I am not sure if this is posted in the right section. Please feel free to move if not. This is simply a statement and just some business advice. Excuse the length. I am not looking for agreement, I just need to vent , cleanse my spirit and move on.
I have been an industry shopper for 26 years. From the days of writing it all by hand and dropping in the mail box I am MSPA Gold Certified. In my professional life, I have held the role of SVP of Sales for a Fortune 100 CPG for many years. I am currently an adjunct Journalism and Entrepreneuriship Professor for a local college.. I just completed my Doctorate Degree. I have worked tirelessly for years with three trips to Capitol Hill to speak to members of Congress on the rights of the consumer and the independent business contractor. I say all these things not to brag by any means, I say these things to state, experience I thought did count for something in our lovely industry of Mystery Shopping. Unfortunately, this past year. I have sensed a sad change in treatment of Shoppers. I am speaking to the deplorable comments and disrespectful behavior I have received recently from schedulers and editors.
I totally understand that the world is a stressful place. We live in a country that requires many to hold two, three or four jobs to meet simple needs and/or wants. Add to this the stress and anxiety that can come from just daiiy living. In addition, I understand as an industry, it is a positive and sometimes negative that anyone can simply click a button to complete a shop regardless of training and experience thus, schedulers and editors or often forced to experience "flakes" and "novices" this will never change. It is just a constant. However, there are many of us that truly care and want nothing but to do our best.
I have had a nightmare at Ridgeway. I accepted a shop that looked easy enough. I read my guidelines highlighter in hand anxious to complete and experience as I'm just a curious soul. I drove to the location last week and an unexpected snowstorm hit that made the 1 hour ride each way, 2.5 and 3 each way including sliding off the road on the way down the interstate. I slowed down and continued as I did not want to let my scheduler down.
I arrived and completed all 3+ locations in record time all things weather considering. I returned home late 2am to begin input however, the format for the system was something I had never experienced before. It required a PDF to be filled out that was an attachment sent by scheduler. I read, re read and re read the guidelines and instructions. I could not get it to work. Alas, it was not a fillable pdf. I am pretty tech savvy. I struggled for two days and over 12 hours with it total before the scheduler sent me back a simple email to my multiple requests for help . I can only imagine if you are not tech savvy. I did not want to cause a blemish on my professional reputation nor their need for timely submission. I was sweating and stressed out. The scheduler finally answered me back and simply said, "You need Adobe." Well, yes. I know that for pdf. yet, that wasnt my issue or question. I sent back two more asking for an editable to be sent or word doc I could convert or any suggestion so I could embed into Sassie form. It was unbelieveably complicated and it did not have to be so complicated. The issue, the form was not friendly to most computer systems.
I never got another response. After another 24 hours of which I spent 6 trying to complete. I refuse to quit! I finally figured out I had to pay $20 to get a PDF filler app to allow me to complete. (Yet eating again into the ROI). I am now totally doing this for free with labor and drive time. Not to mention. ( Surprise! I had to pay for parking with each location. I emailed to ask the scheduler about this and never received a response.)
I finally get it done after nearly 3 days of non stop trying to figure it out. I had to turn in Sassie as I would rather it not have attachments/embedded pdfs with other information so I won't be listed as a "flake" or late and then forward info later. I had to make a split second decision. I figured for scheduler board and I this was best decision.
I finally get it figured out! Yay!!! I email all the three pdf attachments to get this message last night exactly" Stop sending these attachments to me."....thud...I replied, well, I had already hit the button in Sassie and I could not attach. Perhaps you can forward to editor? No response....crickets.... I email again.......crickets. I got another tart response. Huh? I get on the company website and find an email address for someone to contact.
I email scheduler, cc Frank, attorney generals of our respective states stating this needs mediator to get answers. I am not sure what I've done but, this is not good.
Frank emails to tell me there is nothing the AG's can do for me. Oh yeah, did I mention that for many years due to my work on Capitol Hill, I have close relationships with AG's and SBA so I am very versed in why they are in place for the consumer. He proceeds to tell me not to talk to anyone but him and just a lot of other things that if I were not whom I were professionally, I could have easily believed everything he said. He had a really negative response. Which I understand could stem from the fact that the AG's were notified however, there still is opportunity for us to discuss. i had to get their attention. No one was answering. I have had issue in past as well.
Overall to end, sorry so lengthy. I tell you all this for a reason. My case is still being sorted but just know.
1. You have rights as an independent Contractor.
2. Always talk to individuals with respect and expect the same from them
3. There is nothing wrong with asking for help and expecting help from schedulers or editors.
4. Just because someone tells you you're not allowed to do something or someone can not help you in your plight, doesn't mean it is true. Question it.
5. Keep good records.
6. Challenge a decision with respectful language and actions
7. If someone speaks to you in a negative, hurtful or disrespectful manner, answer professionally, keep good records and know your AG office, BBB, SBA are there for you to assist if you can't get resolution to aid in mediation or to insure you are respected.
Sorry again so lengthy. Regardless, this is an amazing industry and we serve a greater good. Don't let the negative unprofessional actions of a few bad eggs change your destiny.
Thank you. My spirit is cleansed. I am off shopping! Happy Holidays
I have been an industry shopper for 26 years. From the days of writing it all by hand and dropping in the mail box I am MSPA Gold Certified. In my professional life, I have held the role of SVP of Sales for a Fortune 100 CPG for many years. I am currently an adjunct Journalism and Entrepreneuriship Professor for a local college.. I just completed my Doctorate Degree. I have worked tirelessly for years with three trips to Capitol Hill to speak to members of Congress on the rights of the consumer and the independent business contractor. I say all these things not to brag by any means, I say these things to state, experience I thought did count for something in our lovely industry of Mystery Shopping. Unfortunately, this past year. I have sensed a sad change in treatment of Shoppers. I am speaking to the deplorable comments and disrespectful behavior I have received recently from schedulers and editors.
I totally understand that the world is a stressful place. We live in a country that requires many to hold two, three or four jobs to meet simple needs and/or wants. Add to this the stress and anxiety that can come from just daiiy living. In addition, I understand as an industry, it is a positive and sometimes negative that anyone can simply click a button to complete a shop regardless of training and experience thus, schedulers and editors or often forced to experience "flakes" and "novices" this will never change. It is just a constant. However, there are many of us that truly care and want nothing but to do our best.
I have had a nightmare at Ridgeway. I accepted a shop that looked easy enough. I read my guidelines highlighter in hand anxious to complete and experience as I'm just a curious soul. I drove to the location last week and an unexpected snowstorm hit that made the 1 hour ride each way, 2.5 and 3 each way including sliding off the road on the way down the interstate. I slowed down and continued as I did not want to let my scheduler down.
I arrived and completed all 3+ locations in record time all things weather considering. I returned home late 2am to begin input however, the format for the system was something I had never experienced before. It required a PDF to be filled out that was an attachment sent by scheduler. I read, re read and re read the guidelines and instructions. I could not get it to work. Alas, it was not a fillable pdf. I am pretty tech savvy. I struggled for two days and over 12 hours with it total before the scheduler sent me back a simple email to my multiple requests for help . I can only imagine if you are not tech savvy. I did not want to cause a blemish on my professional reputation nor their need for timely submission. I was sweating and stressed out. The scheduler finally answered me back and simply said, "You need Adobe." Well, yes. I know that for pdf. yet, that wasnt my issue or question. I sent back two more asking for an editable to be sent or word doc I could convert or any suggestion so I could embed into Sassie form. It was unbelieveably complicated and it did not have to be so complicated. The issue, the form was not friendly to most computer systems.
I never got another response. After another 24 hours of which I spent 6 trying to complete. I refuse to quit! I finally figured out I had to pay $20 to get a PDF filler app to allow me to complete. (Yet eating again into the ROI). I am now totally doing this for free with labor and drive time. Not to mention. ( Surprise! I had to pay for parking with each location. I emailed to ask the scheduler about this and never received a response.)
I finally get it done after nearly 3 days of non stop trying to figure it out. I had to turn in Sassie as I would rather it not have attachments/embedded pdfs with other information so I won't be listed as a "flake" or late and then forward info later. I had to make a split second decision. I figured for scheduler board and I this was best decision.
I finally get it figured out! Yay!!! I email all the three pdf attachments to get this message last night exactly" Stop sending these attachments to me."....thud...I replied, well, I had already hit the button in Sassie and I could not attach. Perhaps you can forward to editor? No response....crickets.... I email again.......crickets. I got another tart response. Huh? I get on the company website and find an email address for someone to contact.
I email scheduler, cc Frank, attorney generals of our respective states stating this needs mediator to get answers. I am not sure what I've done but, this is not good.
Frank emails to tell me there is nothing the AG's can do for me. Oh yeah, did I mention that for many years due to my work on Capitol Hill, I have close relationships with AG's and SBA so I am very versed in why they are in place for the consumer. He proceeds to tell me not to talk to anyone but him and just a lot of other things that if I were not whom I were professionally, I could have easily believed everything he said. He had a really negative response. Which I understand could stem from the fact that the AG's were notified however, there still is opportunity for us to discuss. i had to get their attention. No one was answering. I have had issue in past as well.
Overall to end, sorry so lengthy. I tell you all this for a reason. My case is still being sorted but just know.
1. You have rights as an independent Contractor.
2. Always talk to individuals with respect and expect the same from them
3. There is nothing wrong with asking for help and expecting help from schedulers or editors.
4. Just because someone tells you you're not allowed to do something or someone can not help you in your plight, doesn't mean it is true. Question it.
5. Keep good records.
6. Challenge a decision with respectful language and actions
7. If someone speaks to you in a negative, hurtful or disrespectful manner, answer professionally, keep good records and know your AG office, BBB, SBA are there for you to assist if you can't get resolution to aid in mediation or to insure you are respected.
Sorry again so lengthy. Regardless, this is an amazing industry and we serve a greater good. Don't let the negative unprofessional actions of a few bad eggs change your destiny.
Thank you. My spirit is cleansed. I am off shopping! Happy Holidays