Telling a MSC Who Else You Shop For

Many MSC "applications to become a shopper" ask for the names of other MSC the shopper has worked with. Is it OK to give a new MSC this information? Or does it violate the shopper's agreement.

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I just always type "I respectfully decline to give this information." I've never had a problem!

Good advice Peachgirl~ I will do that next time. I never understood why they asked or thought they should know that information.

I've started using, "Due to confidentiality agreements I cannot provide that information. References are available upon request."

Equal rights for others does not mean fewer rights for you. It's not pie.
"I prefer someone who burns the flag and then wraps themselves up in the Constitution over someone who burns the Constitution and then wraps themselves up in the flag." -Molly Ivins
Never try to teach a pig to sing. It's a waste of your time and it really annoys the pig.

Me three!

Someone had posted the "Due to Confidentiality..." on the forum months ago when this question was asked; and ever since then I've just used that phrase.

Never had a problem - and it's 100% true!

LisaSTL Wrote:
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> I've started using, "Due to confidentiality
> agreements I cannot provide that information.
> References are available upon request."

~ + ~ + ~ + ~ + ~ + ~ + ~ + ~

Proud To Be A Soldier's Mom

That's a good suggestion.

But why are they asking this question?

The question is aimed at establishing that their shoppers really are ICs who work for several MSCs. The freedom to work for competing companies is one of a long, long list of possible ways to demonstrate that a person is an IC and not an employee.

BTW, it is NOT a breach of the IC to state the names of other MSCs that you work for! I am happy to comply, simply because it also serves as a sort of potential referral. Schedulers talk across companies, and/or move from one company to another. They do tell one another whether or not a certain shopper is reliable.

Based in MD, near DC
Shopping from the Carolinas to New York
Have video cam; will travel

Poor customer service? Don't get mad; get video.

Thank you all for your input! I thought the information was asked for in order to establish a MS's experience. Happy shopping!

I always list about 6-8 off of the top of my head that show a range of types of shops...the MSCs are fully aware of who does what shops despite what they might say out loud. Then I add a sentence to the effect of "and dozens if not hundreds of others.

Liz

Early on, I named names. Mid-way through, I opted not to. Some agreements do prohibit the mere mention of their name. We need to read each ICA thoroughly.

Good advice! Thanks!

I like to put: "I have done over 250 mystery shops for a wide range of client companies including: fast casual restaurants, shipping companies, jewelry stores, etc. etc." I think this establishes my experience but doesn't specifically name names.

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Telling a MSC Who Else You Shop For

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