Secretshopper hardware shops

I have done several dozen of these shops over the years. I have never had an issue. For the question of what went right and what went wrong, I always put something like "All associates were friendly." and "Not all associates were wearing nametags."

Lately, I am told to put more detail. So I did. I am now putting full paragraphs and still being told to add more details. I add more every time and still get the message. I did four of these shops yesterday going almost an hour from home. Today I got emails requesting better pictures and still more details. I take the best picture I can while being discreet. The date and time are there as is the front of the store, but they are finding something wrong with them and the paragraphs. Is anyone else experiencing this? Does anyone know what changed?

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Sounds like they ate using AI to edit and it can't tell.

Same here. My photos have been OK but the request for more info emails have been ridiculous.

For $15, that's a lot of work and stress.

I got an email with a hardware shop for $3.25 shop fee! I had to look it up to see if it was a mistake.

That's how I found out it was a phone call shop. It seems to have been taken as it was no longer on the email I received today.

@wrosie wrote:

I got an email with a hardware shop for $3.25 shop fee! I had to look it up to see if it was a mistake.

That's how I found out it was a phone call shop. It seems to have been taken as it was no longer on the email I received today.

ooohh...$3.25? Wow, it is $2.80 here! Yet someone still does it every month, lol

They get new editors. They are gungho. Send email to coordinator@secretshopper.com and also to editor@secretshopper.com.

In total agreement. The pay is very low but I picked one up with a small (very) bonus since I was going to be in the area and needed an item anyway. I think my issue is that they are asking for more detail but the narrative boxes on the survey only ask what went well and and what didn’t. Unless I’m missing something. If a play by play is requested then just ask that initially and provide a spot for it. I’ve done a few with this company and a few with a previous company and the questions are pretty much the same. I completed the report immediately and also immediately got the request for more information/detail.

I love this company. So far very impressive. But I don't have all the experience the rest of you have.
So far, so good.

Shopping within about 75 miles of Albany NY

Is the store the one with "the helpful hardware folks"? I did some of those for Secret Shopper a few years ago, but I don't remember a "what went right/what went wrong" section. And the only photos you needed were storefront and receipt.

I'm sooooo done with them. The floor clerk was not wearing a nametag. Per instructions, I asked their name. They did not respond. I asked a second time and was told they prefer not to give it. I wrote all this and the shop was rejected because I did not have the name. The same company "scolded" me because a cable provider rep did not do a full presentation. Apparently I was supposed to "encourage" them... It's no SECRET that their editors are ridiculous.

Nikki, I also had one with no nametag. I am a sixty year old male teacher and there is no circumstance in which I feel it appropriate to ask a teenage girl her name. Fortunately for me, we were still in the partial masking time and I put her name down as "Hard to understand. It sounded like Emily." They accepted it. But this was before the gungho editors who want a play by play.

I doubt it would be accepted today.....

@Nikki21 wrote:

I'm sooooo done with them. The floor clerk was not wearing a nametag. Per instructions, I asked their name. They did not respond. I asked a second time and was told they prefer not to give it. I wrote all this and the shop was rejected because I did not have the name. The same company "scolded" me because a cable provider rep did not do a full presentation. Apparently I was supposed to "encourage" them... It's no SECRET that their editors are ridiculous.

I see I'm not the only one who has had some recent experiences with their editors. Some of them are quite snotty. And if it's the same cable provider I'm thinking of, the guidelines specifically tell you NOT to ask about mobile products.

I'm very reticent about working with them again based on what's going on with their editors.

I once dealt with the Payroll department. The person in charge was snotty as well. I, yet, have to find someone civil at this company.

I'm guessing it's the same company. I don't think the editors read the guidelines, or else purposely look for fault. Are they thinking this will help their job security by proving they are soooo superior to shoppers?

@chaser915 wrote:

I love this company. So far very impressive. But I don't have all the experience the rest of you have.
So far, so good.

Your experience is not typical. It isn't the worst company, but it regularly on the list of why-bother-with-them MSCs. Besides their editing and crappy UI, their fees are quite low.

I have done these shops since they procured the account. My reviews have always been “good report” until recently. I was told to purchase Grammarly.

The shop pays $15. A purchase is to be at least $1.00. I have never found an item for $1.00 at any location.

While typing the report, it “disappears” and I have to start over. At times it has just stopped permitting me to input information. Ironically this started at the exact same time as the negative reviews.

I can accept criticism. This is borderline bullying.

Has anyone else experienced this through SS?

I am experiencing the exact same thing! It is frustrating that while inputting information the website will not permit me to do so or it completely disappears. Ironically these “glitches” started at the same time as the new editor started the critical reviews. I can accept criticism and am willing to do better. I personally believe that the editor is logging into my report as I type them or trying to read them over as I input information.

I was told by new editor to purchase Grammarly. My pay is $15. per shop. A $1.00 purchase is required. There is nothing in the store for $1.00.

I have worked for SS since 2001. I have done over 500 “good report” jobs. This is frustrating!

Likewise I drive over 40 miles to go this work as a supplemental income. I have never professed to be an English major, or writing professional. The other companies I do work for have never done this type of micromanaging. My grades are always a 9 or 10.

I am frustrated-any advice?

There are more questions on the survey. The item to purchase must be $1.00. There is nothing for $1.00 in the store. Super snarky editors.

I question myself monthly if it is worth it. I am accepting of criticism but theirs is brutal.

@Karenhal wrote:

There are more questions on the survey. The item to purchase must be $1.00. There is nothing for $1.00 in the store. Super snarky editors.

I question myself monthly if it is worth it. I am accepting of criticism but theirs is brutal.

I shop my local hardware store every month. I buy a small item and return it later so it doesn't cut into my fee. I just did it yesterday actually, and didn't notice any new questions?

Some of the shops I do are 60 miles roundtrip. I can buy a soda for $1.79. That would be too costly to do returns. Plus we were told at one point in time NO returns.

@bradkcrew wrote:

@wrosie wrote:

I got an email with a hardware shop for $3.25 shop fee! I had to look it up to see if it was a mistake.

That's how I found out it was a phone call shop. It seems to have been taken as it was no longer on the email I received today.

ooohh...$3.25? Wow, it is $2.80 here! Yet someone still does it every month, lol

Email Subject line: Now with BIG BONUS $$$$

Buy a nut or a screw it will be less than $1 but look screwy.

I read the guidelines for the hardware shop the night before I conducted the shop. I filled out the survey and then received immediate feedback that the question that I was supposed to ask had changed. It stated that the question is subject to change and I need to look at the guidelines right before I shop. I never had this scenario happen to me before. I was surprised as I previously had a positive experience with the shops and editors.

I have done these with no problem. But, its been over a month. I buy a couple of nails. Now, I'm wondering if things have changed, and will it be worth it. There are the quick "helpful hardware man" shops and other hardware shops with blue signs that pay $20 and reimburse up to $20. I like those better, as I can buy a new tool, spray paint, etc. And the report is not crazy, but they ask for 3 or more sentences to describe what happened from the moment you walked in. I tell it like I'm writing a story, lol.

Yes, It seems like they got new editor(s). Got the same message yesterday.

Shopping Eastern Pennsylvania since 2009

For a hardware shop it asks for a service desk picture. I took a picture of the entire area where the service is supposed to be. I wrote “This store has no service desk”.

Editor sent an email requesting a picture of the service desk. Also stated in email that I did not send a correct picture. There is NO service desk.

I wrote this in re-opened survey. I received a second email requesting picture of service desk.

I called the company and left a message. The shop was then accepted after telling me the editor should not have to send two requests for correction.

The time I am putting into doing these shops is below minimum wage.

When the editors need editing...this was my feedback..." Editing was needed to fix grammar, spelling, punctuation, and sentence structure" I would venture to guess that the AND should be OR. If my writing were that atrocious that the editor had to fix 1) grammar 2) spelling 3) punctuation and 4) sentence structure I doubt the report would have even been accepted.

I just did my first-ever shop for them, a "helpful hardware" one. This was my feedback:

"* Feedback: You must read and acknowledge the Client Briefings and/or Additional Shop Details every time before completing your shop. * Good report - thank you."

Why do I feel like I just got spanked? -lol- The store had a $5 minimum purchase to use a credit card, so I'm waiting to see if they balk about reimbursing me for that.

If your path dictates you walk through hell, do it as though you own the place. -unknown

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