Ok, I have a situation I wanted to run by some more experienced shoppers. This is my first time having an issue getting paid. I completed a shop for A Top Shop on December 20th. When I asked about payment at the beginning of February, they claimed it had been sent in the middle of January, even though I still hadn't received it. I couldn't get ahold of them for several weeks after that until I called the owner and asked if this was a scam. Then I got an e-mail response with an attachment that is allegedly "proof of payment". It is a google document claiming to be a bill pay from Chase Bank sending me payment on Jan. 18th. Unfortunately I still haven't received this alleged payment and it looks like I never will. A Top Shop says that since they provided me proof of payment, they are not responsible for reissuing payment until the check is returned undeliverable. I think that they should "reissue" now because I never received it. My responsibility is to complete the shop, theirs is pay me for it. If I claimed that I sent them my report, but they never received it, you can bet your bottom dollar they wouldn't pay me for it. So has this happened to anyone? How did you handle it? This is a $50 check so I'm not willing to let it go easily.
failure to pay
I think I would contact Chase Bank with the 'proof of payment' and ask them to reissue. There seem to be several companies that are using on line bill pay to pay shoppers and I suspect we will be seeing quite a fair amount of this type of problem. It may be that they gave the wrong address to the bank or the bank screwed up the address or that the post office lost it. Who knows? But I think my next stop would be my local Chase branch with a print out of the 'proof'.
That's a great idea. I hadn't thought of going to my local branch. I did call them and they said it wouldn't cost them anything to stop the online payment and reissue payment. I'll try going to the local branch.
It strikes me as 'off' that you would need to be the one doing the follow up, though. Certainly if I do on line payment of MY bills and the recipient doesn't receive it, it is up to ME to contact my bank to have them investigate why, not the electric company, water company, etc.
Contact their client anonymously and suggest they find a reputable, ethical msc next time their contract expires. Explain how they screwed you out of payment first of course..
Except that at this point the failure to pay could be due to post office misdelivery, bank failure to mail the check, bank mailing the check to a wrong address, company giving the bank a bad address, etc. You are putting the cart before the horse Arch. Until and unless the company turns out to be a liar about their 'proof of payment' there are a whole lot of downstream complications that could account for not receiving the check.
As far as I am concerned it is the responsibility of the MSC. They should put a stop payment on the check and issue another one. I would run it up the chain of the MSC until you get it resolved. I had the same problem with maritz and they were great. They immediately put a stop payment on the check and issued me another one. I doubt if Chase bank would put a stop payment and re-issue the check without a request from the MSC.
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 02/27/2011 05:01AM by computer_man.
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 02/27/2011 05:01AM by computer_man.
Since this is an issue I would also be concerned with would a paypal account have been more direct? I don't like working with banks.
Certainly there is less likelihood of a Direct Deposit or a Paypal payment getting lost, once the first transaction is successfully completed. At the same time it takes away deniability when payment is not received. Some of these companies do a real tap dance around shoppers because they evidently don't have the cash in hand to pay that is required for Paypal or Direct Deposit.
Their excuse about them not being responsible until the check comes back is really lame. What if it never comes back?
Been there, doing that. The MSC offers direct deposit. I singed up for it when I signed up for the company.
Did my first shop a few weeks later.
Submitted the report. They liked it.
I follow up for payment a few months later. They said they mailed a paper check. I had not received the paper check and they had not had it returned to them. They would not put a stop payment on the check for at least six months.
Fast forward to the now - still no payment. For whatever reason, they refuse to direct deposit the money - will only mail a check, although they have verified that they have my dd information on file.
Whatever! Not worth my time over a few dollars. And the company (not mentioned) had an excellent reputation, this is so not worth my effort.
Did my first shop a few weeks later.
Submitted the report. They liked it.
I follow up for payment a few months later. They said they mailed a paper check. I had not received the paper check and they had not had it returned to them. They would not put a stop payment on the check for at least six months.
Fast forward to the now - still no payment. For whatever reason, they refuse to direct deposit the money - will only mail a check, although they have verified that they have my dd information on file.
Whatever! Not worth my time over a few dollars. And the company (not mentioned) had an excellent reputation, this is so not worth my effort.
That's for all the feedback. I am dealing with the owner of the company so I can't go up any higher. She claims she is going to take care of it, but I do not have much confidence in that based on her responses so far. I will give her a couple weeks, then follow up with Chase Bank themselves. After that I will let her know that if I don't receive payment within a certain number of days I will begin contacting the local businesses she is working with, starting with the company I shopped for. I do agree that jumping straight to that is not appropriate, but the bottom line is that it is the MSC's responsibility to pay. Period. I completed the shop and turned in my report to their satisfaction and they used that report to make money. They owe me payment, no excuses. I will let you know how this ends up.
In Feb. of 2009, I accepted an assignment through a large scheduling company to visit a Chase branch and open either a CD or checking account. In that the fee was $25 and the bank was across the street from the grocery I shop, I accepted, but wasn't paid. After 2 letters each to the MSC and scheduler, I mailed the MSC that if my money wasn't forthcoming, I'd seek the assistance of my bank, who was also their client. In literally 1 hr. I received a call from the MSC; the explanation being the scheduler had erred and a CD wasn't acceptable, but I'd be paid.
I well understand the position of those who feel it isn't worth their time to chase a small sum, BUT, that's not me. I owned a retail store for several yrs., and when I caught a shoplifter the police were always summoned, although I knew I could lose business during the situation. In retailing, when it's known you'll capitulate you're marked as carrion and the vultures begin circling.
I well understand the position of those who feel it isn't worth their time to chase a small sum, BUT, that's not me. I owned a retail store for several yrs., and when I caught a shoplifter the police were always summoned, although I knew I could lose business during the situation. In retailing, when it's known you'll capitulate you're marked as carrion and the vultures begin circling.
What if you ignored every failed payment even the samllest ones. They add up and in time, your cheating yourself. I did that when starting, (oh well, it's only 10 bucks), but fair is fair, I'm not letting anything go these days.
Live consciously....
shopperbob Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------.
>
> I well understand the position of those who feel
> it isn't worth their time to chase a small sum,
Personally, I don't understand that at all. My time and efforts are much too valuable. I'm going to accept or apply for jobs based on the shop and compensation. A fee of $0.00 is never a job for which I'd apply.
-------------------------------------------------------.
>
> I well understand the position of those who feel
> it isn't worth their time to chase a small sum,
Personally, I don't understand that at all. My time and efforts are much too valuable. I'm going to accept or apply for jobs based on the shop and compensation. A fee of $0.00 is never a job for which I'd apply.
This is wierd. I just wrote on a New Topic for a company called Top Shop based out in Canada, check it out! But I do have in my log as A Top Shop as one of the companies I would work for based out in Denver Colorado. I'm still waiting for a payment from Itellishop that I did on 1/7/11!
I don't know if anyone is still reading this thread, but if so, who do I contact if they flat out refuse to pay? My only ideas have been the bank I was allegedly sent a payment from and the customers themselves. The more I think about this though, the more I think it must be illegal. Her justification is that she has a "proof of payment" but I can't see how that counts. The only recourse she would have is if she had documentation that I actually cashed a check she sent. What do you think?
Correct, a canceled check would be proof that you were paid, not the document with which you were supplied. I'd write them back, stating that you never received the check, and briefly document a summary of your correspondence. I would add that if they do not attempt to resolve this within five business days, that you will have no other recourse than to report the matter to the Better Business Bureau.
It sounds as though she is using 'on line bill pay' to have a check sent to you. Just like anyone else who has to prove payment, she can get a copy of the check from the bank that paid it on her behalf and send it to you. With email, that can be done very quickly.
Thanks everyone. I sent one last e-mail requesting payment that explains exactly what she needs to do to fix the situation (I spoke to her bank). I guess it is up to her. Will anything happen if I report her to the BBB?
If she is concerned about her company's reputation, she will respond to the BBB complaint and make sure you get paid. If not, you may not get paid and they may blacklist you from their company.
Have you contacted Chase at all to verify it was really sent ? It smells like a scam to me.
Have you contacted Chase at all to verify it was really sent ? It smells like a scam to me.
Update:
Finally after 3 months, she paid! Hooray. It took 17 e-mails and 3 phone calls total as well as 2 phone calls to Chase Bank. Chase was very helpful, the owner of A Top Shop was very unhelpful but I'm grateful it was resolved in the end. This is what made me hesitate to get into shopping to begin with! I definitely will never be completing a shop for them again even if they wanted me to. Thanks for all the suggestions, it definitely helped
Finally after 3 months, she paid! Hooray. It took 17 e-mails and 3 phone calls total as well as 2 phone calls to Chase Bank. Chase was very helpful, the owner of A Top Shop was very unhelpful but I'm grateful it was resolved in the end. This is what made me hesitate to get into shopping to begin with! I definitely will never be completing a shop for them again even if they wanted me to. Thanks for all the suggestions, it definitely helped
So she actually did not send payment like she said she did ? The notice she sent you was fake ? I am sorry you had such a horrible experience but thanks for the warning.
I'm glad you got it resolved. It sounds to me as though A Top Shop actually paid and decided to treat you like dirt when you said they hadn't. And obviously if there was a problem in between their intent and your receipt they gave that no credence at all. Hardly a responsible stance on their part.
Sorry, only registered users may post in this forum.