I recently completed one of those Hotel parking shops for Intellishop. I have done about 1000 parking shops for them and others (mostly others - not exaggerating the numbers). In the shop guidelines, Intellishop put on the first page in a big box the new notes (they weren't really new since they were from 2016, but anyway they still said, "New as of October 2016", etc...). Then on page 7 of the instructions, they had a bullet that had another more recent new note from April 2017 saying that the receipt had to be signed by the hotel cashier. I'm not kidding - forget about the fact that it is a bizarre request, but they put it on page 7 with all of the other old "new notes" right up front?!?! Some might say it is my fault for not picking up the bullet on page 7. However, it also was not on the yellow sticky notes, which every other company does when they have such an important new note.

Then the response you get when you bring up these issues is very smug (Kelly Sipko basically said: "Sorry, nothing I can do" about 10 times). Anyway, there are a couple of VERY ticky tacky companies that couldn't give a damn about shoppers and in my opinion, Intellishop is at the top of the list. Just beware. I would encourage others to make sure they know what they are dealing with with Intellishop. If you do everything perfectly, maybe it won't be an issue, but I recall back a few years ago with an auto dealership, they also did something very underhanded when they put in what was described to me as a "trick question" among the 200 questions to make sure you weren't making something up. I've never had another shopping company ever do that in the 5000 shops I've done.

Anyway, fool me once shame on you, fool me twice, shame on me. Definitely done with this company - not worth their nonsense!

Many complaints with this company...I worked for them, and after my last dealership, no more. I do think it depends on the Editor you get, a couple just won't work with you and need to be a bit flexible....after that, I too am cautious about them.

I wish I had a dollar for every "warning" thread.

@LisaSTL wrote:

I wish I had a dollar for every "warning" thread.

If you collected the dollar only on "warning" threads by "new" posters who register just in time to post the warning and exit immediately, you could make out like a bandit.

I had the same thing happen. Yes, the instruction was on page 7 in this instructions. However, there was also a second note about it - I can't remember where. I feel victim to the exact same thing. However, I had to agree with the company: The instruction was in the guidelines and in bold letters. It also stated clearly that it was a non-negotiable requirement from the client.

Is it a strange request? Yes. However, I suspect that there is a legal reason for this.... Notice that you were also asked to try to get a photo of the cashier? I strongly suspect that shoppers have caught a couple of cashiers skimming money, but, when the client attempted to pursue the issue, they did not have enough "strong" evidence to press charges. The signature would remove any chance that the cashier could deny being the one conducting the transaction.

I was frustrated, too. (There is a thread that documents my experience.). However, if it's in the guidelines, we have to follow it.

Why can't the companies just put all new changes in a big box right at the beginning of the shop instructions ? Say something like 'New since June 18th 2017, now you must do xxxxxx and please see page 5 for more details.' Instead some companies put the only mention of it on page 9 out of 11 we have to read. Ultimately its up to us to read everything but they would save time and trouble for them AND us.

Why allow numerous threads on the same thing, that's why we have Moderators ...I answered a thread that was allowed by the higher ups. I was going to say there have been many threads on this company, but it's not my job. Allowing a thread is the responsibility of the Mod's, Newbies don't know and can't read through everything....

Edited to add...I vote LisaSTL for Moderator!!



Edited 2 time(s). Last edit at 06/19/2017 07:51PM by Irene_L.A..

In this case the new requirement is also in bold letters on the initial job description that you can see before you apply for the job.

@roflwofl wrote:

@LisaSTL wrote:

I wish I had a dollar for every "warning" thread.

If you collected the dollar only on "warning" threads by "new" posters who register just in time to post the warning and exit immediately, you could make out like a bandit.

Forum can easily control this annoyance.

No thank you. I cannot imagine a more thankless job than moderator. Mods don't allow threads anyway. Any of us can create one at any time. If it is inappropriate and/or reported they may choose to delete the thread or combine it with an existing one.

Regardless, I was commenting on overuse of "warning" opposed to the content of the post or thread. You will not find me defending the way most MSCs write guidelines. Pages upon pages of multiple fonts, colors, bold warnings repeated incessantly contribute nothing positive and more often can actually be to blame for a missed requirement. Most guidelines can be condensed to simple bullet points taking up no more than a page or two at the most. Changes to ongoing shops should be highlighted at the beginning.

Yes, well, that is true that there may be other posts about the same topic, but it's not the easiest message board to navigate. Regardless, the other point was that it took me THREE phone calls/emails to finally get a response to my problem with Intellishop. Is it my fault that I missed the note on page 7? Sure, I suppose it is. But it is also poor practice all around. No email notification about the shop error - I had to go back into the shop log a few weeks later to find it. (Most companies send emails about issues with your shop payment.) Shoppers can make up their own minds, but I am warning all the newbie shoppers - PLEASE be most careful when dealing with these guys. Use your own judgement though.

The "note" is also in bold letters and clearly visible when you click "more" on the job description page. It's also clearly visible on the page when you self-assign. In other words, the note is written for us in three places that we have to see before doing the shop. It's clear enough.

If I were doing a parking shop for them for the first time, I would never have missed the note. However, I missed it because I have done a million such shops for them and made the mistake of not double-checking the instructions before doing the shop. (I remember reading the instruction initially, but totally forgot about it during the shop.) I only referenced my note about it earlier so that you would understand that you are not the only one who made that mistake and that I concluded the string by admitting fault.

This error is on you - just like it was on me when I did the same thing. The direction is strange, yes. However, it is written in plain English three times for us. As shoppers we need to see that. Sure, caution folks to read the guidelines before doing shops, but to "warn" folks about Intellishop is not right. When I emailed Kelly, she (?) very nicely pointed out my oversight. She has also emailed me since then to see if I wanted to do another one.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 06/19/2017 08:22PM by MFJohnston.

So this is a very timely thread and a good reminder to read the guidelines before doing a shop for any company, even when it is a shop the shopper has done previously. Shop guidelines do change. The only problem with this thread is that the title should be "Reminder - Always Read the Guidelines - I Goofed by Not Reading the Guidelines."

I did one of these shops also. It would be so much easier if the company would rewrite the whole shop. This company is also sticklers on grammar and writing . I always get dinged for that.

@kerrieann wrote:

I did one of these shops also. It would be so much easier if the company would rewrite the whole shop. This company is also sticklers on grammar and writing . I always get dinged for that.

All companies are "sticklers on grammar and writing". You are contracting to submit a professional report and it should always be written as such.

@LisaSTL wrote:

No thank you. I cannot imagine a more thankless job than moderator. Mods don't allow threads anyway. Any of us can create one at any time. If it is inappropriate and/or reported they may choose to delete the thread or combine it with an existing one.

On some boards, moderators are devoted to improving and appreciated by users. There is a competition, among members, to be elected as a moderator. People seek to serve, not because of the power of moderation but because of the importance of service to the community. On such boards, similar threads are merged together, thread subject lines are policed to ensure that each clearly identifies what the thread discusses, moderators proactively monitor threads and issues reminders to stay on topic, move off topic postings to appropriate threads and off forum threads to appropriate forums within the board & etc. Members appreciate moderator efforts and their subject expertise. That all takes a significant amount of work and dedication. This is not to say that the moderators here are not dedicated and do not work hard, but only to say that being a moderator can be other than a thankless position.

My description was how it relates to this forum. Some issues are unique to a mystery shopping forum. For instance, the disgruntled shopper posting on every public outlet they can find or the spam posters who read "shopping" and think we are here to discuss great deals.

I have done several of their pizza shops, always scoring a 9 or 10. The one time they offered a good money bonus suddenly my pictures are not good enough and I will not be paid. Also, it really makes me mad that they do not contact me, just post it in the comment section for me to find. When I email with questions as to why there is an issue I never get a response. I am probably done working for them.

Asking the cashier to sign the receipt... You might as well wear a Mystery Shopper tattoo across your forehead... And I have experienced places where there might be some not by the rules activities. I valeted my car and when I came back and handed him my ticket, he said, "There's no charge. You weren't in there long enough." He wouldn't let me pay and I needed a receipt! I guess that's what our job is all about but asking us to do things that out us really irritate me...