I completed my first shop for ath Power. I read the guidelines at least 5 times and followed them to the letter since it was my first banking shop. I received a follow up question from Cheryl. She asked for the name of a teller that first assisted me, even though the guidelines do not say that I needed this information. In response to her, I provided a detailed and accurate description, but not a name. They still will not pay me for the shop, even after quoting to them the directions from their own guidelines. (They differentiate between "teller" and "banker" quite clearly, and this shop was focused on the banker and the interaction with this person.) There was no space in the report for the teller's name, and the guidelines did not tell to me to get it. I read all guidelines carefully, and take pride in writing excellent reports (I have high marks from all other companies, and have never had any issues!). Is this a problem this editor? I realize more information is better, but I still think I should be paid for a shop in which I provided ALL required information. Do I have any recourse or should I just move on? I've already decided not to do any other shops with them, but I'd love to get that fee if possible. Thoughts? Thanks in advance!

The problem with recourse in this industry is that there are consequences. In the end, you are an independent contractor and if you feel the client hasn't paid you, you can always go after the funds in small claims court. However, the consequences most likely would be severe. The MSC will deactivate you and the info could get around to other schedulers and MSCs. It's a weakness of our industry, and some MSCs (I'm not saying this MSC is one of them. I really don't know) take advantage of it, in my opinion.

If it hasn't been rejected yet, I'd keep trying to communicate with the editor in a respectful but assertive manner. If it is actually rejected then maybe someone on here can recommend a person higher up the ladder to take your objections to.

Edited 2 time(s). Last edit at 11/08/2016 04:17PM by wwin.

I wouldn't want to do anything legal. I meant more like talking to a supervisor or something. I really felt like I got the required information. I'm going to let it go and stick with companies that have been working for me! There are plenty of those!!

Ellen Barkhouse might be able to help. Have you tried emailing her?

Is she a supervisor there? Thanks for this information!

I believe so. She's at least head of scheduling and payments if not higher up than that. I'd drop her a line before giving up. Good luck! I hope you can straighten things out.
ath is usually a solid company.

Thank you very much for that information. I will look her up.

That's weird! I've done many, many banking shops, and I don't recall ever being absolutely required to get a teller's name except when I'm doing a teller shop. Some have asked for the name, if available, or a description in lieu of that. I've done three or four for ath, and never had to provide the teller's name! This would have been for a different bank, but they didn't even ask for the teller's description.

I definitely would pursue this; if the guidelines don't say you need the teller's name, and the survey doesn't ask for it, I don't see what basis they have to reject the report! Maybe the question is supposed to be there, and somebody forgot to add it into the shop instructions. Wouldn't be the first time, I'm sure....



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 11/10/2016 03:29PM by BirdyC.

This sounds like the "retention" shop that I did the other day. There was indeed a requirement to interact with the teller (and to get their name) and see if they deferred you to the CSR (Banker) as they are trained to do. In a sense, this is two shops in one visit. While a deposit is required, the only POV is the business card from the Banker.

Ugh yes Cheryl is a jerk. They actually had a mistake in their shops for BigR I caught for them (I couldn't apply for the credit card because they didn't offer the one I was supposed to be shopping). So obviously I didn't have a receipt. I had a credit card app and names and descriptions but she wanted a business card. Where at a tractor supply do I get a business card? That's totally discreet....

Some of the new shops are requiring us to go to the teller, some tellers are also Customer Service reps. You are to allow the teller to give you the information about accounts. You don't have to see a Rep unless the teller does not do her job. You can request a business card from the teller. When you fill out the form, the teller becomes the Rep, if she gave you the information.
I have done these shops in the past, they are confusing if you are not familiar with them.
The first time I did this shop I did the same thing. I told the teller I needed to talk to a Rep., not knowing that I did not have to. You must get the teller name no matter what.

Cheryl is not a jerk! Ellen Barkhouse is not the person to get in touch with. You need to speak to the person who runs that bank program. Maybe Marie mspinello@athpower.com, she could tell you who to speak with. Don't have an attitude, not necessary, none of us don't like to get paid when we do a great job. Unfortunately I usually find it is my own mistake based on a misunderstanding.

For this particular shop, the requirement was to speak with a banker. They made a clear distinction between banker and teller. You could complete the initial transaction with a teller, but the idea was to sit with a banker for certain information. It said clearly to get the banker's information, which I did. It said nothing about getting the teller's info. I would have for sure if it had asked that of me. I'll check with the folks that you all mentioned. Thanks for your help!

Maybe the free popcorn bag from Big R! It amazes me how many companies put requirements out there with zero idea that Big R Would never ever have a business card for anything! The company that is asking for this info needs to get the requiremnts more accurate bebfore we do all the legwork for nothing.

@Shelbeyward wrote:

Ugh yes Cheryl is a jerk. They actually had a mistake in their shops for BigR I caught for them (I couldn't apply for the credit card because they didn't offer the one I was supposed to be shopping). So obviously I didn't have a receipt. I had a credit card app and names and descriptions but she wanted a business card. Where at a tractor supply do I get a business card? That's totally discreet....

Did you get a transaction receipt? Now I'm not sure what bank it is. Sorry if I miss guided you.
I would definitely follow thru to find out why your not getting paid. One of the bank requires a transaction slip or full description, looks like that is what you did.

The guidlelines said you could get a transaction receipt OR the banker's business card. The transaction was supposed to get you in the door as a non customer. I got the business card. The reason I was given for not getting paid was not getting the teller's name. The guidelines said to get the banker's name, which I did. If they wanted both, that was not made clear. I am completely open to the fact that I messed up, but I read those guidelines over and over, and I feel like I got what they asked for. I'm going to try the email given above and see what I can do.

If you were a non-customer you could not get a transaction receipt. If you had to go to the teller first, than you would have to get her name/or description. I wish I knew the bank, each has it's own scenario and Guidelines. If you were to just visit a banker you would get their business card. Was the teller sending you over to see a Banker? I am curious about this since I have shopped over 1000 banks. I'm going to read all Guidelines.

ive had this occur several times recently. You know what? I TAPE every conversation, add in names, even if they're not asked for.. I've learned, over 16 years, to add in a LOT more info JUST in case.

Loloeq Please let us know who you talked to and what the results were.

Marie is very fair and may be able to help.

Marie is fair and may be able to help.

So here is the update. I did contact Marie, and she said that she was not the one to talk to, but that Cheryl was, who she so kindly CC'd on the email. I hadn't mentioned in my first email that Cheryl was the one I had the issue with. I emailed Marie a note to say thank you, but that Cheryl was the problem. I never heard back from anyone after that. I was not able to locate Ellen's contact info. Oh well! This is was the only issue I have ever had with any company, so I've been focusing on the other ones and wont sweat this one. Thanks all!!

My experience is that the shops are complicated, and ask you to put your credit on the line by all these bank account inquiries and then will find any reason possible to reject your shop with no payment for your time and effort. I only take them on a rare occasion.

I have conducted at least a hundred bank shops for aTH over the last three years and experienced a few issues, none of which were resolved. I believe their schedulers and editors are contract workers and most are fair and honest. However, as pointed out above, there is no recourse regarding disputes. I believe most MSCs have a revolving door business model and they simply replenish their shopper pool with new recruits. They do not consider it a blow to their business when good shoppers walk away. Cheryl was my tipping point this week and I will not work with them again unless my issue regarding a valid POV is resolved. Also, their editors appear to have the authority to interpret guidelines as they wish. I hope their founder and CEO, Frank Aloi, gets into the weeds of the business so that he knows what is happening and can turn the ship around.

ebarkhouse@athpower.com

Thanks for the email - I appreciate it!

So I contacted Ellen, and her exact words were "Cheryl is the manager of that program. I cannot change her decision." I asked for someone to help out and she gave me Cheryl's email. So, it's going no where. Oh well. Thanks for all the suggestions everyone!

I do believe that specific schedulers handle specific accounts and don't cross schedule. And I don't know if there is more than one scheduler who handles a particular bank for a specific region. I have never dealt with Cheryl although I have done a bank that sounds similar to the scenario you did for your bank. But the one I did had a space for the teller's name and asked for it somewhere in the instruction. So probably this is a different bank.

I have spoken with or exchanged emails with Jennifer, Michele, Barb and Marie. What I like about these schedulers is that they respond quickly to an email with a yes or a no. I am not left hanging. In addition, they actually respond to phone calls, either by answering or calling back. If there wasn't a restriction to the number of shops I can do such a 1 per month, 8 per month or 3 per day I would do more with this MSC. I also like to plan ahead, at least a month, and the shop dates are limited to a few days in advance so I have to keep checking the job board. Other than that I like this company.

Finally, I know there was some recent discussion and concern about payments and fear that this MSC was in some trouble. I did not find this to be the case as my monthly commissions were received within a reasonable time period and pretty much on schedule. As I said, I like this company.

Thanks for the update, @Loloeq. I'm sorry neither Marie nor Ellen were able/willing to help. That's pretty messed up there is supposedly no one above Cheryl to set things straight. Unless you could find the owner's email and contact him.

Ath appears to have at least one new editor for their banking shops. I recently was asked to provide full page photos of each page when the instructions said to provide close up photos of the top, and bottom, of the first and last pages. Then, after that was done, i got the "FINAL NOTICE" email where they reversed their decision and went back to requesting the close up of the first and last page. Frustrating.