I read so many people complaining about this company. Am I really the only person who is happy with this company?
I get to pick my jobs, I get paid in a decent amount of time from shop date.
It just seems all these people being dropped for "no reason" sounds so odd to me.

Oh beleive them! I just got dropped yesterday. The only thing I can think of is that their 800# doesn't work in my area, and I told them about.
Do you really think they are so great?
My jobs had 38 pages of instructions [cost=$3.80 to print; most jobs only paid $8.] Then 3 1/2 hours work with only 1 authorized. The instructions were so poorly written that the diagram for the display only used 1/3 of the page and was impossible to read.

You should be very wary of them!

well thanks for the input MysteryShopSteve but for my they just seem to be a great fit.
When an $8. job only takes 15 - 20 minutes to complete and I am going by said job on my way home from my full time job then, yes it works well for me.
I don't take a job that's too far away without being paid what its worth for travel.

I just have such a hard time believing they just drop people for the heck of it. It is there job to get people to do these jobs. Why on earth would they want to limit the amount of people they have readily available?

I guess I will just hope that I am not in here in a month eating my words but so far I am very happy and it works for me.

Heck, go for it while it lasts. Their attitude seems to be one of shoppers being a dime-a-dozen. As long as you stay under their radar you will probably keep getting work, but never ask for anything of them, including where your paycheck went. There is a reason for them having problems finding folks to work for them. And you don't need to eat any words when you get dropped, you just join an ever increasing club of 'Certified dropped shoppers' and move on.

Justme, if they are a good fit for you as you said, then stick with it. My experience with this was horrible, but you may have better luck.

I was one that was dropped for no reason. The reason was that I questioned the phone rep about why they had no idea what to do with recalled items that I picked up. I guess they don't like being questioned because I was gone right after that call. (For those who know, yep, I still have the lighters.)

While I did work with them, 75% of the jobs were either cancelled or had the guidelines and forms changed at the last minute. Sometimes even after I had left to complete the job.

My advice would be to keep working with them, but be on the alert. There are several companies I haven't had a problem with yet, but many shoppers here have. I still shop for them, but I keep both eyes open.

I have been dropped at least twice. The first time I called them, sick in bed, on the due date. I hadn't been with them very long, but I was able to get reinstated.

The second time they said I'd falsified a report. I did a string of assignments of the same type in different stores. I always had the manager print as well as sign their names. At one store, I didn't, and I couldn't read the name nor could I remember it. I wrote "can't read the name, looks like '____'". They called the store, and someone there said they'd never seen me. Of course, only one shift was called. I faxed a letter to Certified, along with the signature in question, saying that perhaps someone in the store recognized it, and also sent a copy of the paperwork for a trip I'd made to the same store once before, this time with the manager's signature on it. I also mentioned that I took a picture of the fixture (which had an unusual feature none of the other stores had) the first time I was there, and they have the picture.

When they reinstated me the second time, I asked about the dozen or so permanent assignments I had with them. They claimed they'd given them to other people in the meantime. I haunted their website looking for them. Finally, someone called, who didn't know the history, and offered me three of "my" assignments. I did them. It was obvious that no one else had been there between visits. The paperwork they sent showed that they didn't know that I had set up the fixtures months before. It gave information on how to set up the fixtures. I still haven't seen some of "my" "permanent" assignments, and the managers of those stores have not commented about anyone else coming in. The last time I looked under the permanent assignments list, not only did I have a couple of "my""permanent" assignments reappear, but they had given me permanently a new store down the road that I suppose is already open (I know it's being built.), but I've never been given any work there nor, to the best of my memory, did they have any announcement of it for requesting.

Certified was the first or second company I did merchandising with. I've kept them through the years. Yes, I do get better with my assignments and can do a $6 assignment in 15 minutes, interspersed with my other work, often at the same store. They do have lots of assignments. They occasionally ask me to travel to the next county, for a tiny bonus. I take it if I have something else there.

I can understand suspicion, but if you were investigating whether someone had really been at a store, wouldn't you do a full investigation? Wouldn't you ask the "offender" for any proof and let that person know you thought there was a problem?

Sandra Sue said: "...if you were investigating whether someone had really been at a store, wouldn't you do a full investigation?"
I doubt a company that pays $6 per assignment would waste additional resources investigating a claim, no matter how legitimate. Shoppers are a dispensable commodity in this economy and especially so with this company. Imagine how much these assignments would cost them if they had to pay an employee minimum wage, a travel allowance and employment benefits. There's a reason companies are rallying to keep the IC status quo.

I say beware of the purple monster.

What's good about that company: (1) They pay more or less regularly, close to the 5th and the 20th of the month. (2) I have never had a problem with being paid. (3) They often call to ask if I can take assignments. (4) I get assignments with them all the time, even though I still haven't seen some of my previously "permanent" ones that were dropped when I was deactivated in error. (5) The assignments are rarely a nuisance. They are usually easy, and occasionally fun. Some occasional ones are unusual enough to be quite fun and interesting. (6) Unless it's a reset, they usually give me a big enough estimate on how much time it will take. Few companies do that unless they cap time. (7) I don't have to jump through hoops to get the assignments. If they call and I accept an assignment, it appears on the website almost right away. If I ask for it, I usually get it and often it is right away that I know whether I did. (8) I don't have to jump through hoops to finish assignments. The website is easy to use. (That could be its own number here.) I don't have to fax copies of the reports, upload an invoice, and, except for theater checks, I usually don't have to mail them anything. (9) When the staff call, they are friendly and personable. Some of them offer a bonus up front. (10) If I need a reset partner, I don't have to jump through hoops to find one. I can use another merchandiser whose work I like and pay her time.

I did an audit for them, today. The problem??????????? I can't report it. They are having some problem with their data entry.

I contacted them earlier. This is what they cybered back------"The data entry screens are not yet availlable for XYZ123. Once the screens have been made live you will recieve another message to let you know. Thank you for your patience."

Those mispelled words are theirs.
Anybody esle going through this with them?

There software seems to be from the late 80s early 90s!

I can't work the Certified jobs for $8/hr. I usually get at least $7 for a 10 minute cell phone shop, $7.50 for a 25 minute fast food shop plus $11-$13 worth of food, $7 for a convenience store visit and inspection plus food reinb, taking usually less than 5 minutes.
Decline low paying jobs and watch the fees go up, including those just mentioned.

All of us need to figure out what works for us samwise. Some of us would not bother with your fast food shops or convenience stores while other shops paying less may work with our schedule or interests. Not always will the fees go up by declining jobs--there is always someone out there hungrier or more desperate than you. There are also those of us who just quietly negotiate a better fee and go on our merry way.

I have been doing their trailer checks for six or seven years now. That is all I do for them.

I notice that Certified, now Market Force Purple is just like Market Force Blue. I liked them better when they were Certified.

I love those shops where they tell me to do the shop 3 months ago. I would really like to do that, but you just assigned the shop this morning! I am thinking, "Would you like me to bite myself on the forehead?" It would be just as easy.

Then there are the assignments that just appear on my current shops without asking. They tell me that I requested to be permanently assigned a few months ago. They had not given me any shops since they alledge I was "permanently assigned". I had seen the assignment offered in e-mails and on message boards several times since they alledge I was "permanently assigned". I do not "permanently assign" myself to any assignment as I do not want to be "on call" and watching my e-mail for assignments that might conflict with my previoulsly scheduled shops.

everyone has there own ticks... certified has theirs as well... some schedulers are nice and some not... its a big company (at least I think) and it happens to everyone... i have never done anything through the blue portal... dont intend to either... at least not until i get my w2s...

i pretty much stay away from them.... except for one... and that one i havent been able to do for some time.... sad...

So far I still have no issues. I have been paid twice and right on time. I have stopped taking so many jobs because I was overwhelming myself with them.

Right now one job I did that I am owed a rather large amount of money for is sitting on "awaiting hard copies". I sent them long enouph ago to know they have them. At this point I will not take anymore jobs till this one is paid. Just a personal choice.

Once I am paid up to date I may start seeking out more. Either way I hope to continue with my positive feelings about this company as I like the format of the shops and how they are reported back.

more power to ya... all advice is not for all people... if something is not broke dont fix it...

Flash Wrote:
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> Heck, go for it while it lasts. Their attitude
> seems to be one of shoppers being a dime-a-dozen.
> As long as you stay under their radar you will
> probably keep getting work, but never ask for
> anything of them, including where your paycheck
> went. There is a reason for them having problems
> finding folks to work for them. And you don't
> need to eat any words when you get dropped, you
> just join an ever increasing club of 'Certified
> dropped shoppers' and move on.

You're right they're only good for a short while and if you ask where's your paycheck??...well Certified used to pay every 2 weeks or so now it seems every 2 months? Also, (if you do a higher price shop for them...well they can say you made a mistake and they don't like every ounce of your report and not pay you!Or they will deactivate your account so all the assignments not finished processing they just won't pay you..(It almost happened to me!)(They still owe me almost $300 on one assignment.....I paid $50 out of my pocket for it.)Be very careful with these people and only take a little bit and make sure they pay you what they promised.

ElaK Wrote:
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> Or they will deactivate your account so all the assignments not finished
> processing they just won't pay you

Been there.

Fortunately there are still a number of good companies to work with who are not arbitrary, pay on time and have a polite and civil conversation with you either by phone or email when there are the inevitable problems that arise (and what relationship ever is without the occasional misunderstanding?).

To have much outstanding in fees and reimbursements with a company where multiple other shoppers have had problems with payment or persnicketiness is just foolish.

Flash wrote:To have much outstanding in fees and reimbursements with a company where multiple other shoppers have had problems with payment or persnicketiness is just foolish.

This one project was paid extra because they were desperate(at the last minute). Also, as I mentioned they USED to pay every 2 weeks....so now I'm greatly dissappointed in this company....and when they finally pay me...I won't volunteer again.

I've been doing an ongoing project with them for several weeks now. I was able to get the pay increased to more than triple their original fee, but am having tons of problems with the bonused amount. Ive emailed pay inquiry several times, and keep getting a message that they did not receive the required information. Nor will they allow me to resubmit.

I like doing jobs for them, it works for me. I guess since I got triple the original pay amount, I should not fuss with the bonus amount. However, after all these weeks, the missed bonus amounts to over $100 now. The project is now closed, and they finally gave me a suggestion to email the photos as well. Of course, that suggestion came after the project was closed. Why didnt they suggest that to me, 6 weeks ago?

I've also noticed that their pay blocks (15 minute blocks) wont pay you if you work 13 minutes. You HAVE to work the full 15 minutes to get the extra time pay. I've lost out on about $50 because of this. I hate to say this, but if I only work 10 minutes, I'll bump it up to 15 minutes so that I get paid (I'll include my walk time to/from car now)

I do not like altering my time, as I want to be 100% honest. But I've found that this company isnt 100% honest either. Were both playing each other.

Contacting them about promised bonuses is about the fastest way to get terminated by them. Be proactive and don't head out on the job without the bonus in writing by email or listed on the job where you can print a copy of it. But most importantly think about whether it is worthwhile to be playing games with a company or perhaps makes more sense to work with a company where you aren't needing to play games to be paid fairly for what you do.

Flash Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Contacting them about promised bonuses is about
> the fastest way to get terminated by them. Be
> proactive and don't head out on the job without
> the bonus in writing by email or listed on the job
> where you can print a copy of it. But most
> importantly think about whether it is worthwhile
> to be playing games with a company or perhaps
> makes more sense to work with a company where you
> aren't needing to play games to be paid fairly for
> what you do.

The bonus is in writing, it is part of the project. I've gotten some, just not all. I've been contacting them for the past 6 weeks about this, and I dont get the impression that I will be terminated. In fact, they are still calling me for jobs. I even spoke to John about the missing bonuses, and he was a bit forcefull, but still professional. I never lost my cool, but still expressed my unhappiness.

I cant afford not to continue playing their games. My car note needs to get paid! I am constantly busy with work in my area from them.

How do I find other merch companies like them? Easy jobs and easy data entry. Lots of work. I've only been able to find mystery jobs.

I'm 50/50 on the fence. I dont like their tactics, but I love my car!

Sign up at NARMS.com if merchandising is what you want to do. We occasionally have merchandising come through companies that are primarily mystery shopping, but if merchandising is what makes you comfortable, then check with NARMS. There are a whole lot of merchandising companies out there.

Flash Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Contacting them about promised bonuses is about
> the fastest way to get terminated by them.

Yep. They do not like being questioned.

I find that keeping a copy of the "review details" where the bomus additional is included, is part of the COPY, I KEEP with the guidelines, survey, and final submitted report.

As for additional minutes being between 13 minutes and 15. Go for 01, 16, 31, 46. Especially when you have to sign out in the store when it is a overt shop/covert shop.

And John, the inquirer, answers to the client He does not oversee payment or bonuses.

I was promised over the phone extra money..(almost double)per the scheduler. For each task of this one project I completed....and there were 8 tasks altogether...Yet I just received pay and guess what? WITHOUT the extra money. So that's half of what I was expecting and half of what I was promised...AND IT TOOK 2 months to be paid.I will call tomorrow and raise H.LL. However; when I call they say "We can't help you , payroll is in another building altogether." Or here's my favorite line"Just write them an email."Certified has really gone down hill...I am upset..they want you to complete the projects on time.....but they won't pay on time or correctly.

I used to make between $600 and $700 a month from them, then they started cutting things. Regular weekly jobs went to every other week. Jobs that had paid $10 an hour went to $8.

Jobs that had been capped at 1 hour were now capped at 45 minutes.

So a regular job that had been woth $40/month suddenly was worth $12/month.

Finally, when I left a job after 45 minutes of work, even though the job wasn't done, because they wouldn't authorize any additional time, they cancelled my account.

They did pay me everything that they owed me though.

I miss the good old days, back in the beginning....