MSC asking for a reference?

June 13, 2012 04:52AM

Hey guys.

I haven't been mystery shopping long, just a couple of weeks. I started off with two MSCs to sort of get a feel for things, but I've only gotten shops from one, so I decided tonight I'd sign up for another. I started looking into signing up with Service Intelligence but halfway through the process, I saw that they require a reference. I understand needing a reference if you're hiring someone, but I haven't (in my very limited experience) seen an MSC ask for this yet. The one MSC I've been doing work for is very heavy on self-assigning so I haven't encountered any schedulers I can use as references yet, and I don't really want to give any of my old managers at my former retail jobs either...

Also, any good suggestions on MSCs to sign up with next? I've gone through the ones on the list for new shoppers (except MF, I've decided to pass that one up). I love the whole self-assigning thing. I really don't fancy the idea of strangers calling me up on the phone trying to talk me into doing work at inopportune times...

Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 06/13/2012 04:52AM by kelly_r7.

Create an Account or Log In

Membership is free. Simply choose your username, type in your email address, and choose a password. You immediately get full access to the forum.

June 13, 2012 06:51AM

I've been asked for references by MSC on occasion. Would giving a friend's name work for you? I haven't heard from my references that they have ever actually been contacted by the MSC.

If you read through the "Mystery Shopping Company Discussion" pages, you will probably get a good idea of which companies you'd feel comfortable working for. Most companies I work with use email. I think there are only 2-3 that actually phone me for jobs.

June 13, 2012 12:59PM

Give a neighbor or friend as a reference, is my suggestion. Asking for references is not uncommon.

Based in MD, near DC
Shopping from the Carolinas to New York
Have video cam; will travel

Poor customer service? Don't get mad; get video.

June 13, 2012 02:43PM

When the MSC has all your info. on the application, and your certification#, why isn't that enough, although very few require this, seems out of place.
Maybe their trying to sign up new shoppers, and want names and phone#'s, just a thought.

Live consciously....

June 13, 2012 03:20PM

The very first company I applied to over 12 years ago required references (Shopnchek). None were ever called. I do have three people that know what I do and are not shoppers and I just list them when its asked although none have ever been called either as a reference check or a possible new shopper.

Liz

June 13, 2012 05:16PM

Actually, I find it surprising that so few do ask for references. The failure to do even a minimum of research into the background and abilities of potential shoppers who apply to perform jobs for a company is probably one of the reasons for the massive number of flakes and the lack of writing skills we keep hearing MSCs complain about. And it's probably the reason some MSCs are so quick to dump shoppers. Because they (many MSCs, not all) spend virtually no time or effort checking out shoppers. It is very easy to get MS jobs .... you could be a felon, illiterate, or underage and easily get jobs with many MSCs. It is very easy for us to sign on and it is very easy for them to sign on additional shoppers. We are easily replaceable so we are a dime a dozen to many MSCs. I would like to see more MSCs ask for and verify more information and I wouldn"t mind more tests; not the BS tests for a particular client, though, a real test to see if potential MS-ers can read, add, subract, spell and write using proper grammar. That would probably result in fewer shoppers, higher performance, less turnover, and more efforts to retain current shoppers.

June 13, 2012 05:43PM

I used to use fellow shoppers and friends/family as references. Never has one of them been contacted.

June 13, 2012 08:14PM

Yeah, I got to that point in the SI app process too.
And closed the window.
I can afford to let a few companies go - I mean, there's tons to choose from.
I try not to be a 'greedy bear'.
I've always liked 'Champ Bear'

)

" I think there's a nap for that."

June 14, 2012 01:11AM

SpyGirl719 Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Yeah, I got to that point in the SI app process
> too.
> And closed the window.
> I can afford to let a few companies go - I mean,
> there's tons to choose from.
> I try not to be a 'greedy bear'.
> I've always liked 'Champ Bear'

)

So why do you not want to give a few references? Honestly it seems odd to me that they ask for them as I am not sure what they could ask people and like I said before they have never contacted any of them but its no big deal to throw out a few names for a new company to shop!

Liz

June 14, 2012 01:37AM

I guess I'll just give the name of one of my close friends. I only have a couple that know I mystery shop and no one that I know in a professional sense, but if they aren't contacted I guess it doesn't matter.

June 16, 2012 09:34PM

I've had to give references for several MSC. I have used friends. I haven't used any references from former employers and it has been fine. As far as I know they've never been contacted.

When a flower doesn’t bloom, you fix the environment in which it grows, not the flower.
Alexander Den Heijer

June 17, 2012 04:38AM

I was asked for two references from Mercantile just the other day when I had to update my Extended Profile in order to do their "high-end hotel shops. They also wanted a photo and it couldn't be from a driver's license.

"Trust in the Lord with all your heart..."

June 17, 2012 05:18AM

I would not exempt a MSC because of references. Just put in friends or family. In all honesty, I doubt that they have time to check.

June 17, 2012 03:29PM

I had to laugh at the poster that says we could be felon's or illiterate, and giving a name (which is never checked) erases that fact is funny. We do have to give a writing sample, and I doubt a felon, bank robber or illiterate would want to do this, wait for money and put their own money out.......but, it's fine to have a reference on hand (just in case). The Mystery seems to be going out of Mystery shopping, we do give MSC's we work for, that should be enough. Remember the Video shop owner that turned out being a child abuser (alledgelly), I'm sure she and husband gave out references....sorry, too much time on my hands this morning. Doing jobs today on Fathers Day, so, will continue after my return.....HAPPY FATHERS DAY TO ALL!!!

Live consciously....

Sorry, only registered users may post in this forum.

Click here to login

MSC asking for a reference?

Create an Account or Log In

Official List of Mystery Shopping Companies

Mystery Shopper Magazine