Strategic Reflections--a merger notice.

I applied for my first assignment with SR almost 14 years ago and have tallied far more shops, nearly 650, than for any other MSC. From the owner, Karen, through the manager of editing, Judy, down to all of the office staff, I was ALWAYS treated in an exemplary manner. Of special importance to me was their accessibility; just a dial away on my corded rotary phone and a hop,skip and jump down I-75. SR may now be gone, but for me, they will never be forgotten.

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More Discussions About Strategic Reflections (All Companies)

I never did much with Strategic. In part because of their continuous tardy dispatching of checks and their dubious claim of processing. If the check is printed on the 30th, that means that the processing to prepare it is over and it should be put in the post that day. The only processing was likely insufficient cash flow. Reality Based Group, on the other hand, has always paid me on time. YMMV.

I did not know about the merger. Was it posted somewhere and who are they merging with?

An e-mail was sent out to late this evening to Strategic Reflections' shoppers. Reality Base Group is taking them over. Its advertised as a merger, but I suspect it is a bulk purchase of assets.

Well i just logged in and Strategic Reflections required me to update my payment method to either PayPal or direct deposit. That may help with the processing.

I am glad to see this, because in the notice I received, it stated that their TERMS OF PAYMENT are CHANGING to MATCH those of RBG, who bought them out. It specifically states that if you choose DD, then you will be paid by the 10th of the month following the last day of the previous month (as long as the shop was edited and cleared). And if you choose PP, you will be paid by the 20th of the month following the last day of the previous month (as long as shop was edited and cleared). This matches exactly the payment terms of RBG, and I am glad of that!!! So now I won't be as hesitant to take their grocery shops, because I will no longer have to wait 12 weeks to be paid/reimbursed!!! They also stated that other than their payment terms/methods changing, (no more paper checks), everything else about Strategic was going to remain the same. So we'll have to see about that.

I thought the whole email was confusing. Update your payment or is it a merger? Also, I use gigspot to access this, so I'm even more perplexed.

I love SR. They’re in Cincinnati where I live. I soooo miss their local chili and casino shops. They are slow to pay though. Hoping the merger will help with that.

All shoppers have "hot buttons." For me, two are accessibility and consideration for me as a person. SR had a toll free number that was, except in a very rare instance, always answered by a someone who could either directly assist me or transfer me to another human who ALWAYS had the ability to help me. As to consideration, on two occasions I received a personal phone call informing me I had been discovered as a shopper. All other MSCs with whom I have been associated, merely blocked the shopper without any notice or explanation.

It is my opinion, the owner, Karen, treated all in the manner with which she wished to be respected and instilled that attitude in her office. Just as SR was as perfect a fit as possible in this business for me, I also respect they were not for some other shoppers.

I really like Reality Based Group. They could use more variety in shops, but I have always been treated well.

I have not received my check from my Penn Station assignment. I completed the job on September 22. Has anyone been paid?

You might want to log in and change your payment options. There is a note on their site letting us know the new payment options available to us.

I am not able to log in for some reason. I work through Gigspot.

I also use Gig Spot
I just want to be paid!

I haven't been paid for September shops, either.

Well I use GigSpot so I can’t access Strategic Reflections directly. I have gone to RBG and signed up and selected direct deposit. But I’m not sure if that will get me my last payment from Strategic Reflections. I have sent an email to GigSpot to cancel my account and explained why. I have sent a note to RBG to inquire about payment since my last Strategic Reflections payment is from shops done in September. The email RBG sent out mention shops completed after November 1. We’ll see who gets back to me sooner.

Has anyone received a direct deposit from SR for October shops? I can't even get into their site, because it isn't secure. I researched, and a comment on the BBB said they're experiencing some kind of breach in "wiring" but it doesn't explain.

I just completed and filled out two reports for them yesterday without any problems accessing their website

No access to Strategic reflections website. I have a shop scheduled today and I couldn’t even complete it online. I called the number it’s disconnected and I’m owed money for October and November.

@ShawnaB wrote:

No access to Strategic reflections website. I have a shop scheduled today and I couldn’t even complete it online. I called the number it’s disconnected and I’m owed money for October and November.

I was able to log in just a few minutes ago and see the reports and available assignments.

[stratreflections.shopmetrics.com]

Shawna,

I also have been able to log-in. As to payment, you should receive your money for Oct. next week and for Nov., as those fees will be coming through Reality, some time this month.

I just got a direct deposit for November, but not October. Strange.....

I installed Google Edge, and was able to get into SF, even though it wasn't a secure address.

I think you mean Microsoft Edge? If not, what is Google Edge?

@author.jbjones wrote:

I installed Google Edge, and was able to get into SF, even though it wasn't a secure address.

Shopping Southeast Pennsylvania, Delaware above the canal, and South Jersey since 2008

Sorry- Microsoft.

I do not have an acct with SR . Does anyone know if they plan to continue to have two different sites or planning to combine all jobs into the RBG site. If so I will wait and not sign up for SR. More and different jobs would be great.

I received a check in payment for my October shops but it was not signed/endorsed. I have emailed Strategic Reflections. Does anyone have any suggestions as how to proceed?

@lincstaff wrote:

I received a check in payment for my October shops but it was not signed/endorsed. I have emailed Strategic Reflections. Does anyone have any suggestions as how to proceed?

Same here, I deposited it electronically on my phone, I'll see if it goes through.

I also received an unsigned check. Thankfully it's only for 1 shop and a small dollar amount. I might try @wrosie's method.

I also received an unsigned check. None of the three banks with whom I have an account would consider permitting me to deposit the draft. The first bank I visited, the account is 55 years old, did not consider my proposal of freezing $1000 to cover any problems. The second, account at 17 years, simply declined. The third, one with whom I opened for e-Bay, did state the reasoning and my options, but also refused my request.

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Strategic Reflections--a merger notice.

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