You must have a smart phone
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I see it more as an issue of trust. Sorry, if you don't trust that I will perform the shop where and when I say I will perform it and you feel you need to put a GPS tag on me to see when and where I shop, I don't trust you enough to work or you. Trust is a two way street. So it really does not matter whether I have a smart phone or not, I'm not playing.
Totally agree Flash, however consider that they are getting the infor sooner, so that would of course be to their advantage and not ours. I am looking forward to hearing comments from everyone. I think that we all need to comment because this could become another reason to elminate shoppers.
Some of my shops require that I have a cell phone but not a smartphone. I planned to have a smartphone soon but I don't have it yet. I do carry my laptop when I go to my regular airport audits, but that is for my convenience. Should the shop require that I have a smartphone, then I would not be taking the shop because I completely agree with Flash. As well, those types of shops should have a higher rate.
Ok I will try to clarify, My concern is that if MSCs are going in this direction, what does this mean for us?
What it means to me is if they demand an extra expense, they should be ready to offer a much higher rate. And I definitely would not rush to get one until I am ready.
What it means for me is that I can't/won't do the shop! If we're talking about the same shop, where you have to actually correlate the GPS to the photo, no go for me. I have a smartphone with GPS capabilities, but it can't do what they're asking, and I'm not going out and buying a new one just to prove I was there when I said I was! (I agree with Flash, that it's a trust issue.)
I am getting a smart phone soon (like this week). Not for doing the shops, but so I can check my mystery shopping email where ever I am at.
I just upgraded to an iPhone. I was able to get the "older model" 3GS for free at the AT&T store with my upgrade. I'm not sure it will do the gps tracking thing you are talking about, though.
I was due for an upgrade in Dec. and finally got a smart phone (amazing), how did I live without it. I will not do this shop, do not like this approach,
however, many applications now ask if you have Iphone or smartphone (same thing). When I'm out and about, I always schelped my computer to check what
comes in, now my smart phone tells me jobs that come in immediately...so much easier, and has calender, calculater, I recommend it. Price $10.00 month more than old one.
however, many applications now ask if you have Iphone or smartphone (same thing). When I'm out and about, I always schelped my computer to check what
comes in, now my smart phone tells me jobs that come in immediately...so much easier, and has calender, calculater, I recommend it. Price $10.00 month more than old one.
Live consciously....
I did one of these shops the weekend before last. I've had a smartphone for a long time. One of the main reasons I got it was for the GPS feature since I stopped paying to update my Garmin. I assumed that they wanted the photo I took of the demo display asap. It really didn't occur to me that they wanted to check up on my presence at the right location and on the right date. It was a lot easier to discreetly take the photo of the unattended display with the phone than with my digital camera. I then went to the restroom and e-mailed the photo. No problems, easy to do and no rejection of my report. I guess I just didn't see the harm.
Since no purchase was required, it must be their way of being sure we're compliant. I'll have to give this more thought before I accept another one.
Since no purchase was required, it must be their way of being sure we're compliant. I'll have to give this more thought before I accept another one.
Honestly I didn't think much about this issue, I've gotten the e-mail and I don't have a smart phone nor would I go out and get one just to shop. cvb brings up an interesting point about this shop not having any purchase requirements. What worries me is that a lot of these shops that offer a reimbursement as a means of proving we are there will cease to offer reimbursements. Instead of that $10 fee $5 reimbursement the MSC will just say to use your GPS app on your phone to prove you were there and only pay you $10 and then they can say if you don't have a smartphone you must get a receipt and not be reimbursed. If there is a way for the MSCs to make more money at the shoppers expense they will do it.
Triple Platinum Certified - Shopping South Central Kansas
risinghorizon Wrote:
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> Some of my shops require that I have a cell phone
> but not a smartphone. I planned to have a
> smartphone soon but I don't have it yet. I do
> carry my laptop when I go to my regular airport
> audits, but that is for my convenience. Should the
> shop require that I have a smartphone, then I
> would not be taking the shop because I completely
> agree with Flash. As well, those types of shops
> should have a higher rate.
Just to understand, what kind of shops require a cell phone? Do they state for what purpose? The shop in question could be easily done with a camera and receipt. Upload a photo and receipt. GPS really?
I think that this is a test to see how many shoppers will take these so that the MSCs can get information immediately to the clients. I am also thinking that since this is a Costco shop ( No MSC mentioned) that they are having trouble with shoppers who are not members getting in the store. I MS there all the time and all you need is to get a browsing pass and buy something from the food counter, $1.50.
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> Some of my shops require that I have a cell phone
> but not a smartphone. I planned to have a
> smartphone soon but I don't have it yet. I do
> carry my laptop when I go to my regular airport
> audits, but that is for my convenience. Should the
> shop require that I have a smartphone, then I
> would not be taking the shop because I completely
> agree with Flash. As well, those types of shops
> should have a higher rate.
Just to understand, what kind of shops require a cell phone? Do they state for what purpose? The shop in question could be easily done with a camera and receipt. Upload a photo and receipt. GPS really?
I think that this is a test to see how many shoppers will take these so that the MSCs can get information immediately to the clients. I am also thinking that since this is a Costco shop ( No MSC mentioned) that they are having trouble with shoppers who are not members getting in the store. I MS there all the time and all you need is to get a browsing pass and buy something from the food counter, $1.50.
Don't be fooled... this requirement is 100% about trust... the ms companies don't trust that we are doing what they are paying us the big bucks for and they want the evidence so they can prove it to the client.
After all, when they pay the big fees like $5!!!! we should be required to go out and spend as much as we can on technology.
After all, when they pay the big fees like $5!!!! we should be required to go out and spend as much as we can on technology.
It did puzzle me that I was required to bring my cell phone.
"You MUST have a cell phone to conduct this shop, as you will be required to bring it with you for the shop. Any cell phone through any wireless provider is acceptable, except an iPhone4."
Usually the guideline specifically says don't let the associate see your cell phone. But during the visit, my cell phone did not play any part in the interaction. The associate did not even ask for it. And I don't have GPS on my cell phone. It's an older model. They cannot track my movement with it. I was burned for years due to having the whole family on plans so I bought the phones and made special prepaid plans, cash.
"You MUST have a cell phone to conduct this shop, as you will be required to bring it with you for the shop. Any cell phone through any wireless provider is acceptable, except an iPhone4."
Usually the guideline specifically says don't let the associate see your cell phone. But during the visit, my cell phone did not play any part in the interaction. The associate did not even ask for it. And I don't have GPS on my cell phone. It's an older model. They cannot track my movement with it. I was burned for years due to having the whole family on plans so I bought the phones and made special prepaid plans, cash.
Every time I add a piece of technology to my arsenal there is a little litmus test. Will it help me get more, better and higher paying jobs. Several months after starting MS I found several hundred dollars worth of shops requiring a digital camera so I bought my first digital camera and within 2 weeks it paid for itself. When I found it pays more to video shop I bought a video camera and with my first video route it paid for itself. When they allowed the smartphone I wanted to tether and replace my aircard at half the price I bought a smartphone. In every case the investment was for my benefit, more money, more convenience.
I have three major problems with Geo-verify. First, it's not for my benefit and from what I've seen, unlike owning my video rig, they aren't offering any additional fees for using it even though it is an added expense on my end. Second, there are enough checks in place and if an MSC feels they cannot trust a shopper then maybe they should revisit their own hiring practices. Lastly, the technology is being provided by a third party vendor who has questionable privacy practices and the MSCs are taking no responsibility or making any effort to protect the shopper.
How ironic that the companies who seem to be championing the technology are those that like to pay an average of $7 to $9 a shop and take 60 plus days to pay. The saddest part of this is the number of people who have become so accustomed to sharing every intimate detail of their private lives in public and have no sense privacy will probably not even question this. Personally, if you can't trust me enough then why should I trust you?
I have three major problems with Geo-verify. First, it's not for my benefit and from what I've seen, unlike owning my video rig, they aren't offering any additional fees for using it even though it is an added expense on my end. Second, there are enough checks in place and if an MSC feels they cannot trust a shopper then maybe they should revisit their own hiring practices. Lastly, the technology is being provided by a third party vendor who has questionable privacy practices and the MSCs are taking no responsibility or making any effort to protect the shopper.
How ironic that the companies who seem to be championing the technology are those that like to pay an average of $7 to $9 a shop and take 60 plus days to pay. The saddest part of this is the number of people who have become so accustomed to sharing every intimate detail of their private lives in public and have no sense privacy will probably not even question this. Personally, if you can't trust me enough then why should I trust you?
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.
Demos are not "shops", and really have nothing to do with mystery shopping. Or am I misunderstanding? Do you mean you are actually shopping a demonstrator?
For demonstrations, usually a store manager signature and/or a store stamp are required. Some have you swipe a debit card to prove you were there. I would not want to be also tracked by GPS - that is a bit over the top in my opinion.
I don't use even a regular cell phone (or even high speed!) and have had no problems getting jobs or reporting. If a job truly required either, I would not apply. Some say they require broadband, but they really don't.
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 02/29/2012 06:39AM by rainy.
For demonstrations, usually a store manager signature and/or a store stamp are required. Some have you swipe a debit card to prove you were there. I would not want to be also tracked by GPS - that is a bit over the top in my opinion.
I don't use even a regular cell phone (or even high speed!) and have had no problems getting jobs or reporting. If a job truly required either, I would not apply. Some say they require broadband, but they really don't.
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 02/29/2012 06:39AM by rainy.
rainy,
yes, sometimes demonstrators are shopped... They are usually independent contractors just like we are... and given the basic premise of the companies who hire us... we can't be trusted...
yes, sometimes demonstrators are shopped... They are usually independent contractors just like we are... and given the basic premise of the companies who hire us... we can't be trusted...
I agree with what has been said before. It comes down to trust and the bottom line is the MS companies don't trust us for the most part. Yes there have been some shady shoppers who faked whatever they could but it resulted in all of us being painted with the same brush. They already check their in-house video tapes. They require a business card or whatever to prove we were there. Now they want to track our every move and it comes down to them trying to discredit a shop or shopper so they don't have to pay for it. I could name a number of Ms companies who have indeed rejected payment of a shop but used the report anyway. They want a way to track our every move--and you cannot prove to me that they would not only track us to the shop but track us elsewhere. What's the next thing coming down the road? Micro-chipping the shopper??? I am Not a big fan of Big Brother MS companies.
Her Serene Majesty, Cettie - Goat Queen of Zoltar, Sublime Empress of Her Caprine Domain
qpone Wrote:
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> rainy,
> yes, sometimes demonstrators are shopped... They
> are usually independent contractors just like we
> are... and given the basic premise of the
> companies who hire us... we can't be trusted...
So they send someone out they don't trust to check on someone they don't trust.
Makes sense. LOL
-------------------------------------------------------
> rainy,
> yes, sometimes demonstrators are shopped... They
> are usually independent contractors just like we
> are... and given the basic premise of the
> companies who hire us... we can't be trusted...
So they send someone out they don't trust to check on someone they don't trust.
Makes sense. LOL
LOL, that's it!
There are other issues with this concept that I didn't think about before. How in the world are they going to deal with both the inaccuracies with provided addresses AND the inaccuracies inherent in GPS programs. Before one of the latest updates my GPS app would say I had gotten home when I was about 6 houses away. Tell me how that proves I made it to the correct location? It also doesn't prove anyone actually entered the store and spoke to an associate. A shopper who has no problem with supplying a false shop will have no problem pulling into the parking lot and sitting there for the required length of time or taking care of some personal shopping at a store a few doors down.
There are other issues with this concept that I didn't think about before. How in the world are they going to deal with both the inaccuracies with provided addresses AND the inaccuracies inherent in GPS programs. Before one of the latest updates my GPS app would say I had gotten home when I was about 6 houses away. Tell me how that proves I made it to the correct location? It also doesn't prove anyone actually entered the store and spoke to an associate. A shopper who has no problem with supplying a false shop will have no problem pulling into the parking lot and sitting there for the required length of time or taking care of some personal shopping at a store a few doors down.
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.
It proves nothing as to if the shop was performed. For all they know, I could have tied my phone to my dog's collar and trained her to sit in the parking lot for 10 minutes, then come home.
LisaSTL Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> LOL, that's it!
>
> There are other issues with this concept that I
> didn't think about before. How in the world are
> they going to deal with both the inaccuracies with
> provided addresses AND the inaccuracies inherent
> in GPS programs. Before one of the latest updates
> my GPS app would say I had gotten home when I was
> about 6 houses away. Tell me how that proves I
> made it to the correct location? It also doesn't
> prove anyone actually entered the store and spoke
> to an associate. A shopper who has no problem with
> supplying a false shop will have no problem
> pulling into the parking lot and sitting there for
> the required length of time or taking care of some
> personal shopping at a store a few doors down.
LisaSTL Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> LOL, that's it!
>
> There are other issues with this concept that I
> didn't think about before. How in the world are
> they going to deal with both the inaccuracies with
> provided addresses AND the inaccuracies inherent
> in GPS programs. Before one of the latest updates
> my GPS app would say I had gotten home when I was
> about 6 houses away. Tell me how that proves I
> made it to the correct location? It also doesn't
> prove anyone actually entered the store and spoke
> to an associate. A shopper who has no problem with
> supplying a false shop will have no problem
> pulling into the parking lot and sitting there for
> the required length of time or taking care of some
> personal shopping at a store a few doors down.
Would this be the same dog that always gets a 5 on every CORI report?
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:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Would this be the same dog that always gets a 5 on
> every CORI report?
Yep. Too bad I don't trust her more than a block from home, otherwise I'd do it.
-------------------------------------------------------
> Would this be the same dog that always gets a 5 on
> every CORI report?
Yep. Too bad I don't trust her more than a block from home, otherwise I'd do it.
So teach the dog to drive.
Her Serene Majesty, Cettie - Goat Queen of Zoltar, Sublime Empress of Her Caprine Domain
Cettie Wrote:
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> So teach the dog to drive.
I can't. If she could drive, she'd likely steal my car, drive to the nearest military installation, beg her way into a restricted area and wind up with access to the country's stash of plutonium. And trust me, you do not want plutonium in the paws of this little dog.
-------------------------------------------------------
> So teach the dog to drive.
I can't. If she could drive, she'd likely steal my car, drive to the nearest military installation, beg her way into a restricted area and wind up with access to the country's stash of plutonium. And trust me, you do not want plutonium in the paws of this little dog.
I just received a survey from one of the companies that I work for asking if I have a smartphone or plan to buy one. This might be a good subject for the next MSPA Conference.
At one time we did not even need to upload business cards but look what has happened since then. This was also true about receipts as we did not have to upload those either.
Guess what will happen with the GPS thing.
We never even got $1 extra for the time to scan and upload the card.
By the way, look in the mirror and ask yourself if maybe you are responsible for the fact we all upload business cards and receipts without extra pay.
cynb Wrote:
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> Ok I will try to clarify, My concern is that if
> MSCs are going in this direction, what does this
> mean for us?
Guess what will happen with the GPS thing.
We never even got $1 extra for the time to scan and upload the card.
By the way, look in the mirror and ask yourself if maybe you are responsible for the fact we all upload business cards and receipts without extra pay.
cynb Wrote:
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> Ok I will try to clarify, My concern is that if
> MSCs are going in this direction, what does this
> mean for us?
I'm a scheduler with Pinnacle Mystery Shopping.
Our operating system allows "geoverify" in the surveys, but we haven't used it yet. We've avoided it, as it's just another thing for the editors to check. Especially since we already receive POVs and time information for the shops from our shoppers anyway.
There are cases where it could have helped us though. It's not completely uncommon that a shopper visits the wrong branch location without realizing it. Or that they receive a business card with a different address (it might be that the employee is helping out at a different branch or it could spell something more problematic). In those instances, the geo verify feature can give immediate closure.
It's great to get your feedback!
Cherry Stowe
Account Manager
Pinnacle Financial Strategies - Mystery Shopping Services
Cherry.Stowe@pinnstrat.com
www.sassieshop.com/2proreview
Like us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/pinnaclemysteryshopping
Follow us on Twitter at twitter.com/pinnaclemysshop
Our operating system allows "geoverify" in the surveys, but we haven't used it yet. We've avoided it, as it's just another thing for the editors to check. Especially since we already receive POVs and time information for the shops from our shoppers anyway.
There are cases where it could have helped us though. It's not completely uncommon that a shopper visits the wrong branch location without realizing it. Or that they receive a business card with a different address (it might be that the employee is helping out at a different branch or it could spell something more problematic). In those instances, the geo verify feature can give immediate closure.
It's great to get your feedback!
Cherry Stowe
Account Manager
Pinnacle Financial Strategies - Mystery Shopping Services
Cherry.Stowe@pinnstrat.com
www.sassieshop.com/2proreview
Like us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/pinnaclemysteryshopping
Follow us on Twitter at twitter.com/pinnaclemysshop
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