Bena Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> >
> > And they do not let you stay and watch the
> movie!
>
> I always watch the movie if it is something that
> interests me. How do they prevent you from
> watching, especially if you are doing a covert
> check?


The ones I do is overt. You give the manager a letter of autorization, they know you are there. The Guidelines say you can not stay and watch the movie.

Piled Hip Deep, PHD Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Bena Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> > >
> > > And they do not let you stay and watch the
> > movie!
> >
> > I always watch the movie if it is something
> that
> > interests me. How do they prevent you from
> > watching, especially if you are doing a covert
> > check?
>
>
> The ones I do is overt. You give the manager a
> letter of autorization, they know you are there.
> The Guidelines say you can not stay and watch the
> movie.

That sucks!

omahaman2 Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> kalfini Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> > The only problem with the movie trailers is
> that
> > it is $7 first screen then $2 the second.
> > sometimes it is more than 2 hours before you
> > complete 3 screens for $11
> > Easy work but very low pay.
>
>
> This post brings back memories. I left them when
> they drop the fees for the trailer check from $12
> for first screen and $4 for each additional
> screen. I can't believe it has gone lower. They
> don't even pay you enough now to pay for your gas.

Gas? They think you are going there anyway and will do the shop 50 miles away while you are there. They should start with a short list of local shops and allow the shopper to put the town or zip code and radius you will shop from that point in advanced search. It should not take 5 minutes to get over 100 airport shops or tax prep shops out of state on the screen when most shoppers do not go over 10 miles for the fees paid. If it costs more in tolls to get there than the fee they are paying most likely the shopper is doing a route and using advanced search. Hope "they" are reading.

Bena Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Dagosto Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
>
> >
> > But the PURPLE (the former CFA, before they
> > merged), that's a different story. They're
> you're
> > mostly expected to show up somewhere and do
> stuff
> > some employee should be doing, like setting up
> &
> > stocking displays. The pay is still pitiful,
> and
> > it's patently obvious they are low-balling the
> > time requirements. I wouldn't touch them with a
> > ten-foot pole. I've worked plenty of retail and
> > set up plenty of displays. I can tell you, it's
> > NEVER as easy or quick as they describe. The
> > movie-theater checks might be the only
> worthwhile
> > thing to come out of the MF Purple portal.
> >
> > Just my opinion of course.
>
> We did some display set-ups for them and found the
> time listed as very inadequate. I telephoned
> after the first one and explained the situation.
> They responded immediately by raising the job fee
> to an amount that fairly compensated the time
> required to erect the displays. It was hard work
> and the instructions that came with the display
> were inadequate (like trying to put together a
> Lego space station with no instructions) but we
> got it done and we were fairly compensated.


You do not understand "Quick and Easy" If you have 12 foot arms and take octopus pills to grow six more arms you can put those standees together all by yourself, "quick and easy". If you bring your spouse then you have to buy lunch and there goes your profit. The fee does not cover lunch.

I asked if the scheduler ever put together a standee,then I understood. There is a newbie born every minute that will take the job and call on their cell phone for a friend or spouse to help them. They are obligated to buy lunch for the friend and there goes the profit and them some.

jersen8v Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> I agree with Dagosto. I had done many fast food
> shops for them which were relatively easy except
> they wanted you to do an inside and drive thru for
> one many company. That was a little hard because
> 1) it was way too much to eat and you had to do it
> alone and 2) sometimes the timing was difficult.
> I lost payment on a few of them when I forgot to
> order something in particular. The theater shops
> I've done are easy and I wouldn'take the
> merchandising shops... the pay is way too low for
> what you have to do.

You can take a bite or taste and bring it home to poison your spouce or kids. Don't hog that wonderful food that is cooked fresh in 2 minutes (if you believe that watch cook pullthe greasy draweropen and throw a precooked yuk berger in the micro oven.)

Piled Hip Deep, PHD Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> You can take a bite or taste and bring it home to
> poison your spouce or kids. Don't hog that
> wonderful food that is cooked fresh in 2 minutes
> (if you believe that watch cook pullthe greasy
> draweropen and throw a precooked yuk berger in
> the micro oven.)

Your posts make me wonder why you bother mystery shopping!

Your posts have taken somewhat of a negative and condescending tone lately. What's up?

Piled Hip Deep, PHD Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> omahaman2 Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> > kalfini Wrote:
> >
> --------------------------------------------------
>
> > -----
> > > The only problem with the movie trailers is
> > that
> > > it is $7 first screen then $2 the second.
> > > sometimes it is more than 2 hours before you
> > > complete 3 screens for $11
> > > Easy work but very low pay.
> >
> >
> > This post brings back memories. I left them
> when
> > they drop the fees for the trailer check from
> $12
> > for first screen and $4 for each additional
> > screen. I can't believe it has gone lower. They
> > don't even pay you enough now to pay for your
> gas.
>
>
> And they do not let you stay and watch the movie!


Yes, the authorization letter says the checker is not allowed to watch the movie or bring a guest. That is for a trailer check. If I want to see the movie, I always buy a ticket. Otherwise, I just do the trailer which is normally the only time I have for that shop.

However, for a different overt assignment, you have to see the whole movie because you have to audit or make a report on the movie or the attendance. And depending on timing, a partner is required. If it is a covert, the pay is higher (you will also be reimbursed for the tickets) because it may involve a number of auditoriums. Warning: One missed auditorium and the shop will not be accepted or paid. They were offered by phone and bonused. Over $200 for an evening work was fun. One was a three-afternoon job. When CFI calls, it's the luck of the draw. One was too stressful, I never ever want to do it again.

Edited



Edited 2 time(s). Last edit at 02/13/2012 11:28PM by LisaSTL.

Antagonizing fellow shoppers is not what this forum is all about.

LisaSTL Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Are you responding to the original post which was
> actually asking if Market Force thinks we are
> stupid? The OP was discussing being offered less
> money by a scheduler over the phone than was
> available online for self-assign.


No, I was responding to someone else but still on topic. Holy Moses!

I deleted my response since it was not to yours, but another post which has also been deleted.

Since this isn't the first time around about market force, I will mention it again. I have done work for them for about three years or so. They would have awesome bonuses, and jobs that I would do a crapload for them. I no longer do jobs for them. Market force, and Certified are sister company's but had two seperate numbers and whatever there is business wise. They got all new management in and changed everything and made everything chepaer. So they try to be sneaky and get away with stuff. My dad who is out on disability, but does a lot of jobs had signed up under my recommendation and was doing a lot of jobs for both portals. He got screwed so badly, by them. I am not telling anyone not to use them, but my believe is that if enough people complain and actually stop doing business with them they will lose business on the other end and will either shape up or go out. Then hopefully the better companies will pick up the companies that leave market force and certified. Honestly, it is up to us though. I don't have the time to be jerked around though. I get paid more money from some jobs to do less. Although, more important, and may need a touch more detail, the questions are less, and I feel like they are more legit to the situation that I am shopping for. Just my 2 cents.

I find the staff at Marketforce are not as courteous and are more arrogant than the staff at CFA.

However, I do a lot of work for both each month and both portals pay on time monthly and I appreciate this.

I choose my jobs, I offer and negotiate payment when I think it's warranted. If they accept my offer, they accept, if they don't, it's no skin of my nose.

I always feel the biggest issue with MF (and many others) is that until shoppers enmass refuse to do jobs for low payments, they will continue to pay low.

The Cash Express jobs are a breeze and take about 5 - 10 minutes.

Lets put it this way, if I didn't sign up to do a shop and I'm not contacting you at the last minute saying I'll do it for a little extra, then don't call me!

If a scheduler is calling to offer a job I don't want or can't do in the first place I will tell them no. I don't care what it is or what they are willing to offer me.

I have only been working for MF since June-11. I find that the pay period is a set time frame, sometime it takes 7 days to 21 days to get paid. Dec-11 they claim they had a new system and had problems. Later, I was told pay is sent twice a month (around the 1st and the middle of the month). This still doesn't ensure you of when you will be paid. I do mostly merchandising and feel that they underpay for the amount of work expected and add the reporting time to time worked and you are lucky to make $1.00 per hour. What other companies use shoppers for "merchandising" as I don't want to do mystery shops.

Market Force used to be one of my best MSC's. They have decent customer service and have the best system for changing shop dates. They were great for me until they lost the fast food chain (SE Penna) and the myriad of cell phone shops.
They have tons of $10 reimbursement grocery shops (the $15 audits can take forever), but the local Bottom Dollar floods the area with $10 coupons, so why do the shop? All that's left for me is an occasional $7 burger shop.

I do miss them.

LadySav Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> I have worked for MF for 8yrs and I've only had 2
> problems with them. They are less than considerate
> when it comes to a family or health situation. 2
> yrs ago after the death of a family member and
> found out I had cancer and had surgery which took
> 7 months to heal had to cancel all scheduled shops
> and they removed me as a shopper, they called me
> back and reinstated after 9 months. Currently I
> have been battling broncitis and pnemonia for over
> a month, doctor has me on restriction with letters
> stating I am not allowed to work. After explaining
> this they took all shops and rescheduled them for
> 1 day to complete 21 shops! I have replied and
> replied to always get a reply from someone else,
> and the emails getting unfriendly as I state its
> an imposible task especially when I'm ill. I was
> to be released feb 15th for a return to work date,
> but after seeing him this morning I was givin a No
> return to work or tenitive return to work date. I
> just emailed them and said please cancel the 21
> shops you piled on me for one day to complete as
> I'm still ill and unable to complete and there is
> plenty of time for others to pick them up and they
> usually go quickly anyway. I'm waiting to see if
> I'll be removed once again.
>
> Terri

Terri,

I'm so sorry to hear you are ill, and hope you are doing better by now. Try to stay warm.

I don't understand why they would assign you 21 shops on the same day when their policy is 4 shops a day. It seems as if the scheduler just dumped the shops on your scheduled list. I really believe the MF schedulers really get into deep trouble if they can't get the work completed.

xyz

Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 03/05/2012 03:55AM by EliseSm.

I've done about 10 of the MF check cashing/money order/atm withdrawal shops for a national check-cashing chain. I've never spent more than 15 minutes for a shop. The reports take less than five minutes to complete, and as long as the location's nearby I look at it as a quick and easy $12.

I worked with MF since 9/2011 and have done more than 100 shops for them. The shops are generally simple ones - retail audits, fast food, restaurant, and the like - but the reports are a breeze to complete, with almost no narrative. They don't pay much, but you often get a free meal or POV item and they do pay regularly, every month, direct to my checking account.

What I find puzzling is the variability in fees. I've done identical gas station inspections for them @ $35, $25, $15, and $10 over the last few months. They were paying $14 for a certain fast-food chain shop in February, but only $7.50 this month.

Overall, I find the "Blue" program to be well and fairly run. I agree with earlier comments about the "Purple" program: often they significantly underestimate the time and effort required for an assignment. For their retail merchandising jobs, you'll find sometimes yourself devoting two hours for a job that pays $8.50. Some of their assignment people are in Atlanta, some are in the Phillipines!

What's a POV item?

It's the item you purchase to obtain a receipt to prove you shopped the right location. With MF, it's usually a $2 to $5 value.

chococoveredbunny Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Some of their
> assignment people are in Atlanta, some are in the
> Phillipines!

These must be the ones that call and offer $1, or $0.50 (yep, I was offered that last month, last week of the month!) bonus and are surprised that I say NO and ask for $20.

just got the most condescending email from an editor concerning a shop I just did. She changed the wording on one sentence...and she didn't improve it!

but, I am getting paid for the shop. And I will think twice about doing any more. the fingers on one hand-- men burger/ff shops are not showing up here. maybe I have been blacklisted.

They say the checking cashing shops could take up to an hour; however, I did one in minutes (about 3, to be exact). It was a money order scenario, the fee was $20, and it was one of the easiest shops of all time. The report is pretty easy. I would even consider doing it for $12 next time if it's not out of the way. Don't know what the other scenarios involve, though.

niteowl Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> I got a call from Market Force today wanting me to
> do a shop at a check-cashing business. I had never
> taken one because the pay is $12 and the
> description says you might have to be there for an
> hour. Plus, I don't need their services, so all
> I'd be getting out of the shop is the fee.
>
> The fee has always been $12 out here, and gets
> bonused as the month wears on. I check
> availability of shops every day, and this morning
> some of the shops were up to $14.
>
> The scheduler didn't mention the fee at first, but
> was telling me how easy the shop is, and that I
> would probably not need to be there for an hour.
> Then she told me the fee is $10, but she can add a
> $2 bonus!
>
> I told her the fee online was $14, and she said
> she could ask her manager if she could offer $15.
> I said no thanks, that it wasn't right for her to
> have offered me the $10 and $12 fees in the first
> place.
>
> I am insulted! Does Market Force think we're
> stupid? Do they think we don't remember the fees
> online? Isn't that what a mystery shopper is
> supposed to be - observant and good at remembering
> details?

Hi all,

I dont know about where you are, but gas is now $3.90 a gallon
I'm now checking how many miles each shop is and how much it'll cost me round trip before checking off that I'll do a shop - and if it isn't a decent bonus to cover gas and my time....I have other things to do at home which wont cost me to fill up the tank, like the one they sent me 140 miles away round trip.

Shoppinalong

Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 03/24/2012 07:12PM by shoppinalong.

I have never had a proble with MF but they are annoying, you have to take a test just to do the McDonalds shop, I wont even look at it I think its ridiculous. It is also a pain to always have to change the size of the pic, I like sassie it is quick and easy. However, MF questions are short and to the point.

I have been working with Market Force for many years, and have had very little issues with them, but have had a few. But then again their clients maximized. And if they have tons of shops of course there are going to be issues from now and then with such a mega company like them. What I found unfair was that I made a mistake on a fast food shop and they said they would let it go this time, but next time they wouldn't. I only answered a question incorrectly. All they had to do was clarify and not scold me for not answering it properly. Many years ago someone said they were an impersonal bunch. They sure can be and sometimes the person at the Help Desk is friendly, other times they'll write to you in a condescending tone. It all depends on who responds.

Oh yes and Market Force has some silly scare tactics. For this particular Chinese fast food restaurant you have to take a photo. In the screening questions it says that if the photos are not acceptable you will be deactivated. ROFL.

Another one is if you know someone who has worked for a client of theirs (the biggest fast food chain in the world) for the last 5 years, you can't do the shop. But get this if they find out you are lying, they will terminate you and legally prosecute you. Wow. Sheesh

So if I find out my second cousins daughter worked at just say Burger King or McDonalds they would legally prosecute me? ROTFL

shopper_in_cali Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Oh yes and Market Force has some silly scare
> tactics. For this particular Chinese fast food
> restaurant you have to take a photo. In the
> screening questions it says that if the photos are
> not acceptable you will be deactivated. ROFL.
>
> Another one is if you know someone who has worked
> for a client of theirs (the biggest fast food
> chain in the world) for the last 5 years, you
> can't do the shop. But get this if they find out
> you are lying, they will terminate you and legally
> prosecute you. Wow. Sheesh