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June 24, 2017 03:54AM
Hi everyone! I'm snowbird from Missouri. Just getting started and looking for reputable companies. I'm glad a forum like this exist.
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June 24, 2017 04:02AM
Hi snowbird. I'm Joscelin and I am in Idaho. I just started 'shopping' in April. This forum is a GOLDMINE of information, help and resources. Welcome!
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June 24, 2017 04:04AM
Where in Missouri? I'm in St. Louis.

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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June 25, 2017 03:55PM
Welcome snowbird
I've been around for about 3 months now going on 4. When I first started my top 10 companies were Marketforce, Maritz, secondtonone, GFK, Aboutface, Bare International, Blink Research, A Closer Look, Kerns Scheduling at [www.sassieshop.com], and Ace Mystery Shopping. All of these companies are legit and some may have shops in your area. For more shops check out MSPA at [www.mspa-na.org] and click the orange service provider button. You don't have to be certified but that also helps. Most of the companies ask for a certification. I have the silver, eventhough it doesn't do more than get you in the door. MSPA oversees the Mshop companies making sure that they are legit. It's up to you to register individually with each company and make sure that they all are MSPA registered. You will have to provide your private and personal information. I hope this information helps you to get off to a great start.
Happy Shopkins smiling smiley
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June 25, 2017 04:09PM
Just to clarify, the MSPA is not a watchdog organization. They are a trade organization created by and for the mystery shopping companies. While it is to their benefit to provide shopper training and promote good practices by their members, it neither guarantees the legitimacy or indicates a non-member company is less legitimate.

The MSPA is just one source for companies. IMO, this website is just as good if not better because it includes MSCs who are not members of the MSPA along with links to uncensored threads for researching real shopper's experiences.

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
June 25, 2017 04:11PM
Hi Josclin
Welcome to the forum. I also started in April. I'm in California. I started a topic called slim pickings a while back and I have gotten a lot of great resources and suggestions from others. My advice would be to ask lots of questions and always check the sources before you dive in.
Happy Shopkins smiling smiley
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June 25, 2017 04:24PM
Hi LisaSTL
Are you a mystery shopper or do you work for a Mshop provider? IMO I would not use a company that can not be verified and is not part of the MSPA. The BBB also suggest checking out the MSPA for legit companies. Not to disagree with what you're suggesting, some companies may be just as good. I don't mind being censored as long as my private information is protected. It appears that these threads are also sensored in some way LOL. It's a persons personal choice. I'm not knocking any companies out there. I'm only suggesting those that can be verified especially for those of us who are newbies.

Happy Shopkins smiling smiley
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June 25, 2017 04:49PM
Some of the best MSCs to work for are not MSPA member, partly because they do not wish to support the political lobbying agenda of that organization.

In addition, most video MSCs decided not to be MSPA members.

The best vetting for MSCs is what you will read here, from real shoppers with years and years of experience. You can ignore the 0ne-post rants from folks who just seem to drop in to complain but never really explain just why they were not paid, or who explain that they did not follow shop guideline but still want to be paid.

MSPA will NOT tell you which MSCs may be months behind in paying shoppers and/or going out of business owing shoppers a ton of $$$$.

However, on these forums you will find out which ones are late, and/or may be "going under."

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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June 25, 2017 04:59PM
I am a mystery shopper.

Actually the non-member companies I have worked with are not only "just as good," in some cases they are better.

By putting all this on to the MSPA you ignore the real purpose of the organization. In the past there have been major payment issues with MSPA companies. If a shopper relied strictly on the membership without researching the companies here, they would have unwittingly lost a lot of money without any real recourse. I have no beef with the MSPA. It is just wrong for shopper's to somehow assume the MSPA is primarilyy there to protect them. Nobody should expect that from a trade organization designed to promote it's member company's interests.

The BBB is a consumer organization. We are not customers. We are vendors which means the MSC is actually our customer. I have seen great MSCs rated an F on the BBB website. The MSC did not apply for membership in the BBB and the rating was given simply because the focus of the business was mystery shopping and considered a home-based business, not because any complaints had been received.

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
June 25, 2017 05:13PM
I wanted to add this. The most important things when researching a company are neither memberships or BBB ratings. The two primary concerns should be pay commensurate to work and adherence to their own payment terms. Long terms, such as 90 days, do not worry me. OTOH, if they can't manage to pay within a week of the terms they set forth, it is a problem.

Some shoppers have taken payment issues to the BBB. I don't always find the complaints to be reliable. We have many instances where a shopper will complain about non-payment, accusing MSCs of all manner of nefarious actions. If the poster stays around long enough and chooses to be honest, we often find the shopper actually made an error or did something to invalidate their shop. The common denominator with mistakes is the shopper deems them "small" errors. In reality, that small error could have a big impact on the shop outcome. It could also leave the MSC questioning the reliability of the entire report if it is a new to them shopper.

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
June 25, 2017 05:15PM
Wow, Thanks for the clarification. I am learning so much here on the forum and I look forward to so much more. You are all such a great inspiration to me. Do you have any companies that you would suggest that I try out? Good luck in your continued success as a shopper.

Happy Shopkins smiling smiley
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