Mercantile Systems
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I work for them, email them and ask them to inquire, 60 days seems long for them.
Live consciously....
My last shop for them was in 1/11 and it was under 45 days for payment. Once they started hiring outside schedulers and cutting shop fees I stopped working with them.
I appreciate your replies. I emailed the company and they told me my check was mailed on 1/20. Since it was mailed from California and I live on the East Coast it'll take a while. I wonder if they used USPS or the pony express.
Cmast,
Cross your fingers it'll arrive. My lone experience with this MSC was SOOOO bad in 2006, I immediately requested deactivation. It took me several E-letters and at least 3 phone calls before I was finally paid 3 1/2 mos after the report was submitted. In addition, the reimbursed amount of $60 for dinner wouldn't cover the purchase requirements, even by ordering the least expensive menu items as opposed to those we desired; I was out almost $9.
Since the above incident, this MSC has contacted me twice in an attempt to reestablish a relationship, but I've refused their offers. I'm aware some shoppers believe in 2nd chances, but my attitude is the same as with a cheating partner: One can only abuse me again IF I give them the opportunity.
Cross your fingers it'll arrive. My lone experience with this MSC was SOOOO bad in 2006, I immediately requested deactivation. It took me several E-letters and at least 3 phone calls before I was finally paid 3 1/2 mos after the report was submitted. In addition, the reimbursed amount of $60 for dinner wouldn't cover the purchase requirements, even by ordering the least expensive menu items as opposed to those we desired; I was out almost $9.
Since the above incident, this MSC has contacted me twice in an attempt to reestablish a relationship, but I've refused their offers. I'm aware some shoppers believe in 2nd chances, but my attitude is the same as with a cheating partner: One can only abuse me again IF I give them the opportunity.
My Fingers are crossed. This was my first assignment with them and I'm scheduled to do a second assignment around 2/17. If my check doesn't arrive by then, I'm cancelling the assignment and deactivating. I don't like working for any company that doesn't have direct deposit or use Pay Pal. It seems that getting paid by check is always a pain.
I have never been stiffed by them, but not allowed to do their bar intgrity in my town as I was caught....am still doing work for them, a upscale hotel Monday,(not overnight), they are paying a decent fee for this job, starting at 7:45AM with extra reimbursement, I intend to have breakfast in there fabulous restaurant. I don't mind their giving out gift cards for some of there resturants, although the bar job offer a 10.00 fee beside the reimbursement for one or two... doing this allows you plenty of food, enough to bring home, and I love their food and Pozokie dessert which they make smaller (for one). I have found Amanada to be over the top with communcication, friendliness and wanting to help the shopper. I used to eat in there places before msing, so, I can't complain.
Live consciously....
I have done two shops for them and have no complaints. In fact they had 5 questions about a recent shop I submitted. I answered their questions and still got a 10 rating. My first shop from last year was paid on time.
Today is the 28th. I just received my check from Mercantile, BUT they told me it was mailed on the 20th, but it was postmarked on the 25th.
Thank you everyone for your feedback.
Thank you everyone for your feedback.
My last shop with them was December 14 and I received the check this week...dated 12/31/2011...and postmarked this week also. Interesting.
I don't see Mercantile Systems on the list of MSC's here...I am looking at the list from the bottom of the page. Can someone tell me if they are legit or junk? I see mixed reviews and am hesitant because they are not on the "approved list".
Thanks all.
Thanks all.
Read above posts such as mine, and you will see they are most legit.
I started with them and continue, some of their restaurants pay with a gift card, others pay by check. They terrific restaurants here in L.A.
I started with them and continue, some of their restaurants pay with a gift card, others pay by check. They terrific restaurants here in L.A.
Live consciously....
They are a legitimate company. Their website is www.mysteryshopmsi.com to sign up. They have very limited shops in my area so my experience with them is very limited although I have been registered with them for many years. I have never had problems with them, but their $2 reduction in fee in the middle of last year for the jobs I do has made those jobs no longer feasible or desirable.
I've done a couple of bar integrity shops for them. They have been remarkably easy to work with. The reimbursement covered everything and the pay was very good for the time spent. The first was a PITA only because I went on a night when the bar was packed and that report still only took about a half hour. I was contacted by phone and had a great conversation with the editor. She just asked a couple of questions and then complimented me on my report and proceeded to give me a 10. I had another last week and the place was slow to say the least. There were two guys across the bar eating dinner. Talk about an easy report! My guest and I each had 2 expensive drinks and with tip I only went 35 cents over the reimbursement, plus another 10 on the report so I am the happiest of campers
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.
Oh I love their Bar Integrity shops Lisa!
Not sure which scheduler you work with, Matt is mine. He's excellent. There doesn't seem to be anyone else in this area who does these, so I normally get the two locations a couple of times a month, different meals, different days. The problem is the last time I was in there it was a Sunday - and the dang bar was EMPTY. The manager recognized my husband and me, and started talking to us.
They had a last minute "Help!" on the location I just did a week ago so I'll be going there this Friday night. I am HOPING I don't get recognized by the bartender, and it's a different one too. I've not been there on a Friday night at all.
My scheduler emails me, "If you normally go casual, dress up. If you wear your hair down, pull it up, don't bring attention to yourself, etc!" I really appreciated he was looking out so I don't get spotted! I wrote back and told him, "Normally I dress up, I'll bring out the t-shirt & jeans, wear my glasses since I never do, and use that bottle of hair color that's been sitting in my cupboard for a month or more!" He had to laugh, but I'm so glad he is looking out to help make sure I don't get spotted!
Not sure which scheduler you work with, Matt is mine. He's excellent. There doesn't seem to be anyone else in this area who does these, so I normally get the two locations a couple of times a month, different meals, different days. The problem is the last time I was in there it was a Sunday - and the dang bar was EMPTY. The manager recognized my husband and me, and started talking to us.
They had a last minute "Help!" on the location I just did a week ago so I'll be going there this Friday night. I am HOPING I don't get recognized by the bartender, and it's a different one too. I've not been there on a Friday night at all.
My scheduler emails me, "If you normally go casual, dress up. If you wear your hair down, pull it up, don't bring attention to yourself, etc!" I really appreciated he was looking out so I don't get spotted! I wrote back and told him, "Normally I dress up, I'll bring out the t-shirt & jeans, wear my glasses since I never do, and use that bottle of hair color that's been sitting in my cupboard for a month or more!" He had to laugh, but I'm so glad he is looking out to help make sure I don't get spotted!
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Proud To Be A Soldier's Mom
Proud To Be A Soldier's Mom
I really have had no problems with Mercantile.
There was one time that I did not receive a check and I requested a new one. I was promptly sent a replacemebt check.
Report forms are fairly easy to fill out and sometimes require uploading a photo or two. Good to work with!
There was one time that I did not receive a check and I requested a new one. I was promptly sent a replacemebt check.
Report forms are fairly easy to fill out and sometimes require uploading a photo or two. Good to work with!
Hey rainydays, I actually prefer those type of shops when the bar is empty and if it's one of the dates they have for the job it's not really a problem. I'm not sure about the whole disguise thing either. Around here it's very common for people to frequent the same places on a regular basis. They are going to be less likely to suspect a regular! The key is not to put anything in the report that is too unique. What bothered me was having them ask what we ordered. If it's used for some type of verification that's cool, if it goes back to the bartender it's not.
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.
Lisa - I tend to agree with you on the "regulars". My husband and I have taken to just stopping in at the bar for a drink when we are in the area of town where these two are located. I can't disguise myself too much, LOL!
I think my scheduler is just concerned so I can continue doing these shops for them, and for that I'm grateful!
This time around, we are going to order something different to eat (bummer, I LOVE their mushroom pizza and avocado rolls!) I don't want to order something different with the food but I will.
I think my scheduler is just concerned so I can continue doing these shops for them, and for that I'm grateful!
This time around, we are going to order something different to eat (bummer, I LOVE their mushroom pizza and avocado rolls!) I don't want to order something different with the food but I will.
~ + ~ + ~ + ~ + ~ + ~ + ~ + ~
Proud To Be A Soldier's Mom
Proud To Be A Soldier's Mom
I totally agree that Matt is wonderful to work with and so is everyone else at Merc. I was just thinking that if it's the type of place you like and is convenient why not become a regular and keep them guessing, LOL!
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.
I too perfer to go around 3:30 for my bar audits, bar has about 4 people, easy to see everything and more enjoyable. I never go Friday night at 6 or 7:00.
The Manager is always availabe and does come out to see how your food is and chat.
The Manager is always availabe and does come out to see how your food is and chat.
Live consciously....
I have done several jobs for them, and they have always paid me within 45 days. The people I've worked with there are great.
Flash Wrote:
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> My last shop for them was in 1/11 and it was under
> 45 days for payment. Once they started hiring
> outside schedulers and cutting shop fees I stopped
> working with them.
Dear Shopper - I would love to inquire about your frustration with cutting shop fees. I am usually the person that would be responsible for cutting shop fees and can not recall cutting any?
-------------------------------------------------------
> My last shop for them was in 1/11 and it was under
> 45 days for payment. Once they started hiring
> outside schedulers and cutting shop fees I stopped
> working with them.
Dear Shopper - I would love to inquire about your frustration with cutting shop fees. I am usually the person that would be responsible for cutting shop fees and can not recall cutting any?
Recorded storage shops in my area paid $20 and more recently are paying $18. The change over happened just when I became eligible for a bunch of them in my area in the second half of last year. This year they are all being offered at $18. Forget it!
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