Schedulet: Hi *****! This is ********* with TrendSource. Your pad request for the ***** shop in Goshen has been approved please go and accept the approval so you can complete this shop. Thank you.


Me: The shop I requested is not in Goshen. The PAD has not been approved for the shop I requested


Scheduler: Oh I'm sorry Evansville. It has been approved. I just approved it

Me: PAD Status: (Pending)

That indicates it has not been approved. Do you know what you are doing?

Scheduler: Yes I do know what I am doing. I can just assign you to the project. becuase it is approved on my end. Thanks. Let me know.

Me: No thanks.... i like payments secured in writing. I declined the shop.

Scheduler: Ok great! I was going to add your PAD. but okay have a great day. This was a backup project anyways
No worries!

Me:
Quit messing with me.....now you say you WERE going to approve PAD....you need to find a job that doesnt require integrity....done ....done with you

Scheduler: I told you that the PAD was approved and that I could assign you to the project and add your PAD. I apologize for the miscommunication. I said it was approved to begin with.



In summary, yeah, you said the PAD was approved in a different city....and the shop you want me to accept does not have the PAD approved...... of course I trust you....NOT....

Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 12/20/2018 07:15PM by Ms.Baker.

I've never had an issue w Trendsource and PAD. They are usually really good, must have gotten someone new or having an off day but they are one of my favorites as they are responsive and follow through. Sorry you had a bad experience.

I've been shopping with them for probably 10 years..... most of the time....just as they say..... this time....no....something was amiss...like sign for this shop, then i will assign the PAD....that is not how it works....

NO, I do not take schedulers at their word (because it's not worth diddly).

Depending who I'm working with and my history with them, I'll trust them. That's just how I work and it's worked great.

If it isn't in writing it is not binding. I am in sales. Some of you have long standing relationships with schedulers and may never have a problem with verbal promises.

I have had to cancel several assignments after being assigned the wrong date, wrong time frame, or a promised bonus not being documented by email or on the website.

That being said, I have seen several discussions here were a promised bonus was removed from the website after the assignment was accepted. Even with emails to prove themselves, someone higher up penalizes us instead of the schedulers.

For the most part, I want shops and their payments in writing before I do them. Most schedulers are fantastic and their word is golden. However, there are a few who either assume they can offer more than they actually can or make false promises to get their shops filled. This does make me hesitate to take any scheduler I don't know reasonably well at his/her word. There are a couple with whom I have a good history and will take at their word.

You did the right thing op. Always get it in writing. That way if things do go sideways, you have the documentation to prove your side.

@isaiah58 wrote:

If it isn't in writing it is not binding. I am in sales. Some of you have long standing relationships with schedulers and may never have a problem with verbal promises.

I have had to cancel several assignments after being assigned the wrong date, wrong time frame, or a promised bonus not being documented by email or on the website.

That being said, I have seen several discussions here were a promised bonus was removed from the website after the assignment was accepted. Even with emails to prove themselves, someone higher up penalizes us instead of the schedulers.

Speaking as a consultant in other industries, having a feeling on when to proceed before having something in writing is a soft skill you learn. For example, I’m not going to wait for every single bonus, guide variance, etc. to be in writing before I proceed if I’m speaking over the phone. However, I will state a reminder to send a written email or something similar at their earliest convenience.

And coming from experience, just because something is in writing, it’s still our responsibility to do our due diligence and keep an eye out on things with pay schedules, verifying bonuses, etc. still. I learned the hard way in my early days of my career to not rely on vendors to always be on top of their game. The same goes for any industry including mystery shopping.

I have more times than not trusted my trustworthy schedulers...having been in the business and dealing with the same companies, if I don't trust them, I'm not with them. Naive or trusting, burn me once and we're done. I have good vibes which is why I am only with about 12 companies on a steady basis. This industry is based on trust and for those that remain in it for years, we know what we know. There are always a new scheduler coming around that needs time. Newbies shouldn't be trusted until they prove themselves as well.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 12/21/2018 01:39AM by Irene_L.A..

I've pondered this very topic in my head for awhile now and have decided that there has to be some element of trust in life and in business. So, I operate much like Irene and Tarantado do.

My rational side constantly reminds me to get everything in writing as that is the prudent business choice. Then my real-world, common-sense kicks in and I realize that even if it is in writing and I am completely in the right on the issue, I am not going to pursue such a small amount through legal channels anyhow. If a scheduler or MSC won't honor their agreement with me, I will move to greener pastures.

Having said that, if something doesn't smell right or my spidey-sense is tingling, I will request the details in writing. Also, if the dollar amount of the project makes me uncomfortable, I will try to cover my bases in writing.

Well said.

Edited because I tried to do a thumps up but, it didn't work.

@msimon-2000 wrote:

I've pondered this very topic in my head for awhile now and have decided that there has to be some element of trust in life and in business. So, I operate much like Irene and Tarantado do.

My rational side constantly reminds me to get everything in writing as that is the prudent business choice. Then my real-world, common-sense kicks in and I realize that even if it is in writing and I am completely in the right on the issue, I am not going to pursue such a small amount through legal channels anyhow. If a scheduler or MSC won't honor their agreement with me, I will move to greener pastures.

Having said that, if something doesn't smell right or my spidey-sense is tingling, I will request the details in writing. Also, if the dollar amount of the project makes me uncomfortable, I will try to cover my bases in writing.

Edited 2 time(s). Last edit at 12/21/2018 01:06PM by ArkLaMissshopping.

It depends on who it is. I have done shops where the bonus was yet undetermined (still waiting for approval when I did the shop), but I knew the scheduler would be fair based on past experience. Scheduler B did mess up a route of bonused ones last month, but she was true to her word and made up the missed $ on the next route. But, as Irene writes, "Burn me once and we're done." I completely agree. Schedulers who take advantage of shoppers quickly get a reputation. It ends up costing them a lot more when the best shoppers won't touch their lemons.

I just received another email entitled....Last Chance for $25 ****** Project!

And the instructions read to request a PAD of $14 on top of $6 for the shop...for a total of $20.....

Schedulers....listen.....pay attention to details! Do you want a report that is half right? Then don't do a half*** job when you look for shoppers....

Any bonus that seemed reasonable from Trendsource would make me want it in writing. They are right up there with Intelli-shop with terrible fees. Poverty for everyone! Merry Christmas.

They turned down my $100.00 PAD request last month.

MsBaker, I have had extremely negative experiences with the TS schedulers in Indiana. From personal experience, I would NOT take them at their word at all. Very poor ethics to put it mildly.

Also LOL at them trying to assign you Goshen instead of Evansville...practically next door, right? Ha

They turned down my 6.00 request for pad over the holidays, and I could cared less. I was playing anyway, just to see how badly they wanted that 7.00 job done.

Are there schedulers whom I trust? Absolutely. There are some who I would fully trust if I was told, "get the next flight out, we will reimburse up to $750.00 for the flight - is this enough? - and bonus the usual shop fees by 100%. While you are in flight, I will add the shop(s) to your log. Thanks, I owe you one."

I assure you those schedulers do not work at TS.

Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 12/30/2018 06:05AM by Rousseau.