Yep, I emailed them and restated the instructions. Unfortunately I don't have an actual copy to quote.

If I were to ever do another shop for them I'd download the instructions, but I'm not going to be wroking for them again. Took today off but starting tomorrow, they're going to hear from me every day.

I'm so sorry to hear about your rejected shop but I'm so happy you posted this in the forum because I completed two shops (5/9 and 5/12) for them and I am waiting for payment. They have been sending shops to me to complete, but I will wait until I get paid for the shops that I have completed first. By the way, the shops that I see are only $45. I wish that I saw $70 shops in my area.

I'm completely at my wit's end.
The man I spoke to today at EPMS simply repeatedly said "I am looking at the shop right here in front of me. It says you MUST, in capital letters, shop the same target you speak to on the phone."


Yes, it always says that. It also says, and EPMS has been crystal CLEAR (in capital letters!) that if you call and speak to the target, and then shop on the same day but the target is not available, YOU PROCEED WITH THE SHOP. I pointed this out to him repeatedly, he seemed completely oblivious to the practices.

I have had this happen with EPMS before. They always tell you to proceed with the person who offers to help you if your target is not available. A shopper cannot control the target's availability. The only thing you can do is call and shop the same day to try and ensure your target is there. You are not ALLOWED to make an appointment unless TOLD to do so.

This employee, despite being the guy to answer the phone and help shoppers with shops, is completely oblivious to shop instructions. I insisted he give me another number for a person to talk to, he gave me-- guess what, the main number which is what I called to get him. I asked him "You're telling me you have do not know any other phone numbers?" A pause. "No, I don't."

These guys are inept, and they're liars, they fail to follow their contracts, and I strongly discourage anyone from ever working with them.

I have completed many shops for EPMS, a few video but most written, and I have had editors tell me that they never have issues with my reports. Today I am not a happy camper, and here's why: I completed a video shop in early April, and noticed it had not been approved. I emailed/called/emailed/called to find out what was going on, in that it was not accepted. No reply. The video was good, and so was the report, so why was it just lingering as submitted but not accepted ? More calls/emails and no reply. Noticed yesterday that the shop had been canceled, with no explanation given to me. Again, I am calling and emailing and again, no reply. In my email, I asked if I had done something wrong with this shop, and again no reply. I performed my job and deserve to be compensated. If their client canceled after shop performed, I should be paid, and deserving of some explanation. I am very disappointed in EPMS.

I have also had similar problems recently with EPMS. I had difficulty completing a shop. I spent a month making phone calls, (3-5 per day,) updating the scheduler consistently and making attempts to complete the shop to no avail. I was informed that for a month of work they were willing to pay me $5.00 for all my trouble. I then started trying to call and speak to someone about it. I left numerous messages and no one ever returned my calls. At this point, I truly don't feel that they value my time or work for them. I'm sure that there is something going on at the company, but it would be great if they would take the time to communicate the issue rather than lose great shoppers.

I, too, have noticed EPMS slipping as of late, and I hope they get it together soon, as I have enjoyed a mutually satisfying business relationship with them until now. This lack of response from EPMS is disturbing to me, and a warning sign of possible internal trouble. For a completed shop to linger for 2 months is ridiculous, and to have it canceled after I completed it, with no explanation, is unprofessional. I completed the shop and deserve to be paid. I just fired off a few more emails to EPMS, hoping to resolve this. If I messed up, they should say so, but I suspect someone at EPMS video dept. dropped the ball on the client, and they are going to try to get out of paying me for my work. Unacceptable.

I don't care whether a shopper was in the wrong or not; for this company to simply refuse to respond is rude, disrespectful, and unprofessional.

I'm sorry for anyone who is having issues with them and unable to get any response. Or, who is getting a response that is contrary to the company's own shop instructions. If anything, this is another reinforcement for us shoppers to keep copies of shop instructions stored on our computers long after the shop is completed. Or at least until it's approved and paid. (I just recently deleted guidelines and completed surveys dating back to the fall of 2015, I'm so paranoid about this!)

I keep records of all shops, inc. instructions, videos, written notes, etc....just in case, and this is clearly one of those scenarios. The fact the my numerous emails/calls have been ignored is unsettling, as I have performed many shops successfully for EPMS. I have decided that I will not perform any more shops until this is resolved. I deserve an answer as to why my completed shop sat there for 2 months after completion, only to be canceled. Not a good sign.

I do a lot of shops for EPMS and I always get paid. Remember most of the calls you make for EPMS are recorded, that helps you do the telephone part of the shop, but it also means they listen to what you said and what was said to you on the phone. Go back to your guidelines and double check whether you were or were not supposed to make an appointment. There are both types of instructions, it depends on the client. When I speak to a target and she/he says something like there until 7 p.m. I then ask if I will be meeting with "Suzy" (target) and if she says "No, I get off today at 4." Then I tell her, I prefer to talk to the same person I spoke with on the phone - will she be working tomorrow, and if so, what hours? At that point I have done everything possible to make sure I meet with the target. Personally I also hate targeted shops as you can spend a lot of time trying to reach the target - and I also hate EPMS's reports, they are ridiculous! Questions are repeated, and then there are the "Agent's Weight" type of questions. In fact one of their clients added some questions of their own, that I found to be so stupid, I requested EPMS take that one client off of my eligibility list and I told the scheduler the reason. I never take a targeted shop unless it has a hefty bonus. Just make sure your facts are correct before you communicate with them about this, I would probably do this via Email as you will never reach them by phone, as they all work from home. But if you are corresponding with the Scheduler or Follow up Support and are not getting resolution, then I would ask them to escalate this to their supervisor and ask that person to contact you. Just my thoughts - I have been shopping for Ellis for about 7 years, in over 4 states.

I always save my recorded calls. Perfect example why. I have always had a great working opportunity with this company. I think there is another issue either that you don't know about or maybe not explaining very well, Because the scenario you're describing does not make sense to me. Is there anything else you can think of that could possibly explain this? It doesn't make sense.

meant to say relationship not opportunity

I heard from EPMS. They apologized for the trouble and have offered to add the pay I was promised to another shop if I do another shop. (Not sure what prompted this, whether this forum thread or my conversation with a man day before yesterday who utterly failed to understand EPMS policies, I DOUBT he passed on my complaint!)

I am not sure that's the wise thing for me to do. They said that, with some trouble, they can get me a check but it will be much easier just to have me do another shop. Since they are reaching out to make things right, part of me wants to be as agreeable as possible. But...another shop?

@ChrisCooper wrote:

Targeted shops might seem like a lot of money, but you have to record your call with the target before you can visit the site. I have only reached the target on the first try once. So you have to keep calling and the calls have to be spread out over several hours or 2 days depending on the MSC. If the target calls you, you have to hang up and call back on a recorded line. It's a total waste of time, which is why I prefer non-targeted shops. They pay less, but it probably works out to be the same hourly rate in the long run.

I do my fair share of targeted shops for banks and financial planners. The phone call looking to see when Employee X is working but you can't make any appointments because its a "walk in" assignment. I got stiffed by one of the low grade MSCs who bluntly said "You did everything right but your payment is based upon us getting paid"! I did two shops suppose to pay $150.00 to sit for forty-five minutes to one hour and my "target" had to leave. We are told in the instructions "Do not make any arrangements in advanced because our client wants to see how they treat walk-ins". So back to the OPs question, I was told "If our client refuses payment because the target shop was not shopped, we cant pay you". Is that how EPMS works, they refuse to pay because their clients have crazy demands? They ended up paying me $150 for the second and finally talked to their client splitting the difference I took $75 even though it was not a local drive.

Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 06/04/2016 02:03AM by GuyFawkes.

EPMS has no such policy to pay only if they are paid, that I am aware of.

I am going to give them the benefit of the doubt here and say it was just mishandled and they have some employees who need better training to enact their policies. The fact they want to make it right with me does earn them some credit.

I'm at a loss to understand why they are requiring you to complete another shop in order to be paid for the first one. They apologize, meaning they admit they made an error, and then all but blackmail you into another shop. That's just wrong. But I understand you're wanting to do what you have to do to get paid what they already owe you.

It's because their system needs an active shop so they can pay out. I mean I understand. And they are willing to pay me another way if I insist, but I understand it will be more trouble.

Wow, you all get paid way more than in my area.
Call and ask for Robert. He is in the video department but has been there for years and is helpful.
You may or may not like his answer but he will explain the reason and tell you if there is anything else you can do.

Thats not cool and wish I could help you resolve. Just want to comment that aside from their lengthy and repetitious questions on report, you dont get paid for all the work, sounds very frustrating. I will never assign myself an assignment with them. They underpay for the joke of repetitive report and time it takes for completion.

@lionesstrade wrote:

Thats not cool and wish I could help you resolve. Just want to comment that aside from their lengthy and repetitious questions on report, you dont get paid for all the work, sounds very frustrating. I will never assign myself an assignment with them. They underpay for the joke of repetitive report and time it takes for completion.

This is how you put pressure on them to pay a shopper like Ariana, if this thread continues to remain in the top twenty or thirty spots because Video Shoppers continue asking questions or bumping it up that's very bad for business. Its worked in the past, today one of the schedulers from a different MSC made their appearance because there is nothing like negative Social Media to scare shoppers away from technical jobs like the OP performed. Jacob's approach allows both sides to explain their situation, so far EPMS has failed to respond leaving us all to assume they are not acting in good faith. The scheduler who made her appearance was kind, explained why she handled herself with another shopper and left with almost everyone keeping their high opinion of her.

@arianamorris wrote:

The fact they want to make it right with me does earn them some credit.

I'm glad that they're resolving this with you! Kudos to you for pushing it with them.

(On this next shop, I'll bet you'll download and save your guidelines! LOL. And record your call yourself if it doesn't go through a recorded system!)



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 06/04/2016 05:54PM by BirdyC.

After reading this entire thread, one thing is clear to me: I will NOT be accepting any shops from EPMS now or in the future! Thanks to all who wrote so eloquently.

Good Lord Ariana! Get your money. You've earned double for the hassle but get what is owe at least. Its the principal of the matter at this point.

Bye Bye EPMS. So this is how you treat a top notch competent reliable and hardworking shopper ? I did my job and someone at EPMS dropped the ball on my video shop. I still have all of the records, inc. a copy of the video. If there was a rejection or issue, why didn't EPMS contact me ? My completed video shop sat there for almost 2 full months, only to be unceremoniously canceled, with no reason given to me. The way I see this, I have been cheated out of 60.00 by EPMS. and to add insult to injury, ALL of my inquiries have been ignored. I emailed Robert in video, the accountant, CS, suggestion box, help desk, schedulers, and nothing. The sound of silence here speaks volumes. Shame on them, but they are not the only MSC in town. Bye Bye EPMS.

That sucks.

Is Robert Asher still there ? The video dept. calls are taken by a recorded msg. from another person, and not R.A. and those calls have not been returned either. Did R.A. leave ?

Lurker here. Not exactly getting the warm and fuzzies reading the comments on EPMS and failure to pay or communicate. I, also, will not be shopping for them until these matters are settled. None of this is a good. You do not cheat a shopper. Is anyone there paying attention ?

Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 06/04/2016 05:35PM by The Goto Gal.

@arianamorris wrote:

I heard from EPMS. They apologized for the trouble and have offered to add the pay I was promised to another shop if I do another shop. (Not sure what prompted this, whether this forum thread or my conversation with a man day before yesterday who utterly failed to understand EPMS policies, I DOUBT he passed on my complaint!)

I am not sure that's the wise thing for me to do. They said that, with some trouble, they can get me a check but it will be much easier just to have me do another shop. Since they are reaching out to make things right, part of me wants to be as agreeable as possible. But...another shop?

You really think EPMS would be offering you resolution without the aid of this forum? I thought they were giving you the run around, strange how after all the bad press puts their company on the top of the page while scaring shoppers they finally act? Its people like Lisa and others who spent their time asking questions and proving you got ripped off that is finally motivating them to close their attempted con job on you. To think they would have paid you without all the peer pressure from some of the best video shoppers in the United States is naive.

That is not true! I won't shop for them either, after I set up a targeted apartment shop. It was tough getting the target on the phone, but I did it. I called to make sure she was there that day. Then I show up- and she's gone home sick for the day. You would think they would want you to go ahead with the agent that is offering to show you the apartment.

But no- when I did, so I wouldn't be outed as the shopper, and turned in an exceptionally detailed report, it was refused. You can't tell me they didn't use that report for the leasing agent I shopped.

They will not accept any reasonable excuses for why you didn't shop the target, and there are many that come up. As a result, I quit doing targeted apartment shops entirely. And I won't work for EPMS anymore.

I would NEVER do another shop for them just so you can get paid for the previous one. How does that make any sense?

Don't forget if you go the next day, you have to call to make sure the target is there that day. I didn't one time and lost my dispute because it was in the guidelines and I did not remember it was there.