Are Non-MSPA Companies Safe?

Hi, everyone

I'm a new mystery shopper - started a month ago. I learned of the job opportunity through an online source, which recommended using MSPA as a safe starting point. I know MSPA is kind of the "official" place to go to be sure you're not joining a scam company (which has been a huge worry of mine).

However, I see that they have limited companies registered with them and I've seen a good number of non-MSPA member companies out there. My question is how safe are these non-MSPA companies and how would you know if they're safe or not vs. a scam?

Thanks for everyone's feedback. Also, am I the only one who feels like 2/3 of the companies I sign up for don't have jobs in my area (or, at least, not very good ones)?

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There is no difference in safety between MSPA and non-MSPA companies. There are wretched MSPA companies and there are wretched non-MSPA. There are excellent MSPA and there are excellent non-MSPA. Just make sure you are not dealing with scams that found you.

Legitimate companies will not send you a check to cash, do your shops, withhold your fees and forward the balance of the money via cash card or wire transfer to a third party. That is pure scam activity with bogus checks and may spoof the name of an MSPA or non-MSPA company. Get your links to register with companies from a trusted list such as the one here in our "Official List of Mystery Shopping Companies".

Flash is absolutely correct. MSPA is mainly the MS providers industry lobbying arm. Not all MS companies support their agenda. Also, MSPA was so long hostile to video shopping that most video companies ignore it.

Finally, MSPA does not help shoppers when MSPA member companies fail to pay shoppers or even violate shoppers' privacy rights. They are just not in the shopper protection business.

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.

"Also, am I the only one who feels like 2/3 of the companies I sign up for don't have jobs in my area (or, at least, not very good ones)?"

Don't know where you are located but I'm in a rural town in Northeast Arkansas with about 80,000 people and my shop availability is extremely limited. I wish I had more opportunities. I'm constantly signing up with new companies just to find out that they don't have any business in my area. Frustrating to say the lease. I stayed signed up with them just in case they all of a sudden get a client in my town. I could go to a really huge nearby city - an hour away - and get lots of opportunities, but I can't get mileage, so I end up losing money. (Unless, of course, I route shop - which I have on occassions.)

Arky,
You have hit the nail on the head. Route shopping is the only way to make money anywhere. Almost no one who really needs MS money leaves the house for only one job at a time. If you cannot get mileage to go to the big city, that means that you have local competition that does not need mileage. So, set up a route of good shops in the city and make a day of it. If necessary, tell schedulers that you will be doing a route and need deadline extensions. That way you can do a ton of shops in one day and write reports the next.

How many MSCs are you signed up with? If less than 100, that may be part of the problem for anyone in your situation.

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.

I just signed up with the Forum, but have received a check with instructions from a Grant Wood with EVERISTUS DYMIES , it seems odd....anyone heard of them? I just read about not cashing a check and sending money back....thank you! I thought it seemed strange....

Yup, trash that check or turn it over to your local police. Can you imagine IBM sending you--a total stranger--a check for a couple of thousand bucks out of the blue to shop your local office supply store, buy a $200 printer, keep $200 for your pay and then send the balance to their Omaha office? If the check was good, more than half the recipients would just pocket the cash. Not a smart way to do business and indeed not how real businesses function. Even if you are a contest winner in a legitimate give away for something valued more than $100 or so there will be paperwork to do, affidavits that you are eligible to be a winner to be notarized, etc. etc. before you can collect your prize because real businesses are accountable for every dime.

I live in a town with less than 1000 residents, and in a county with less than 20,000. Definitely limited shops here. I frequently travel 1-2 hours (at 70mph high way speeds!) to pick up highly bonused shops and routes. When we travel, I am always on the scrounge for shops

MegglesKat

Thank you Flash, I contacted the company on the check. I will continue to learn about the business and appreciate all the assistance of the Forum and am grateful to have found it!

Ginger,
Don't let the scammers talk you into cashing that check! Contacting them will do no good whatsoever!

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.

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Are Non-MSPA Companies Safe?

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