I've done my share of shops for them and have consistently been mildly miffed with their communications processes and online environment. I have an M. Ed. specializing in distance learning, so I'm particularly sensitive when it comes to poor online content delivery and user experience.

But today really took the cake... would like others' input as to whether I'm being overly sensitive.

They were offering account inquiry shops at the bank where I do business. From the initial offering it appeared that existing customers were OK. Once I accepted the shop I read the more detailed shop documents and it was apparent that the evaluation was intended for a new customer.

I clicked on their little email icon and requested to be removed as the shop was not appropriate for me.

I received a lengthy voicemail from a guy on Team 2, and he assured me that I could perform the evaluation as an existing customer.

I parked near the first of 2 locations I accepted and started to look over the evaluation form before going in. None of the available scenarios was applicable for an existing customer.

When I finally spoke with Team 2 dude he assured me that existing customers could perform the evaluation, and that he had other clients who had done so.

When I explained to him that, given the scenario selections in the online form, it would be impossible for an existing customer to file an accurate report he shined me. He offered no validation, and simply offered to remove the shops if I didn't want to do them.

Your thoughts?

Normally with Maritz you have to go through a few questions the first time in that period that you are going to print you paperwork for shops. It must be ok if you got through the questions saying you are an existing customer. I just did a shop for them where I had to open an account and existing customers were fine. Is that the one?

You are allowed to use a fake name and pretend to be a new customer.

That thread title is an inaccurate choice of words. The lack of crystal clear guidelines does not equate to lack of integrity. It would be better to lighten up and realize we don't get perfection in communication in this business.

I did a new account shop this week. Tomorrow, I'm doing an inquiry shop. Just as luckyg said, I'm going to use my alias and pretend to be a new customer.

And I agree with MD: lighten up. It is Maritz, after all.

@luckygirl0100 wrote:

You are allowed to use a fake name and pretend to be a new customer.

Disappointing if Maritz did not provide guidance on how the shopper was to proceed and succeed. We should not have to spin wheels, make excuses and exceptions.

Sounds more like a lack of effective communication rather than an issue of integrity. I don't think they were lying to you; they were just not explaining to you how, as an existing customer, you could still do the shop. Sloppy on their part, but not dishonest.

It's the bank where the OP normally does business. He can not use a fake name there, if anyone recognizes him it would set off "red flags."

It could be that I shop a different bank for Maritz but I don't know of a scenario that calls for an existing customer. I have done hundreds of bank shops for Maritz and always use a pseudonym even though I actually have and account with them and shopped the branch where I opened the account, as they don't know me by sight. I do shop other banks for other MSC's where having an account is a requirement but not with Maritz.

And one other thought. I find the guidance and procedure as outlined in the instructions perfectly clear.

I have nothing but praise for this company. I have now worked with them for about six months. It took some training for me from Team 1. All of them returned by phone calls, and when I was called they explained everything to me. If I did not do the invoice after turning in the shop, then they did it for me. I like working for Maritz. I have had no problems at all.

I shop my primary bank and crappy credit union on a regular basis for two other MSCs. With my primary bank, I don't shop the two branches where I do business. The other locations, I am given an alias to use.

With crappy credit union, the turnover is so high, I never see the same faces.

@isaiah58 wrote:

It's the bank where the OP normally does business. He can not use a fake name there, if anyone recognizes him it would set off "red flags."

Since I do all my real life banking online, none of the banker at any of the branches/banks that I have accounts with know who I am so I always give a fake name. Changing your hair color about every 6 weeks helps also.

Changing hair color - that's a good idea. Should I go orange or purple?

Purple. It is a power color. I have pink hair right now. Well pink highlights and braids.

Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 11/04/2016 12:35AM by Sybil2.

My daughters hair has become a color of its own. Doesn't coloring it that often make it harder to take care of?

@Sybil2 wrote:

Since I do all my real life banking online, none of the banker at any of the branches/banks that I have accounts with know who I am so I always give a fake name. Changing your hair color about every 6 weeks helps also.

Coloring, especially lighter, fries your hair. It's a lot of maintenance to keep it healthy.

I like Maritz as well....the issues I have had with him pertain to shops "outside' of their wheelhouse, such as special requests for remote shops on a route, or when they give shops to KSS for scheduling (usually with a bonus) yet keep the original shop on their own listing.
Also, gettin payroll (admin) questions resolved does not happen in a day...it usually takes 3-5 days....Generally though, they are pretty good (and they pay fast!)

@isaiah58 wrote:

My daughters hair has become a color of its own. Doesn't coloring it that often make it harder to take care of?

@Sybil2 wrote:

Since I do all my real life banking online, none of the banker at any of the branches/banks that I have accounts with know who I am so I always give a fake name. Changing your hair color about every 6 weeks helps also.

I mainly use organic hair products when available. Semi-permanent and temporary color is not very damaging. If you are too afraid of hair color, there is always the wonderful world of wigs and hair extensions.

remember the thread someone made not too long ago about a maritz scheduler hanging up on her? it looks like the thread got deleted, but i'm pretty sure I spoke to the same scheduler today, and she was kinda lousy. not sure though... what was the schedulers name? team 5 is getting annoying. they keep calling asking me to do their stations. i give one person my offer, someone new calls the next day and doesn't know about the offer I already made. happened again today.

Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 11/04/2016 07:22PM by jay225.

@jay225 wrote:

remember the thread someone made not too long ago about a maritz scheduler hanging up on her? it looks like the thread got deleted,......

The thread wasn't deleted:

[www.mysteryshopforum.com]

It wasn't a scheduler in question, it was someone in ad.min. Julie I believe. And I'll still make my own judgement if I ever have the occasion to speak with her. Although some schedulers are more adept than others, I have not found anyone who was rude or abrupt at Maritz.