INTELLISHOP THIEVES 2
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Seems par for the course with them. I'm surprised you lasted years.
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Seriously, nobody cares that you're offended.
Seriously, nobody cares that you're offended.
I was with them for several years also and deactivated my account. I followed the guidelines perfectly (or so I thought) but because it wasn't what they wanted they said they couldn't pay me. Their guidelines weren't clear and was left open for interpretation. Some schedulers are flexible and submit to the client anyways, but Intellishop won't budge. I couldn't work with them anymore. There are plenty of other MSC that won't play these games.
Sorry that happened to you. I don't feel any guilt when I drop a MSC, but it would sting a bit if it were the other way around - even if I didn't want to work for them anymore.
Sarge, Welcome to the Forum! Sorry you had a bad experience with Intellishop. Many shoppers have posted here about other-than-happy experiences with them, while a few shoppers never seemed to have any issues with them. It's distressing when something like that happens. If you aren't already, maybe you could sign up with more companies. Most of us here, whether full time shoppers or part-timers like myself, are signed up with at least 100 companies, even more. At the bottom of each page on the Forum here, you will see a link to the "Official List of Mystery Shopping Companies". These are legit companies with links to sign up with them. Bear in mind, while all the companies on this list are legit, NOT ALL have good reputations with shoppers, (such as Intellishop!). You can search the companies here on the Forum, and sign up with those that seem to have good reviews by the majority of shoppers. Just a suggestion. But don't give up....they're not all like Intellishop!!
@Sarge wrote:
Myself and my wife have worked for INTELLISHOP for years with a 10 rating. They ask me for an immediate shop of a well known hamburger business. As I was taking the required pictures it started storming. Just 1 pic of the several did not meet Intellishops favor. Guess what ? No Pay. They even refuse a simple conversation with me via email. They lose 2 great shoppers because of this. CAUTION.
Sorry Sarge. I thought they were fairly lenient for those photos if this is the drive through QSR that is often discussed here. The sample photos even show some taken through the car windshield. Also it is not necessary to even capture the entire menu board. Did they tell you what was wrong with the picture and which one was it?
I have done a lot of these shops... (over 50). They have all been accepted - including one where my picture of the drive-thru window was terribly blurry. The directions are very clear that there is a "no do-over" policy with the pictures for this shop.
I, too, am curious: What was wrong the the photo in question?
I, too, am curious: What was wrong the the photo in question?
Hard work builds character and homework is good for your soul.
I remember years ago when I was a newbie. I had to take a photo of the salsa bar of a famous burrito restaurant located at a university. I was nervous and I never seemed to have a moment "alone" to take a shot. Finally I got a shot of the salsa bar and it was blurry. I froze and tried taking another one. It was blurry too! 
I gave up. I submitted the blurry photo of the salad bar and it was accepted! 
Of course, this was for another MSC, not intellishop. I have not shopped intellishop in about 5 years now!
I gave up. I submitted the blurry photo of the salad bar and it was accepted! Of course, this was for another MSC, not intellishop. I have not shopped intellishop in about 5 years now!
Yall may remember my last post concerning the Intellishop payment THIEVES. AGAIN STAY AWAY FROM THEM !! I finally after more than 2 months, got their attention. I had 1 marginal photograph due to a thunderstorm for which they denied the shop. After shopping for them quite some time as a 10 I talked to a couple of reviewers that confirmed Intellishop reviewers sometimes padded their pay by refusing your shop and then added the missing piece themselves, then submitted the shop for pay from the shop customer.You not only lose pay but have to use your own money to pay for the shop. INTELLISHOP>>> CAUTION !!
That is a pretty serious accusation.
Hard work builds character and homework is good for your soul.
I've been shopping for them for 17 years and they have always been fair and paid timely.
We can not control how MSP's edit or submit their shops. I do believe the quality guidelines are sometimes too strict with some companies. Shops that they can actually be pushed through get rejected if they think they can get it redone in order to "train" shoppers to perform the shops the way they want it done "ideally". If an editor submits a shop using our work and adding an "old" missing piece would be considered "fraud", especially if they submit it for payment for themselves.
If an MSP pushes an assignment through but refuses to pay the shopper I would also call this Fraud.
A punitive system of training shoppers is not a good business practice in my opinion. I did a green gas station for the old MSP that sent a shop through to the branded wholesaler and it was accepted. Then called me and said it was done too late (due to cloudy skies) and they were not going to pay me. I called a couple of times to complain to the supervisor, which I was refused, I discovered that the shop was actually submitted to the branded wholesaler so they ended up saying they would actually pay me since it was used.
I did another shop a car wash for another MSP and they rejected it saying it was after hours. Then a couple of months later I did the exact same shop after the supposed cut off time at the same location and it was pushed through because they were near the deadline. Do I believe they could have used the first shop0? absolutely. Am I going to say something? No. I make to much money from this MSP to sweat the ten bucks they gypped me out of.
If an MSP pushes an assignment through but refuses to pay the shopper I would also call this Fraud.
A punitive system of training shoppers is not a good business practice in my opinion. I did a green gas station for the old MSP that sent a shop through to the branded wholesaler and it was accepted. Then called me and said it was done too late (due to cloudy skies) and they were not going to pay me. I called a couple of times to complain to the supervisor, which I was refused, I discovered that the shop was actually submitted to the branded wholesaler so they ended up saying they would actually pay me since it was used.
I did another shop a car wash for another MSP and they rejected it saying it was after hours. Then a couple of months later I did the exact same shop after the supposed cut off time at the same location and it was pushed through because they were near the deadline. Do I believe they could have used the first shop0? absolutely. Am I going to say something? No. I make to much money from this MSP to sweat the ten bucks they gypped me out of.
@Sarge wrote:
Yall may remember my last post concerning the Intellishop payment THIEVES. AGAIN STAY AWAY FROM THEM !! I finally after more than 2 months, got their attention. I had 1 marginal photograph due to a thunderstorm for which they denied the shop. After shopping for them quite some time as a 10 I talked to a couple of reviewers that confirmed Intellishop reviewers sometimes padded their pay by refusing your shop and then added the missing piece themselves, then submitted the shop for pay from the shop customer.You not only lose pay but have to use your own money to pay for the shop. INTELLISHOP>>> CAUTION !!
You come off as though you are aware until you mention the part about you being a 10 like that actually means something. It does not!
@Sarge
After some thought, I have some questions for you.
1. I acknowledge that it is possible that there are editors in any MSC who might try to pull some stunts to skim money. We know that there have been shoppers who have cheated. We know that there are folks in many businesses who embezzle. There is a certain individual involved with Red Quanta who has been prosecuted for "cheating" from the inside a mystery shopping company. It happens. However, it is a stretch to believe that Intellishop sanctions the activities of editors who would do such a thing. So, if what you are saying is true, it is very unlikely that Intellishop is aware of the issue. Have you reported this to The company? If an editor told me that some other editors were doing what you describe, I'd immediately call and report the issue. Here is a phone number: 866.234.1423.
2. You state that you have been mystery shopping for years. You created an account on this forum for the sheer purpose of making your Intellishop accusations. Really? It seems strange to create an account and a thread on a forum for the sheer purpose of making such a serious allegation. Moreover, you did not respond to questions on your first thread. Now, you return to make a second more serious accusation? It might make sense if you were already a member of the forum, but to come here out of the blue? That's odd. If you were responding to a thread a different member stated, that would make some sense. So, I have to ask: Are you a different forum member who created a new account in order to make this accusation?
3. It seems incredulous that an editor would risk his job and potential criminal charges over a few $10 drive-through shops. In order to "make" any reasonable amount of money, the editor would have to do this with many shops. If that were the case, other folks would have chimed in by now as there are many of these shops. I've done over 50, for instance, and have had no problems.
I am not saying that your accusation is false. However, it is very incredulous. Are you able to substantiate your claim at all? Have you contacted Intellishop and reported your concern?
After some thought, I have some questions for you.
1. I acknowledge that it is possible that there are editors in any MSC who might try to pull some stunts to skim money. We know that there have been shoppers who have cheated. We know that there are folks in many businesses who embezzle. There is a certain individual involved with Red Quanta who has been prosecuted for "cheating" from the inside a mystery shopping company. It happens. However, it is a stretch to believe that Intellishop sanctions the activities of editors who would do such a thing. So, if what you are saying is true, it is very unlikely that Intellishop is aware of the issue. Have you reported this to The company? If an editor told me that some other editors were doing what you describe, I'd immediately call and report the issue. Here is a phone number: 866.234.1423.
2. You state that you have been mystery shopping for years. You created an account on this forum for the sheer purpose of making your Intellishop accusations. Really? It seems strange to create an account and a thread on a forum for the sheer purpose of making such a serious allegation. Moreover, you did not respond to questions on your first thread. Now, you return to make a second more serious accusation? It might make sense if you were already a member of the forum, but to come here out of the blue? That's odd. If you were responding to a thread a different member stated, that would make some sense. So, I have to ask: Are you a different forum member who created a new account in order to make this accusation?
3. It seems incredulous that an editor would risk his job and potential criminal charges over a few $10 drive-through shops. In order to "make" any reasonable amount of money, the editor would have to do this with many shops. If that were the case, other folks would have chimed in by now as there are many of these shops. I've done over 50, for instance, and have had no problems.
I am not saying that your accusation is false. However, it is very incredulous. Are you able to substantiate your claim at all? Have you contacted Intellishop and reported your concern?
Hard work builds character and homework is good for your soul.
Moreover, how on earth would an editor be able to claim the shop fee? I do a ton of cash integrity shops, so nothing would surprise me. But how the editor is going to claim that he/she did the shops and gets paid for it? 'Tis a puzzlement.
Based in MD, near DC
Shopping from the Carolinas to New York
Have video cam; will travel
Poor customer service? Don't get mad; get video.
Shopping from the Carolinas to New York
Have video cam; will travel
Poor customer service? Don't get mad; get video.
Yeah... that's the point I was going to bring up, but forgot about when interrupted. Unless the editor were very careful to only "pick" shops in his/her geographic area, it could look weird.....
@walesmaven wrote:
Moreover, how on earth would an editor be able to claim the shop fee? I do a ton of cash integrity shops, so nothing would surprise me. But how the editor is going to claim that he/she did the shops and gets paid for it? 'Tis a puzzlement.
Hard work builds character and homework is good for your soul.
@MFJohnston wrote:
That is a pretty serious accusation.
Try this one on to see how it fits then. The continued blind support for some of these Rogue MSC's we see out of you over and over again reminds me of those lawyers for Michael Jackson or O.J. There appears to be no shame to your game. Sticking up for Intellishop is a tough case to win counselor.
I have nothing but positive things to say about my experiences with Intellishiop. They did reject one of my shops two-and-a-half years ago. However, when I inquired as to why, they pointed it out in the guidelines and they were right. It was totally on me. However, the project manager was not thrilled with the requirement and still reimbursed me for my expenses.
Intellishop is not some "rogue" MSC. It is one of the largest, legitimate companies out there. Nearly everybody on this board is registered with them and has shopped with them. It is one of the companies (like MarketForce) that beginning shoppers find early. As it deals with so many beginning shoppers, it is going to have more rejected shops than other MSC's - and therefore more complaints on this board. That does not mean that there is something wrong with the company.
What we have here is a serious accusation that, if true, could lead to permanent damage to the company. If it is true, yes it should be shared here. However, the charge is so serious, that it really needs to be substantiated. Only a fool would blindly believe somebody who pops off on a forum like this with such an accusation, especially somebody who either has zero history on this forum or who created a separate identity on this forum for the sake of making the allegation. My questions for Sarge stand.
No shame in my game? I am simply asking that somebody be able to substantiate wild claims.
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 03/27/2019 09:56PM by MFJohnston.
Intellishop is not some "rogue" MSC. It is one of the largest, legitimate companies out there. Nearly everybody on this board is registered with them and has shopped with them. It is one of the companies (like MarketForce) that beginning shoppers find early. As it deals with so many beginning shoppers, it is going to have more rejected shops than other MSC's - and therefore more complaints on this board. That does not mean that there is something wrong with the company.
What we have here is a serious accusation that, if true, could lead to permanent damage to the company. If it is true, yes it should be shared here. However, the charge is so serious, that it really needs to be substantiated. Only a fool would blindly believe somebody who pops off on a forum like this with such an accusation, especially somebody who either has zero history on this forum or who created a separate identity on this forum for the sake of making the allegation. My questions for Sarge stand.
No shame in my game? I am simply asking that somebody be able to substantiate wild claims.
Hard work builds character and homework is good for your soul.
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 03/27/2019 09:56PM by MFJohnston.
My experiences with IS go back 13+ years and are, to paraphrase Chas. Dickens, A Tale of Two MSC's. The 53 shops I completed on the traditional side all flowed like a gentle breeze; four videos jobs, though, were a colossal PITA! It was necessary to fight for payment on two, which I won as I had strictly followed the instructions. I lost a third, due to my prior visit NOT having been removed from the dealer's system and outing me; I then cancelled the fourth. My solution was to never again, under any circumstances, apply for video work through IS and we are back to a gentle breeze.
I do not remember the name of the MSC in this situation. However, I remember my irritation. I actually gasped when I found out what was happening. The MSC was using software or some other method to 'slurp up' my images before I had an opportunity to examine, choose the best, and name the chosen images. Someone from the MSC explained that this was not supposed to happen.
I did not ask why it was even possible for this to happen because I was still stunned from the act and fact of it.
While the images were elsewhere, they were at the mercy of person or persons unknown. I was unable to continue my work. My planned and available reporting time was shortened. Was it stolen? Borrowed? Other?
@OP: To my knowledge, I have not experienced what you described in your opening post. I hope that you will have only acceptable experiences from now on and will not encounter any questionable tactics in this biz.
I did not ask why it was even possible for this to happen because I was still stunned from the act and fact of it.
While the images were elsewhere, they were at the mercy of person or persons unknown. I was unable to continue my work. My planned and available reporting time was shortened. Was it stolen? Borrowed? Other?
@OP: To my knowledge, I have not experienced what you described in your opening post. I hope that you will have only acceptable experiences from now on and will not encounter any questionable tactics in this biz.
Nature does not hurry, yet everything is accomplished. - Lao-Tzu
Really, how would we know if a shop is rejected according to the editor or anybody else for that matter, but actually submitted.
I had a MF shop rejected recently (I do mean MF the MSC), but it seems the only way I would know if the report was submitted would be to chat with the manager of the restaurant. Besides being all kinds of unprofessional, I could kiss my chances of working for them goodbye. And for what? As someone mentioned in a hotel thread, being a relatively small restaurant chain, one instance of this nature could possibly ruin a relationship between the MSC and client.
That said, I have also had nothing but success with my drive-thru FF pictures submitted to Intellishop and I have crossed my fingers on a couple.
Now back to planning my next lunch.
I had a MF shop rejected recently (I do mean MF the MSC), but it seems the only way I would know if the report was submitted would be to chat with the manager of the restaurant. Besides being all kinds of unprofessional, I could kiss my chances of working for them goodbye. And for what? As someone mentioned in a hotel thread, being a relatively small restaurant chain, one instance of this nature could possibly ruin a relationship between the MSC and client.
That said, I have also had nothing but success with my drive-thru FF pictures submitted to Intellishop and I have crossed my fingers on a couple.
Now back to planning my next lunch.
@Sobrokeigot2dothis wrote:
The continued blind support for some of these Rogue MSC's we see out of you over and over again reminds me of those lawyers for Michael Jackson or O.J.
Blind support? Check out some of the Sentry threads. Not much of that going on there.
I recently had a shop rejected by Intellishop. I emailed the scheduler telling them how it was done correctly and should not have been rejected. The scheduler emailed me back saying that he gets my point and I would be paid for the shop. I beg to differ but after doing 1340 shops for them, I would say they are honest, responsive and better than most companies.
How does Sentry get pulled into a thread about another MSC?
@jgoodwin wrote:
@Sobrokeigot2dothis wrote:
The continued blind support for some of these Rogue MSC's we see out of you over and over again reminds me of those lawyers for Michael Jackson or O.J.
Blind support? Check out some of the Sentry threads. Not much of that going on there.
@Sentry Marketing wrote:
How does Sentry get pulled into a thread about another MSC?
@jgoodwin wrote:
@Sobrokeigot2dothis wrote:
The continued blind support for some of these Rogue MSC's we see out of you over and over again reminds me of those lawyers for Michael Jackson or O.J.
Blind support? Check out some of the Sentry threads. Not much of that going on there.
It's Friday night and people are drinking cheap wine? No idea honestly.
So the previous thread and this new one have been merged, but the title remains, calling a major MSC "thieves".
It seems strange if the shop requirements prevent you from visiting during a rainstorm though.
I have found Intellishop to be an honest company and easy to get along with. I don't do a ton with them, because of, surprise, surprise, the low pay. However, when I have, I have never had a bad experience with them as a company. Intellishop is a very easy company to communicate with, don't be afraid to call that number. Some companies are better to call then to email, and Intellishop is definitely one of them.
The accusation that the OP made in their second post is downright slanderous and makes me completely doubt any integrity their first post might have had. Definitely more to that story.
The accusation that the OP made in their second post is downright slanderous and makes me completely doubt any integrity their first post might have had. Definitely more to that story.
I have shopped these successfully in heavy rain, snow, and thunder.
@1cent wrote:
It seems strange if the shop requirements prevent you from visiting during a rainstorm though.
Hard work builds character and homework is good for your soul.
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