Has anyone had problems getting paid by Mystery Shopping Companies

I am still trying to work out getting paid from a company. They swear they have paid me on paypal but I don't have any monies in those accounts. What recourse do we have? I am reluctant to state the company just yet but I am pissed. It's not that much money but I did the job and I spent money for gas and my weekend time is valuable to me. I am disabled senior citizen who works full time and do this on the side, trying to make a little extra to boost my retirement funds. Anyone have any ideas how I escalate this to if I don't get my money? I have only done this since May 2018. All the companies I have worked for so far has been great. I joined this company because it had an interesting job assignment. I won't work for them again until they pay me for this one job. Now I am afraid to sign up for any other companies. thanks for any ideas anyone has.

Create an Account or Log In

Membership is free. Simply choose your username, type in your email address, and choose a password. You immediately get full access to the forum.

The vast majority of companies are fantastic. There are two that come to mind with which folks have had some struggles: Cirrus and Red Quanta. Sometimes folks forget to fill out the invoice required for Maritz. Is it one of these three companies? (What you are saying does not sound like the typical Maritz or Cirrus concerns at all.)

Feel free to name the company - just make sure that you are truthful as our advice is only as good as your explanation. Folks on this board can give you contact information for whom to call if you can share that tidbit.

Hard work builds character and homework is good for your soul.

No it wasn't any of these companies it actually is SeeLevel HX. I did a job, received glowing review from them and was told I was a high level. Then told to pickup my money from paypal that I had until the 14th of the month. Well I have been looking and looking. I went through my activity history in paypal and there has been no activity since last January 2018. They keep telling me that the money must be there. Yeah ok I am not making up the fact that I am not paid.

SeeLevel does pretty well paying folks to the best of my knowledge. Once you have money in PayPal, it will remain there (it's your money and your account) until you take it out.

I always check my bases first when I have an issue. So, I'll ask: Did you verify that SeeLevel has the correct PayPal address for you? I know it sounds silly, but there have been shoppers who gave MSC's the wrong email address for their PayPal. It's easy to check your profile to be certain.

Once you have confirmed that the they have your correct account information, I'd contact PayPal. Tell them the date SeeLevel says they paid you and see if they can see something.

Hard work builds character and homework is good for your soul.

I've worked with SeeLevel a while and haven't had problems getting paid. They pay me by PayPal, usually anywhere between the 15th and the 22nd of the month following the month my shop was accepted. I'm confused about you being told to "pick up money" at PayPal and that you "have until the 14th to pick it up." That just doesn't sound right, both because of the usual process and because the date doesn't fit their pay schedule. I always get a notification email from PayPal telling me SeeLevel has paid me and that the money is in my PayPal account, When I log in to PayPal, the money is there and it stays there until I spend or move it.

When did you perform the assignment? It would probably been paid AFTER the 15th of the following month.
MFJ's advice to check the PayPal address you provided is good. A friend once mis-typed her email address and the wrong PayPal account was paid several times before she realized it were her typo and not that the company had not paid. Try contacting Allyson Whitten at SeeLevel. She has been a sweetheart when communicating with me although I've never had a payment issue, only questions about assignments.

Seelevel states in your shop log when they paid you. Go to that and see if it says paid and on which date. Then check your PayPal accoujnt for money from Mystery Researchers which is who pays Seelevel accounts.

Cirrus never paid me for an accepted shop from September that took three hours. Everyone else has paid.

I've been paid through Paypal for Seelevel work. Many shoppers were stiffed when NSS lost their owner and closed, they were my #1 company. This happens, and is the nature of all business. Cirrus is one to either stay away from or keep harping for your pay, they are slower than anyone out there (that I know of), and I refuse to work for them, one job and done.

Live consciously....

Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 02/21/2019 06:35PM by Irene_L.A..

To answer your question, I think most everyone who has been doing this for a substantial amount of time has had problems getting paid at least once. Sometimes it's worth fighting and other times it's better just written off.

"Let me offer you my definition of social justice: I keep what I earn and you keep what you earn. Do you disagree? Well then tell me how much of what I earn belongs to you - and why?” ~Walter Williams

I have been trying to get paid from SeeLevel as well for my first shop that I did in November. I have been paid for subsequent shops but not the first one, despite promises each month. They have not responded to my emails for six weeks now either.

Update 3/19/19: today I received the November pay in PayPal - plus a bonus. All is well and I appreciate the extra!

Edited 2 time(s). Last edit at 03/19/2019 03:04PM by amorrison50.

Sorry, only registered users may post in this forum.

Click here to login

Has anyone had problems getting paid by Mystery Shopping Companies

Create an Account or Log In

Official List of Mystery Shopping Companies

Mystery Shopper Magazine