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Hi I'm David in Texas

February 16, 2015 10:18AM
Hello,
I currently still work full time @ [ICA violation] in the surrounding area of Dallas,TX. To be honest..when I applied to become a mystery shopper with Maritz, I really didn't think I would get chosen. Much to my surprise..I did, at the time I did in fact let them know I still worked full time [ICA violation], but that didn't seem to bother them. As of this witing..I've yet to go on my first mystery shop. I think my motivation for signing up is what I sometimes witness @ my own store..how some customer's get treated, so I signed up hopefully to hep enhance the shopping experience for customer's across the vast spectrum of shopping venues. Of course I encountered mystery shoppers @ my store, and thankfully passed their 'tests'. In the very near future..I plan on 'getting my feet wet' so to speak.
David

Mod note: Please read the posting guidelines and stop linking clients with their MSC, whether you work for them or not.
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February 16, 2015 05:49PM
Welcome to the Board!

Shopping Bama and parts of Georgia.
I'm still learning 24/7.
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February 17, 2015 02:48AM
WELCOME!! & May the force be with you.
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February 21, 2015 03:10PM
Hello All,
The more I read about Maritz here in the forum, I'm now beginning to wonder if I chose the wrong company to start with. I'm really not wanting to have to 'negotiate' with them to get a better price to be able to go on a 'shop' that's right at the edge of the distance that I'm willing to travel. Are ALL companies similar in having to do this ??
Thanks,
David
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February 21, 2015 03:32PM
David, every Mystery Shopping Company (MSC) is different, and even how certain schedulers within an MSC act may differ.

To get a head start on the many questions that will certainly arise as you begin this new business, I urge you go to the New Mystery Shoppers area of the forums and read all of the first 11-12 threads there.

Welcome to this wonderful adventure!

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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February 21, 2015 04:12PM
In your original post you've linked the mystery shopping company and a client. One of the few rules we have here is don't reveal the clients and in many cases it actually violates the contract you signed with the company.

As to negotiating, it's always your choice whether to take an assignment at the advertised fee or not. Many of us would rather negotiate bonuses and build routes. If an assignment is getting close to deadline the MSC could choose to add a bonus on their own.

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.
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February 21, 2015 04:20PM
Lisa,
I do not think that David meant that he was selected to shop the client that he works for.

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.
Reply
February 21, 2015 04:30PM
My guess is he couldn't since he told where he is employed. I was just referring to the violation in the original post.

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.
Reply
February 21, 2015 04:34PM
Well, actually, it sounds as though he has only applied and been accepted by the company but has not yet applied for one of that client's shops. He seems to believe he was "chosen" by the mystery shopping company because of where he works. In actuality, I doubt the MS company paid any attention to where he works: almost everyoine who applies is accepted as a shopper.

It will only be when he actually applies for an assignment with that client that he will actually be asked screening questions, and, if he states that he does work for the client, he will be disqualified. His post on another thread made it appear that he believes that the MS company is well aware of the client he works for and that he realize that he will not be able to perform shops for his employer.

I could be taking it wrong but that's how it sounded to me.
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February 22, 2015 10:15AM
Hi AustinMom,
Thanks so much for your backing on this, what you stated was so true about asking to do a mystery shop @ the store I'm presently employed at. They get shopped already but NOT by me..that MIGHT cause some hard feeling's between myself and my coworker's. Besides, there are PLENTY of place's available in my surrounding area to perform shops, Maritz has already provided me with a list of available place's..and as I'm really just now getting 'educated' about the whole process..I've already realized I have a LOT to learn about the entire process to perform this 'hobby' of mine (for now)..properly ! My goal is to not only enhance the shopper's experience, but perform up to the expectations of Maritz & hopefully make some extra money doing so. As other member's in here have pointed out..you have to 'negotiate' with Maritz to get a better fee for shop's that are a great distance from your home zip code.
Thanks,
David
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February 22, 2015 12:24PM
David,
Perhaps your first big step needs to be to realize that in order to have shop options closer to home most shoppers are signed up with 50-200 MS companies. You are an Indedendent Contractor (IC) now and can (are expected to) work for many MSCs. Almost any MSC will accept almost any new shopper, so be sure to sign up with more of them. Even "hobby" shoppers sign up with quite a few, to get a variety of local jobs.

You have the option of negotiating fees with any and all MSCs. The worst that can happen is that they will say "no." However, a shopper usually has to establish a track record of excellent shop reports before expecting to be able to negotiate higher fees.

Above all, schedule that first shop and start taking the baby steps to getting some experience. We will be here to help and support you!

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.
Reply
February 23, 2015 03:58AM
I have to shop 100 miles from home so i usually need bonuses to justify the trips. I try to have done at least one shop for a company before I ask for a bonus, but there have been exceptions when i saw a shop sitting on the board for awhile and offered to do it if they added a bonus. but you're dealing more from a position of strength if you have already proven you can follow instructions and produce a good report.

Time to build a bigger bridge.
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