Mert, you will be hung at noon if you don't.....they talk so down to us, it's really uncomfortable, guess I got my point across, glad I'm not alone!!

Just did my second shop for them, but they still don't have much in my area that pays well enough for me to run to the boards. No problems with prompt payment on the first shop I did.

Payment is a non-issue for them - ethics are. It seems that all of the cheapest MSC's can afford to pay in a timely manner because they make so much more from the shops than they pay their shoppers.

Irene_L.A. Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Mert, you will be hung at noon if you
> don't.....they talk so down to us, it's really
> uncomfortable, guess I got my point across, glad
> I'm not alone!!


Yeah, the verbiage leaves something to be desired. But come on - a full pizza, another entree and a salad or appetizer. $15 is unlikely to cover half of the bill.

What about gas, tip, report......real big spenders that Bestmark. I "love" their shop that requires a size 14 to buy something and keep it, no fee nor reimbursement...does that take the cake, or what?

Irene_L.A. Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> What about gas, tip, report......real big spenders
> that Bestmark. I "love" their shop that requires
> a size 14 to buy something and keep it, no fee nor
> reimbursement...does that take the cake, or what?



Actually there is a cash payment for that shop you are referring to.

dee shops Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Wait. They will eventually show their true
> colors, even if it takes a few years. This is the
> only MSC that has ever offered me money to take a
> shop from another MSC in order for me to get them
> the paperwork, because they used to have the shop
> and now the other company does. There is ethics
> for ya.
>
> And wait till you are not contacted by an editor
> who says they did...and they deny your shop.
>
> I do not know how these folks sleep at night.
>
> Edited to add: NO, I did NOT take the money and
> give them the paperwork.



BestMark and a couple of other MSCs partner with each other when they need certain shops filled, so what you are ASSUMING about them taking the shops from another company is wrong. It's probably the opposite- they are helping the other MSC by offering those shops to their current shoppers. I've received emails from BestMark stating that AboutFace needs a shop filled in my area- it seems to me that BestMark is HELPING that company, not offering money for their shoppers to take the shop.

Irene_L.A. Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> They had already deducted the 2.00, and I don't
> care....why bother for3.00..guess I needed the
> last word with this Co.


I have always used a digital camera to upload copies of my receipts-- much easier! Did you talk to your scheduler? I had a scanner problem and my state scheduler removed my deduction. BestMark is normally very understanding when it comes to circumstances like that. The cancellation policy is kind of strict, but I guess I understand that since they have strict client deadlines!

NO, I was not "wrong." YOU ARE in this instance. I was there, you were not. You sound like one of those editors that tells a shopper that they spelled the clerk's name wrong.

The scheduler had me on the telephone about a job, and then mentioned that they had lost a specific client. I said that I knew they had as I had seen it elsewhere and done the job. He pricked up his ears, asked me to hold, got his boss on the phone, and together they offered me $40 to take one of the jobs for the client at the new MSC, provide them copies of the paperwork from the new MSC. There are those who know of my story at the time it happened, and this is exactly what happened. It had NOTHING to do with partnering.



ShopsMmMm wrote:

> BestMark and a couple of other MSCs partner with each other when they need
> certain shops filled, so what you are ASSUMING about them taking the shops
> from another company is wrong. It's probably the opposite- they are helping > the other MSC by offering those shops to their current shoppers. I've
> received emails from BestMark stating that AboutFace needs a shop filled in > my area- it seems to me that BestMark is HELPING that company, not offering > money for their shoppers to take the shop.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 07/16/2010 08:53PM by dee shops.

ShopsM&M...you must work for them, or why not believe our experiences.

ShopsMmMm Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> dee shops Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> > Wait. They will eventually show their true
> > colors, even if it takes a few years. This is
> the
> > only MSC that has ever offered me money to take
> a
> > shop from another MSC in order for me to get
> them
> > the paperwork, because they used to have the
> shop
> > and now the other company does. There is
> ethics
> > for ya.
> >
> > And wait till you are not contacted by an
> editor
> > who says they did...and they deny your shop.
> >
> > I do not know how these folks sleep at night.
> >
> > Edited to add: NO, I did NOT take the money
> and
> > give them the paperwork.
>
>
>
> BestMark and a couple of other MSCs partner with
> each other when they need certain shops filled, so
> what you are ASSUMING about them taking the shops
> from another company is wrong. It's probably the
> opposite- they are helping the other MSC by
> offering those shops to their current shoppers.
> I've received emails from BestMark stating that
> AboutFace needs a shop filled in my area- it seems
> to me that BestMark is HELPING that company, not
> offering money for their shoppers to take the
> shop.


ShopsMmMm, how do you know that? Are you speculating because you are a shopper who likes Bestmark and it offends you to hear them criticized or are you an employee of Bestmark? We are shoppers discussing MSCs from a shopper perspective on a shopper board. Sometimes MSC employees post but they are careful to identify themselves as such. If you are a Bestmark employee, please identify yourself and clarify whether you are speaking as just a MSC employee or whether you are actually speaking for the company.

I am speaking for the company.

Usually, I choose to remain out of these types of conversations as I believe that these types of forums should be a place for mystery shoppers to freely express their opinion about a specific company, or any topic that they choose to comment on.

However, I did want to clarify that once in a while we will partner with other companies in an effort to help each other, we would never ask a shopper to get the paperwork for a client that is no longer with us. We would not risk our reputation in the industry by asking anyone to do that. We also have other ways of obtaining that type of information if we choose to acquire it.

Thank You.

Well, that confirms what we suspected, that you work for Bestmark. Shoppers will believe what they choose to about this, as is their right, but I know what happened as it happened to ME. You were not party to the conversation, but I was. I WAS asked. I did not accept. On the day it happened, I published it to a small, private group of shoppers on a forum as it totally freaked me out. Some of those shoppers participate here, and may remember the scenario.

Perhaps *you* do not ask, but two people at your firm certainly did. End of story.



Edited 2 time(s). Last edit at 07/19/2010 09:14PM by dee shops.

57carol Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> I just completed two retail shops for them today.
> You must evaluate two completely different
> departments in the store, so two employee
> evaluations in great detail, plus the greeter,
> plus the cashier. They require so much narrative.
> This pays $10, but you must purchase something to
> verify with a receipt that you were there at the
> time. The cheapest item is a bottle of water with
> which tax comes to $1.86, or close to $2 of the
> reimbursement. One of these shops is in the
> neighborhood, but the other is at least a 15
> minute drive. Fortunately I scheduled two other
> ones in that town to make up for going the
> distance. I actually finished each report just now
> and in the section for writing comments just to
> BestMark, I said I am considering not doing these
> anymore as I believe the pay should be $15. 30
> minutes of being in the store, and 20 or so
> filling out the form. I want to get at least $10
> to $12 an hour to make this worth my while. I know
> I am not going to get rich, but I don't want to be
> taken advantage of either. On the plus side, they
> pay promptly, mailing out checks every two weeks.
> Some jobs I have done two months ago I have not
> yet been paid for.

Bestmark previously gave you a major department store that paid $50, then they cut it down to $35 if you took this shop. They lost the major department store and could not bribe you. How do they get people to do that shop? You have to be young and dumb.

It is like the furniture place that starts with an "I"and offers $70 for a report. They find fault with the work product, and the job costs you money to do. As I am not a charity, I do not do either one of those shops.

The furniture place is not offered by Bestmark.

Overall, I REALLY like Bestmark. Quick pay, sure lots of narrative, but once you are used to it, you can say similar things for the same restaurant without reinventing the wheel each time.

We parted ways after I re-tried working with them, I have specific reasons and hate their carrot dangling for the "good shops". They might pay quickly, but not nearly enough for the length of report and time involved.

Bestmark has paid me quickly but the fees are low in comparison to other companies. My time is valuable so unless there is a product that I really need as part of the shop - I shop elsewhere.

For the most part, I do like Bestmark. I have done some more detailed shops for them and I do feel some of the editors like to practice "gotcha" editing looking for anyway to dock you or even throw the shop out, but for some of the regular shops I do for them, I've got it down to a routine...ask the same questions, get the response, get the report done.

Bestmark does have some higher paying and/or reimbursement shops, and although they don't pop up that frequently, those are the only ones I do.

chinwan Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> I am thinking of taking a shop from bestmark, it
> involves a relatively high reimbursement amount.
>
> How good are they in paying? Do they try to
> nit-pick to find excuses not to pay?
>
> Thanks

Been Good to me in SD . . . did about 4 shops for me so I am looking for more work with them !!!

They have clients I like. I don't like applying for unidentified shops on their board. Shops have until 10 AM Central to be submitted, which is nice, if needed. My shops have been accepted with no muss, no fuss. I've been called by the editor to confirm a negative. There was no cajoling or doubting, just verifying. They pay twice per month, by check, and their site has a history section that shows shop status, check amount, date processed and date cashed.

They do not have any shops for me lately except the ten dollar one and it really is just not worth it. Those shops are so dull and boring. I had someone I knew who they deactivated and it was not right what they did.

bestmark is great... one of my better companies... not that many shops but had two in quick succession that paid really well... also got to point out some flaws in a company that... well will never ever ever be corrected but hey if they pay me to tell them and dont do anything its not my fault...

i offer my refereeing skills to those who choose to have a cage match... as it seems things are getting heated...

I like Bestmark. They pay regularly. I've had some issues with them, but they were corrected fairly. I only apply for shops that are convenient and pay moderately well.

Gosh I love Best Mark!! I've been with them for over ten years and I love their shops. I do at least 10 to 20 shops a month for them - more or less. I love their casino shops, the car repair shops are great, the airport shops are my favorite. They are based in the Twin Cities so I've met my scheduler Erin in person and she's wonderful.

Back about six years ago I had a very nasty scheduler - he and I had problems from the get go - so I just waited a few months and then checked back and he was gone. I knew I'd be shopping long after he left.

I will add that I don't do fast food or even fine dining too much anymore - but I have done them for Best Mark. I've never had a problem with them I just don't prefer dining shops. I do happen to like the electronic shops so maybe I'm just odd...LOL

I believe Best Mark pays every two weeks - I've never had them not pay for a shop.

Lisa OV

I used them to get my netbook at the big box electronics store and I buy clothes at plus size shops and I eat chicken wings and give away American Express cards to for good service. That's about it. I always get paid on time but don't like their deductions when circumstances don't get a report in on time after a full day long route of shops and 15 reports to write. I have to do Bestmark and MFI first to keep them happy and not get a deduction. They don't pay enough to be first all the time. lol

Irene_L.A. Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> What about gas, tip, report......real big spenders
> that Bestmark. I "love" their shop that requires
> a size 14 to buy something and keep it, no fee nor
> reimbursement...does that take the cake, or what?



Those shops reimburse $15. The size requirement is because they are plus-sized shops.

rainy Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Irene_L.A. Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> > What about gas, tip, report......real big
> spenders
> > that Bestmark. I "love" their shop that
> requires
> > a size 14 to buy something and keep it, no fee
> nor
> > reimbursement...does that take the cake, or
> what?
>
>
>
> Those shops reimburse $15. The size requirement is
> because they are plus-sized shops.


Hi,
I think U missed the point...the fee is in place of a reimburesement.

Athens Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> rainy Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> > Irene_L.A. Wrote:
> >
> --------------------------------------------------
>
> > -----
> > > What about gas, tip, report......real big
> > spenders
> > > that Bestmark. I "love" their shop that
> > requires
> > > a size 14 to buy something and keep it, no
> fee
> > nor
> > > reimbursement...does that take the cake, or
> > what?
> >
> >
> >
> > Those shops reimburse $15. The size requirement
> is
> > because they are plus-sized shops.
>
>
> Hi,
> I think U missed the point...the fee is in place
> of a reimburesement.



I think you need to re-read. The person I quoted said there was not a fee nor reimbursement for that shop. I corrected her. I've done those shops.

Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 12/01/2010 10:22AM by rainy.

Well I can't speak for the plus size stores as I wear a size two...but otherwise they have a LOT of shops in my area and I currently work at the airport for them - so they've kept me busy. It has been worth my time but of course everyone's schedule and situation is different.