I've worked with this MSC for a while now and have performed A LOT of jobs for them. I have done a lot of shops I didn't want to do just so this MSC will meet their quota and went out of my way to make sure the schedulers were happy. I have really worked hard for this MSC. This was my favorite MSC until recently.

I even asked if I had done something wrong, and I was told no.

Recently, I noticed that there has been a new shopper or two in the areas I shop for this company. Now, for about the past two to three weeks, I apply for shops, and they are not approved. I contacted the scheduler finally to ask why I am not being approved for shops anymore. The reply I received was something like, "The shops are in high demand..."

But, at least two of the jobs I've applied for are still on the board...so, I know that another shopper hadn't applied for them because it would be scheduled.

So, when new shoppers come in your area, the schedulers just drop you no matter what you have done for them? I am not sure what is happening.

I am thinking about deleting my profile because if I can't get jobs, why be a shopper for them?

Has anyone else experienced this? If so, how did you handle it?

I haven't had this issue yet, but would you allow yourself to be treated this way in your real life? if not, why are you going to allow an msc to treat you this way? I wouldn't suggest deactivating yourself but maybe don't shop them for the next couple of months, maybe they will come around.

Yes. When new shoppers come into my area, schedulers always drop me no matter what I have done for them, as long as the new shoppers will do it for less. The schedulers are just doing their job and I don't take it personally. I don't know if the pay difference applies in your case, but it also may be the client wants different perspectives or wants them all done ASAP. I doubt it's your reporting, because you obviously are a good writer.

Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 11/27/2018 03:37AM by mystery2me.

Ark,

As your post states, you have had the best interests of the MSC in your shopping. In addition, the company has their best interests in assigning jobs, Unfortunately, when both parties are geared toward satisfying one, there is not anyone remaining to be there for whom remains. The business model of some MSCs, includes the exploitation of shoppers willing to place others before themselves and/or desiring to please. Let this be a lesson and profit from the error of not working in a manner that was advantageous for Ark

The above advice was not meant to cast criticism upon any shopping company; this is business and we are self-employed contractors. It is our responsibility to act in a fashion that benefits ourselves, just as it is an MSCs to extract as much work for as little fee as possible,

You cannot take this business personally.

I hope you don't ever go through this because it's not pleasant. I try not to jump at my first instincts because it's not always the right thing to do. In my younger years, during my hot-headed days, I would have jumped at my first instincts without thinking, then regretting it later. I try to do business with a level head; give myself time to think.

I am thinking that maybe they are trying to make room for new shoppers; which is fine. Just don't push me completely out and communicate; tell me what is happening.

The way I look at it, if there is a reason why the scheduler is not approving shops for me when the scheduler used to approve every shop I wanted (if within rotation) then the scheduler should take the time to explain that to me, so I understand what is happening (I don't have ESP)...if they wanted me to keep doing shops. Of course, if you were getting every shop you wanted and then all of a sudden you are not getting any, you would have questions and feel some type of way about it.

@dawnhu wrote:

I haven't had this issue yet, but would you allow yourself to be treated this way in your real life? if not, why are you going to allow an msc to treat you this way? I wouldn't suggest deactivating yourself but maybe don't shop them for the next couple of months, maybe they will come around.

It's not personal when I don't get jobs to do...it takes away from my business...so, it's business.

@breestjon wrote:

You cannot take this business personally.

Thank you, Shopperbob. I've done a lot for my business but, I also feel I've done a lot of for them as well. I am also wondering if they just missed the boat on replying to the requests. I've read where other shoppers wait days after days to get approved.

It's truly a lesson learned. It took a while to go through it but, I truly learned a lesson on this one.

@shopperbob wrote:

Ark,

As your post states, you have had the best interests of the MSC in your shopping. In addition, the company has their best interests in assigning jobs, Unfortunately, when both parties are geared toward satisfying one, there is not anyone remaining to be there for whom remains. The business model of some MSCs, includes the exploitation of shoppers willing to place others before themselves and/or desiring to please. Let this be a lesson and profit from the error of not working in a manner that was advantageous for Ark

The above advice was not meant to cast criticism upon any shopping company; this is business and we are self-employed contractors. It is our responsibility to act in a fashion that benefits ourselves, just as it is an MSCs to extract as much work for as little fee as possible,

That's sad! Thanks for sharing that. The price isn't the problem. I usually get them off the board as filler shops while I travel for the larger jobs. I've only done a few for a bonus because I couldn't find shops in, or to, the areas I was going. Thank you for the compliment on my writing (blush).

@mystery2me wrote:

Yes. When new shoppers come into my area, schedulers always drop me no matter what I have done for them, as long as the new shoppers will do it for less. The schedulers are just doing their job and I don't take it personally. I don't know if the pay difference applies in your case, but it also may be the client wants different perspectives or wants them all done ASAP. I doubt it's your reporting, because you obviously are a good writer.

I, too, am frustrated with this problem. I applied for a job last week and was told another shopper was assigned. That was fine. Today, I noticed the very same job came back open, this time with a bonus, so I applied again. Again, at the end of the day, I got the email saying another shopper was given the job. It's very frustrating. I have not been able to get a shop in over 6 weeks in my area. I have signed up with over 25 companies. I get 10s on every report that I do. I have not missed a shop or turned one in late. I just suddenly cannot get assigned a shop. I really loved doing this, but I l feel like the universe is telling me it is time to move on.

Could it be that you folks are simply out of rotation?

Edited to say: Nevermind. Somebody mentioned rotation.

Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 11/27/2018 07:24AM by nslinhar.

@nslinhar wrote:

Could it be that you folks are simply out of rotation?

Edited to say: Nevermind. Somebody mentioned rotation.

That's what I was thinking as well.

That's the most common reason I can think of. Or a scheduler has PMS.

And before anyone gets their panties in a wad regarding my PMS statement, I'm a female. Ovaries, PMS and all.

The fact is, if there are new shoppers in your area, many will flake, or decide the time required isn't worth the pittance, or, even worse, screw up shops and not get paid at all, so will quit. (Sorry for the run on sentence. I need wine!)

I don't know if anyone has access to any quantifiers to this (what % of shoppers don't make it past the first couple months), but I'd be interested in the statistics. I think it would reflect a high % of failure rates for newbies.

Or perhaps even just seasonal, people looking for side gigs to make money for shopping for the holidays.

JM2CW, but I would quit "applying" for jobs off the board, and reach out directly to the scheduler if there's a shop you're interested in. I'd make it clear I can't sit and wait days for an answer, because I'm working on routes, and have to know so that I can build my route.

And if the scheduler can't (or won't) schedule the shop like NOW, I'd just say, I'm sorry, I can't wait for an answer. I have to find other shops for this route, so I'm gonna pass on this one, this time. But keep me in mind if you need something done -- I'll always try to work it into a route.

I know you've got some experience under your belt, but if you're not signed up with lots and lots of companies, now might be a good time to spend a few minutes every day adding another company or two to the list of companies you're signed up with.

You'll probably end up with more work than you can handle, with your stellar record!

And please, please, please, do NOT burn your bridges by deactivating yourself.

I wonder if we are talking about the same company.

@kimmysue wrote:

I, too, am frustrated with this problem. I applied for a job last week and was told another shopper was assigned. That was fine. Today, I noticed the very same job came back open, this time with a bonus, so I applied again. Again, at the end of the day, I got the email saying another shopper was given the job. It's very frustrating. I have not been able to get a shop in over 6 weeks in my area. I have signed up with over 25 companies. I get 10s on every report that I do. I have not missed a shop or turned one in late. I just suddenly cannot get assigned a shop. I really loved doing this, but I l feel like the universe is telling me it is time to move on.

Cease, you are right. They are already flaking because several jobs that were scheduled went back on the board because they were not performed; after being held for a long time. I would like to know that percentage, too.

@ceasesmith wrote:

The fact is, if there are new shoppers in your area, many will flake, or decide the time required isn't worth the pittance, or, even worse, screw up shops and not get paid at all, so will quit. (Sorry for the run on sentence. I need wine!)

I don't know if anyone has access to any quantifiers to this (what % of shoppers don't make it past the first couple months), but I'd be interested in the statistics. I think it would reflect a high % of failure rates for newbies.

Or perhaps even just seasonal, people looking for side gigs to make money for shopping for the holidays.

JM2CW, but I would quit "applying" for jobs off the board, and reach out directly to the scheduler if there's a shop you're interested in. I'd make it clear I can't sit and wait days for an answer, because I'm working on routes, and have to know so that I can build my route.

And if the scheduler can't (or won't) schedule the shop like NOW, I'd just say, I'm sorry, I can't wait for an answer. I have to find other shops for this route, so I'm gonna pass on this one, this time. But keep me in mind if you need something done -- I'll always try to work it into a route.

I know you've got some experience under your belt, but if you're not signed up with lots and lots of companies, now might be a good time to spend a few minutes every day adding another company or two to the list of companies you're signed up with.

You'll probably end up with more work than you can handle, with your stellar record!

And please, please, please, do NOT burn your bridges by deactivating yourself.

SoCal and nslinhar, I feel if it had been rotation I would have been told that instead of what I was told. Actually, there was one job I've never done in that city but, have done it in other cities/states for this company.

@SoCalMama wrote:

@nslinhar wrote:

Could it be that you folks are simply out of rotation?

Edited to say: Nevermind. Somebody mentioned rotation.

That's what I was thinking as well.

Kimmiesue,
You need to sign up with another 75 MSCs, or more, to stay busy.

Walesmavenj,
Oh! Okay. I stopped signing up because so many of the new ones I tried don't even have shops to offer in my state. But, since someone said there are rotations, then maybe those companies will have shops open up eventually. Okay, I will get busy on that end and see if anything new comes up. Thank you!

Look, I have shopped (a lot) every month since Sept. 2005 and I am still getting surprised by which MSCs I have never, (or only long ago) shopped for are turning up with shop offers that I really want. And I am signed up with over 150 MSCs. This year I have made many 100s of bucks doing shops for a couple of MSCs that I had ignored for the last 10 years. Clients change MSCs all the time. New clients decide to start an MS program. And the beat goes on.

re: nslinhar 3y New
And before anyone gets their panties in a wad regarding my PMS statement, I'm a female. Ovaries, PMS and all.

TMI

Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 11/27/2018 04:03PM by SS4U.

Welcome to being treated like a commodity....MSC's are almost all bad actors when it comes to us shoppers. The schedulers who freelance are one more step removed from you and often show little concern for fair practices. Some schedulers are great....some are bad ....most are in the middle.

I think, for the most part, the schedulers I have dealt with have been great. I have been lucky so far; until now. This scheduler is still great to me; I just don't know what's going on. It would have been nice to have a heads up. Now, I am left to decide if I want to keep applying and not knowing why I am not being approved, or keep playing the game. I am sitting on my decision for a couple of days.

The funny thing is the scheduler knows there is a conflict and not one call on my phone. When this person is in need to get shops done, my phone rings.

@winemaker wrote:

Welcome to being treated like a commodity....MSC's are almost all bad actors when it comes to us shoppers. The schedulers who freelance are one more step removed from you and often show little concern for fair practices. Some schedulers are great....some are bad ....most are in the middle.

I always give 110% and help out the schedulers when they need a shop done ASAP. But at the end of the day, in the eyes of the MSC, we are "replaceable".... for someone who will do it cheaper. We are not employees. We will never earn a gold watch for many years of work.... .

We will eventually turn to dust.... to them... a distant memory... and then blow away in the wind......

In the meantime, I work as much as I can. If I do not think the MSC is treating me fairly, or the job is too skin-flint cheap, or the narrative is enough to fill the Los Angeles phone book (very thick book), then it is my choice to not take a certain assignment or none at all.

@SunnyDays2 wrote:

I always give 110%

That's impossible.

"If you aren't first, you're last."
-Ricky Bobby, Nascar legend