Why does people hate Sentry Marketing so much?

@rlkanner

It does not take 30 days for payments processed on bill.com to be sent to a bank account.

Here is our payment policy as published on our ShopMetrics website:

Assignment Payment Policy

Invoices are generated on the 16th of the month and include all assignments that are validated and released to the client.

For example, if you completed an assignment on the 10th of the month, submitted it on the 11th and we released to the client on the 14th, it would be included on the current invoice. Using the same example, if we did not release the shop to our client until the 17th, the shop would appear on the next invoice.

Payment will be processed by the last day of the month following the invoice date.

@rlkanner wrote:

Thanks, Julie.

This still does not answer my question though. Why does Sentry say "pay in 60 days" when they really mean payment is released to Bill.com in 60 days and then it cannot be released to my bank account for another 30?

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@rlkanner wrote:

Thanks, Julie.

This still does not answer my question though. Why does Sentry say "pay in 60 days" when they really mean payment is released to Bill.com in 60 days and then it cannot be released to my bank account for another 30?

Dave needs to clarify the implied timeline:

"Assignment Payment Policy

Invoices are generated on the 16th of the month and include all assignments that are validated and released to the client.

For example, if you completed an assignment on the 10th of the month, submitted it on the 11th and we released to the client on the 14th, it would be included on the current invoice. Using the same example, if we did not release the shop to our client until the 17th, the shop would appear on the next invoice.

Payment will be processed by the last day of the month following the invoice date."

My posts are solely based on my opinions and for my entertainment, contact a professional if you need real advice.

When you get in debt you become a slave. - Andrew Jackson
I've actually spoke to Dave over the phone once. Can't remember why, but he called me once. Nice guy and easy to talk to.

In the end, I have not issues and have never had any whenever working with Sentry.

Shopping the Greater Denver Area, Colorado Springs and in-between in Colorado. 33 year old male and willing to travel!
Julie,
My two cents....
I respect you and Dave, BUT...
Sentry pays what I would call an barely average rate in the MSC world, but late, in comparison to most MSC's,
My experience is that the editors, when they contact me, are usually wrong.
And yes, I agree, the tests are a pain.....
All summed up, Sentry gets a C- grade, passing, but not anyone's favorite.
I just want to give an update reagarding my unhappiness with my shops being canceled. So Dave looked into the issue. Apparently, the whole thing could have been avoided if there was a better communication between a shopper (moi) and a scheduler. Dave said that Sentry will pay me for the shops. Total is $10. I am happy because I feel that my intentions were good and I accepted the shops to help out the scheduler at the last minute. Also, I did not have a proof as I delated all the communication/texts between me and the scheduler. I feel that my good intentions and work was rewarded, not by only being paid, but Dave's and probably other peoples' time and efforts in these last few days. I am humbled. I feel thankfull and appreciated. I regret saying anything. Sometimes you need to brush things off maybe. Some people have their own ideas and work hard to establish their the business that allows us to make extra money for ourselves and our families. I regret not thinking of this before expressing my opinion
1. Its probably due to the latest posts that I have seen others make over the last two months.

2. Its because that I can. Dont tell me which companies that I can inquire about. The ire that shoppers have against the companies that you named are well-documented.
Eric

What is this comment in response to?

@Eric in Tampa wrote:

1. Its probably due to the latest posts that I have seen others make over the last two months.

2. Its because that I can. Dont tell me which companies that I can inquire about. The ire that shoppers have against the companies that you named are well-documented.
A Kudos for Sentry...I realized about a week ago that I had not yet gotten paid for an August job. I was thinking pay would be 60 days out at the end of Oct or beginning of Nov but it was already the 6th or 7th and no pay in sight. I sent a note thru the system and heard back very quickly. The put payment through to me and were very apologetic, sending me several emails step by step to keep me updated on my pay. They were wonderful and supportive....
I work for many companies. I have completed only three shops for Sentry. Of the two for which the 60+ payment window has gone by,Sentry would generate an invoice, but no payment was made to bill.com (and obviously bill.com has not put the money in my account). After chasing down the first one, it was corrected. I am now having to chase the second one down. My third shop was just this month and I hope not to have to chase down money that is owed to me... sometime in February.
I have only done a couple of phone shops for Sentry and had no issues.

Maybe I am in the minority, but what companies pay for shops does not bother me. I either take it, or I don't. In the end, simple economics will win out with supply and demand. If the prices get low, and clients get crappy reports from crappy mystery shoppers... then they will eventually learn and pay more to someone who will do it right. Then again... I am a newbie compared to most of you, so maybe I am naive.

Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 11/17/2017 05:40PM by Jk1nole.
This company is the most dishonest and unprofessional MS I’ve dealt with. Following shop instructions means you still won’t get paid because their editors don’t do job properly. The owner doesn’t respect shoppers.
Please elaborate on your situation. You are level serious accusations about our honesty and professionalism. The forum members deserve to hear the details of your issue.

@Alik wrote:

This company is the most dishonest and unprofessional MS I’ve dealt with. Following shop instructions means you still won’t get paid because their editors don’t do job properly. The owner doesn’t respect shoppers.
@Alik wrote:

.................................................................................................................................

Looking at your previous posts. Maybe Mystery shopping is not for you. Try another side line. We all can't be good at everything. smiling smiley
Members can see previous posts about this company and see that there are issues. Most issues come from the way the owner dave handles issues. Or should I say, he doesn’t handle them. He has extensive history of talking down to his mystery shoppers on this forum. He sent me private message about this post accusing me of being a troll. I don’t need to divulge in details, because he is a little spiteful man. He is highly unprofessional and he’s that kind of person where it’s “his way or the highway”. Him being on this forum is the problem: if you will have issue and describe your problem here seeking advice, he will hold a grudge like a child and disable your account. Another example of the lack of professionalism. I don’t recommend sentry marketing!
False, I’m great at this. It’s just my side gig.
Feel free to read with understanding my previous posts. The company rejected photos as they didn’t read the date stamp correctly, after I appealed they accepted my perfectly fine job. It’s silly of you to always blame the shopper, editors make mistakes too.

Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 11/18/2017 08:24PM by Alik.
Post removed because it contained a personal insult against another forum member –– Mod
So, we made a mistake, you asked us to review your shop and we realized our mistake and corrected it. Based on your comments, it appears as if you were paid/will be paid for your shop.

It seems to me that our willingness to review a decision based on a shopper request worked as designed.

@Alik wrote:

False, I’m great at this. It’s just my side gig.
Feel free to read with understanding my previous posts. The company rejected photos as they didn’t read the date stamp correctly, after I appealed they accepted my perfectly fine job. It’s silly of you to always blame the shopper, editors make mistakes too.
As I have posted on many occasion, our company treats shoppers in the same manner that they treat us. I would never expect a shopper to tolerate being treated in a disrespectful manner and we don't tolerate this behavior from shoppers.

I don't make any apologies for our approach. This is precisely the reason that some shoppers like interacting with our team and others don't. I don't know who you are but would be more than willing to discuss your situation in full view of this forum if I had more information. If you don't care to, then I stand by my troll comment.

@Alik wrote:

Members can see previous posts about this company and see that there are issues. Most issues come from the way the owner dave handles issues. Or should I say, he doesn’t handle them. He has extensive history of talking down to his mystery shoppers on this forum. He sent me private message about this post accusing me of being a troll. I don’t need to divulge in details, because he is a little spiteful man. He is highly unprofessional and he’s that kind of person where it’s “his way or the highway”. Him being on this forum is the problem: if you will have issue and describe your problem here seeking advice, he will hold a grudge like a child and disable your account. Another example of the lack of professionalism. I don’t recommend sentry marketing!
@Sentry Marketing wrote:

So, we made a mistake, you asked us to review your shop and we realized our mistake and corrected it. Based on your comments, it appears as if you were paid/will be paid for your shop.

It seems to me that our willingness to review a decision based on a shopper request worked as designed.

@Alik wrote:

False, I’m great at this. It’s just my side gig.
Feel free to read with understanding my previous posts. The company rejected photos as they didn’t read the date stamp correctly, after I appealed they accepted my perfectly fine job. It’s silly of you to always blame the shopper, editors make mistakes too.

I was referring to post about other company (that poster here read my other posts and commented, trying to discredit my current post).

Problem with Sentry was never resolved successfully, I was told by Dave it would be resolved and I would be paid, if I didn’t write about it publicly. This Company doesn’t want bad publicity and punishes everyone who brings up their issues. Its unfortunate, but that’s why I replied to this original thread “why people hate sentry?”.
It’s rich Sentry calls people “trolls” who has bad experience with their company. Ask yourself if you want to work for company who doesn’t accept bad feedback and tries to bully you. I don’t.
@SoCalMama wrote:

Post removed because it contained a personal insult against another forum member –– Mod

Who posted something offensive, I missed it.
If I told you that you would be paid, then you should be paid. Period. I do need to know who you are, however, in order to pay you. The ball is in your court. It doesn't sound like you are ever going to complete assignments for Sentry in the future, so you should have no fear of revealing your identity.

Email me at dave@sentrymarketing.com and I will be happy to research your situation. If I told you that you would be paid, then that commitment will be honored.

Edited to add: One could consider posting unsubstantiated negative information about a company to be bullying.

@Alik wrote:

It’s rich Sentry calls people “trolls” who has bad experience with their company. Ask yourself if you want to work for company who doesn’t accept bad feedback and tries to bully you. I don’t.


Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 11/19/2017 01:55AM by Sentry Marketing.
@Sentry Marketing wrote:


Edited to add: One could consider posting unsubstantiated negative information about a company to be bullying.

@Alik wrote:

It’s rich Sentry calls people “trolls” who has bad experience with their company. Ask yourself if you want to work for company who doesn’t accept bad feedback and tries to bully you. I don’t.

Failure to accept feedback and blame shifting. Writing personal opinion on company doesn’t continue “bullying”, Dave. No wonder nobody wants to write details on the public forum about this company because it’s a guarantee Sentry will retaliate against them.
How can I accept responsibility for a situation when I have no idea who you are and no details of the situation you claim happened? This is why I consider you a troll.

If we did something wrong, then please provide details so we can research the situation on our end.

@Alik wrote:

@Sentry Marketing wrote:


Edited to add: One could consider posting unsubstantiated negative information about a company to be bullying.

@Alik wrote:

It’s rich Sentry calls people “trolls” who has bad experience with their company. Ask yourself if you want to work for company who doesn’t accept bad feedback and tries to bully you. I don’t.

Failure to accept feedback and blame shifting. Writing personal opinion on company doesn’t continue “bullying”, Dave. No wonder nobody wants to write details on the public forum about this company because it’s a guarantee Sentry will retaliate against them.
@Sentry Marketing wrote:

How can I accept responsibility for a situation when I have no idea who you are and no details of the situation you claim happened? This is why I consider you a troll.

If we did something wrong, then please provide details so we can research the situation on our end.

@Alik wrote:

@Sentry Marketing wrote:


Edited to add: One could consider posting unsubstantiated negative information about a company to be bullying.

@Alik wrote:

It’s rich Sentry calls people “trolls” who has bad experience with their company. Ask yourself if you want to work for company who doesn’t accept bad feedback and tries to bully you. I don’t.

Failure to accept feedback and blame shifting. Writing personal opinion on company doesn’t continue “bullying”, Dave. No wonder nobody wants to write details on the public forum about this company because it’s a guarantee Sentry will retaliate against them.

I wrote my feedback for fellow mystery shoppers and to warn them about Sentry, not to argue with Sentry marketing publicly. Other mystery companies don’t bother to look at those forums and don’t try so hard to make themselves look like they are always right.
@Alik I believe you because of my own experience communicating with Dave. He's not pleasant to deal with, and his company is plagued with payroll "mistakes" as he calls them. And there doesn't seem to be any plan to remedy the situation with preventitive measures. So he often deals with the aftermath on this forum. But to guarantee your payment if you didn't write about it publicly? That's pretty low.

@Alik wrote:

@Sentry Marketing wrote:

So, we made a mistake, you asked us to review your shop and we realized our mistake and corrected it. Based on your comments, it appears as if you were paid/will be paid for your shop.

It seems to me that our willingness to review a decision based on a shopper request worked as designed.

@Alik wrote:

False, I’m great at this. It’s just my side gig.
Feel free to read with understanding my previous posts. The company rejected photos as they didn’t read the date stamp correctly, after I appealed they accepted my perfectly fine job. It’s silly of you to always blame the shopper, editors make mistakes too.

I was referring to post about other company (that poster here read my other posts and commented, trying to discredit my current post).

Problem with Sentry was never resolved successfully, I was told by Dave it would be resolved and I would be paid, if I didn’t write about it publicly. This Company doesn’t want bad publicity and punishes everyone who brings up their issues. Its unfortunate, but that’s why I replied to this original thread “why people hate sentry?”.
It’s very strange that mystery shoppers can’t freely share information about Sentry on this forum without being called names by the owner of the company. I understand MSC have access to these forums but the respectable company wouldn’t stoop so low IMO.
Anybody who has worked on this side of the business can attest to the wide disparity in the tone of communication we receive from shoppers. We work with shoppers every day to resolve situations in which mistakes, extenuating circumstances or other situations interfere with an assignment being completed 100% in accordance with project and company guidelines. We pay thousands of shoppers a year and the vast majority of our shoppers understand that mistakes happen from time-to-time.

There is plenty of feedback on this forum from members who had an issue with Sentry that was resolved in a timely and pleasant manner. There is also plenty of feedback on this forum from members who had an unpleasant experience with Sentry. If we are so difficult to deal with, why do some forum members report such different experiences than others? I can guarantee you it's all in the approach.

I'm not here to argue with you, Alik. I'm also not going to let your claims go unanswered. I don't know who you are so it is easy for you to make any claim you want on this forum. I hope forum members will take that into consideration.
Now Sentry is blaming the shoppers again, as if the shopper personality and approach is the culprit. Clearly many people who have issue with sentry are very successful with other companies. Also, the tone of Sentry is consistent here, the first step is to blame the shopper and then humiliate them, then perhaps try to solve the issue.
I think disparity of feedback depends on the fact that every report and shop is different and different issues arise. But the amount of different people complaining about one company can’t be a coincidence.
I forgot to add: the second step they take is to say that the shopper is lying on this forum.
Sure thing, people in their free time go on forums and make up lies for fun. Not the case.
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