I'm still a fairly new shopper. My plan has been, and is, to work with just a few companies and repeating a few assignments over and over so I can work out my system, get really good at things, and build my reputation as a shopper. I've done a very good job for most of the companies, but have started off terribly with STN. This is embarrassing but I want to share it with you, my fellow shoppers, to get your advice.

First: On my profile, the first letters of my first and last name are not capitalized! (my fault, but I can't go in and correct it on their website).

Second: 4 months ago, I had to cancel my first shop one day in advance due to extreme circumstances.(I know how that's one of the biggest no-no's already!!)

Third: Last week, Dana emailed a request for help with assignments, one of which was due the same day. I just jumped at the chance to redeem myself and emailed her back letting her know I was available the same day or any of the following days without paying attention to the shop hours. Basically, she emailed me back with a confirmation to do the same-day shop, but I didn't get the message in time to make the 6pm cutoff. I completed and submitted the assignment anyway, and emailed her back to let her know and apologize. I've since been given and completed another job successfully, but I really wish I could start over.

I'm still being allowed to complete these small jobs, because these horrible misfortunes and mistakes are hanging over my head and really bother me- they will always be on my record. I've learned from my mistakes, but now I'm wondering if I should just keep accepting assignments to try to improve my record, or should I attempt to delete my profile, wait a week or so, then recreate my profile? (I've already given my ss#, so I don't know if they might match it up, or even if they would care?) Any suggestions?

I would strongly advise not to delete your profile and then reregister. They will match you with your earlier registration, I think. and they probably will care. Just do well on a few more assignments and you will be fine. You have learned to look before you leap, and will not be making the same mistake twice!

I would also advise that you broaden your horizons by adding more companies. If you keep repeating the same few shops, you will get bored. By signing up for more companies and doing more sorts of shops you will find the types that you really want to perfect, instead of perfecting the few that you find.

I think you are being very smart to 'work out the kinks' with just a few companies at first. I would definitely not try to delete and reregister, and as for the capitalization issue, it just serves to remind you to be more careful with future registrations.

STN often has difficulty filling their jobs, so to find a shopper willing to do them on short notice works to your advantage.

I suspect you are being super sensitive and would encourage you not to kick yourself around but rather learn from each faux pas. It really will make you a great shopper in the long run. Rookie mistakes are one of the reasons to encourage shoppers to start with companies accustomed to dealing with rookies. They generally offer good instructions, tend to be a little more tolerant of rookie goofs, tend not to be a substantial financial outlay on your part that is lost if a shop is rejected and are not necessarily jobs or companies you will want as a major part of your work in the future.

So keep learning, keep doing the jobs with STN that you are comfortable with and don't beat yourself up. If you had 3 issues in 4 shops, they would probably be very concerned. If you have 3 issues in 10 shops, that is much less concerning. When it becomes 3 issues in 30 shops, with the issues all being when you were first starting, it becomes ignorable.

And once you are ready to add more companies, I really would recommend Market Force (blue portal), Corporate Research International, Maritz and Bare. These do have shops everywhere. They have decent instructions. They are accustomed to dealing with inexperienced shoppers and they will give you a variety both of shops and report format/expectations to deal with. Once again, companies you may not want to work with in the long run but additional experience to get you going.

Most email addies are not case sensitive. I, too, would cringe a bit to see my profile improperly punctuated. But it's done. Live with it and overlook it. When you communicate with schedulers, they will communicate back to you, with correct capitalization If not, who cares?

If it's Dana with STN, frequently their dates aren't carved in stone. I recently shopped the right location, wrong scenario. I emailed her, fessing up, and was advised to correct it, at a mutually agreed upon date. And I am no newbie.

We all make mistakes - schedulers, editors, payroll and shoppers. Life, and the human factor allow that. It's when there are more issues than not, that decisions are made.

Good luck, MysBond. I have a feeling you will do just fine!