MarketForce cancelling grocery shops

March 13, 2020 07:37PM

All my scheduled grocery shops for week of March 22 thru 28 have been cancelled today. Anyone else having the same experience?

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More About Grocery Store Mystery Shopping

March 13, 2020 07:47PM

Sinclair is canceling shops for an employee-owned chain of grocery stores, citing the difficulty in keeping certain shelves stocked.

March 13, 2020 11:04PM

Yes my Marketforce were also cancelled for the end of the month.

March 13, 2020 11:12PM

Yes, mine have all disappeared as well, with no warning.

March 13, 2020 11:16PM

Yes, I had 4 to do next week. All cancelled.

March 13, 2020 11:50PM

I just checked my grocery shops with Trendsource. Still there and still offering.

March 14, 2020 12:42AM

Grocery stores in this area are getting a bit chaotic.... Apparently, not only are shelves being emptied, but we've had some fights.... #DontTouchMyTP

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

March 14, 2020 12:46AM

I haven't personally had a grocery shop recently, but in my area many of the grocery stores are full of empty shelves and harried employees. It would make sense to cancel shops for these places.

Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 03/14/2020 12:46AM by MW.

March 14, 2020 01:36AM

I went to the grocery store yesterday and left traumatized. The lines were longer than Christmas time and Superstorm Sandy. I was doing my normal shopping, but ended up grabbing some wipes too because they were there and everyone was buying them. I'm going to keep a container in my car to use to wipe stuff in my car as I shop. I'm still shopping though..so far nothing has been canceled. I'm well stocked with enough food for a month, but it doesn't matter because I'm not staying home so WTF. I guess if or when we eventually get the virus I'll be ready, but I might have to restock again soon since we're eating well now.

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March 14, 2020 02:09AM

Not with Market Force, but with another MSC. All are gone. Now I'm getting worried...

Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 03/14/2020 02:10AM by janalou.

March 14, 2020 02:55AM

They canceled mine too but I don't think it's the MSP, I think it's the grocery chain itself. None of the stores I've been in lately have much for toilet paper. I'm not sure what toilet paper has to do with Covid but wipes and sanitizer I understand. But it should be a shortage of soap because they said soap and water is the best way to kill the virus. My husband and I have implemented some things as well. We are going to the bank to get all ones and are paying the exact amount or saying keep the change (3 cents and I have a dime) the change isn't worth the risk. We are not going to be eating out for a while. We are buying all sealed snacks and no fresh food like take out or Krispy creme. I'm using my elbows to open doors or turn the water on and then sanitizing my elbows when I get back to the car. At every station. I have asthma and COPD. I think Covid might risk my life so I need to careful. (Because my respiratory system isn't very strong, to begin with). I have a high immunity though and rarely get sick. I told my Dad and my husband to start taking their Vitamin C better *daily. To build up their immunity levels.

March 14, 2020 03:06AM

Anyone else get the email about the green restaurant on ACL? Just got my shop cancelled for tomorrow

March 14, 2020 02:15PM

I had grocery shops with two different chains at the end of the month. MFI cancelled the shops with one chain due to "scheduling issues." The other chain is still on my job board.

"I told myself to quit you; but I don't listen to drunks." -Chris Stapleton

March 14, 2020 02:19PM

Mine are all cancelled with Marketforce too. Hoping my other MSC that always puts a good bonus on in the next few days doesn't get cancelled, as that's where I get my bread and butter (so to speak!).

March 14, 2020 02:23PM

My guess is the client cannot get an objective shop performed at this time given the overcrowded supermarkets. When this hysteria ends, then hopefully the shops will be restored and all supermarkets are being replenished. Stop the madness please !!!

March 15, 2020 03:56PM

This makes a lot of sense to me. Since one of the things you had to do was to put something under the cart, and most stores are out of toilet paper and bottled water, finding something to put there will be difficult. Plus the stores have enough trouble staying stocked, they don't need shoppers coming in to buy stuff just because of the shop. And of course customer service may not be up to the usual standards.

March 15, 2020 05:28PM

The large "Kroger" chain in my neighborhood has changed their open hours from 24/7 to 8A-8P. I expect many other stores will be doing the same as I am sure many of the employees will be either choosing not to or will not be able to come in soon. That will definitely contribute to the havoc out there. And yes, under these circumstances the report will not only be not very useful to the client, but might endanger the mystery shopper by asking them to be part of the crowd.
If things get really bad I envision many stores will go to delivery. Several retail stores and restaurants in my area are waiving their delivery fees and I imagine groceries might try to switch to this as well if the number of cases goes up.
So just make sure to check your assignment page before going out on any mystery shops. Make sure the shop is still there.

March 15, 2020 08:52PM

All of my current grocery shops, including the one I had scheduled to do yesterday, and all of them for next week were cancelled. A little notice would have been nice, they didn't even send an email. When I called to ask if I'd done something wrong they explained that it was because of the Covid 19 scare. I explained that I still need to eat and buy groceries, and the lady seemed shocked that I actually used grocery shops to buy groceries.

March 16, 2020 01:13AM

MF just canceled a A-Roast Beef fast food shop, too! (Not that I mind terribly it'll be back after the scare is over). And the Chinese (Zebra) bear FF isn't giving out samples, so it's probably a matter of time till they shut down their mystery shopping as well. [If you are new and don't understand the above, just use common sense or message someone because we can't name them with the company MSP.].

March 16, 2020 10:50AM

They just cancelled the discount department store shops.

ETA: this is the shop where I get my toilet paper!

"I told myself to quit you; but I don't listen to drunks." -Chris Stapleton

Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 03/16/2020 11:12AM by HonnyBrown.

March 16, 2020 05:37PM

Restaurant shops are all gone, no email. They were for the next two weeks. Funny they required very little contact with people

March 16, 2020 05:43PM

in my area, the Five "who wants a burger" shops are still on the board. But the good ones are 'gone". I don't want a burger. I don't have enough groceries to last two weeks. Or enough TP. .............

March 16, 2020 05:50PM

Step up your game, get a cheap bidet. I placed an investment into a bidet attachment 3 years ago. It will change the game.

March 16, 2020 08:38PM

@F and L TeleComm wrote:

in my area, the burger shops are still on the board. But the good ones are 'gone". I don't want a burger. I don't have enough groceries to last two weeks. Or enough TP. .............

Really? The ones near me are gone (and were there earlier today), even the delivery shops. I guess I should have done it for $15 instead of holding out for $20.

Update: just found one still posted in Connecticut but all of the NY shops are gone.

Edited 3 time(s). Last edit at 03/16/2020 08:40PM by MisterBill.

March 16, 2020 09:15PM

In my state (NY) restaurants are either completely closed or take out only. Not sure how various chains of fast-casual are handling it. Not that I'm going out for a burger anytime soon.

March 17, 2020 12:40PM

The MF call center was calling me non-stop last night, insisting I could still do a dine in burger shop, report what happened and take some photos. I finally hung up on them and stopped answering. Like a client will pay for a report during all of this.

March 17, 2020 06:50PM

Trendsource is business as usual wirh their grocery stores in Seattle. Unbelievably irresponsible.

March 17, 2020 07:27PM

@buddycocker wrote:

Trendsource is business as usual wirh their grocery stores in Seattle. Unbelievably irresponsible.

They are asking shoppers to shop in southern ca as well. Literally all employees should be at home inless they are essential personnel.

“What kind of meat is good on a sandwich?” Can you imagine asking that at a time like this? (I have no idea what the current insane question is, but it’s something summer that for sure.)

Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 03/17/2020 07:33PM by SoCalMama.

March 17, 2020 07:58PM

#tonedeaf

March 17, 2020 08:16PM

@kryswyn916 wrote:

In my state (NY) restaurants are either completely closed or take out only. Not sure how various chains of fast-casual are handling it. Not that I'm going out for a burger anytime soon.

Burger King is doing free delivery. And MF's burger client in my area is still showing as available on DoorDash.

Also got $10 added to my account by Moe's (which is not shopped in my area).

Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 03/17/2020 08:17PM by MisterBill.

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MarketForce cancelling grocery shops

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