I just read on another mystery shopping forum that someone actually just got deactiviated from Certified because they were in a horrible car accident and had to be rushed to the hospital. Supposedly a rep from certified had the nerve to scold this particular shopper for not completing the shop and deactivated them!!! How heartless can one company be??? I REALLY hope Market force buys them out completely and hires a whole new staff. A company like certified has no right to stay in business treating people in that fashion. Shame on them!!! They should be reported to the better business bureau for such behavior!! I can not see them staying in business if they treat shoppers that way!!

They have been around for quite some time and the same complaints have been levelled against them all along, both for their shopping behaviors and their merchandising. Luckily we are not limited in the companies we can work with so they merit a big "Why bother?". If individual shoppers have found reasonable schedulers to work with, that is cool. But the bulk of shoppers have found them a PITA to work with/for so just don't bother. Perhaps they like it that way

I have to agree. I've had problems with Certified and MF too. Certified just has a general lack of communication and they seem very unorganized. In regard to MF, after having to cancel three times, they put me on "probation". Once I chose the wrong shop somehow and immediately cancelled it (within seconds) another time I was stuck in a huge traffic jam so I missed a lunch time shop, and once more I unknowingly chose a shop in what I'll call a very "ethnic" area. It was VERY obvious I didn't belong there. I actually took a photo of the storefront from my car with my cell phone, just to prove I was there in case (I did not expect to get paid). I sent an email each time to MF explaining the situation, but they don't want to hear any reason. All they care about is if the shop was done or not, cut and dry. Not that I am very concerned though. I have a great rapport with many schedulers who assign me work and my "score" continues to be 9/10 everywhere else. MF and Certified do merit a big "why bother". If you can grab a shop or two from them, go ahead-that is what I do, but their impersonal way of taking care of business combined with their lower-than-average shops don't deserve much attention by any serious shopper. Don't let them get you too upset.

dee shops Wrote:
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> I have seen these shops get minuscule "increased
> fee" notices on MFI, but not ever on Certified.


This is funny- I actually did some television compliance audits in Drs offices in October for Certified because I was going right past them. They were only $8, but worth it for 10 minutes of my time. A quick Q&A sheet submitted on line after a brief interaction with Drs office staff. Now some of those shops are still on their site, but they REDUCED the pay to $4! Not even worth getting out of the car for $4, even if I'm driving by!!

I was deactivated myself because I used the word "crap" with an associate after she lied to me. Of course, the associate didn't put that she lied to me in the documentation only that I "used profanity" towards her. Then she deactivated my account. I would stay away from this company! They seem to play by their own rules.

Perhaps if we all reported Certified to the Better Business Bureau, then it will force them to start treating their shoppers like human beings for once. I'm surprised they don't treat their clients the same way. If certified treated their clients the way they treat their shoppers, they would be out of business in a week. Perhaps if we start letting their clients know how they treat us. Perhaps it will start rattling some cages. I just hope I live to see the day Certified goes down and a much better company picks up their infamous theater assignments. I was deactivated from certified for almost exactly the same reason as MSER.

I don't think the BBB would help, that is for consumers. The companies that hire Certified and MF I suppose are happy with them or they wouldn't get repeat business. This is an issue with an "employer" of sorts.

Certified just canceled jobs AGAIN, for another assingment they posted. This is the third time they have had jobs available, I take them and work them into my schedule, only to have them cancel them. I think I might be stopping any work for Certified and MF altogether. They have messed up my schedule so many times I am so tempted to be done once and for all!

I would advise, DO NOT sign up for CERTIFIED ASSOCIATES. There was a shop on the search page that was overdue which means I should have been allowed to do it, but they put it on there by mistake. So, I went out and did it, and now they tell me they cannot accept the shop! How frustrating!

shop 4 u Wrote:
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> I like to say, whatever works...I did one job for
> Trendsource and two for Bestmark. Both cases jobs
> pay low, report involved (elec.) and for $10.00
> drive is too long.
>
> Don't feel sorry for me, it was my choice. I have
> about four companies I am with that I love. Their
> jobs are more interesting and more up my alley,
> like nice restauant's and retail...the good thing
> is one can pick and chose. That other
> company(forgot the name) where you actually take
> pictures of a pizza for $5.00...rather stay home.
> I do alot of high end coffee shops in California
> where I get $15.00 pd of great coffee, and $10.00
> for the report.....nice and easy.....since I'm a
> coffee (espresso) lover, this works for me. you
> have to try it all, then pick and choose...msing
> is like a smorgisboard...lots of stuff, most of it
> you don't like. some you love.

Pictures of pizza, ah, I think I know which company you are talking about. I love that company. The trick is not to accept the shops when they are at $5. Every so often as the shops are not accepted by any shoppers, the comissions will be raised. So I usually do pizza shops which pay around 15-19 dollars plus pizza reimbursement. =)

I'm so surprised to read all these negative posts about Certified. I've never experienced any problems with them. In fact, when I have had a question, or had to change the date,(by only 1 or 2 days),to do a job, they have been very easy to work with. My only complaint is their pay is low. But now a days with jobs being scarce, I'm glad to have them, it's better than no pay. In the last 4 months 80% of my jobs have been for Certified.

I think you are one of the lucky ones redrose.

I did work for them many years ago and it was great. Then I took a hiatus (had a baby) and went back a few years later to find a totally different company- which was more than likely Market Force influence, but for whatever the reason I would say most (not all) people here do not have a favorable opinion of them.

This topic has been dead for quite a while... but I wanted to see how others felt about CFI and I thought I'd post my two cents.

I've done two shops with them and both paid rather (REALLY?) low, though I guess I didn't have to do much: I did mess them both up and they didn't deactivate me, for what it's worth: glad to hear that after all the comments I read. I didn't realize I wouldn't need to scan the paper you fill out and let the manager sign and I waited to report it because my printer and scanner died and I had to go out and buy a new one. I needed one anyway, but I felt really stupid when I realized they didn't need that scanned... I explained why I waited more than the given amount of time I needed to turn it in and they accepted it without any comment. I got a call from them yesterday for a really nice and easy shop yesterday for $15 each, which is a record payment in my area for CFI that I've seen so far. I snagged both of them in my area, but I made another silly mistake:

When they call, it shows up as Market Force on my caller i.d. and I assumed it was a job for MFI, because MFI and Bestmark are the only companies that have called me to ask if I could complete a job. I had told them I would complete one yesterday for sure and the other one today, but I never received any confirmation in my e-mail, so I thought they had a mess-up. Well, they called this morning at 9 in the morning, waking me up and asking me if I was able to complete the assignments! I told her I hadn't received any confirmation and wasn't able to find the paperwork... She told me where to look and after a light bulb moment about 20 minutes later after trying to rack my brain and figure out which company this could possibly be from! So I'll be off to do those in a little bit.

I would like to try a trailer check with them, but I'm nervous about the idea of it. I don't really want to have to stay ALL day to check trailers and I'm really confused by the idea and they are always much too last minute. One of these days I'm going to get braver and go with one.

A lot of their jobs are just too difficult for me physically. I'm only in my 20's and SHOULD be able to do it, but I have RA and the thought of having to screw together a crib display or lift 50 lbs when I can barely lift up my 40 lb daughter makes my fingers, wrists, back and about every other part in my body hurt just thinking about it!

Just like with any other business, there will be pleasant and responsive folks and folks with 'issues'. If they need someone in your area they will be pleasant and forgiving. If they don't, they won't. Certainly knowing what your limitations are allows you to choose appropriately what kinds of jobs will work for you.

All most all the jobs I do is with C.F.A. I like the merchandising jobs the best. If I have questions I call and get the answers I need. If I have a problem with the amount I was paid, I send an e-mail and it is taken care of. If something comes up where I can't do a job ( only happened once) I let them know in advance. They are always helpful and willing to work with me. I do my jobs on time and reports are in on time.

I haven't had a probem getting paid by them, but I've only done 5 jobs for them.

My problem with them is communication. They are very quick to call when it is something that benefits them, but if it's info I need, I have had several emails go unanswered.

I also have encountered rude schedulers there. I usually try to be helpful and accept as many jobs as I can when the schedulers call in a bind and need someone last minute, but with a few of their jobs, I've had to turn them down. I have had their schedulers call me to see if I can do a job that afternoon that is over 50 miles away. If the job is only paying $6 and it would be the only reason I would be making that 50 mile trip, as you can tell, I would really end up losing money. Twice now as I am politely declining and apologizing, they hang up the phone.

I'm out to let everyone in my area know that CFA is not a decent company to do anything for.

You can follow their instructions to a "T" and they will find a way to screw you over so that you aren't even reimbursed for ticket purchases.

With gas at over $3 a gallon in my rural area, and being assigned jobs 20 miles away, I was barely making anything anyway.

Some guy named "Adam" was totally rude and couldn't find his way to offer me any kindness at all.

So... screw 'em. I know they only have 16 CFA's in my 40 mile square area and in the few weeks I've been with them, they have called me in desperation repeatedly.
They aren't organized at all. I've been assigned jobs and two hours later it's been cancelled and they are calling me to take other jobs.

This is my first experience with this sort of work in 30 years. I can't say that I'm at all interested in trying any more.

There are good companies and abd companies. It's a shame that your first experience is with them, because in my opinion they are one of the worst. Read up,choose wisely, shop & learn, is the advice I can give.

There is no reason for anybody to be rude. Yes, there will be times when a shop cannot be accepted and paid/reimbursed, but it is a specific skill needed of schedulers/editors to communicate adequately and pleasantly why the work cannot be accepted and a requirement of shoppers that they listen to understand why a shop cannot be accepted. My sense is that by and large CFA is confrontational with shoppers and, in turn, shoppers learn very quickly to be confrontational right back, with each protecting their interests. I know I respond better to, "Hey Flash, did you forget to XYZ?" than "YOUR SHOP WAS REJECTED BECAUSE YOU DID NOT XYZ!" It allows for a conversational approach to an issue with the possibility of some mutually acceptable resolution rather than drawing battle lines. And yes, there is a chance that I won't get paid/reimbursed because of the lack of XYZ, but I will hang up the phone with some sense that I was treated respectfully.

I haven't done any work for them in some months, perhaps 9 or so. They have very few jobs I will do, and one theatre I would do the job for closed, so...my interests and theirs do not intersect very often. However, I seem to be one of the few people who has never been spoken to rudely by their personnel. I have only had pleasant interactions, even when saying no. Maybe it depends on who is assigned to your area, I am not sure. They also have always paid me, and on time, for a job done. I never heard even a question about anything I reported. I realize from reading all the complaints of others that my experience is not the norm, but it is my experience, nonetheless.

My heart goes out to all of you and unfortunately I too, have learned this is one company not to schedule your day around, because of the cancellations and last minute changes. I've never quite understood the back up system they try to use and am personally leary of being in 2nd position on an assignment that may or may not need me. I'm thankful to read everyone's input and glad to know that I'm by far not the only person that has had issues of some sort with this company. I love the attitude of "if it's on your way" then fine, but otherwise think twice. There are so many companies that do value their shoppers and appreciate us that eventually what goes around comes around!

This forum is wonderful to be a part of and I'm glad I wandered back.

Welcome back, joan.

Not just with CFA, but overall, I don't see the advantage of being a backup. In my experience, the backup fee is the same, and there's not always time to work the shop into a route. Whereas, if the last-minute shop had to be re-posted or solicited, it probably would be bonused and that bonus may provide the incentive to shuffle my day and do a last minute shop.

Thanks Mert! I see your point and appreciate your candid remarks. You are right on this issue.... for sure! Being a back up, only helps them not have to bonus a shop.

CFA is one of my favorite companies. I have done nearly 100 jobs for them in the past 5 months. The short, flat rate jobs pay the best, IMHO. $6 or $7 for a job might seem low at face value, but when I only spend 15 or 20 minutes in the store, and only 5 or 10 minutes inputing the data on their site, then the $6 or $7 isn't so bad considering I spend less then 30 minutes total time, including paperwork.

They pay twice a month, and I have never had to wait more then 3 weeks to get paid for an assignment. I've only had 1 negative experience with a schedular at CFA. He helped me with my issue to my satisfatcion, but he was not very friendly. Every other schedular at CFA has been very friendly, and a joy to work with.

I rarely do their trailer checks, and have never done a trailer check that required me to be at the theater all day. I agree that the pay for the all day trailer check assignments is way too low.

Even though I haven't had the best of experiences with them, I wish I could find 100 jobs to do for them in that many months.

I work a regular part-time job these days, and now compare every shopping job to that job. If I make $6 or $7, and I have to go to a store, do a shop, then spend time inputting information? Not worth it. Just my opinion.

CFA was OK for me. I always got paid and very seldom had a rude scheduler. I had a couple that would sounded unhappy if I turned down a job. I would get a shop that was in line with other shops then the date would be chanaged. That meant that I was going to do a 60 mile round trip for $6. I did it several times because I was I was committed. It only took three of those to uncommit myself. I would take another at them but I do not want the, have to turn down, phone calls to start again.

CFA was nice for me too... for the most part those doctors viset exams are hard though and you only can take them once...

everything else was fine... when i called i was appreciated and i had one shop that was trying to find a kiosk in a mall and i spent about an hour looking for it and called in 3 times and finally they were like forget about it... and they paid me any way no questions...

Has anyone had any problems with getting paid? I usually like working for CFA but last month I had a big job which required a partner and was supoosed to take 8 hours each. Well, the time was supposed to be put in the report in minutes but unthinkingly I put it in hours, now they will not give me the rest of my money and I have already paid my partner. I bet if I had put in too much time, they would have called about that. I realize that the mistake is partially mine but let's get real, people make mistakes. They owe me $124 and say "That's too bad." Any advice on getting the rest of my money. You cannot talk to them on the phone about pay inquiries, you have to email them. I have worked for them for 3.5 years and believe me if they do not like something on my report, they call or email me right away, but not this time. More money for them I guess. So if you take work for them be very careful about your reports.

Yes, the error was yours but this stuff happens. Did you notice it before or after they paid you? Do you have any documentation of the hours, such as that you reported #Z movie attendance that started at X hour and ended at Y hour, therefore you could only have reported this by being present #W number of hours.

I would write a letter to a higher up there stating this, if so. Give a deadline for response, and state that you will continue to pursue your claim until it is rectified.

However, if you have nothing as proof, you may just have to eat this one. It would suck, but it does happen.

dee shops Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Yes, the error was yours but this stuff happens.
> Did you notice it before or after they paid you?
> Do you have any documentation of the hours, such
> as that you reported #Z movie attendance that
> started at X hour and ended at Y hour, therefore
> you could only have reported this by being present
> #W number of hours.
>
> I would write a letter to a higher up there
> stating this, if so. Give a deadline for
> response, and state that you will continue to
> pursue your claim until it is rectified.
>
> However, if you have nothing as proof, you may
> just have to eat this one. It would suck, but it
> does happen.




I did not notice until I got paid for the 15 minutes. I have my reports and I also could go to the store and get a copy of their log-in sheet. I intend to pursue this, they will probably end up taking me off as a merchandiser over this.