SPAR - Those that recently signed up under them from Purple Portal MarketForce
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motherbear4,
During my orientation call I asked if my negotiated rates on my permanent jobs will carry over. Their response was - no they will come over at the standard rate and I would need to discuss this with my DM. I then said I get calls from the schedulers for adhoc assignments and negotiated rates well above the standard rates. Their reply - We don't allow you to select jobs at will or negotiate rates, your DM will assign jobs. Sounds like SPAR is treating us like employees and not IC's. I told them they can expect to lose a lot of shoppers. I just can't wait till my DM calls me and tries to tell me what they will allow me to do and for how much. Then I will say goodbye SPAR!!
During my orientation call I asked if my negotiated rates on my permanent jobs will carry over. Their response was - no they will come over at the standard rate and I would need to discuss this with my DM. I then said I get calls from the schedulers for adhoc assignments and negotiated rates well above the standard rates. Their reply - We don't allow you to select jobs at will or negotiate rates, your DM will assign jobs. Sounds like SPAR is treating us like employees and not IC's. I told them they can expect to lose a lot of shoppers. I just can't wait till my DM calls me and tries to tell me what they will allow me to do and for how much. Then I will say goodbye SPAR!!
Stinkypete,
How long did the orientation call least? Guess I will have to ask some questions. I hope that is not true ~ that we can't self-assigned ~ because I will not do FREDs - not worth the money or headache
How long did the orientation call least? Guess I will have to ask some questions. I hope that is not true ~ that we can't self-assigned ~ because I will not do FREDs - not worth the money or headache
Okay getting ready to do orientation. I am re-reading the contract. Mine ends June 30, 2014. I may have to check out other merchandising agreements to see if they use the same wording as SPAR's.
Ah just reread the message - they only do Orientation Monday - Friday - That's better - will have a quiet house then.
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 04/06/2013 06:16PM by motherbear4.
Ah just reread the message - they only do Orientation Monday - Friday - That's better - will have a quiet house then.
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 04/06/2013 06:16PM by motherbear4.
Motherbear,
Are you logging into Purple or SPAR? I'm on MF Purple and haven't seen much. I hadn't heard back from SPAR.
Are you logging into Purple or SPAR? I'm on MF Purple and haven't seen much. I hadn't heard back from SPAR.
Quick question: I applied to SPAR as soon as I heard the news of the merger. I thought that's what I was supposed to do to stay in the loop. Was this a mistake?
GothamTommy & Dr. Squash,
This is why I posted Topic. I did not get an email from SPAR to check my board. Then I logged into SPAR and I had 4 board msgs. You all may have the same msgs on your board that I have.
I thought I would get an email to check the boards but maybe they don't work that way. That will e a ? to ask during the orientation call etc.
This is why I posted Topic. I did not get an email from SPAR to check my board. Then I logged into SPAR and I had 4 board msgs. You all may have the same msgs on your board that I have.
I thought I would get an email to check the boards but maybe they don't work that way. That will e a ? to ask during the orientation call etc.
Will it seems - everyone who merchandise under Marketforce and signed a contract with SPAR should check their message board on SPAR and attend the conference call. MarketForce gave Spar their records including on what they paid per hour. Spar is finding out some of the information is wrong.
There are too many of us to be notified by personal email about the orientation - in the 1000s that it is easier for us to check our SPAR boards. - Seems new messages are posted every Fri. - Our district managers will contact us, etc.
I learned alot thru the conference call and may do another this week. Attending will also show SPAR that you are interested. Don't want to say too much because I may have gotten some parts wrong. So if you are interested - attend your conference in your time periods. There is a morning or afternoon M-F
There are too many of us to be notified by personal email about the orientation - in the 1000s that it is easier for us to check our SPAR boards. - Seems new messages are posted every Fri. - Our district managers will contact us, etc.
I learned alot thru the conference call and may do another this week. Attending will also show SPAR that you are interested. Don't want to say too much because I may have gotten some parts wrong. So if you are interested - attend your conference in your time periods. There is a morning or afternoon M-F
My only suggestion to everyone is pay attention to what stinkypete reported. The ability to choose assignments and negotiate rates is a big part of being an IC. If they want to treat you like an employee, they can take on all the responsibilities of an employer which would include withholding taxes, paying the employer portion and being subject to unemployment. If they want to pay you as an IC then they need to accept it fully.
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.
"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.
Okay from the orientation- Our DM will ask what type of jobs we would like and what we don't like, etc. Also it said MF told them what they were paying us per work hour . We can decline any job. In the instructions it will state how many hours it is supposed to take. The Pay by hour is what we the IC & DM have agreed to from what I understand when fnally get to talk to him/her.
It was suggest we contact our DM and tell them what hours of the day are good times to call and talk
things I like so far
- android App for reporting if you so desire (not mandatory).
- Print pay - 7 cents per sheet - auto figured in pay. (orientation they show how/where to print)
- place to inform them of problems and upload pictures of concerns (shown during orientation)
- no direct deposit - checks only
- lots of info to educate yourself under the Knowledge tab
I don't think SPAR is treating us like employees unless not being able to self assign (so we need to check our boards and decline so it gets passed to the next IC ASAP)
- no one stated Orientation was mandatory. From what was said during today's orientation - for those who have been contacted by their DM - Jobs will post around April 29.
Think I will think about how many miles I will travel round trip, days I will work and what hours I am available and months of the year also so I am ready when the call comes.
It was suggest we contact our DM and tell them what hours of the day are good times to call and talk
things I like so far
- android App for reporting if you so desire (not mandatory).
- Print pay - 7 cents per sheet - auto figured in pay. (orientation they show how/where to print)
- place to inform them of problems and upload pictures of concerns (shown during orientation)
- no direct deposit - checks only
- lots of info to educate yourself under the Knowledge tab
I don't think SPAR is treating us like employees unless not being able to self assign (so we need to check our boards and decline so it gets passed to the next IC ASAP)
- no one stated Orientation was mandatory. From what was said during today's orientation - for those who have been contacted by their DM - Jobs will post around April 29.
Think I will think about how many miles I will travel round trip, days I will work and what hours I am available and months of the year also so I am ready when the call comes.
It sounds like you were given different information. This from stinkypete is what caught my eye,
"We don't allow you to select jobs at will or negotiate rates, your DM will assign jobs."
"We don't allow you to select jobs at will or negotiate rates, your DM will assign jobs."
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.
"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.
LisaSTL Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> It sounds like you were given different
> information. This from stinkypete is what caught
> my eye,
> "We don't allow you to select jobs at will or
> negotiate rates, your DM will assign jobs."
That's why I asked questions about pay. even today - did an 8am one - and asked for clarification. You talked with your DM. It seems there is work that will be hourly wage (your wage you negotiated) and then there's jobs that are Flat rate. The jobs will state either how many hours or if a flat rate. And I will clarify with DM but I think there might be where in some cases mileage money if like a job is. I am one of those who didn't have a permanent assignment. And there were others who did and had questions. Jobs assigned will be based on conversation with DM.
MF people will be fully on board by April 29th and it was suggested also to check Job board Fri before. Seems new msgs, etc are always posted on Fridays. Myself I don't expect to see anything until I have talked to my DM.
I also made a suggestion that maybe on their FB page (and also see if they can get MF's F
to post about people coming over from MF need to check their Spar message board and let them know that orientation is going on.
LOL, I may find time to attend another orientation hour
-------------------------------------------------------
> It sounds like you were given different
> information. This from stinkypete is what caught
> my eye,
> "We don't allow you to select jobs at will or
> negotiate rates, your DM will assign jobs."
That's why I asked questions about pay. even today - did an 8am one - and asked for clarification. You talked with your DM. It seems there is work that will be hourly wage (your wage you negotiated) and then there's jobs that are Flat rate. The jobs will state either how many hours or if a flat rate. And I will clarify with DM but I think there might be where in some cases mileage money if like a job is. I am one of those who didn't have a permanent assignment. And there were others who did and had questions. Jobs assigned will be based on conversation with DM.
MF people will be fully on board by April 29th and it was suggested also to check Job board Fri before. Seems new msgs, etc are always posted on Fridays. Myself I don't expect to see anything until I have talked to my DM.
I also made a suggestion that maybe on their FB page (and also see if they can get MF's F
to post about people coming over from MF need to check their Spar message board and let them know that orientation is going on.
LOL, I may find time to attend another orientation hour
After reading the contract, I opted to not go with SPAR.
Reasons: SS# ( I have an EIN).
Photo
Insurance requirement.
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 04/10/2013 04:49AM by cruiseguy.
Reasons: SS# ( I have an EIN).
Photo
Insurance requirement.
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 04/10/2013 04:49AM by cruiseguy.
cruiseguy Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> After reading the contract, I opted to not go with
> SPAR.
>
> Reasons: SS# ( I have an EIN).
> Photo
> Insurance requirement.
Their Contract does have an ending date - mine is June 2014
Photo - I must have missed that - I see no requirement on my contract for that unless it is for the preliminary questions (I do have a digital camera and a smartphone)
SS# - they use your last 4 as your shopper password to login
On the W-9 your choice to use EIN or SS#
Insurance - I don't have any but 2.9% of gross doesn't seem alot - but can't you take that as a business expense?
-------------------------------------------------------
> After reading the contract, I opted to not go with
> SPAR.
>
> Reasons: SS# ( I have an EIN).
> Photo
> Insurance requirement.
Their Contract does have an ending date - mine is June 2014
Photo - I must have missed that - I see no requirement on my contract for that unless it is for the preliminary questions (I do have a digital camera and a smartphone)
SS# - they use your last 4 as your shopper password to login
On the W-9 your choice to use EIN or SS#
Insurance - I don't have any but 2.9% of gross doesn't seem alot - but can't you take that as a business expense?
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what is this spar all about any way. I am new with this. is it wise to go after work with this company. please help.
I don't know how anybody else feels, but I'm not happy with going SPAR at this point. Being able to pick, choose and negotiate assignments with MFP was great.
To their credit, SPAR seems like they have better software. So good, in fact, it takes an hour long webinar/conference call to learn everything.
I will miss being able to pick and choose one-off assignments like I could with MF/Certified but this was also what I hated about MF/Certified as a merchandising company: it was difficult to find recurring assignments and have anything resembling a steady paycheck.
I will miss being able to pick and choose one-off assignments like I could with MF/Certified but this was also what I hated about MF/Certified as a merchandising company: it was difficult to find recurring assignments and have anything resembling a steady paycheck.
Where are you guys looking for the merch jobs that SPAR has taken over for MF? I have logged in with my SPAR credentials but I see no assignment board. Thanks.
I was told during orientation that the District Manager would contact me, but if I wanted to speak with the DM sooner about current permanent assignments, to send a message through the SPAR website. That was 2 weeks ago and I still have not heard anything.
I was recently assigned to a project that I did not request, and called them on it. I was told that it was an error, and that they do not allow self-selection, but instead assign reps to shops. Contradiction anyone?
What really happened is that they offered $17 for over an hour on the road, $8 in burned fuel, a precall, at least 30 minutes on site, plus reporting time. Their error was in that they thought that offering such a paltry sum for my time would be an acceptable arrangement, and that they could just cram this assignment down my throat because I had just signed up with them.
What really happened is that they offered $17 for over an hour on the road, $8 in burned fuel, a precall, at least 30 minutes on site, plus reporting time. Their error was in that they thought that offering such a paltry sum for my time would be an acceptable arrangement, and that they could just cram this assignment down my throat because I had just signed up with them.
Is anyone researching how this fits with Independent Contractor status? A big part of what we do involves the ability to pick and choose assignments within our own schedule, not be assigned work. Employers get to tell employees what to do and when. They might be able to make an argument for allowing you to turn it down, but then the question becomes how it affects your standing with the company.
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.
"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.
Hi everyone 
Just taking a look around site and looking for more work and info on work etc
Nice to meet everyone .
Just taking a look around site and looking for more work
and info on work etc
Nice to meet everyone .
Hi all new MF to Spar merchandisers...I have been reading all the posts. I have been merchandising mostly Anagram Balloons at Walmart for about 2 months with MF with great success. Have been building my income by taking on additional "permanent assignments" at higher pay than the pay offered in general. Also taking on quite a bit of bonus work and my pay has been steadily climbing. My first two weeks earned $42, my last 2 weeks earned $380. I just quit my part-time day job to go full time with MF even though I knew they were selling the merchandising to Spar. I had conversations with MF people and with Spar people who all indicated that in transition from MF to Spar, all permanent assignments would be retained, that Spar tends to give jobs in individual stores to the same merchandiser and I would be getting more jobs from Spar in the stores I already had permanent assignments from MF.
When I recently spoke to a DS at Spar, not having heard of my assignments for next week, he suggested that "wouldn't I like to do more than just balloons". I said that I would be happy to do other jobs than just balloons. I told him I now had 10 stores in a 45 mile radius in which I did balloons on a weeky basis...He said Spar likes to keep merchandisers closer to home because they don't pay mileage. I said I wanted to keep my permanent assignments and wasn't paid for mileage anyway (it will be a big income tax deduction). He took my number and said he'd call back. That was two days ago. I joined a webinar yesterday and asked the speaker, who mentioned that all permanent assignments would be retained by MF merchandisers who they were assigned to after transition, if it was true that I would keep all my perm assignments. She said she didn't know if it was "guaranteed" because Spar likes to keep their merchandisers local because they don't pay mileage. I asked if it was possible we would not have assignments come 4/29 when Spar is to take over, and she said it was possible we would not have assignments! DUH...I was counting on putting food on the table with what I earned as I had been doing with MF.
Later I received email from the DS I had spoken to who asked me to resend my list of perm assignments as the one I sent was incorrect...I checked and it was 100% correct, so I resent it and also listed all the ten Walmarts I did permanent balloon jobs in last night. Today on my assignment sheet on Spar, I have one balloon assignment for the Walmart closest to me in distance. According to the speaker at the webinar, assignments are posted on Friday and we should have all our assignments by Sunday night for the week starting on Monday... I am praying that the other nine balloon jobs that were permanent assignments do show up between now and Sunday night, or I am virtually SOL!
Quite honestly, I got the feeling when I spoke to the DS earlier this week that the balloon assignments were going to go to merchandisers already in the Walmart stores. At one point he did say to me that all the Walmarts were already taken. So until I see otherwise, I assume the other 9 Walmarts already had Spar merchandisers doing work in them and they were offered my permanent balloon assignments! I've never noticed a Spar sign in sheet at my local Walmart which is probably why I have one job.
I will pray I'm wrong!
When I recently spoke to a DS at Spar, not having heard of my assignments for next week, he suggested that "wouldn't I like to do more than just balloons". I said that I would be happy to do other jobs than just balloons. I told him I now had 10 stores in a 45 mile radius in which I did balloons on a weeky basis...He said Spar likes to keep merchandisers closer to home because they don't pay mileage. I said I wanted to keep my permanent assignments and wasn't paid for mileage anyway (it will be a big income tax deduction). He took my number and said he'd call back. That was two days ago. I joined a webinar yesterday and asked the speaker, who mentioned that all permanent assignments would be retained by MF merchandisers who they were assigned to after transition, if it was true that I would keep all my perm assignments. She said she didn't know if it was "guaranteed" because Spar likes to keep their merchandisers local because they don't pay mileage. I asked if it was possible we would not have assignments come 4/29 when Spar is to take over, and she said it was possible we would not have assignments! DUH...I was counting on putting food on the table with what I earned as I had been doing with MF.
Later I received email from the DS I had spoken to who asked me to resend my list of perm assignments as the one I sent was incorrect...I checked and it was 100% correct, so I resent it and also listed all the ten Walmarts I did permanent balloon jobs in last night. Today on my assignment sheet on Spar, I have one balloon assignment for the Walmart closest to me in distance. According to the speaker at the webinar, assignments are posted on Friday and we should have all our assignments by Sunday night for the week starting on Monday... I am praying that the other nine balloon jobs that were permanent assignments do show up between now and Sunday night, or I am virtually SOL!
Quite honestly, I got the feeling when I spoke to the DS earlier this week that the balloon assignments were going to go to merchandisers already in the Walmart stores. At one point he did say to me that all the Walmarts were already taken. So until I see otherwise, I assume the other 9 Walmarts already had Spar merchandisers doing work in them and they were offered my permanent balloon assignments! I've never noticed a Spar sign in sheet at my local Walmart which is probably why I have one job.
I will pray I'm wrong!
I have been a perm rep for a single store for nearly a year and a half and another one for six months. This week, as I looked for my paperwork, none to be found on the CFA website. So, I called my SPAR contact and she told me everything for merchandising is now on the SPAR web site. I went there and found assignments that had been automatically assigned to me due to my proximity to the location, but NONE of my permanent assignments. I called the rep back, and she looked into it for me. She said the other assignments were posted as a mistake, an assumption I would do them I guess. I told her I didn't even know the pay rate, which she told me is ALWAYS $8.50 per hour, just like a regular employee. AND this rate is for ANY job. Any amount you might be able to squeeze out of SPAR would be minimal and only for long distance driving allowance. She told me that in NO WAY will SPAR negotiate a rate even close to what I was getting to do my perm shops. No amount of explaining to her as to why I wound up with a higher rate to begin with worked.... such as long distance to drive, other reps doing a bad job before me with store complaints, etc;... So, my advice is to never bank on mystery shopping, as you never really know what you are going to get.
In addition, the non-existent notices from SPAR regarding messages totally stinks! How are you to know what's going on unless you log in to their web site every time? So sad MFI sold out... I'm not really looking forward to the changes, inability to pick and choose shops, and not to mention not being able to negotiate a fair rate for my time.
In addition, the non-existent notices from SPAR regarding messages totally stinks! How are you to know what's going on unless you log in to their web site every time? So sad MFI sold out... I'm not really looking forward to the changes, inability to pick and choose shops, and not to mention not being able to negotiate a fair rate for my time.
@Crotunda.... It appears to me that former MFI reps may be able to retain their previous permanent shops, but at a drastic pay decrease if you were able to negotiate a "bonus" for the same job/store under MFI. I was told that a different SPAR rep lived closer to the store I have serviced for a year and a half, and the DM would be able to get them to do the shop for less..... My husband says, "more power to them." It's too bad, because I've developed a good working relationship with the employees at my permanent stores. I, too, had banked on having the MFI shops as a regular weekly paycheck to look forward to, but I now realize what a big mistake!
I received an e-mail from them recruiting me for a reset team. I was signed up for CFA so I guess my log-in info was given to spar. Anyway being part of a reset team is not my thing. Start time 7-8 am, 8-10 hour days, unloading trucks, assembling shelves. All for slightly more than minimum wage. I've seen reset teams working in large retail stores and it's basically manual labor.
I'm reading all this and it sounds like complete bull. I just signed on with Spar a few days ago after receiving several emails over the past month or so. Now it is dead. I get no emails from them anymore and there is nothing on the website. I came here because I could not figure out how to get assignments. Then they want us to do the orientation but the times are completely useless to me because I have school, noisy kids to tend to, and other obligations. I'm one of those shoppers that does not accept assignments by phone. It is rare that I will answer a scheduler's call. So if they require phone communication on a regular basis I'm out.
And I don't know what is going on with the permanent assignments, but my three are all removed from Criny's webpage.
And I don't know what is going on with the permanent assignments, but my three are all removed from Criny's webpage.
Anyone else lost on how to report? I tried to use the Orientation packet, but my screen does not match the one shown. I just want to report my balloons and this is giving me a headache.
I guess I need to find a few minutes for the orientation call, but I am swamped this week!
I guess I need to find a few minutes for the orientation call, but I am swamped this week!
When I complained about the SPAR web site and how confusing it is, I was told "after doing a few shops, you'll find it's really much easier....". BALONEY!
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