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Payments from Elite CSX

September 01, 2024 02:06PM
I haven’t been paid for 6 shops I did back in March-April 2024. I’m out $253. Have been emailing them for payment since then. One of their emails to me said to wait 30-60 days until they get things straightened out. After 60 days I emailed them that I didn’t receive payment.

I filed an on-line complaint with the Florida Attorney General yesterday. Thanks for the link from a previous poster. I especially like that the form says “penalties can be enhanced for victimizing senior citizens” since I’m 75!

I’ll let you know if anything becomes of this.
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More About Payment
September 02, 2024 04:51PM
Are you a member of MSPA Americas? I am and have never not had an email response within 24 hours. If you are not a member, I don't think you have standing to complain, especially when memberships are offered for free, and I find your statement hard to believe. Also I do know that Elite status is not a "paid" thing. It is a series of events that you must achieve in a year that has nothing to do with money. Now this doesn't justify any of the actions of Elite CSX and the money we are owed, but you place yourself in their same gutter by lying just like they do. I wish you wouldn't do that. Just write the facts.
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September 02, 2024 05:50PM
KCSoccer inquires of?--Are you a member of MSPA Americas?

Bob responds--As I am not an MSP, it would not profit me.

KCSoccer opines--If you are not a member, I don't think you have standing to complain, especially when memberships are offered for free, and I find your statement hard to believe.

Bob agrees it is your prerogative to be opinionated, but disagrees concerning whomever, you neglected to direct your comment to a specific person, stating their position.

KCSoccer continues--Also I do know that Elite status is not a "paid" thing.

Bob asks--How do you KNOW it is not a paid thing?

KCSoccer offers an explanation--It is a series of events that you must achieve in a year that has nothing to do with money.

Bob agrees--Were money to be involved, this thread would not exist and shoppers would have been long ago paid.

KCSoccer concludes--......you place yourself in their same gutter by lying just like they do. I wish you wouldn't do that. Just write the facts.

Bob types--The verbiage GUTTER was unnecessary, as was the accusation of LYING.

The actor Jack Webb, in his role as Sgt. Joe Friday, was a stickler for the facts. KC, are you?
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September 02, 2024 06:31PM
Again, I have to laugh whenever MSPA is mentioned, especially in the context of being an organization that assists shoppers with our concerns about the industry.

MSPA = Mystery Shop PROVIDERS Association

It's a trade group for MSCs. MSPA's only interest in shoppers is to collect fees from selling their "certification" classes, and a shopper being "certified" means about as much as an MSC being "Elite."

Refer a non-payment issue to MSPA and see how far that gets you.

If your path dictates you walk through hell, do it as though you own the place. -unknown
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September 02, 2024 09:49PM
Yeah, I just don't even know where KCSoccer's post came from or what it was supposed to mean. Quite random.

Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 09/03/2024 12:12AM by sestrahelena.
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September 02, 2024 09:56PM
@drdoggie00 wrote:

Again, I have to laugh whenever MSPA is mentioned, especially in the context of being an organization that assists shoppers with our concerns about the industry.

MSPA = Mystery Shop PROVIDERS Association

It's a trade group for MSCs. MSPA's only interest in shoppers is to collect fees from selling their "certification" classes, and a shopper being "certified" means about as much as an MSC being "Elite."

Refer a non-payment issue to MSPA and see how far that gets you.

When GAPbuster Worldwide tried to stiff me, MSPA was able to get them to pay me the following day.

With that said, that was many years ago and I don’t know how they operate anymore.

Talking to MSPA is a good idea. I’m not a member and they helped me.
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September 02, 2024 10:03PM
@sestrahelena wrote:

Yeah, I just don't even know where KCSoccar's post came from or what it was supposed to mean. Quite random.

KC is a bot.
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September 03, 2024 06:38PM
I want to say upfront that I am sorry to learn of your situation. Elite CSX is not a current member of MSPA Americas. Even if they were, as a trade association and not a governmental entity with authority over third party business dealings, the most I could do for you would be to pass your concerns on to the designated point of contact that a member has listed with us. The BBB would not be able to advocate or intervene for you either, as they are in a much similar position as a trade association.

Is the MSPA now saying Elite is not a member? They were for a very long time
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September 03, 2024 11:35PM
I don't believe I've ever done a shop for this company and I must say I'm glad about that. Since many MSC's have changed their names to some version of CSX, CXE, CXG, CXGroup, shop CSEX, IMCSX, WERCSX etc..I avoid all of them. I'm easily confused and don't want to mess my brain. For Pete's sake, please stop using such similar names!!

Sure hope payment comes through for all of you waiting. Don't give up, but also, don't do any more with them going forward!

Edited to add some more CX's

*****************************************************************************
The more I learn about people...the more I like my dog..

Mark Twain


Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 09/03/2024 11:38PM by MsJudi.
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September 06, 2024 04:14PM
An update after I contacted the state attorney general and the FTC:

Hello **,
I wanted to personally update you that your payment issue in our system has been resolved and your payment for the ** shop is being processed and sent out today. Keep an eye for the notification.

David

And my reply:
Thanks for the follow up. I am incredibly disappointed that it took several months of follow up emails and reporting you to governmental agencies to finally get this info. I think you'll both agree that your payment process is in need of a major overhaul and that you are not in compliance with your own terms as agreed upon and advertised.

I will not be taking on any jobs with you in the future and will continue to warn others to stay far away from anything involving either of your names. I expect you to go bankrupt by the of quarter, if not sooner. You have brought shame to yourselves and your company, and for that you are fully responsible.


So, We will see if I actually get paid. I'm not holding my breath. Here's hoping everyone continues to keep the pressure on!
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September 06, 2024 05:34PM
Momteal, did you get paid??
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September 06, 2024 05:43PM
@Insight wrote:

Momteal, did you get paid??

Ha, no. Just an email SAYING it was processed and sent out. My job was completed in May and I've had an invoice pending in Tipalti for months so.... I'm not expecting anything. I suspect this polite, professional email was in response to a request from one of the many reports I submitted and not actually to my 20+ emails.
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September 07, 2024 04:04AM
Copy of letter I received after filing a complaint with the Florida Attorney Generals Office:

attorney.general@myfloridalegal.com
Tog
From the Florida Attorney
General's Office
4:05 PM
Dear O
The Florida Attorney General's Office received your email regarding a solicitation you received for a mystery shopper or secret shopper opportunity.
We appreciate that you consider our office as a source of assistance. I am sorry that you fell victim to this scam. We are forwarding your information to the Attorney General's Consumer Protection Division. We collect complaint information in an investigative database, and hopefully will develop enough data to lead us to those perpetuating this kind of scam.
Because you lost money, please file a report with your local police or sheriff's office and where the payment was received, if you know.
You should also file complaints with the Federal Trade Commission and Internet Crime Complaint Center:
Federal Trade Commission
Phone: (202) 326-2222
Toll-free: (877) 382-4357
Online complaint site: [reportfraud.ftc.gov]?
orgcode=FL011
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September 07, 2024 01:49PM
Has anyone actually contacted the companies they represent to see if they are paying elite? It would seem to me that they would not want to deal with a company that is so corrupt. Also contact tipali to see if the money got there.
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September 07, 2024 03:01PM
Obviously they misunderstood your email (or not).
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September 07, 2024 06:36PM
@Insight wrote:

Has anyone actually contacted the companies they represent to see if they are paying elite? It would seem to me that they would not want to deal with a company that is so corrupt. Also contact tipali to see if the money got there.

I thought I saw a post from someone who did but can't seem to find it. Maybe it's in another thread.
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September 08, 2024 11:19PM
@Boutique wrote:

Obviously they misunderstood your email (or not).

See, everyone (except those who do it professionally) thinks mystery shopping is a scam! Lol!
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September 09, 2024 01:40AM
I have a policy. Whenever I decide to do a shop for an MSC I've never worked for before, I only do ONE shop. And I wait until I get paid for it to see if they pay on time BEFORE I do any more shops for that MSC. I will only do one shop for them at a time, cautiously and slowly building up to doing more than one only after I see over time that I've been paid according to their promised payment schedule. I will not do more shops if any payments are outstanding until I've reached the point where I know they're reliable and we have established a good relationship. If I had to wait two or more months past the date I should have been paid, there's no way in hell I'm going to do any more shops for them! I don't understand how so many of you have numerous unpaid shops outstanding.

.

Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 09/09/2024 01:43AM by shopnyc.
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