Well, I continue to work for MF because it is the only mystery shopping company that operates in my area. It is an easy side job that allows me to make a quick $15 bucks on my way home from work. If my concerns upset you, don't read them. Otherwise, keep it to yourself. The fact that my and others concerns about payment are on your mind tells me you don't have much going on.

Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 04/16/2019 12:14PM by MrsChaney.

There is a cat fight brewing on this thread, lol.

@calsim11 wrote:

There is a cat fight brewing on this thread, lol.

The Forum Heading reads:

"Discuss the good and bad of mystery shopping companies. Which ones treat you well? Which ones have burned you? Give your feedback here."

The obvious problem here is the statement above creates a trap. Anytime someone comes in here and starts telling their story about how they got burned or had a problem with a mystery shopping company you get the same small cast of characters showing up who then proceed to chastise and criticize and belittle the poster. If that crew would get off peoples backs and let them tell their story we all might learn something. Instead all we ever hear is that same small gang telling posters they are screw ups who can not follow simple directions and they got what they deserved. Its brutal.

Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 04/16/2019 01:07PM by Sobrokeigot2dothis.

Couldn't agree more Sobroke.

@kenasch wrote:

Never mind. I found the ICA with a simple google search. It does say ”around” which gives them plenty of leeway. Too bad we can’t submit our reports “around” their deadline.

[marketforce.desk.com]-–-us-shoppers-

Really, and why not... If one wishes to belabor the issue, let's try this one:

I'm an independent contractor. If MF or anyone I contract with gets too picky about my fulfilling of the "contract" then they risk making me a de-facto employee. Now let's say a few thousand shoppers somehow got this idea in their heads and said what's good for the goose is good for the gander, and, well, I'll leave the rest up to those with greater imaginations.

I dunno about you, but I do not need 'them', they need me, and I'm happy as a lark to make sure 'they' know this fact. It's particularly fascinating when it's my own client doing the educating on this. Like I kept telling the poor souls calling me from the Phillippines, I won't even get out of bed for $10, and you think I'll drive 30 miles and back and take several hours for $6 and higher cholesterol? No, you have a nice day.... Then they made the mistake of saying one thing, and when I caught it, cancelled the shop. Finally I simply stopped 'em from calling period. I saw this late payment coming almost a year ago, simply by paying attention to changes that were ever so slowly creeping along, sorta like the frog put into warm water that's being heated slowly. Frog (allegedly, andyway) does not recognize the danger and just gets cooked.

Suppose we put our thinking caps on, let's see if the following makes sense:

1) I have a right to be paid a fair amount for what I do.
2) You have a right to be paid a fair amount for what you do.
3) If Tiddlywinks MSing can get away with paying less to anybody, they will.
4) Tiddlywinks MSing can only get away if they find someone willing to stiff themselves.
5) If enough people are willing to stiff themselves, Tiddlywinks MSing sings their way to the bank.
6) I wanna sing MY way to the bank!
7) I want YOU to sing your way to the bank too!
8) I will not help Tiddlywinks MSing victimize anyone, not me, not you.
9) Would you?

There's a company I know of that provides a specialized service, using independent contractors. These contractors are sold on a rosey story about how much they can make by doing the service, and offered an amount per element of service that is fairly decent. When the contractor signs up, sure enough, after a while, the company tells the contractor they gotta accept a little bit less, and again, and again, all the while the company seeks new contractors at higher rates to replace the one's it's lowballing and go out of business. A revolving door of 'opportunity' followed by slowly forcing contractors bit by bit and starting the scheme with "new blood."

Here's a link that does not specifically point at what I'm talking about, however, it sure points in that direction:

[www.fiercehealthcare.com]

Thank all of your for your efforts to serve the greater good. Unfortunately, that may not be what what some businesses and individuals out there are doing, thus we exist. When you do not get paid on time, eyes are on that issue, don't doubt that fact. Pun was definitely intended.

Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 04/16/2019 01:34PM by ap7isback.

@Sobrokeigot2dothis
You claim that MarketForce's "new normal" is making late payments. I asked questions to help you to substantiate your statement:
*In which months have they made their payments later than what is stated in the ICA?
* When they had late payments, did they notify shoppers?

This is not an attack on you. This is not an attempt to belittle you. It is simply an request for information that would substantiate a claim against a well-established MSC. Why not simply answer the question?

My understanding from what folks have said over the last several months is that they have not been "late" overall. Rather, they have simply stopped paying shoppers early. I do recall one month when they were late - and they notified shoppers when that happened. Is my memory incorrect? I would not consider having one month when payments are late a "pattern" or "new normal."

Are you able to answer the questions or are you just going to complain about folks who ask such questions?

Are you sure about this? This would mean that you don't live near a U.S. Post Office, Chase Bank, Bank of America, Wells Fargo, Kroger-affiliated grocery, various car dealerships, apartment communities managed by national companies, etc. There are over 200 MSC's. Have you really verified that none of the others have work near you?

While I absolutely agree that rural areas do not have a lot of shopping opportunities, it is very difficult to believe that only one MSC offers work near you. Are you able to share a general area (town, state, zip code, etc.) where you are? Those of us who work for many MSC's could check our sources, perhaps point you towards other options.

@MrsChaney wrote:

Well, I continue to work for MF because it is the only mystery shopping company that operates in my area.

Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 04/16/2019 02:19PM by MFJohnston.

Would disagree with you that my statement creates a trap Sobroke or chastises you. My opinion is that you are taking comments that may or may not be directed towards YOUR postings personally. YOU are your own boss. YOU decide what MSC you will work for and with that accept the risks involved with shopping for them to include payment. YOU are the one who decides if mystery shopping is going to be your only monetary source of income or supplement your income. Not every statement on this thread is directed at YOU, so don't take each statement as if it is directed at YOU.

Edited 2 time(s). Last edit at 04/16/2019 02:31PM by calsim11.

There is actually one other company who operates here, but all they offer are car oil change shops and I can't get my oil changed multiple times per week. Yes, we have Chase bank (my bank) but neither MF nor the other (BestMark) offer shops for Chase here. We have no Kroger's here. We do have apartment buildings, but no shops are offered for them. When I first signed on with MF they had car dealership shops, but they have since disappeared, though I never did one. I also used to do a lot of cell phone shops, but they too have disappeared. I am only inclined to travel 20 miles away from home to do a shop, otherwise the money wouldn't be worth it. I have a full time job and a child, I don't do routes. Here the only shops available are FF, fast casual, online rental shops, and an occasional satellite tv shop in a warehouse store. I suppose if I was interested in doing miles long routes I would have more opportunities for shops, but I am not willing. I do only 3 to 5 shops per week and that is enough for me as this is not my only income.

@MrsChaney
If you wanted to move away from MarketForce, you could. Chase is shopped regularly by a very large MSC. The shops that disappeared from MarketForce are also very likely with another MSC. I certainly understand not wanting to shop a ton as you have other obligations, income, etc.

However, if you wanted to give yourself more options, it might make sense to sign up with the "15 Most Discussed" companies listed on this forum. It sounds like you live in a smallish town, which would have a nearby USPS - which are all shopped frequently. I would be very surprised if there were not at least eight the "15 Most Discussed" companies with work within your "area."

[www.mysteryshopforum.com]



Edited 4 time(s). Last edit at 04/16/2019 03:14PM by MFJohnston.

Agree MF Johnston, the more companies you shop with, the more opportunities. Plus, there are companies that you can do drug audits, credit company audits and many more. It depends on YOU.

Thank you MFJohnston, I will.

Have others had more than one month late? Just curious how this is the new normal.

They show my DD as April 17th.

ONE of the reasons may be that they now have to account for the tolls/parking costs that they did not have to do a just a short while back. They would have to wait extra days into the new month to accommodate people''s toll and parking entries-- that gives each shopper 5 days to report. This may also be a factor on slowing down paychecks.

Having been burnt by another MS that went out of business and did not not pay me for all those pizza shops I did, I think concern is reasonable. If you ask MF they will tell you that "all is fine"-- but they always say äll is well" right up to the point where the sheriff arrives with black plastic bags to take away all your stuff and put you on the curb because you can't pay your rent..............

My money for March shops is in my checking account this morning.

@roflwofl wrote:

My money for March shops is in my checking account this morning.

My pay was deposited in my account too.

Payment has been made into my DD account as of this morning.

@MFJohnston wrote:

Are you sure about this? This would mean that you don't live near a U.S. Post Office, Chase Bank, Bank of America, Wells Fargo, Kroger-affiliated grocery, various car dealerships, apartment communities managed by national companies, etc.

You'd be surprised, there are some extremely rural areas with a few of those things but don't get shopped at all. Keep in mind I'm taking extremely rural like won't see a gas station for twenty to fifty miles.

Edited 2 time(s). Last edit at 04/17/2019 03:34PM by Sryii.

I know that quite well - I frequently drive through such areas on my routes. However, it was clear from the exchange that we were not talking about such an area.

@Sryii wrote:

@MFJohnston wrote:

Are you sure about this? This would mean that you don't live near a U.S. Post Office, Chase Bank, Bank of America, Wells Fargo, Kroger-affiliated grocery, various car dealerships, apartment communities managed by national companies, etc.

You'd be surprised, there are some extremely rural areas with a few of those things but don't get shopped at all. Keep in mind I'm taking extremely rural like won't see a gas station for twenty to fifty miles.

In the 10 years I've been doing this, I have had exactly 3 shops within 30 miles. All 3 were gas stations. Which is probably good, because I don't like shopping "neighbors". Two of the gas stations were de-branded after my audits, for gross failures to meet company standards -- but heck, they've been here for 50 years, and their pumps are probably 35 years old. No card readers. No canopies. And of course no pavement, LOL!! But I'm not welcome in either place any more as a customer, because of that.

I signed up for 4 of the companies MFJohnston recommended. I was not surprise when there were no shops available anywhere within 100 miles of me. After 4, I gave up. This is why I stay with MF. I don't live in a rural area. Just a small town near some larger towns. The nearest big city is 2 hours from me, but I'm not willing to travel that far for shops. Oh well.

Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 04/17/2019 06:47PM by MrsChaney.

They are being stingy with the bonuses. I used to get $25 regularly for shopping one of their fast food locations, now they are not offering me more than $20

I have two assigned for $20 today and I'm not happy

Agree, that's why I don't accept what they want to pay. Pay me what I quote or find someone else to do the shop. Eventually, they meet my asking fee.

They are getting more stingy with the bonuses but if they come close then I'll take the shop. They should offer more reimbursement though to keep up with the higher prices.

Received my payment for March shops today, early!

You have to take into consideration that it is past mid-month. Many MSCs (not all) release their shops at the beginning of the month and they are quickly assigned and completed by now. I would still sign up with more companies if I were you. I am signed up with over 100 MSCs and I stay very busy. I live in a small city and I never go to the big cities unless I feel like doing a nice hotel shop and having some fun while there. I know there are other shoppers who live in small towns who have found enough shops to create mini day routes because they too are signed up with 100 companies or more. Not everyone has to drive long distance routes to do shops, even though it can be lucrative.

@MrsChaney wrote:

I signed up for 4 of the companies MFJohnston recommended. I was not surprise when there were no shops available anywhere within 100 miles of me. After 4, I gave up. This is why I stay with MF. I don't live in a rural area. Just a small town near some larger towns. The nearest big city is 2 hours from me, but I'm not willing to travel that far for shops. Oh well.

How you perceive my question as belittling is quite odd. I asked a question and did not insult you or attack you, and I am certainly no troll. I personally would not do shops for a company if I feared I would not be paid, so I asked why you do. Mrs. Chaney expressed her reason, but you just got defensive and didn't answer my question. You don't have to answer my question, but please don't get dramatic and accuse me of being a troll or belittling you.

@Sobrokeigot2dothis wrote:

@JASFLALMT wrote:

If you and Mrs. Cheney are so nervous about it, why do you continue to take shops from them? I fully expect I will get paid within the next week or so. No big deal.

@Sobrokeigot2dothis wrote:

@AzSaguaro wrote:

What do you think the chances are that Market Force will pay this week?

They have not given us one single sign that they can make payroll on time. Thats not good!

If you don't like reading about peoples concerns about getting paid from Market Force then why in the world would you go to a thread about that very thing and then troll and belittle people in that thread? Take a hike can you do that for us please? We don't appreciate your attacks!

@ceasesmith wrote:

In the 10 years I've been doing this, I have had exactly 3 shops within 30 miles. All 3 were gas stations. Which is probably good, because I don't like shopping "neighbors". Two of the gas stations were de-branded after my audits, for gross failures to meet company standards -- but heck, they've been here for 50 years, and their pumps are probably 35 years old. No card readers. No canopies. And of course no pavement, LOL!! But I'm not welcome in either place any more as a customer, because of that.

That is one of the craziest posts I have read in this forum yet! Thank you Mary Ellen Walton.

The craziness of your post far surpasses the craziness of my post.

What a very, very weird ad hominem attack.