RED FLAG- HS Brands

couponanimaniac · 2025-10-21T17:31:44+00:00

Hi all, I wanted to summarize my experience with HS Brands. I want to first state that I did not take one of the requested photos, and I noted this in my survey after the shop. I was upfront and explained why that happened. I spent a considerable amount of time and money on this shop, so I was acting in the good faith that being honest and upfront would act in my favor, but it didn't. My experience with other MSCs is that they work with you if you provide context. They returned the survey and asked for additional information. They did not ask about this photo. I responded promptly and showed where the guidelines covered their questions. It was then returned this morning and the contact I have had with them shows that it will not be paid for the reason of the missing photo. I was surprised that they requested additional information and did not note this issue at all. I have requested clarification as to why they requested additional information if they were going to deny the shop. This required additional work on my part that was unnecessary and makes me wonder if they will use my information and feedback even though I will not be reimbursed. This is a red flag to me, and I just wanted to share my experience. I understand not being reimbursed because I forgot one photo, but it looks bad on them to ask for additional points if they were just going to deny it.

RED FLAG- HS Brands

January 29, 2026 12:59AM

No, it was directed at someone who was being a bit cruel to a shopper. It wasn’t the criticism, it was the flippant, smug nature of that comment.

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January 29, 2026 01:10AM

I had one I wondered about. Then they paid me after a month of discussion. I knew it was a clean shop.

I believe that most of the places that have been around for awhile will pay of the job is done correctly.

@viv0412 wrote:

In real life I definitely believe in a few conspiracy theories, but in mystery shopping there is only one company I have even an inkling MIGHT send a shop to a client that was declined and 100000000000000% it is NOT HS Brands.

@Dharma19 wrote:

Well I am glad your food was good. It just bothers me that they are using info that they refuse to pay for. If I have a good relationship with a scheduler and feel it was my fault I would happy give them the material to try to compensate for my mess up. Ironically, it was the worst massage I ever got and I now find out that this location NEVER answers their phones. Lesson learned.

January 29, 2026 03:16AM

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Moderator Note:

Post deleted for forum violation - no personal insults.

January 29, 2026 03:57AM

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Moderator Note:

Post deleted for forum violation - no personal insults.

January 29, 2026 02:21PM

@Dharma19 wrote:

I am lucky enough to be able to weather paying $150 upfront and not get reimbursed but many would not be able to eat the rest of the week.

Anyone who chooses a (possibly reimbursed) massage over food has no one to blame but themselves.

January 30, 2026 01:26PM

@Dharma19 wrote:

How about poor grammar and spelling errors!! If you count those mistakes then …,

@Dharma19 wrote:

I seek not to sue but to <b>insure</b> that meaningful changes...federal or state agencies whose very existence is premised upon <b>insuring</b> that individuals are treated fairly

Something about the pot calling the kettle black?

Doing assignments since the days when reports were handwritten and faxed to the MSC.

January 30, 2026 08:38PM

Thank you @viv0412. I am the COO of HS Brands and I can promise you 100% that we will never ever use a shop we don't pay a shopper for. I have been doing this for about 4 1/2 yrs and not once in my tenure has this happened and I don't think it happened prior. And TBH I would say that other companies don't follow this practice either. We rely on great shoppers to help us carry out our assignments so we always give shoppers the benefit of the doubt. There are numerous times where we pay shoppers for work we can't even charge the client for. Far more than most would realize. We do everything we can to get a shop to a point that we can submit it to the client, even if it is missing requirements clearly covered in the guidelines. We all want shops accepted. IF a shopper is ever not paid, it's because they didn't follow instructions and the client won't pay for the shop. (we don't give it to them. we confer with the client without giving them the info). The LAST thing in the world I want is unhappy shoppers so we give that benefit of the doubt, but sometimes the shop just isn't good enough. I Hope this makes sense to everyone.

February 01, 2026 05:20PM

Thank you for joining the conversation, Dutch. It's always good to know that some MSCs are keeping up with forums such as this. And most of us appreciate the input from you and yours.

February 19, 2026 06:53PM

I’ve found HS Brands editors to be very picky, sometimes asking me to clarify something very obvious or something that is already clearly stated in the report. I assume that’s what their clients ask for and want?

February 19, 2026 09:34PM

Plusha, I am completely opposite of you. I have always found HS Brands editors to be some of the easiest to work with, as well as Intelli.

Dutch, it's great that you came on. It is always nice to hear from the companies.

Shopping Arkansas, Louisiana, & Mississippi.

February 20, 2026 02:02AM

I don't work for HS Brands often, but I can't remember ever having an issue with the editors. I did one of their gas station shops and was asked some questions. I answered them and it was fine. I never thought the editor was the problem, but me not being careful to read and remember the guidelines.

But when it came down to it, I refuse to do their gas station shops anymore. They don't increase the pay, bonuses are very rare, and they ask for too much for only $12.

February 22, 2026 01:37PM

I actually love to do these because I live in an area with a ton of them, and can string 4-5 of them together within a three mile drive, or just tack them on to other shops I'm doing, or my work commute. I haven't paid for gas since 2025. I know the cycle will eventually end, but, for me, having done so many, I've can get the entire thing done quickly - I upload and answer everything on my phone in the parking lot, and just double check on my computer when I get home.

I've never had an issue with an editor there.

@Morledzep wrote:

I don't work for HS Brands often, but I can't remember ever having an issue with the editors. I did one of their gas station shops and was asked some questions. I answered them and it was fine. I never thought the editor was the problem, but me not being careful to read and remember the guidelines.

But when it came down to it, I refuse to do their gas station shops anymore. They don't increase the pay, bonuses are very rare, and they ask for too much for only $12.

February 22, 2026 04:25PM

Morled posts--and they ask for too much for only $12.

Bob agrees--I completed a single shop of this type in Sept. of 2023. My two reasons were that it paid $28+$5 or $6+$1 and I was driving within one block in my travels. As it was, I still barely profited, as my shop and report time was approx. 80 minutes. For mysterioso, who enjoys the work, has minimal drive time and expense and has his/her system down pat, to paraphrase the wizard speaking to Dorothy, a "horse of a different color."

February 23, 2026 02:26AM

I also take extra photos if I see something out of order that I think the client will want to know about. I always reference the photos in my report, and occasionally I have been asked to email them over to the editing team. I think it’s a good practice, and that it also helps the editor know that you’re paying attention to your surroundings when on an assignment.

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