OK! HereI am Sentry Market prove to me that you are as nice and good and cooperative as you say you are and I will post that information on this forum.

I did a shop for your company, and I think I might be getting stiffed for it. It is one thing not to pay people a fee if the work is not satisfactory, but a whole new ball game when you "steal" from them by not giving the reimbursement.

I worked harder for your comapny than I have for anyone yet! I am disappointed about the shop I did for your company and I regret that I may have to add negative comment to what has been said here.

If you want my "vote" you would do well to stand behind what you say and find out why my shop was such a negative experience! You can answer me in public or by PM. But the truth is in the pudding.....I expect an inquiry as to what happened to me and why.

Tumbleweed,

I am sorry to hear that you are having difficulty with our company. Please email me at dave@sentrymarketing.com with the details of your issue so that I may research and respond to your concern.

Thanks

Dave

I will be happy to do that, but this seems like a good oppportunity for you to be public with someone who is very Fair. I don't have troube saying I am at fault or have made a mistake.... would say only the facts, just like I do on my reports.

I cannot research your issue without reviewing the shop you did for our company. I believe that any issue you have with is best discussed offline. I do not know who you are or what shop you did for our company.

That was a reasoable excuse so I sent DAve the following email with the confidential stuff not removed from his email, but removed here.
I completed an XXXXX shop on 2/9/11. I took a very long time and a lot of care to complete the report since this is the way I operate.

I got an email from Liz M. as follows (copy), reentered the report again,after I followed instructions.did the check and got the next reply from her. Then after I resubmitted the shop I emailed her and asked what was going on because the shop wasn't even listed any more as my having been assigned the shop etc. I did not hear back from her, hence the response I had on the forum.

I have worked all my life in fields that I have had to be both honest and confidential. I am now retired and am on a fixed income. I followed the instructions perfectly, I sumbited the report, (by the way, I never got a confirmation number and I emailed Liz about that immediately, she never addressed the problem) and I expected there to be no problem since I have worked for several other companies now and have received all 10's. AS I said, I may have done something wrong, but I don't know what it could have been as I stayed in communication with Liz as well.

If you can show me where I went wrong, I will be happy to impart that information on the forum. If you have done something wrong, or there was a problem with your system, and you address the issue, I will be happy to report that as well.

So, I will await your reply.


Note to fellow forum members: I also sent copies of all the emails between Liz and myself to dave. Ok now we wait to hear the truth or (is one man's truth another man's lie?????)

OK FOLKS, here is the update on my experience with Sentry Marketing.

Dave came through just as he said he would. I emailed him and I received a telephone call (points, he could have emailed me back) from him right away.

He asked me some questions and he explained some things to me. The end result is that he appears to me to be on the up and up. I think he cares alot about his company and his business and his own reputation as well.

I think he needs to stop being so defensive, BUT he also needs to listen to the people on this forum. His reply in my opinion should be (having owned many businesses in my life time) "I see there is a problem reported here. If you will contact me I will address the issue as soon as I hear from you."

I think that is what he did with my issue. There were good explanations for everything and neither he nor I was at fault. The issue was resolved with full understanding between everyone. In future I will make a call to the appropriate people before I give my opinion here. SOME things you just have to learn from experience!!!

That being said. He is very strict about reports, I understand he wants an extrememly professional company to present to his clients and I think he knows the value of the shoppers.

I think his excellent training modules should address the differences between his company and the other MSC. In a more emphasized way. For instance, his training says they want just objective comments with NO QUOTES like the other companies want us to do. His company wants a picture described in minute or almost minute detail. I think he should have only experienced shoppers work for him, though I am not sure that is realistic.

After I see how they pay, and if that is ok, then I would not hesitate to work for SEntry Marketing again in the future. Come on folks let's be fair. Dave hit some sentivie spots with some of us, but he like anyone deserves a second chance. So I say let's give it to him! What do ya say?

The issue is not giving a second chance, which he has had, nor a third chace which he has also had, but perhaps a ninth chance and a tenth chance? After awhile, one tends to lose count as time goes on and the overall issue becomes tiresome.

Hmm, the "ten foot pole" area of my brains thinks, avoid a company that argues non-stop and is never wrong.

Your "Ten Foot Pole" is correct.
Until I see hard evidence that Dave has changed how he treats shoppers - I will continue to warn folks NOT to work for him...

Thanks for the feedback, friends. But I still do think that everyone should leave him alone for awhile and give him a chance to turn around. If the company is unfair, we will cetainly hear about it here.

Some on here and I think Jacob said so at one point too, that everyone has a different experience with different companies. So far my experiences have been very postiive with all the companies I have worked for, and that is one reason I went off the wall when I thought I was getting stiffed, but I also had not given the company a chance to rectify the situation because of a misunderstanding. Like I said, something you just have to learn from experience.

My purpose is not to defend this company, but simply to say what is true and fair; my personal opinions, just like in the reports I do are not important, nor is it important what I think of DAve or the company. What is important is that everyone deserves fair treatment.

I had one more thought, since the company still is in business, they must have shoppers who are happy with them? Perhaps they do not belong to this forum, and would they be believed anyway since the company has already been accused of having people in here that he pays to say good things?

Again, I am not defending this company, I am an honest and truthful person and believe in giving credit where credit is due. He could have ignored my issue...and I would have reported that as negatively as well.

I think this is a very important forum for us, and to have soooo much negativity is not good for the new shoppers coming in and reading what we have to say. There are alot of people on this forum who have credibility and there are those that don't. Not everyone will figure out who each group is that joins this forum, so it would behoove us to be careful just how much negative information we place here. What I think of him is not important, I don't work for him, I work for me.

But what the heck do you want from him? He was a "jerk", he came across as such in his postings, so what. What matters is that he took care of the problem! What more can he do? How can you stop bashing him if you don't let anyone tell the truth about him and hs company? Maybe he has learned his lesson (if he hasn't by now.....well....) and he needs time to prove it. I think Flash and others are right to just not respond to him at this point. So i say lets give it all a rest, this is my last comment on the subject.

Thanks everyone for listening to me!

Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 02/15/2011 08:13PM by Tumbleweed.

I agree Tumbleweed, who has not made mistakes? I am new to this forum and have really been turned off by the way some people are treated in here. Not enough posted you must be new and stupid and that is not always the case. Please just treat people with respect and how you want to be treated no matter what you really feel. Please don't start bashing me.
Thanks,
Susie

shuttenmaier Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> I agree Tumbleweed, who has not made mistakes? I
> am new to this forum and have really been turned
> off by the way some people are treated in here.
> Not enough posted you must be new and stupid and
> that is not always the case. Please just treat
> people with respect and how you want to be treated
> no matter what you really feel. Please don't
> start bashing me.
> Thanks,
> Susie

It is so easy to misunderstandthings when writing "one-way". It sounds like you are bashing me! It reads like you have called me stupid! Oh well.

shuttenmaier Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> I agree Tumbleweed, who has not made mistakes? I
> am new to this forum and have really been turned
> off by the way some people are treated in here.
> Not enough posted you must be new and stupid and
> that is not always the case. Please just treat
> people with respect and how you want to be treated
> no matter what you really feel. Please don't
> start bashing me.
> Thanks,
> Susie


Really? I'm fairly new to the forum, and have never once felt that way.

I have stated my experience with Sentry before - but it was a while ago - so since we have some new people here now, here is a synopsis.

I worked for Sentry one time. I did not receive any feedback and I was not paid according to their payment procedures. I emailed an inquiry and was promptly paid. My initial feedback posted on this forum was that I personally would not work for them again because I did not have time to "chase payments." David contacted me on the board and off-the board to thank me for the feedback and to update me on new payment procedures and processes that would prevent payment from falling through the cracks again. He asked that I consider working for him again. I have since moved and they do not really have much in my area, so I have not taken another shop - but based on my experience with Dave, I would if the assignment time/place was right.

I found Dave to be nothing but professional and as some have noted - he passionately cares about his company, their reputation, and the industry.

I do not know why the intense contempt that some have for Sentry exists. I respect others right to choose not to work for Sentry and to post that opinion - just as I hope they will respect my right to post that I WOULD work for him and found him to be a likeable fellow.

I have done quite a few shopos for Sentry Marketing and have never had a problem with the shop or anyone asking for more info. Payment is as has already been discussed. In fact I have a shop scheduled for them later this month

Hmmm... well my experiences have not been the best either thus far. I have only done 4 shops. My first 2 I received a partial check for the shop, then a remaining amount about a month later. All 4 shops I have had to open tickets for and ask when my payment is coming because it doesn't seem like there's a consistent pay schedule. I left a message for a phone call back regarding being a brand new shopper and having questions and never received a call back either.

What I think is a bit "interesting" is that maybe Sentry Marketing is having issues giving payments to their shoppers and not returning calls because they're spending too much time on here trying to explain themselves? Any company is going to have good and bad experiences with shoppers and vice versa. I agree this is a forum and everyone should be able to speak freely but it seems a bit concerning to me when a company has to defend everything anyone posts from them.

I haven't had very good luck with this company so far, due to them never calling me back and not responding to emails for payment, or payments taking way too long. As far as taking it personal there's nothing personal to complain about. I understand this may still be an "up and coming" business as I saw it worded in another post, but if you want to continue to grow, its important to gain the trust of your shoppers and clients. I don't think I will continue doing shops for this company once I get my last 2 payments for shops done in early January, but someone else may have a better experience with them.

Hello shoppermom31,

I am sorry to hear that you have not had a good experience with our company. If I can be of any assistance, please feel free to contact me directly and I will be happy to straighten out any remaining issues.

Thanks for the feedback.

Dave

Dave Agius
dave@sentrymarketing.com

Edited to add: Payment issues are handled exclusively through our ticketing system. This process was put in place because emails and voicemail messages can get lost. The tickets are reviewed several times per day and our normal response time is 24 hours. We are going to review the system to make sure it is functioning properly based on this post.

Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 03/18/2011 02:44PM by Sentry Marketing.

I am one who have done several shops and always received an email for something I have done wrong. Noone was ugly and I did get paid in the 60 day time frame.

I personally do not feel successful with completing the shops so I just don't apply anymore. Companies do have the right to be selective so I have decided to be selective as well and step back. There are many other companies who appreciate the work I do so I spend my time working with them.

I have a headache. I am not one to let anyone form my opinions. But reading this blouhaha has given me a headache.

I most recemtly, (last week) signed up with this company. OK. I don't SEARCH. Usually b/c if the original post is more than 6 months old it does not interest me.

I saw the moderator, JabobJ, had originated a post for this company. I wanted to check it out. So I read and read. Then I can to the end. I said ,"Oh, that was a year ago." but that was only page one. Then I saw page two, that began with this year, 2011, I continued to read and scan the post replies.

I now have a headache. I am not saying I will not work for Sentry. But I will put off a few weeks b4 checking the website for any work.

I am new to Sentry Marketing and was excited about doing a burger shop which was posted. I then realized I had to take and pass the various courses/test (3). I emailed Jennifer the scheduler to tell her I was interested but wouldn't be able to complete the course/test right away. She assured me she would "hold" the shop while I complete the course/test. I did complete the course/test (all 3) next day and repeated called and emailed Jennifer for 3 days and still have not heard from her. I don't understand why I have not been contacted yet especially since the shops were due this week...Why would she hold these for me and not have any intention of letting me perform them.

Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 04/13/2011 12:26PM by ellicef.

:-)

Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 04/13/2011 06:21PM by Flash.

I have a similar experience as ellicef. I received an invitation to shop. I said I was interested. Jennifer asked me to complete all of the training before she could assign it to me. I did all of the training, and I emailed her back. She never replied. She replied quickly to all of my emails before I did the training. I feel that I was at least owed a reply.

And I would like to say that I have chosen not to do any shops for Sentry. I can just tell by their emails, their shop descriptions, and their training that they want more than I am willing to give. That is not a complaint. They can define their own requirements, but I don't have to do the assignment. I am surprised that other shoppers did not have the same expectations that I have of dealing with Sentry. Of course, I have never been on the completion side of an assignment with Sentry, so I do not know what happens there.

OK Dave. Whats going on with this Jennifer?

It's difficult to comment without knowing the specifics of the situation. Shopperjb may contact me directly and I would be happy to discuss the situation with him/her.

Dave Agius
dave@sentrymarketing.com

What about the other Shopper? ellicef. Both seem to have a complaint about Jennifer...

What is the deal some have airing out grievance's on the forum. I find this attention getting and another way of bashing the MSC. Believe me, I have nothing to gain, except a headache, and personally, find this ridiculous, you have a problem, great, settle it with the company on your own, or stop working for them, and just let it go...what are we learning from your problems, nothing positive is coming out of this. I would not call attention to either my lack of being able to handle a problem on my own, or embarasssing an MSC over a payment issue, if in fact, I could have been wrong. The outcome is another thing, maybe, just not my way of doing things. Many MSC's are good for one and not another, we all know this...I can't stand an MSC that most love, so, I don't work for them...guys, give it a rest, please. Sentry or any MSC does not have the responsibilty to defend itself in public, only to work with the shopper in question in a timely respectable manner.

Sojo...I agree, what a bunch of blahhaha.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 08/29/2011 09:00PM by Irene_L.A..

Thats where your are dead wrong Irene. Airing problems on this public forum can lead to positive results. Any MSC HAS the responsibility to resolve issues in public. Sweeping crap under a rug does not help the shopper or the msc. Using comments from other shoppers shows if the shopper needs to look at what they do or the MSC...:p

Forum member ellicef may contact me directly to discuss any issues that he/she may have with our company.