We recognize him as just another spammer, Dave. In fact, from the quotes picked up here and elsewhere, I suspect it is a bot spammer.

Flash,

Thank you very much for the update. I was quite surprised to see this post and I didn't realize that this person had posted in other threads.

Interesting experience, Zackay. I did my first ever shop last week, and it was for Sentry. I'm not certain what to think at this point. I am a good writer, a detail person, etc., but I am not PERFECT. I think I did a very good job, especially for my first time ever, and I forgot one thing, which was to order a drink. Because of that, and an editor having to remove "a little opinion", my evaluation was accepted but my pay cut in HALF. When I received notification of that, the total amount was miscalculated so that I was missing a dollar. I sent a message but have heard nothing.

It's amazing to me that they have an expectation of perfection, yet there are mistakes on nearly every page of their training materials. And then to have the response contain a calculation error of something so simple: $10 food reimbursement + $6 pay - $3 deduction = $12 (according to them). Wow, I learned that was incorrect clear back in 1st or 2nd grade!

My question is, why is there such a high expectation of perfection (not to mention LENGTH - 500 word narrative on one section alone!) from the evaluators but the company does not live up to this expectation itself? I got a 50% deduction for one error and a tiny bit of editing, so probably 90% of what I did was correct and acceptable. Yet they can mess up my first payment with no compensation, etc. It's such a double standard.

I certainly hope that all companies do not operate in this fashion!

This request for assistance was submitted to us on Saturday 8/28/2010. Our goal is to reply to support tickets within two business days.

The shop fee deduction was the result of a significant shop guideline not being followed. The reimbursement for the shop was not impacted.

As we cover in our assignment preparation materials, shops are expected to be Ready to Publish when they are submitted. The editor's job is to provide a quality control check, ensure that the proper documentation is attached to the shop and address minor grammatical or spelling errors.

We're not perfect either. In this case, we chose to accept the shop with a small fee deduction instead of rejecting it outright.

***edited to fix error pointed out by Joytron***

Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 08/31/2010 12:09AM by Sentry Marketing.

cristifitz Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
.
>
> I certainly hope that all companies do not operate
> in this fashion!

They don't.

> We're not perfect either. In this case, we chose
> to accept the shop with a small fee deduction
> instead of rejecting it outright.

I appreciate your response and am glad the discrepancy was resolved quickly. I don't think, however, that 50% deduction in pay is "a small fee deduction." Yes, it's only $3, but it is still half of the amount, and that's a lot, particularly given the amount of time it takes to do the review. And, unfortunately, it's still a double standard.

It's a tough job to do with no praise or encouragement of what someone actually does right, especially when it's all brand new. The score I got was most discouraging for starting out, so I think it would be in my best interest to look elsewhere and hope for better feedback that actually makes me want to keep trying.

Thanks!

Flash Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> cristifitz Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> .
> >
> > I certainly hope that all companies do not
> operate
> > in this fashion!
>
> They don't.

You're right. Many companies would have rejected the shop outright.

Christi,

Sorry you have had such an unpleasant first experience. Sentry Mktg is not a company I choose to do business with anymore and there are at least several (if not many) others who feel the same way. Do some reading and you will see different peoples reasons. I think I already detailed mine out pretty clearly.

I will say I have been successfully shopping with several other companies and have had very enjoyable experiences. If this company isn't being one for you (an enjoyable experience), then I'd cut your losses and try a different one. This really is a fun job once you get in with a company that is a good fit for you. I have had no problems with any other companies and so far my only bad experiences have revolved around Sentry. Try someone else... I think you'll be glad you did.

Good luck and try to not get too discouraged. Like the line in World According to Garp... you're "predisastered". It can/will only get better. :-)

Zackay

Sentry Marketing Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
"The editors job is to provide a quality control check, ensure that the proper documentation is attached to the shop and address minor grammatical or spelling errors.


We're not perfect either..."

Speaking of errors...shouldn't your sentence about spelling and grammatical errors begin with "The editor's job..."?

Many on this board reject your posts altogether. Instead, I chose to read it in spite of the error. Please send me $3.

Best Regards,
Joytron

:^)

Joytron Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Sentry Marketing Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> "The editors job is to provide a quality control
> check, ensure that the proper documentation is
> attached to the shop and address minor grammatical
> or spelling errors.
>
>
> We're not perfect either..."
>
> Speaking of errors...shouldn't your sentence about
> spelling and grammatical errors begin with "The
> editor's job..."?
>
> Many on this board reject your posts altogether.
> Instead, I chose to read it in spite of the error.
> Please send me $3.
>
> Best Regards,
> Joytron

Good catch, Joytron. Thanks for pointing out the error! We appreciate your help very much.

Thanks for the input, everyone. I guess Sentry helped make my decision for me by disabling my account, so I won't be worrying about them any longer.

I'm not in the habit of doling out advice, but to Dave I would say: If you want quality workers, then do quality work, which includes getting off the defensive wagon and getting on the "How Can I Improve" train and go about making things better. I'm an honest, hard working person who strives to please and rise to a challenge. And, I will continue to be/do so.

See you all in other parts of the forum on happier notes!

Yeah, they like to disable your account if you dare question them. That's more of their standard operating procedure. Just be glad you hadn't done a bunch of shops for them.

Cristi - your account was shut down in reponse to your statement that you did not intend to complete assignments for us.

Zackay - your account was shut down based on your actions on our Facebook page.

It is certainly not our "standard operating procedure" to disable a shopper's account becuase they posted on a forum.

Yeah... and those actions were stating that I had trouble reaching anyone at your company after you mistakenly (by your own admission) marked an assignment late and were going to deduct a fee... also with incorrect math. So, I stand by my earlier statement... you delete anyone's account who dares say something you don't like or calls you out on your mistakes. Don't worry, I'm not missing you or your company in the slightest.

zackay Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Yeah... and those actions were stating that I had
> trouble reaching anyone at your company after you
> mistakenly (by your own admission) marked an
> assignment late and were going to deduct a fee...
> also with incorrect math. So, I stand by my
> earlier statement... you delete anyone's account
> who dares say something you don't like or calls
> you out on your mistakes. Don't worry, I'm not
> missing you or your company in the slightest.


zackay

Your account was deactivated based on your actions on our Facebook site. We deal with many new shoppers each month and 99% of them are pleasant and professional to deal with. If we determine a shopper is not a good fit for our company, we part ways with that shopper, no hard feelings.

We wish you nothing but the best.

Dave

Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 08/31/2010 03:08AM by Sentry Marketing.

Sentry Marketing Wrote:

> zackay
>
> Your account was deactivated based on your actions
> on our Facebook sight.


Should be Facebook site... FYI. Just another example of the many errors that are acceptable FROM your company but not TO your company.

I have not performed an assignment with Sentry so I have no opinion one way or the other. I do agree, one of my biggest pet peeves with MSPs is when they make tons of spelling and grammar errors. In all fairness though, I can think of many MSPs that would totally throw out a report if the shopper forgot to purchase a required item.

Sentry Marketing Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> zackay Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> > Yeah... and those actions were stating that I
> had
> > trouble reaching anyone at your company after
> you
> > mistakenly (by your own admission) marked an
> > assignment late and were going to deduct a
> fee...
> > also with incorrect math. So, I stand by my
> > earlier statement... you delete anyone's
> account
> > who dares say something you don't like or calls
> > you out on your mistakes. Don't worry, I'm not
> > missing you or your company in the slightest.
>
>
> zackay
>
> Your account was deactivated based on your actions
> on our Facebook site. We deal with many new
> shoppers each month and 99% of them are pleasant
> and professional to deal with. If we determine a
> shopper is not a good fit for our company, we part
> ways with that shopper, no hard feelings.
>
> We wish you nothing but the best.
>
> Dave


Not a good fit my great Aunt Fannie.........seems to be getting deep in here again and I just shoveled out the last load......I could make a fortune if I had the manure concession.

I am not going to waste a whole lot of time with this posting business, but I do believe that there are a lot of people on several of these forums that do not really understand the nature of the mystery shopping business. The work we do (well over three decades for me) is important whether it is a three-dollar moving company phone call, a thirty-five dollar casual meal, a ninety dollar hotel, or a $250 fine dining meal.

As I noted on one of the other forums, I am an engineer, and I have multiple post-grad degrees. I also taught as an adjunct instructor at a couple of colleges, and I have been a Division 4 NCAA baseball and basketball referee. I do mention these things to "glorify" myself, but to point out that I am familiar with the other side of having to take rules and regulations and formats and apply them.

There is no MSC that is perfect. They all have their expectations. Almost all of them have their own eccentric "silly rules" that drive me nuts, even after I have done hundreds of assignments for them. But, I choose to put up with them because I have learned to grow up, to cope, and to roll with the punches.

In reading many of the comments on many of the forum questions, I find that a lot of the folks posting remind me of some of my students when I teach: they want great grades for no effort, and they want me not to teach them, but to cut them slack when they are supposed to be learning and applying principles and honing their own abilities. In short, they have not yet matured.

An engineer does not become and engineer by merely getting a diploma. It takes four to five years of professional practice to be a REAL engineer. That is not waht society teaches today, however. The same is true about mystery shopping, and it not only depends on the number of years or shops that a shopper has completed, but it also depends on the years/shops for a given company. It takes time to feel out the idiosynchrosies. THEN one can say whether or not they want to continue with a particular MSC. There are only three MSCs in my thirty-some years that I had irreparable disagreements with, and that, my friends, is just life.

Dave, Jennifer, and the crew at Sentry are hard-working individuals that have to satisfy their CUSTOMERS to keep their jobs. MSCs are BUSINESSES, not government entitlement programs, and those of us who have worked in or for businesses or (as I)have taken a stab at a startup company know that it is a rough row to hoe. There will be some glitches. There will be some unfair things that slip through the cracks, but overall Sentry is a great company. As they improve----usually through POSITIVE suggestions from us, they will become even better.

That is where we should all be focusing on: helping the MSCs to provide better and more efficient service to their clients so that more work comes their way so that the profit margins are higher so that our fees can be increased. Negative, childish complaining does not solve a problem. If you are a new shopper, and you want an honest, intelligent, informed response about many of the companies out there, please feel free to PM me. I will try to help---I wish I had more time.

Dee, I have seen you criticize many shoppers and I haven't been on the forum long, but have done MS a long time. You comment so much here I don't see how you get time to work. You seem to see yourself as some kind of MS superstar. You rule over the forum. You seem to see yourself as superior to the rest. I'm not doing this work much longer, so I don't care what I say now. It feels good to not have to tiptoe around the Movie Star of MS. Big deal, you who shops. Get a job doing something that requires a degree or specialized knowledge and see quickly find yourself at the bottom of the ladder. Get off your high horse. The poor new shopper is being picked on by you and your are also projecting your attitude onto her, which is one of subtle but deeply ingrained criticism of others. You are also insecure and this is your Great Identity. I know I don't like you and I've never even met you. If you are so experienced give tips in a nurturing way, don't burn them at the stake. Just my ever so humble opinion.

nancy847 Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Dee, I have seen you criticize many shoppers and I
> haven't been on the forum long, but have done MS a
> long time. You comment so much here I don't see
> how you get time to work. You seem to see yourself
> as some kind of MS superstar. You rule over the
> forum. You seem to see yourself as superior to the
> rest. I'm not doing this work much longer, so I
> don't care what I say now. It feels good to not
> have to tiptoe around the Movie Star of MS. Big
> deal, you who shops. Get a job doing something
> that requires a degree or specialized knowledge
> and see quickly find yourself at the bottom of the
> ladder. Get off your high horse. The poor new
> shopper is being picked on by you and your are
> also projecting your attitude onto her, which is
> one of subtle but deeply ingrained criticism of
> others. You are also insecure and this is your
> Great Identity. I know I don't like you and I've
> never even meYou can thiit you. If you are so experienced give
> tips in a nurturing way, don't burn them at the
> stake. Just my ever so humble opinion.

You can think what you want. You come here and post a bunch of posts in one night and we are supposed to consider YOU an "authority"?

I don't care if you don't like me or my style. FYI, I happen to HAVE the terminal degree in my real field, which is art. I teach college. I do MSing to pay off the loans I got getting to this place, and to enhance my lifestyle.

I am not insecure, but am flattered that you think so. Dream on, "humble one". Your opinion of me means nothing to me. NOTHING. Perhaps if you had posted for several years before tonight, I might consider it. But, since you only chose to come here and post on so many threads this night, I don't care what you say, and never will. Thanks for the last laugh, though. I needed it. I have spent the last three hours grading my students' essays...something you might never appreciate. :-)



Edited 2 time(s). Last edit at 09/02/2010 09:14AM by dee shops.

I've read this thread and a couple of others where it seems an MSC knows the true identity of a complaining poster.

Am I missing something? There should be no way for anyone to know who I am in the "real" world based on the name I choose to use in this forum. If something I posted here about an MSC ended up in my deactivation I would be livid.

Would someone please enlighten me?

JudeFM,
I suspect that the person who was identified either uses the same name in multiple places (facebook, here, etc.) or the situation described was so recent and specific that it was the matter that "IDed" the shopper. Even people on this forum and on volition.com who have read many of my posts in both places have misidentified me as someone else entirely, many times. On this forum, I have been "accused" of being three entirely different people, lol. But not by MSCs.

On a slightly different tack, complaining on forums is often a way of being "the squeeking wheel," and often results in getting problems with MSCs resolved, when the MSC is one of those that values the shoppers. If an MSC wanted to ban me because I raised a problem o a forum, that would be one MSC that I would not be loathe to part from.

Jude, depending on what you post about yourself and your shopping activities, it might make you easy to spot, as well. I know that some have spotted me. Only NWLP deactivated me.

The point of coming here is not to keep quiet, but post, having to talk in whispers because your afraid takes the power out of the forum. I don't give a hoot if an MSC wants to de-activate me, I'll take my experience somewhere else, none pay enough to scare me. We all need to help one another, the shoppers and the MSC at fault for our complaints. I feel the forum will be on it's last leg if the shoppers attack each other.

I appreciate the responses and the different points of view. Being so new to this, I obviously don't have the experience or the confidence you all do.

It's nice to know you're all here as backup for those times that I'm totally out of my depth!

nancy847 Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Dee, I have seen you criticize many shoppers and I
> haven't been on the forum long, but have done MS a
> long time. You comment so much here I don't see
> how you get time to work. You seem to see yourself
> as some kind of MS superstar. You rule over the
> forum. You seem to see yourself as superior to the
> rest. I'm not doing this work much longer, so I
> don't care what I say now. It feels good to not
> have to tiptoe around the Movie Star of MS. Big
> deal, you who shops. Get a job doing something
> that requires a degree or specialized knowledge
> and see quickly find yourself at the bottom of the
> ladder. Get off your high horse. The poor new
> shopper is being picked on by you and your are
> also projecting your attitude onto her, which is
> one of subtle but deeply ingrained criticism of
> others. You are also insecure and this is your
> Great Identity. I know I don't like you and I've
> never even met you. If you are so experienced give
> tips in a nurturing way, don't burn them at the
> stake. Just my ever so humble opinion.

This type of direct anger must be in response to some specific incident. Just IMHO, this would be more suited to a PM than a post in open forum, especially when it has nothing to do with the specific topic of the thread.

deleted



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 09/03/2010 06:13AM by dee shops.

Wow, I go away for a couple of days and this is what I come back to. Going back to the DVR until it is safe again. LOL.