Still no payment this morning. ☹️ I did one shop on the way home Friday and it was evaluated within an hour. This I so unusual.

We all understand that things happen but I think everyone just wants the courtesy of an update of some sort. Many have other F/T jobs. For others, this is how they make or subsidize their income. These shops enable many to make ends meet many times using our own funds in advance to do so. Yes it is not a regular occurrence but I think that we all wanted an update.

I wonder if it’s at all connected to the Russian money being tied up due to the Ukrainian war? Heard a rumor (very rumor-ish) that IPSOS-France has some banking issues due to this.

Edit: Before you think I’m nuts for this hypothesis, one of the oligarchs (Roman Abramovich) under financial pressure is heavily invested in real estate and construction in my area. A couple of large construction projects have halted work, because the money to pay trades has stopped flowing. The world is a very interconnected place these days.

Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 03/19/2022 03:01PM by ColoKate63.

I do the same thing. I shop full time, and stagger my jobs so i have money coming in throughout the month. Generally, in my area, Ipsos doesn’t have great paying gigs, but i take several a few times a month based on their pay schedule. It helps me cover bills due in the middle of the month and also gives me money to be able to complete end of the month jobs without using credit cards or dipping into my savings.

My guess is nothing is being done over the weekend and we'll probably get paid on Tuesday. I suspect this is a result of all the cost cutting measures we've seen the last few months. They probably have one or two overworked IT people trying to figure this out with no support and no overtime.

What gets under my skin is that this $2B company doesn't seem to have made Paying their contractors a priority. If it was we would have, at least, received a follow-up email.

Oh, and..Saturday morning. No pay.

@French Farmer wrote:

Saturday morning and still, no pay!

For some, it is not that big of a problem. For me, I try to run my contractual work like a business - use the money made to make more money.
Meaning of course, the money I make doing this work is part profit and the other spent as the cost of doing business. Initially when starting this, I invest my own money and then recoup it while making a profit. I try to keep enough in reserve to offset problems such as these.
Sigh.
Other than complaining or moving on to another, more pay reliable MSC (is there any??), it appears not much can be done.

I am pretty sure that would have affected their Shopmetrics payments also. I would venture to say it was/still is a technical issue. I do agree that anyone that still has not received payment should be updated regularly until their payment is deposited.

Maybe they haven't paid their Sassie hosting bill, either, and this is what happens.

@AngStahl wrote:

I am pretty sure that would have affected their Shopmetrics payments also. I would venture to say it was/still is a technical issue. I do agree that anyone that still has not received payment should be updated regularly until their payment is deposited.

Mystery to Me - Depends on your definition of "Rare"....well organized and ethical companies NEVER miss payroll and seldom miss AP due dates. It is one of the "commandments" of doing business in the United States. Maybe France is different.

Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 03/19/2022 03:42PM by salisburync.

Still no pay either

Give the company a break. When you need to change the date of a shop, they work with you. You are running a business. You take risks as a business owner that your clients can become insolvent after a period of time. It doesn't mean they are underhanded no more than you are if you have technical or financial issues. I've never had a problem with them. The fact that they have the ability to pay so quickly is a sign of financial health that they can put it in the CSA. I don't have any other company that pays so quickly and consistently. Bravo, IPSOS, to a long a prosperous business relationship together.

Are you kidding? I worked for McDonald's and they were late more than once paying me. Many companies, unfortunately, run into problems. I've had delayed pay from several corporations as an employee and I'm not going to name them all. There are also companies that have poorly invested 401Ks. Businesses come and go. Your comment "...well organized and ethical companies NEVER miss payroll and seldom miss AP due dates." is rather naive especially during COVID. Be thankful the economy hasn't collapsed completely.

fa2, I guess that I missed the part where you had to put up your own cash to work for McDonald’s?

A great many of IPSOS assignments require a fairly serious outlay of money, which is then reimbursed. During a moderate route of 10 gas stations a day, that’s $100 a day that I burn - and trust IPSOS to reimburse in a timely manner, so that my cash flow stays steady.

Do better.

@ColoKate63 wrote:

fa2, I guess that I missed the part where you had to put up your own cash to work for McDonald’s?

A great many of IPSOS assignments require a fairly serious outlay of money, which is then reimbursed. During a moderate route of 10 gas stations a day, that’s $100 a day that I burn - and trust IPSOS to reimburse in a timely manner, so that my cash flow stays steady.

Do better.

Exactly. We are a "payable" just like their rent, water and power.

When one works for McDonald's, they work for McDonald's, so no you don't put your money out for expenses. But we don't work for IPSOS, we work for ourselves and sometimes that does require an investment at our own risk. The life lesson here is... don't invest more than you can afford to lose or possibly have a delayed return on. I know life lessons are hard sometimes, but they build character. Self employment is not for everyone and success at self employment is dependent on the individuals ability to manage their own money, while always being prepared financially for inevitable hiccups along the way such as this. Maybe some people do need to work at McDonald's or be employed under someone else's thumb so they can have the false sense of financial security that comes with a weekly payroll check from a corporation. It's up to us as individuals to know what category we are cut out for and I see many comments on here that say several are not cut out for self employment. When one rare issue with an otherwise awesome company arises, they are the ones who lose control of their emotions and bash everyone but themselves for not preparing for such moments. My advice is either get a grip or get a corporate paycheck because if not, you have a sad road ahead of you in this cruel world.

@AngStahl wrote:

When one works for McDonald's, they work for McDonald's, so no you don't put your money out for expenses. But we don't work for IPSOS, we work for ourselves and sometimes that does require an investment at our own risk. The life lesson here is... don't invest more than you can afford to lose or possibly have a delayed return on. I know life lessons are hard sometimes, but they build character. Self employment is not for everyone and success at self employment is dependent on the individuals ability to manage their own money, while always being prepared financially for inevitable hiccups along the way such as this. Maybe some people do need to work at McDonald's or be employed under someone else's thumb so they can have the false sense of financial security that comes with a weekly payroll check from a corporation. It's up to us as individuals to know what category we are cut out for and I see many comments on here that say several are not cut out for self employment. When one rare issue with an otherwise awesome company arises, they are the ones who lose control of their emotions and bash everyone but themselves for not preparing for such moments. My advice is either get a grip or get a corporate paycheck because if not, you have a sad road ahead of you in this cruel world.

Exactly and well-said. Mystery shopping isn't for everybody and if one isn't prepared or aren't able to handle bumps-in-the-road, perhaps other options should be explored.

@AngStahl wrote:

I see many comments on here that say several are not cut out for self employment.

My advice is either get a grip or get a corporate paycheck because if not, you have a sad road ahead of you in this cruel world.

Ms. Stahl,

You’re pretty new here, based on your posting history and introduction. I’d suggest that you tone down your language a bit, especially since you use your actual name to post. There are some comments in your history that we could have absolutely hammered you with, but chose not to.

Also - you received your payment yesterday. It’s easy to sit on your wallet and criticize others who have not yet been paid or reimbursed.

My suggestion: have a seat, listen and learn.

Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 03/19/2022 05:09PM by ColoKate63.

@ColoKate63 wrote:

@AngStahl wrote:

I see many comments on here that say several are not cut out for self employment.

My advice is either get a grip or get a corporate paycheck because if not, you have a sad road ahead of you in this cruel world.

Ms. Stahl,

You’re pretty new here, based on your posting history and introduction. I’d suggest that you tone down your language a bit, especially since you use your actual name to post. There are some comments in your history that we could have absolutely hammered you with, but chose not to.

Also - you received your payment yesterday. It’s easy to sit on your wallet and criticize others who have not yet been paid or reimbursed.

My suggestion: have a seat, listen and learn.

Well said. Also, it would be different if this company was easy to contact, but they aren't. They are the worst for communicating with their contractors. I have had issues with payments from them since February, when they started sitting on my reports past the 7-10 day payment date in their contract and asking for revisions two weeks after the report was submitted. I am fortunate that their slow (and now no show) payments don't have a critical effect on me, but there was a time in my life when they would have, and I know there are hundreds of shoppers out there biting their nails and checking their PayPal hourly. At a minimum, they should have sent out a second email. Ipsos thinks we're a bunch of homebodies making pin money in our spare time and on-time payments aren't a big deal. That's my take away, at least.

Payment issues crop up on this board with various companies from time to time (wasn't it Intellishop last month?) but their reps chime in with explanations and apologies and address the issues ASAP. We've heard crickets from Ipsos since Tuesday. There are TWO threads on this forum dedicated to their non-payment, and the longer they ignore them the more those threads grow. I don't do FB but I'm curious if it has been addressed over there? In any event, the last few months Ipsos has seemed understaffed and disorganized. The slow payments this week seem to be the pinnacle of a build up on that disorganization. It also shows lack of leadership in their corporate environment.

They won the 2021 Shopper's Choice award from the MSPA. Maybe that went to their heads?

Edited to add: I just got paid. Hopefully they've fixed the problem and everyone else gets paid, too.

Edited 2 time(s). Last edit at 03/19/2022 05:53PM by Ideagirl.

FYI, I was just paid, Sat. 3/19.

I just received the second half of my payment, so I’m more relaxed now.

I don’t know if it had anything to do with it, but last night I contacted IPSOS via the email sent last Tuesday, using the button in the email. They replied (!!!) to me ten minutes after my second payment dropped saying that “I should see the money in my PayPal account now.”

I just received most of my it. 2 shops are still missing. It’s getting better.

Just letting everyone know I did just get paid

To those still waiting, they are processing payments today (Saturday). Just paid in full.

I got paid, also. Just a few minutes ago.

I just checked and I got paid as well! Everyone thanks for all the communications!

I agree, but I think we all Deserve an update...I did not get an explanation, but I got paid! I sent an email to a field supervisor I work with....and POOF! Payment! Try that avenue and hopefully it works.

Paid, at last!

Kindly remind me...did not Chicken Little proclaim, "The sky is falling"?

While I'm somewhat of a newbie the amount of negativity towards a very highly respected company (IPSOS) who pays very quickly and is a world-wide force in a lot of diverse endeavors is amazing. Again, if you're looking for opportunities that are completely stress-free with a zero chance of kerfuffle's, mystery shopping is not for you.

@ColoKate63 wrote:

@AngStahl wrote:

I see many comments on here that say several are not cut out for self employment.

My advice is either get a grip or get a corporate paycheck because if not, you have a sad road ahead of you in this cruel world.

Ms. Stahl,

You’re pretty new here, based on your posting history and introduction. I’d suggest that you tone down your language a bit, especially since you use your actual name to post. There are some comments in your history that we could have absolutely hammered you with, but chose not to.

Also - you received your payment yesterday. It’s easy to sit on your wallet and criticize others who have not yet been paid or reimbursed.

My suggestion: have a seat, listen and learn.

Exactly, and since in another string on the same topic she wrote "I need my deposit soon so I can get on the road, as I am a travelling auditor." Funny how payment helps you to get a grip on what was potentially a sad road ahead in this cruel world.

I never said my getting on the road was dependant on that deposit, as it was only $90. That $99 wouldn't make me or break me on my worst day and most of my large deposits come through Presto now. I just do all my books and budget balancing on the weekends while I am home, and prefer to have all that in order before I get on the road....another responsible self employment tactic. Assumptions and personal attacks say way more about y'all's character than mine. Sorry that my point about taking a risk when investing in one's business hurt feelings, and even made another member make borderline threats because I use my real name and take the stance of "hammering" me for my comments on this overall forum, none of which can be justifiably "hammered", but again....says more about y'all's character than mine. Yes, I do not hide behind a screen name and don't expect to be threatened by that fact, yes I still feel that it's irresponsible to invest more than you can afford to lose or risk delayed return, and the fact that I rarely post on this forum and have only been a member for less than a year has zero to do with my self employment history or shopping/auditing experience. It just means I have not posted much on here and have only been a member for less than year. I do find it kind of fun though that my status on this forum needed to be trolled in order to "hammer" me over a general statement about the self employment world and investment risks. I could probably run circles around those of you hating me right now at my age and with my level of life experience...but I choose not to be that person. But y'all go ahead...."hammer" away, my emotions do not validate me and I can take whatever you have to give. I still love doing work for IPSOS, I still know this is a very rare occasion for them, and I still feel like a few people in here have a rough road in life ahead of them.

By the way....don't suggest someone sit back, listen and learn when you are not ready to do so yourself.

@AngStahl wrote:

When one works for McDonald's, they work for McDonald's, so no you don't put your money out for expenses. But we don't work for IPSOS, we work for ourselves and sometimes that does require an investment at our own risk. The life lesson here is... don't invest more than you can afford to lose or possibly have a delayed return on. I know life lessons are hard sometimes, but they build character. Self employment is not for everyone and success at self employment is dependent on the individuals ability to manage their own money, while always being prepared financially for inevitable hiccups along the way such as this. Maybe some people do need to work at McDonald's or be employed under someone else's thumb so they can have the false sense of financial security that comes with a weekly payroll check from a corporation. It's up to us as individuals to know what category we are cut out for and I see many comments on here that say several are not cut out for self employment. When one rare issue with an otherwise awesome company arises, they are the ones who lose control of their emotions and bash everyone but themselves for not preparing for such moments. My advice is either get a grip or get a corporate paycheck because if not, you have a sad road ahead of you in this cruel world.

Part of your analogy makes no sense. For example you state, "success at 'self employment' is dependent on the individuals ability to manage their own money, while always being prepared financially for inevitable hiccups along the way." This is true regardless if you are self employed or work for a corporation. Either way, you have to budget, pay bills, manage expenses and hopefully be in a position to put away a nest egg for when needed. This is not a revelation. It is what our parents taught us, we learned from living outside the family home, or thru some form of education. Secondly, you call weekly paychecks a false sense of financial security that comes along with a weekly payroll check. Not necessarily true. Most companies pay bi-weekly or twice a month these days vs. weekly. IPSOS does not give us a paycheck in the sense of the corporate world, but they have set up their pay schedule so that shoppers are to be paid weekly (and twice a week during the holiday months). Kudo's to IPSOS. It is actually better than most corporate companies. Shoppers appreciate the standard they have set and they do it for a reason. To attract a wider base of shoppers and to create shopper loyalty. Thirdly, in another string you stated that you needed the money soon because you are a route auditor and needed to get on the road. Hmmm.

Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 03/20/2022 06:28AM by Zek.

I'm still waiting on payment for a shop completed on 3/11. Quality control took 6 days. This was a fuel mystery shop on Sassie that didn't have a disclaimer about 5 day or 10 day approval times (purple pins). So I'm a bit surprised with the lack of communication.

Maybe I'll be able to snag some bonused shops while the clucking, cackling, and pecking order is being established.