Has anything actually happened to anyone that told the client and MSC name in the same breath. This is a subject I haven't seen before, so, tell your stories.

You mean here on this forum? The MSC's don't know who you are on here and is frankly probably not worth their time or little resources available to even attempt to find out.

Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 04/24/2011 07:54PM by mystikwizard.

And does it matter? Your agreement indicates you will not disclose confidential information and the MSPs consider their clients to be confidential information.

mystikwizard Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> You mean here on this forum? The MSC's don't know
> who you are on here and is frankly probably not
> worth their time or little resources available to
> even attempt to find out.


You would be surprised how many MSCs read this forum, whether they post or not. There are a couple who make a practice of identifying shoppers by their posts.

I have not heard any horror stories here. I been told that on Volition, there was a shopper who "reported" on other shoppers.

AustinMom Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> mystikwizard Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> > You mean here on this forum? The MSC's don't
> know
> > who you are on here and is frankly probably not
> > worth their time or little resources available
> to
> > even attempt to find out.
>
>
> You would be surprised how many MSCs read this
> forum, whether they post or not. There are a
> couple who make a practice of identifying shoppers
> by their posts.
>
> I have not heard any horror stories here. I been
> told that on Volition, there was a shopper who
> "reported" on other shoppers.


Out of curiosity, which companies have schedulers/personnel that you know have read these forums? And who do you know by screen name who has been identified on here?

Many of them even introduce themselves. Imogene from A Closer Look is around, Doug Rector from North West Loss Prevention, various schedulers have posted in the threads--not just on the job board, Dave of Sentry seems to be on the board all the time and posts occasionally, Freeman stops by to read from time to time, Goodwin has had a gal post (though I haven't seen her in a while), a 'shopper advocate' from Market Force posted a few times. Those are just the ones off the top of my head.

This should be a shoppers forum, if we are "spied" on, we can't really express ourselves (although I do), so, I'm rethinking talking in terms of MSC's and naming jobs we do.....perhaps this forum should be for shoppers only, I'm changing my thinking on this. I think there are others beside the 6 Flash mentioned.

mystikwizard Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------

> Out of curiosity, which companies have
> schedulers/personnel that you know have read these
> forums? And who do you know by screen name who
> has been identified on here?

There are several shoppers who have posted and been identified by an MSC. Several others posted about an MSC and immediately received an e-mail (to the e-mail address they used when they registered with the MSC).

As Flash said, several schedulers and company owners read here frequently. Some post here frequently. Read the forum and you should see plenty of posts by MSC schedulers, editors and owners and by independent schedulers.

But to me "getting caught" is really immaterial. Wrong is wrong. Disclosing the names of clients of an MSC is a violation of a shopper's confidentiality agreement.

Irene_L.A. Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> This should be a shoppers forum, if we are "spied"
> on, we can't really express ourselves (although I
> do), so, I'm rethinking talking in terms of MSC's
> and naming jobs we do.....perhaps this forum
> should be for shoppers only, I'm changing my
> thinking on this. I think there are others beside
> the 6 Flash mentioned.

I also prefer the company of other shoppers, that's why I come here. To me this is the mystery shopper's equivalent of an employee breakroom, and I think wise MSC non-shoppers limit their participation in the same way that the company owner allows company employees to enjoy the breakroom without hovering over them. However, some schedulers and company owners have made positive contributions to the forum. Others have just been argumentative and disruptive.

But I think it's important to recognize that, whether we would like it to be a shopper only forum or not, anybody can log in and read what is written. In addition to shoppers, that includes MSC owners and employees, jokesters, and even spammers. Nothing that is written here is exclusive only to shoppers.

I am not going to start worrying about this. If these so called companies and schedulers have nothing better to do that spy on us, let them. Perhaps they might learn something. Perhaps the companies that pay low fees and others that and don't pay their bills on time might get the hint.

Even if it was possible to close the forum to everyone except shoppers, nothing on the internet is really private. That's a happy illusion. All it takes is copied text or a print screen of a post for anything to go into the wild. Besides, how would you prove you are a shopper? If there was some system of checking, wouldn't that in itself compromise your anonymity?

I don't think of it as spying any more than I think mystery shopping is spying; it's smart to be informed about your company's reputation for service and practices, and to identify potential issues.

kittybratt Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> I am not going to start worrying about this. If
> these so called companies and schedulers have
> nothing better to do that spy on us, let them.
> Perhaps they might learn something. Perhaps the
> companies that pay low fees and others that and
> don't pay their bills on time might get the hint.


I don't think they see it as spying. I think they believe they have every right to log in and read what is written, just as any shopper does. I'm sure some MSPs are here to learn. Some have made positive changes based on shopper posts, because they want happy shoppers. Some (like Doug from NWLP) have posted helpful information. We have had a couple identify themselves and ask shoppers "what does your perfect MSP do?" There are some MSP owners/employees who post in a negative way, arguing with shoppers, and those are disruptive, and I think many shoppers choose to steer clear of those MSPs.

Everything and anything posted on a forum is open to the whole world .... anybody who can google can find us. Who reads the forum is a moot question as long as no one is doing anything wrong ..... which is the reason for the original post. The original post is asking if anyone who provides the names of MSP's clients has been "caught" by the MSP. Anyone who has not broken their confidentiality agreement should not have to worry about getting "caught."

I wouldn't think that unscrupulous shoppers would bare their souls and admit their wrongs in an open forum setting. This forum is for mystery shoppers to exchange ideas, swap war stories, and learn how to better their business. That doesn't preclude MSPs from finding us. Nor does it preclude dishonest shoppers from disrupting. It's the web! We just have to sift through the occasional junk.

Gee I wonder if the V-God reads this forum and strives to be a better person.

I do try to be careful. Someone mentioned that if you say negative things in here about a certain MSC they deactvate without notice. I figure they'll zap one or both of us at some point, but for now I have need of what they pay us. lol

Just another meaningless topic!

OK Folks. Please move back. Nothing to see here. Step to the rear of the bus.
Someone with something important to say will be along anytime now...

If we want to talk about whether or not we can be critical of MSPs without retaliation, that is fine, we can do that. I have been critical of MSPs with no retaliation, most want feedback and opinions, some do not. But the OP specifically asked it anyone had been "caught" breaking their ICA. Like Mert, I have difficulty visualizing that anyone will admit a lack of integrity, deliberately breaking their ICA, and then admit to us that they were caught. LOL, can we end this thread and move to a real topic?

I would hope people from the MSCs would log on here, read all the negatives being said about their companies and then try to fix the problems!

My point is several people have said they have no reason why they were de-activated by an MSC..maybe they said something negative on the forum and that's the reason..I wanted to explore that possibly. They would not be given a warning, or know they got "caught", there are times when the MSC and the client slips out, not intended. I wasn't asking for specifics, but think about why you got de-activated. To answer ShopperSteven, it would be easier to de-activate a so so shopper than change their ways, or fix the problems. I am glad the forum gives the shopper a place to voice an opinion, even if all the shoppers don't agree, they can always choose to not read that thread, or start a new thread...at least we're talking.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 04/25/2011 07:28PM by Irene_L.A..

Now that is a different question, Irene. Yes, I got terminated by Sentry Marketing before I ever did a job for them because of arguing with Dave Aigus here. No great loss IMHO.

This is a Mystery Shoppers forum, RIGHT? Do "WE" get caught b/c Ur MSC shopper name is the same as our forum name?

When we get "caught" or deactivated, aren't we coming here afterwards to voice our objections? so how would the MSC know whom U R b4?

I was not planning on having a "bad" report day. When I did, after the report was attempted to be submitted. I got canned. Then I came here and voiced my "on wo is me." At that point I was no longer a shopper for that MSC, so free speech was free speech.

Unless the Moderator is in cahoots with the MSC, I don't see how writing anything on this forum is detrimental to our position as a shopper.

I know I have had cyber conversation with some schedulers on this board, but I hoped we were cordial to each other. Even though, I did not agree with what she was saying. Did she know I signed up with her MSC? I told her I was. Did I b-come deactivated? NO.



FLASH: I remember that BS with Dave. He needed to cool off and find himself
another J_O_B. Does he want to deactivated me?

Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 04/27/2011 02:33AM by sojo917.

My shopper name is related but not the same as my forum name. I think that the 'discovery' was because I had mentioned to one of his schedulers the area where I am. But be that as it may, there is no love lost between the two of us and the less I have to deal with him, the better.

ShopUntilYouDrop Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Gee I wonder if the V-God reads this forum and
> strives to be a better person.


THAT was funny!

(Then Safari crashed. Coincidence?)



Seriously, though. If an MSC and client was specifically named in a post together, anyone could google and find out who shops whom. Offering a cryptic hint when you know who shops a type of business or location is one thing, but coming right out?

Shopping is for-profit. Anyone who has been around a while knows at least one story where a shop manager came out on a reveal and told the shopper what he pays the MSP for the service. The MSC pays the shopper, scheduler, editor, web hosting service... and tries to keep a little profit. If they have to pay extra for the boondocks locations it is factored into the price, too. If we were out there posting "X pays me Y to shop Z" the companies would not like that. Their clients would see this and demand a lower price. Shoppers might demand a higher fee. Companies would see what each pays the other. Maybe the client asks for confidentiality. Maybe the MSP does not want clients to know that the same shoppers are also contracted to shop competitors. There are all kinds of reasons why a given MSC does not want its client named directly.

Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 04/27/2011 03:12PM by heartlandcanuck.

My personal thoughts are if we don't do anything wrong here or on our shops who cares if the MSC's look at our posts. I have nothing to hide from any MSC that I have done work for so let them look.

SPAM

shoppersteven Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> I would hope people from the MSCs would log on
> here, read all the negatives being said about
> their companies and then try to fix the problems!


LOL... I guess some MSCs need to be mystery shopped themselves?

Flash Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Many of them even introduce themselves. Imogene
> from A Closer Look is around, Doug Rector from
> North West Loss Prevention, various schedulers
> have posted in the threads--not just on the job
> board, Dave of Sentry seems to be on the board all
> the time and posts occasionally, Freeman stops by
> to read from time to time, Goodwin has had a gal
> post (though I haven't seen her in a while), a
> 'shopper advocate' from Market Force posted a few
> times. Those are just the ones off the top of my
> head.

maybe they were hired to do a mystery shop on this forum, and they are getting paid to report on our comments here. they are getting paid to pose as a forum member, and they have to answer twenty-five questions about their experience here at the forum on their questionnaire, and submit it by midnight. if they don't quote you exactly, then they don't get paid.

Excellent....