Thus far, I have been quite happy with Intellishop. I do a credit union that I really like, I get good scores, and I've been pretty happy. That may be changing today.

I took 3 phone shops (car dealerships), $5 each, because they said "easy, short" blah, blah, blah. And of course you cannot read the guidelines until you've accepted. I just read them over and it is a LONG form with a bit of narrative, but then ends with "provide a blow by blow account of all of the conversations that took place."

How is that EASY or SHORT? The email said that if you cancel, you'll be given a flake citation and a "1". Well, hand 'em over then. I'll risk my standing for doing the credit union shops because I WILL NOT do three long calls and three long forms at $5 a piece. I emailed the scheduler and told her I was a bit outraged and that I felt I had been lied to, explaining that I am a shopper with integrity, and I expect to be treated the same. At this point, I really don't care what comes back. I am just very glad not to be doing those for the rest of my afternoon.

Thanks for the heads up. I just cancelled my pending apps. Another MSC that does this is Mystery Shoppers Inc. They want you to be detailed and at the end, the final question is...explain everything that happened, step by step. do not copy and paste the above.

"Easy!" and "Fast!" could mean 75 questions, 6 narratives, explanations for yes and no, a receipt, business card, brochure and a picture of the dealership, the salesman and the lollipop sign...lol..

Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 11/05/2011 01:46AM by SunnyDays2.

Yeah I have a couple of 'easy' shops that aren't so easy but I'm committed to completing them and just won't take them again in the future.

if its not worth the money i will cancel... i dont work for peanuts...

stick it to em girl!!

as to the ranking most of their shops require a rank of 5-8 so you should be pretty safe...

Well, one difference here is that because I did not understand just how long these were actually going to take, I did not plan that much time in my afternoon to do them, and I had other commitments. These had to be done before 3 pm and I did not have time to do two, let alone three, in that amount of time. Plus, I think maybe these MSC's need to understand that we, as shoppers, are not going to stand for their ying and presenting something in a way they know darn well isn't the case, just to get someone to accept them and risk demerits if they choose not to do it. How else will anything ever change if no one stands up to it? I've done other phone shops that didn't have requirements anything like this, so how else could I know that in advance? I couldn't. If it makes them mad and I'm thrown out, fine. I'll take that consequence and obviously will not work for them ever again.


ahmaynard Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Yeah I have a couple of 'easy' shops that aren't
> so easy but I'm committed to completing them and
> just won't take them again in the future.

ACE Mystery Shopping (www.acemysteryshopping.com) offers simple phone shops for the same price, just FYI. You answer about 10 or 15 questions and explain what happened in the Overall Comments box. They're also recorded so you can listen to what was said but you still need to write what happened, as if the client did not have the audio to listen to since I suspect they probably only listen if there's an issue. It' takes more time to listen to the audio than to read the few paragraphs written about it. I am an editor for the company but I also do the phone shops whenever I can.

Thanks for the post. I was pretty upset when I didn't get them. Now, not so much!

I spent much of yesterday only doing phone shops, lots of them. It was a rainy, windy, blustery day and I was able to stay inside, warm and dry. The timing of the shops with the weather could not have been better for me. Intelli's shops were from 10 to 3. Shops I did for another MSP allowed a later end time. I finished all of them by 2:30. Made the call, entered the report, until done. I made nearly $100 without leaving the house, in less than 5 hours.

The first few phone shops I did took longer, and then I had a handle on what was required from the call and in report. My calls were then less than ten minutes, and my reports took seven to fifteen minutes.

When I started the shops, I was dismayed. They took longer than I expected. By the third shop though, it really was fast and easy. Regardless, cancelling shops is not an option for me. If need be, I would ask to reschedule, but I would not flake. I don't want to be labelled as unreliable. Even if the MSP doesn't have anything now that I am interested in doing, clients and schedulers change MSPs regularly.

I am not one to flake either, but I do feel they were not honest in the guidelines. To write a "blow by blow" of a whole conversation just doesn't fit into the easy and short category. Is there something wrong with allowing shoppers to see the guidelines so you know what you're getting yourself into before accepting? I think that's perfectly reasonable rather than being surprised after a description isn't very accurate just to get shoppers to take the shop. I'm glad it worked out for you. I have no regrets for cancelling.


Mert Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------

Regardless,
> cancelling shops is not an option for me. If need
> be, I would ask to reschedule, but I would not
> flake. I don't want to be labelled as unreliable.
> Even if the MSP doesn't have anything now that I
> am interested in doing, clients and schedulers
> change MSPs regularly.

SpyGirl, the Prophet companies allow you to see the guidelines before accepting the shops.

As for cancelling, I agree with Mert. I understand your concern about feeling they were not honest in their description in "easy phone shops" but cancelling the shops could have an adverse effect on your ability to shop with the company and even other companies, if you get the reputation for being a flake. When I've gotten a shop that looked promising but turned out to be horrendous, I've done the shops I agreed to do and did them well. Then I never did them again.

My reputation is all I've got and no one is going to be able to accuse me of being less than a stellar shopper.

SunnyDays2 Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> "Easy!" and "Fast!" could mean 75 questions, 6
> narratives, explanations for yes and no, a
> receipt, business card, brochure and a picture of
> the dealership, the salesman and the lollipop
> sign...lol..

lol

It's funny in a weird way. Never once have I seen a shop labeled "easy," "fast" and/or "fun" which actually was. On the other hand, I've had innumerable shops from other companies which were actually easy and fast and no where in any of their e-mails were those words used!

Bestmark has those "easy and fun" shops (reason I don't work for them). I had shops Sat. which I do monthly, they are easy and fun for me, but don't say it...reports are lengthly, but after doing same for years, become easy and fun, and they pay well.
They use this lingo to lure newcomers in, when in fact, they are not easy nor fun...just be honest and pay and bit more, easy and fun mean low pay.

LisaSTL Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> It's funny in a weird way. Never once have I seen
> a shop labeled "easy," "fast" and/or "fun" which
> actually was. On the other hand, I've had
> innumerable shops from other companies which were
> actually easy and fast and no where in any of
> their e-mails were those words used!

easy and fun mean low pay

lol

i agree

I think their editors are way too strict. If I owned a Shopping company, I would hire editors that can fix problems, not bog down the process with silly crap. If there is a simple grammar mistake, JUST FIX IT! We are experts at shopping, not writers. Most shopping companies just fix an error and let it rip, unless it changes important factual items in the report, of course. Enough of my soap box! LOL!

richraynor Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> I think their editors are way too strict. If I
> owned a Shopping company, I would hire editors
> that can fix problems, not bog down the process
> with silly crap. If there is a simple grammar
> mistake, JUST FIX IT! We are experts at shopping,
> not writers. Most shopping companies just fix an
> error and let it rip, unless it changes important
> factual items in the report, of course. Enough of
> my soap box! LOL!

If that was your business model you'd be sunk quick. Things would start out fine, then when word gets out about how "easy" your editors are every 3rd grade dropout would start doing your shops. Oops, since the editors are only there to edit and not grading any reports the reports aren't going to get any better, and as a matter of fact they get worse. Time to hire more editors! Better drop the pay to pay for all that extra labor. Ouch, now pre-school dropouts, and lots of 'em, are mystery shopping. More editors!!!!

I have 3 10's and 2 9's for Intellishop. Their editors are just fine, maybe you should take a second look at your writing :-)

I had been getting along great with Intellishop. I had been primarily doing oil changes with them. About two weeks ago, I sent on in and was informed that I would not be paid and that my report had been assigned a score of 1 because the car had fewer than 35,000 miles on it. I emailed them back that a requirement for 35,000 miles did not appear anywhere in their documentation. No answer, but they are now putting it in the posted requirements.

Not a big deal. But it does get under my skin that they chose to blame and penalize me for their mistake.

Yeah, that's no fun. I'm glad it worked out, though. Sometimes you have to be really aggressive. I do oil change shops for another company and there are absolutely NO restrictions at all and their report is very easy. I don't see any of them around my area that Intellishop does.


ackwired Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> I had been getting along great with Intellishop.
> I had been primarily doing oil changes with them.
> About two weeks ago, I sent on in and was informed
> that I would not be paid and that my report had
> been assigned a score of 1 because the car had
> fewer than 35,000 miles on it. I emailed them
> back that a requirement for 35,000 miles did not
> appear anywhere in their documentation. No
> answer, but they are now putting it in the posted
> requirements.
>
> Not a big deal. But it does get under my skin
> that they chose to blame and penalize me for their
> mistake.

I just went through a similar experience with BARE. I did 10 phone shops at 7 bucks a pop. They were supposed to be straight forward, easy shops. They were hell. And they sucked the life blood out of me. The shops involved emailing, waiting for a response, following up three times if necessary, reviewing the website, and writing the report, which was the most convoluted report I have ever come across. So convoluted, that the company asks for feedback and suggestions in the report. I finished the shops and gave them my feedback (edited, of course). I will never do those shops again. Might even be dropping the company.

jersey07032 Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> I just went through a similar experience with
> BARE. I did 10 phone shops at 7 bucks a pop. They
> were supposed to be straight forward, easy shops.
> They were hell. And they sucked the life blood out
> of me. The shops involved emailing, waiting for a
> response, following up three times if necessary,
> reviewing the website, and writing the report,
> which was the most convoluted report I have ever
> come across. So convoluted, that the company asks
> for feedback and suggestions in the report. I
> finished the shops and gave them my feedback
> (edited, of course). I will never do those shops
> again. Might even be dropping the company.

My very first job with BARE were these same phone shops. They must always be grouped by 10. Since there's no gas involved, I didn't mind too much, but I sure will be reluctant to do them again unless.

ackwired Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> I had been getting along great with Intellishop.
> I had been primarily doing oil changes with them.
> About two weeks ago, I sent on in and was informed
> that I would not be paid and that my report had
> been assigned a score of 1 because the car had
> fewer than 35,000 miles on it. I emailed them
> back that a requirement for 35,000 miles did not
> appear anywhere in their documentation. No
> answer, but they are now putting it in the posted
> requirements.
>
> Not a big deal. But it does get under my skin
> that they chose to blame and penalize me for their
> mistake.

It is most certainly a big deal. If the requirements of the shop did not indicate a mileage requirement, your shop should be accepted. If guidelines did not state otherwise, you should pursue this and be paid. I would suggest that you reference the shop guidelines, and keep pushing them in Intellishop's face.

Please keep us posted.

Right on Mert! Every time a shopper takes the "it's not a big deal" attitude is one more justification for the companies to continue this ridiculous behavior. If they did not specify it in the instructions there is absolutely no reason for you not to be reimbursed. The fact you may have needed an oil change anyway is irrelevant.

raisitup Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> richraynor Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> > I think their editors are way too strict. If I
> > owned a Shopping company, I would hire editors
> > that can fix problems, not bog down the process
> > with silly crap. If there is a simple grammar
> > mistake, JUST FIX IT! We are experts at
> shopping,
> > not writers. Most shopping companies just fix
> an
> > error and let it rip, unless it changes
> important
> > factual items in the report, of course. Enough
> of
> > my soap box! LOL!
>
> If that was your business model you'd be sunk
> quick. Things would start out fine, then when
> word gets out about how "easy" your editors are
> every 3rd grade dropout would start doing your
> shops. Oops, since the editors are only there to
> edit and not grading any reports the reports
> aren't going to get any better, and as a matter of
> fact they get worse. Time to hire more editors!
> Better drop the pay to pay for all that extra
> labor. Ouch, now pre-school dropouts, and lots of
> 'em, are mystery shopping. More editors!!!!
>
> I have 3 10's and 2 9's for Intellishop. Their
> editors are just fine, maybe you should take a
> second look at your writing :-)


I think I have about 40-50 10's, some 8's and 9's. LOL! You have done well during your 5 shops! I wasn't complaining about my ratings.
I wasn't complaining about my scores.

jersey07032 Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> I just went through a similar experience with
> BARE. I did 10 phone shops at 7 bucks a pop. They
> were supposed to be straight forward, easy shops.
> They were hell. And they sucked the life blood out
> of me. The shops involved emailing, waiting for a
> response, following up three times if necessary,
> reviewing the website, and writing the report,
> which was the most convoluted report I have ever
> come across. So convoluted, that the company asks
> for feedback and suggestions in the report. I
> finished the shops and gave them my feedback
> (edited, of course). I will never do those shops
> again. Might even be dropping the company.


I know exactly what shops you're talking about. I always wondered why I would always get an email stating they were closed when I would apply for them, but just a couple of weeks ago, I was assigned the shops and knew exactly why; they are the worst!!! But I guess because I complained to myself so much about not being assigned any before, God decided to shut my mouth about complaining and I was assigned some. I was so frustrated with just reporting the email portion, that as much as I hate to say, I was kinda glad when my voice went out on me and I wasn't able to finish them because I couldn't talk! I emailed the scheduler and explained that I had started them and about my voice but never heard anything back. They were eventually removed from my job list.

I don't think I'll ever complain again about not getting a shop or getting an email that says the shop is closed!

we lost electricity for nine days, followed by three extra days of no phone or net, due to a crazy snow storm in CT. i also received a flake and a 1 score due to my inability to reach them. no excuses i guess, even without phones, internet or power.

When I started out, this happened to me a lot and I just bit my tongue, developed a log and wrote the name of the company and made sure to check it twice. Now, many many years later I either ask to see a copy of the report first (if I have not worked for the company before and not sure what their style is) or don't take the shop. I am getting more and more responses asking why I want to see the report first and if they comply I review and most likely take, but those that refuse... refuse for a reason, because they know once you see it.. you will RUN. We should have some sort of database and either copies of the reports for members to review or a simple rating system one can look up to see just how SIMPLE their QUICK reports really are!

becbrett123 Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> we lost electricity for nine days, followed by
> three extra days of no phone or net, due to a
> crazy snow storm in CT. i also received a flake
> and a 1 score due to my inability to reach them.
> no excuses i guess, even without phones, internet
> or power.

Amazing. When I "complained" that I didn't hear from a scheduler I was asked to be patient because she was in CT and couldn't get phone or email access because of the storm. I guess there is one storm (or standard) for shoppers and another one for schedulers. LOL

Hi cdmdjd,

I totally agree with your suggestion... we should have some sort of database or a repository where all these report templates are saved for the benefit of shoppers..

Thanx,
D.

cdmdjd Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> When I started out, this happened to me a lot and
> I just bit my tongue, developed a log and wrote
> the name of the company and made sure to check it
> twice. Now, many many years later I either ask to
> see a copy of the report first (if I have not
> worked for the company before and not sure what
> their style is) or don't take the shop. I am
> getting more and more responses asking why I want
> to see the report first and if they comply I
> review and most likely take, but those that
> refuse... refuse for a reason, because they know
> once you see it.. you will RUN. We should have
> some sort of database and either copies of the
> reports for members to review or a simple rating
> system one can look up to see just how SIMPLE
> their QUICK reports really are!

While you were out of touch it's not surprising that the citation and score would be added automatically. Sure, everyone knew about the storm, but not necessarily how much or little it was impacting shoppers in any specific area. And after years of this it never ceases to amaze me how little some schedulers know about geography, LOL!

Bottom line, have you contacted them to get the citation and rating removed? Intellishop is actually a reasonable company and I find it hard to believe they would not be willing to work this out with you.

becbrett123 Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> we lost electricity for nine days, followed by
> three extra days of no phone or net, due to a
> crazy snow storm in CT. i also received a flake
> and a 1 score due to my inability to reach them.
> no excuses i guess, even without phones, internet
> or power.