Assignment for a shoe store, $8 pay and $10 reimbursement. Instructions said do not shop Sunday or Monday; I wanted it for Tuesday. Calendar showed available dates to shop being from Tuesday to Friday, so assigned myself Tuesday, no error, all good. Did the shop, submitted a complete report with receipt photo. Then I got this lovely little email:
"The instructions for Off Broadway read:
'Please use the following steps in order to properly conduct your shop: This shop cannot be conducted on Monday or Tuesday. It must be completed Wednesday thru Sunday, and not exceed your assigned due date.'
I am very sorry, but you did not visit the following location Wednesday thru Sunday thereby making this report invalid. The original due date was the 7 th and you changed it to the 5th. The computer automatically changed the due date you entered, but it is your responsibility to follow the instructions. I am sorry, but we will now have to post this location for a re-shop and will be unable to pay you as we will have to pay the new shopper."
I replied, stating what the instructions had said when I first took the shop, versus what this scheduler said it was. I have an excellent track record witv SR, and pointed this out. The reply I got:
"I checked with the Tech department. When you apply, there is no list of the days the store should be shopped. It lists the date the report is due. The days the store must be shopped are in the instructions. There has been no change on the instructions as the client requested the stores not be shopped on Monday or Tuesday due to the possibility of shipments coming to the stores on those days.
We do greatly appreciate all of the help you have provided in the past. It is reassuring to know you are such a reliable shopper. I am very sorry, but we cannot pay for a shop we cannot send to the client. In the future, if you are unsure of the dates, please call the office and someone will be more than willing to help you.
Thank you for understanding the situation."
Oh, no problem - I understand "the situation"; someone goofed up at SR and, rather than own up to it or give me thebenefit of the doubt, instead I get called a liar, and just bought myself a pair of $30 boots that I thought I was getting for about $12.
Been a shopper for 3 years now, this is only 2nd problem I've ever had with instructions changing on me. Lessons learned:
1. Don't pay more for something than you're willing to - shop as if it won't be reimbursed/paid for.
2. STAY AWAY FROM STRATEGIC REFLECTIONS.
And a p.s. This all happened after they harrassed my voicemail for a week, asking me to complete a fast food shop that pays $7 that's "only" 20 miles away. Stay classy, SR.