1. Forums
  2. Mystery Shopping Company Discussion

MSC Disclosed my Personal Info to another MSC

August 29, 2019 12:07AM
I received an email from one MSC telling me they received my contact info from their competitor HS Brands. This MSC stated they’ve bonused a test drive shop to $35 in a city 2 hours away (even though that’s not true as that is the regular payout for the shop which is listed on Presto.) Anyhow, is it normal for an MSC to release my personal information to another MSC?

I’ve already become wary of HS Brands since my last shop with them that took nearly 100 days to get paid. But this just rubs me the wrong way, especially since the Scheduler for the other MSC was untruthful.

When do you make the decision to deactivate your account with an MSC?
Reply
Log In
x

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.

Already a member? Log In.

August 29, 2019 01:10AM
Companies often share contact information with each other. I don't find it to be a big deal at all. If you were a....say plumber....and someone one of your customers (because that's what an MSC is) knew wanted a plumber, wouldn't you want them to give your name and number to them? It's the same thing. It's not like they gave them your bank account information.

If a shop normally pays $17 and has been raised to $35 then that's what Presto will reflect. It doesn't sound like the scheduler lied at all. Unless the shops are released at the beginning of the month at $35, but I'm guessing they're not.

I have only once asked to be deactivated from a company. That was simply because they had made it VERY clear they were never going to assign a single shop to me. My emails were repeatedly ignored but my request to be deactivated was replied to within 30 minutes. So I'm guessing I made the right decision there. There are companies that I currently will not work for. I have not asked to be removed because you never know when they will get a new owner/scheduler/manager/client.

There are reasons that a body stays in motion
At the moment only demons come to mind
Reply
August 29, 2019 01:19AM
It's actually kind of flattering when one scheduler shares your information with another. They only do that if you are a consistently reliable shopper. You will sometimes get into a really good company you may not have found on your own. Personally, I think it's best to just mute the company (turn off shop notices) than deactivate. Some companies improve, some get worse. A company you didn't want to shop for a few years ago may suddenly improve their habits, pay better etc.
Reply
August 29, 2019 02:59AM
Thanks for the feedback
Reply
August 29, 2019 12:17PM
@bgriffin wrote:


If a shop normally pays $17 and has been raised to $35 then that's what Presto will reflect. It doesn't sound like the scheduler lied at all. Unless the shops are released at the beginning of the month at $35, but I'm guessing they're not.

It always is $35 to do that shop. I’m already on that MSCs mailing list, so I get the updates via email as well as I check Presto. Which I guess is partly why I found it strange to get an email stating my information was given to them by HS Brands. I conduct shops for IS every month.

It is interesting that you mention $17 because I didn’t mention that number. But it is what the MSC stated is the regular pay. However the shop has only ever been $35 that I am aware of when it’s popped up at regular intervals for months.
Reply
August 29, 2019 02:37PM
The shop is on Presto, which means it's a Sassie platform company. There are only 3 companies that I know of that do new car shops on Sassie. Only 1 of those call them test drive shops. The other two both start at more than $35. So that leaves Intellishop. Intellishop starts all of their test drive shops at $17. That they got names in the area from a competitor tells me you are in a remote area where they have extreme difficulty finding shoppers. It's very possible they start those off at a bonused rate. In any event, if it's Intellishop, which I know it is because you've confirmed $17 is what they are stating is the base fee, then yes, $35 is a bonused rate.

Also, they are one of the very few companies that I actively dislike. It's not like they're a company I love and I'm making excuses for them. I don't like them and I'm still saying they did nothing improper.

There are reasons that a body stays in motion
At the moment only demons come to mind
Reply
August 29, 2019 02:55PM
@bgriffin wrote:

The shop is on Presto, which means it's a Sassie platform company. There are only 3 companies that I know of that do new car shops on Sassie. Only 1 of those call them test drive shops. The other two both start at more than $35. So that leaves Intellishop. Intellishop starts all of their test drive shops at $17. That they got names in the area from a competitor tells me you are in a remote area where they have extreme difficulty finding shoppers. It's very possible they start those off at a bonused rate. In any event, if it's Intellishop, which I know it is because you've confirmed $17 is what they are stating is the base fee, then yes, $35 is a bonused rate.

Also, they are one of the very few companies that I actively dislike. It's not like they're a company I love and I'm making excuses for them. I don't like them and I'm still saying they did nothing improper.

Totally fair. In my area it is only ever listed as $35. Not that I would ever dream of doing a test drive shop for only $35...let alone $17!

I appreciate your feedback as an experienced shopper. I won't deactivate my account. I am a detail-oriented shopper that provides thorough reports, so after listening to everyone's feedback I will take it as a compliment that my info was passed on.
Reply
August 29, 2019 03:34PM
How do you know that the scheduler did not work for both companies? I can totally see a scheduler I've worked with for one company messaging me to tell me they need help with another hard to assign shop for another MSP. I agree that it is a compliment. If one MSP called another MSP (teamwork not competition) and said Do you have a shopper you could recommend in this area? I need help. I don't think they would recommend a lousy worker! Then they provided your email and not your phone number so to me that says they didn't want to have the new scheduler calling you and they didn't know how you felt about it. IF one of my schedulers asked me can I give your information to another scheduler that needs help, I would totally say yes.
Reply
August 30, 2019 05:19AM
@F and L TeleComm wrote:

IF one of my schedulers asked me can I give your information to another scheduler that needs help, I would totally say yes.

In my case I was not informed by a scheduler for HS Brands that my information was provided to another MSC Scheduler. It was the other Scheduler that told me that she got my contact information from HS Brands. I have never seen this Scheduler’s name on any shops or emails from HS Brands. I’ve only dealt with her from the other MSC. I’ve done Shops for her before so I don’t even know why she said she got my contact info from HS Brands when she already had my info lol
Reply
August 30, 2019 07:29AM
I wouldn't exactly call one's name and e-address sensitive personal information. Its not a credit card number, an SSN, a copy of one's tax return, and certainly not medical records.
Reply
August 30, 2019 12:22PM
During the period of May and June, I completed three assignments that had, at the top of the report, the double logos of Intellishop and Service Sleuth; that indicated to me a working agreement existed.

On a related note, if not burning bridges works for a shopper, that is certainly the way to go. As for me, I will blow the span to the heavens and never look back. That philosophy has been a major factor in both my business and personal success.
Reply
Sorry, only registered users may post in this forum.

Click here to login