Maritz 2010 changes

As I recall it was in 2010 that Maritz decided to strongly suggest that shoppers obtain a FEIN and business name, different from our SSN. And those that did so would receive some sort of preferred shopper status.

I chose to ignore this and now notice that the only shops that they offer me on their site are far from my home, even though they have clients with many locations including numerous ones nearby. In particular I refer to bank and gas station shops.

What are your opinions at to whether Maritz is "punishing" me?

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Have you ever called and asked why you don't qualify for shops close to home? Maybe the shops close to home are on auto assign and never hit the board?

Tbh, I have not worked with them that long, but so far they have been really easy to work with. I signed up with a SS# not a FEIN.

Hope you figure it out, sometimes with MSC's I feel like a kid in highschool hurt and troubled by the relationship, and always wonder do they like me?! LOL

I don't think they're vindictive like that. I ignored their request, same as you, and I see plenty of nearby shops. Shop rotation is one issue, but I suspect you have local competition who are scooping the shops from the board before you even get to see them. That's what I try to do around here. It's like clear cutting a forest, or strip mining, when I sign up for Maritz shops. Nothing left but stumps and tailings.

I completely agree, SAM.

SecretAgentMom Wrote:
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> Hope you figure it out, sometimes with MSC's I
> feel like a kid in highschool hurt and troubled by
> the relationship, and always wonder do they like
> me?! LOL

No I have not called Maritz to ask but I also didn't expect a truthful or knowledgeable response.

I do however check the site within an hour of receiving an email offering bank shops, for example but still find the available ones somewhere around 30-50 miles away.

Perhaps the compliant shoppers get first dibs?

You know that sometimes there is already a delay between job postings and e-mails going out. And then if someone else can login right away they are going to have the advantage. When I was doing a lot for mVentix the jobs would be gone if I didn't log in immediately. Waiting even 15 to 20 minutes would mean they were long gone.

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.

ShopUntilYouDrop Wrote:
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> I do however check the site within an hour of
> receiving an email offering bank shops, for
> example but still find the available ones
> somewhere around 30-50 miles away.
>

I get the emails too, I have the bank shops scooped up before I ever get an email saying they have them available. They have been coming available around the 15th of the previous month they are due.....Feb 15th posts for March jobs. In fact..lol...I giggle to myself that only my scraps and misfits are left. LOL.

Probably worth a phone call if you really want to know. Good luck!

That is certainly a possibility, Lisa, but in the old days they had dozens of bank and gas station shops that lingered for days.

Off topic--wonder if Carnival Lines offers hazardous duty pay for mystery shoppers?

I sent in my EIN back in 2010 or 2011, I never saw any difference with the EIN or SS#. Everything was paid under my SS# and things were fine. As of the first of this year, they started paying my under my EIN and and my business name. The problem was I had forgottn I had given them my EIN and had closed the business and the bank account. Now I have been paid with checks that I have had a really hard time cashing. The finally startd using my name and SS# so I guess things are okay now.

Barbage, some banks and brokerages will let you add something called a "Second Name Authorization", which essentially allows you to deposit checks payable to XYZ into your personal account. Schwab for one allows this.

I got the same email and chose to ignore it as well. Too much work oy vez. I have gotten dozens of calls and bonuses since, so I don't think it matters, really. I have dealt with them more than with any other MSC and I have only run into one unpleasant employee. For the most part, they are probably the most helpful MSC out there, at least IMHO. I love working with them because I know they are fair. I would call, as I see others have suggested. Sometimes things just happen and it has nothing to do with me.

ShopUntilYouDrop Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> As I recall it was in 2010 that Maritz decided to
> strongly suggest that shoppers obtain a FEIN and
> business name, different from our SSN. And those
> that did so would receive some sort of preferred
> shopper status.
>
> I chose to ignore this and now notice that the
> only shops that they offer me on their site are
> far from my home, even though they have clients
> with many locations including numerous ones
> nearby. In particular I refer to bank and gas
> station shops.
>
> What are your opinions at to whether Maritz is
> "punishing" me?

I obtained a FEIN from the IRS (they're free) and I just came up with a business name but I did not register it. But I am still using my SSN at Maritz and I have not seen a decrease in the number of shops I can view for the companies I am eligible to shop for.

**************************************************************
One buzzard to another while circling high overhead (paraphrased), "Patience hell! I want to shop somewhere."

In the past 18 months, Maritz has lapsed on the age-old practice of sending out an email before a major release of shops for a particular client. Sometimes, the messages are released 24-48 hours after the actual release and sometimes they neglect to send out an email at all. I only find out that the shops have been released by doing a find shops on the website and viola, they appear.

**************************************************************
One buzzard to another while circling high overhead (paraphrased), "Patience hell! I want to shop somewhere."

So question for everyone that is getting FEIN's, are you also getting a state tax id? Are you registering with the secretary of state as a business? Just curious, because if you are getting an FEIN shouldn't you also take care of state regulations as a business?

in VA one doesn't need a state tax ID. Can't speak for any other states. Not sure what the last part means. However, as I stated elsewhere. I have a FEIN (for my other business) ... I never gave it to Martiz or any other MSC. I still get lots of calls from Martiz. I rarely get emails. I just wait for the calls cause I know when they come my first question is "what's the bonus." IME these are the good guys, folks.

I love Martiz...

I was wondering if people getting FEIN's are also registering with the state as a business...hence, paying state taxes as a business as well. Just a thought.

I know I have an FEIN for my online business, but I also have a state tax id (req here) and I also had to register as a business with the secretary of state and pay a license fee to be able to have the business. Getting an FEIN is stating to the IRS you are a business entity. Given, these may be two seperate things, my online business I sold stuff, as a mystery shopper I contract out as an IC.

Just curious.

I had to register as a business but did not get a number other than the FEIN. Have to file fed and state taxes. I was a corporation but changed my status. Wasn't worth the cost of incorporation. Also have to have a business license to operate in my home. And a parking space dedicated for clients, even if no client ever comes to my home.

But. I am allowed by law to use my SS # instead of my FEIN (might be my particular tax status, I am not sure--I just do what my CPA tells me to do. And she tells me a) I can use my SS# b) I do not have to provide my FEIN # and c) according to IRS regs I am not really an IC but go ahead and play along; the MSC companies would be in hot water if the IRS questioned my status, not me.

Back to the point. Maritz has not taken any vindictive action against me because I have not provided my FEIN.

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Maritz 2010 changes

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