. There are two. One has a higher penalty than the other. Please read your documentation shoppers. Really- if you don't agree to the terms of the contract, then don't join the company as a shopper.
Who is Angela from one of your other posts? I guess Tracy likes outing her shoppers identities in a public forum.

I perform sporting events for another MSC and they treat me like gold. Consistently awesome seats. Comped food. Reimbursed alcoholic drinks and fan trinkets (hats, t-shirts, giant foam finger.) Even when something goes slightly awry during the shop (life happens), they have always been professional and willing to work with me. I get paid a fee PLUS the comped tickets and other perks like valet parking.

I have also been treated very well by other MSC over the years. I have performed many fun shops and I've done my best to do well written, accurate reports. It is unfortunate that Tracy is so difficult, my husband would have been thrilled to do these shops with me.
Given Tracy's other posts, refusing "for confidentiality reasons" to answer any questions, breaking confidentiality to release shopper names on the forum appears vindictive and aggressive. You know what they say, the best defense is a good offense?

Offensive. Maybe the moderator will edit and remove the personal names.
Reads like the most appropriate response from Tracy (if what she says is true) would be to state the shopper is mistaken about who the scheduler was and to state she'll inform Service Scouts of the issue and get a response from the actual scheduler...
Also, unsure as the comment was of profile information being deleted..but Tracy also should know the personal email of the shopper and respond that way as opposed to here.

Just my view from the peanut gallery.
I went back and double-checked my facts and I was in fact wrong and had confused you with another scheduler. I apologize and have edited my post. The shop was done for Service Scouts and the scheduler was "LKA".
We don't do appropriate here. winking smiley

There are reasons that a body stays in motion
At the moment only demons come to mind
I believe she was responding to the forum member, angelagoble, who chimed in and shared her experience with Service Scouts. She posted again a few posts below yours.

@Sybil2 wrote:

Who is Angela from one of your other posts?

Kim
@angelagoble wrote:

I went back and double-checked my facts and I was in fact wrong and had confused you with another scheduler. I apologize and have edited my post. The shop was done for Service Scouts and the scheduler was "LKA".

Angela, it was stand-up of you to come back and correct the mistake. But, regardless of which scheduler it was, it's beginning to sound as if the folks at this MSC have a history of trying to intimidate shoppers, or of being very heavy handed and not willing to work with their shoppers.

In the OP's situation, it's starting to sound as if the MSC may have gotten two shoppers mixed up. It's happened before, just recently, that someone posted that a scheduler mixed her up with another shopper with the same name. But instead of entertaining that possibility, Tracy comes here and basically accuses the shopper of lying and of being a repeat flake. Doesn't say, "Contact me and we'll see if perhaps you were confused with another shopper." Nope. There doesn't seem to be any attempt on her part to resolve the situation, other than to threaten the shopper.

It could be that Tracy's right and the OP somehow missed her communications. But when a scheduler takes this sort of attitude, it sounds defensive, and it certainly casts a negative light on the MSC.

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


Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 04/21/2016 01:23PM by BirdyC.
Thank you Angela- which is not "outing" the name- it is in her profile.

@angelagoble wrote:

I went back and double-checked my facts and I was in fact wrong and had confused you with another scheduler. I apologize and have edited my post. The shop was done for Service Scouts and the scheduler was "LKA".

Your Guide to World Class Customer Care!

Tracy A. Keller
Quality Assurance Coordinator
Tracy@ServiceScouts.com
www.servicescouts.com
@tracy@servicescouts.com wrote:

Thank you Angela- which is not "outing" the name- it is in her profile.
You DID "out" the other forum member but the mod has since edited it out. And you do not have to worry about "researching" me because I do not work with this MSC. Have a nice weekend.
Have you read the ICA? Read carefully about disputes. What is the procedure? What is the jurisdiction? I would imagine that it is a location convenient to the MSC and not to the shopper. Given that small claims courts permit continuances, they might be able to make it rough.

In Indiana, Once you win a case, then you can go back to court for a Proceedings Supplemental. If the defendant does not show up, you can request a Body Attachment Warrant. This is like an arrest and detainment until the next court date where the defendant is brought into court to be interrogated by the judge as to their ability to pay and assets.

Do not read so much, look about you and think of what you see there.
Richard Feynman-- letter to Ashok Arora, 4 January 1967, published in Perfectly Reasonable Deviations from the Beaten Track (2005) p. 230
That is an interesting idea. The Service Scouts contract is governed by the laws of Nevada.

If a lawsuit of any kind were to be filed, that would open this issue up to nationwide media scrutiny. If the scrutiny on our forum seems harsh to Service Scouts, imagine how much fun they could have with newspaper/radio/TV coverage. The media would ask hard questions about proof that the shop was actually assigned to the shopper - and it does not sound like Tracy has the actual e-mails and can prove the shop was assigned. Then there's the issue of the St. Louis shopper's invoice showing that she was assigned a shop in Indianapolis - if the invoice references Indianapolis rather than St. Louis, is the invoice wrong? What about the documentation supporting the invoice? And I'm sure the media would question Tracy's memory - did this shopper actually cancel last year also at the last minute or is Tracy confusing her with another shopper?

And of course then it would hit Facebook and lots of us might Tweet about it.

I wonder how it would affect the Service Scouts client relationships as their clients read about it. And how many mystery shoppers would be hesitant to sign up - or how many who are signed up would put this company on the 10-foot pole list? Pursuing this might be very, very costly to Service Scouts - and I'm not talking about just the lousy $150 invoice submitted to the shopper.
How would any media get interested in such a case...it's the treat that would work. I've sued Ford and a couple of other corps in small claims. Nothing like getting a call from a divisional VP whose day is already booked solid and all they want to do is get it solved....its why I still get lifetime oil changes for my Ford Explorer.

Do not read so much, look about you and think of what you see there.
Richard Feynman-- letter to Ashok Arora, 4 January 1967, published in Perfectly Reasonable Deviations from the Beaten Track (2005) p. 230
I threatened Service Scouts with taking them to small claims since they still owe me money. Their response back to me was "your actions may result in further costs, damages and attorney fees which we may find necessary to recoup from you for filing a claim in a state that has not jurisdiction". This was from the owner of Service Scouts, so they believe that you can only file a claim in the state that they have a business license in.
Hahahahahahahaha
False

There are reasons that a body stays in motion
At the moment only demons come to mind
Thank-you for starting this thread and sharing your experience! Based on this thread, I do not plan on applying to be a shopper for SS and will avoid Ms. Tracy in the future!
Warning: This User Has Been Banned or Is No Longer Active
I realize that I am not the most popular forum member here after having taken my issues with a scheduling company public here on this forum last fall. That having been said, and realizing that I'm not directly involved in this issue - it really does seem to me anyway that Service Scouts is begging for legal issues here. I am glad I am not the shopper involved as if I'm reading this right (?), I'd be morally compelled to take this to the next level legally......I'd be obligated to do so to stop this MSC from treating the next shopper this way. If I let it go, I'd be just as guilty as the MSC is, and I wouldn't want to live with that - I deserve better. But once again, I'm not 100 percent that I'm reading this right, and I also understand that not everyone is going to see this the way I do. At any rate, I have no experience with Service Scouts and will avoid this MSC as if it were the bubonic plague. I wish the OP the best in sorting this out......and I'd stand up for yourself and cost this MSC time, aggravation, and most importantly (if you wish anything with this MSC to change) money. I'm getting the vibe that only large financial loss and shopper community publicity will cause any changes at this MSC.
Warning: This User Has Been Banned or Is No Longer Active
@whosear wrote:

How would any media get interested in such a case...it's the treat that would work. I've sued Ford and a couple of other corps in small claims. Nothing like getting a call from a divisional VP whose day is already booked solid and all they want to do is get it solved....its why I still get lifetime oil changes for my Ford Explorer.
There's nothing quite like media attention - when it can be obtained - to topple the arrogant and get quick resolution and perhaps a quick settlement for time, aggravation, and harassment. It's not always possible to get media attention, however. Worth a try for this OP, though...what do they have to lose?
Warning: This User Has Been Banned or Is No Longer Active
@BYUBoy wrote:

I threatened Service Scouts with taking them to small claims since they still owe me money. Their response back to me was "your actions may result in further costs, damages and attorney fees which we may find necessary to recoup from you for filing a claim in a state that has not jurisdiction". This was from the owner of Service Scouts, so they believe that you can only file a claim in the state that they have a business license in.
It really does sound like this MSC could use some flattening/economic loss/ego deflation provided through litigation.....for what it's worth I hope this is to be their fate, though of cource it's not in my hands nor am I in any way directly involved. Just wanted to post some solidarity with the OP. Hopefully there will be resolution and at least some sort of token settlement for the OP.
Warning: This User Has Been Banned or Is No Longer Active
@Kr wrote:

Thank-you for starting this thread and sharing your experience! Based on this thread, I do not plan on applying to be a shopper for SS and will avoid Ms. Tracy in the future!
Agreed 100 percent and sounds very wise to me!
I was a scheduler and editor for Service Scouts until early November of last year. During my time with the company, I had medical issues, car troubles, and went through an exceptionally bad breakup with my partner. In February, I began asking where my 1099 was. After receiving no response and emailing multiple days in a row, I finally received this email. As stated in previous emails between the owner and myself, he stated that all agreements and obligations through Service Scouts are terminated and void which means me posting this now holds no legal bearing. I caution anyone considering signing up with this MSC that this is the kind of person you are dealing with as the owner of the company.

Angela,

1099s were mailed and are due no later than 2/15.

All but one of Service Scout's representatives in over 20 year's in business - and ALl current staff always meets or exceeds deadlines.

I'm sure you'll receive it soon unless:

post office truck lies about a flat tire or something like that and could deliver it on time
or
Your neighborhood postwoman broke up with their boyfriend and is too upset to get it delivered on time.

Thank you,

Your Guide to World Class Customer Care!

Jim Smith
President & Founder
Service Scouts, Inc.
www.ServiceScouts.com
Warning: This User Has Been Banned or Is No Longer Active
@AtomicAngela wrote:

I was a scheduler and editor for Service Scouts until early November of last year. During my time with the company, I had medical issues, car troubles, and went through an exceptionally bad breakup with my partner. In February, I began asking where my 1099 was. After receiving no response and emailing multiple days in a row, I finally received this email. As stated in previous emails between the owner and myself, he stated that all agreements and obligations through Service Scouts are terminated and void which means me posting this now holds no legal bearing. I caution anyone considering signing up with this MSC that this is the kind of person you are dealing with as the owner of the company.

Angela,

1099s were mailed and are due no later than 2/15.

All but one of Service Scout's representatives in over 20 year's in business - and ALl current staff always meets or exceeds deadlines.

I'm sure you'll receive it soon unless:

post office truck lies about a flat tire or something like that and could deliver it on time
or
Your neighborhood postwoman broke up with their boyfriend and is too upset to get it delivered on time.

Thank you,

Your Guide to World Class Customer Care!

Jim Smith
President & Founder
Service Scouts, Inc.
www.ServiceScouts.com
I guess this person can't be changed (other than potentially flattened financially in a court of law) but at least your advice can be heeded and this person can be put on the 9000 foot pole list.
Wow

There are reasons that a body stays in motion
At the moment only demons come to mind
@bgriffin wrote:

Wow

I couldn't have said it better. I'm speechless. And I don't do speechless often.

Just WOW.
Sorry, only registered users may post in this forum.

Click here to login