Service Scouts is going to fine me $150!!!
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I've only had one experience with Service Scouts and it went OK...I had no problems and they were with me every step of the way.
I thought (and this may have changed since last year) that for anybody doing a particular shop the first time with SS that you needed to have a phone conference to go over the shop so you can ask questions and get an idea of what they are looking for. If the the training is still mandatory and the OP didn't have this, then I don't know why they are demanding the shop get done.
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 04/18/2016 03:10AM by petrohd.
I thought (and this may have changed since last year) that for anybody doing a particular shop the first time with SS that you needed to have a phone conference to go over the shop so you can ask questions and get an idea of what they are looking for. If the the training is still mandatory and the OP didn't have this, then I don't know why they are demanding the shop get done.
Silver certified (since 2009) and willing to do shops all around the greater Chicago, NW Indiana, and Southern Wisconsin areas (including airports!.
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 04/18/2016 03:10AM by petrohd.
Like i said, i loved the scheduler that i worked with for years. It definitely matters who you work with.
Good point. I was not contacted about phone training. I received an email when I applied for the shop on 3/2 and the next email was on 4/16 saying the shop was scheduled for the next day. No emails in between telling me the shop was assigned- when I needed to have phone training etc.
I have been mystery shopping long enough that I know the process. I acknowledge that I should have checked back on the web site after I found out that I was unavailable for that day and cancelled my application, but I have never in my 18 years as a mystery shopper not been notified when a shop was assigned.
I have been mystery shopping long enough that I know the process. I acknowledge that I should have checked back on the web site after I found out that I was unavailable for that day and cancelled my application, but I have never in my 18 years as a mystery shopper not been notified when a shop was assigned.
This happened to a friend of mine, He was told to pay them $150 for a shop that he could not do because he was gravely ill. Tracy said that since he did not give 72 hours notice he had to pay. When he tried to get out of it, Tracy threatened to send him to collections. So be careful that they don't try that.
Wow. Remind me not to sign up with this company. Oh, wait. Never mind; that's indelibly etched in my brain after reading this thread. I won't forget.
I learn something new every day, but not everyday!
I've learned to never trust spell-check or my phone's auto-fill feature.
I've learned to never trust spell-check or my phone's auto-fill feature.
Oh and she rated my entire shop poorly, dropping my score. I dont think there is much oversight with SS. Even if you prove them wrong (e.g., email headers), you cant win. Also, worth noting that sometimes the tickets are really awful seats, lol.
That was my issue. I was told that the seats are different every time because they are shopping different people. That's fine and it makes sense. However, if they truly don't know until just before, then they need to renegotiate with their clients. A reimbursement-only shop makes sense when you're getting $150 tickets; not so much when they're $20 tickets. At that point, I'd rather buy my own cheap seats and enjoy the game. I'm not willing to take the chance of getting that 3rd deck seat AND having to shell out unreimbursed food costs.@angelagoble wrote:
Also, worth noting that sometimes the tickets are really awful seats, lol.
Now scheduling travel shops for the day after Christmas through mid-January.
The email I received from Tracy today:
Though you removed your name from your profile, this does not alleviate the
invoice. Since you did not attend your game and you violated the terms of
the shopper agreement, the invoice as sent to you is due payable in thirty
(30) days. If such a payment is not made, the matter will be forwarded to
collections.
The whole thing is so ridiculous
Though you removed your name from your profile, this does not alleviate the
invoice. Since you did not attend your game and you violated the terms of
the shopper agreement, the invoice as sent to you is due payable in thirty
(30) days. If such a payment is not made, the matter will be forwarded to
collections.
The whole thing is so ridiculous
@Tostresh wrote:
The whole thing is so ridiculous
It certainly is! Let them send you to collections! As long as you write a factual letter of dispute to the credit bureaus, that charge will show up as "disputed" on your credit report, and shouldn't count against you. And let 'em take you to court if they want. It seems to me that the burden is on them to prove that they sent you an e-mail. On top of the fact that you apparently were never contacted to do the training, which would have been a trigger to you that you'd been assigned.
If I understand what's transpired, they have, or haven't shown it to you, no e-mail proving that they notified you; sent you no e-mail, phone call, or other notice of training for the assignment; and sent no reminder notices out in the month or so before the assignment date. Sounds like they did a lot more things wrong than you did, and I can't imagine a judge or magistrate deciding in their favor. And, if the IC contract and/or the assignment description doesn't have specific language in it stating that a shopper who cancels will be billed $150, I don't see where they have a leg to stand on.
This Tracy sounds like a self-important twit trying to throw her weight around and thinking she's going to intimidate you. I can't imagine this MSC can be happy about this issue being aired here and having shoppers know how petty they are (docking someone for not responding to an e-mail within two hours on Christmas Day!). I suspect Tracy is an unhappy person who blames the world, especially her shoppers, for her problems.
I learn something new every day, but not everyday!
I've learned to never trust spell-check or my phone's auto-fill feature.
I've learned to never trust spell-check or my phone's auto-fill feature.
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 04/18/2016 08:33PM by BirdyC.
Sounds like it really needs to go to Judge Joe Brown or Judge Judy!
Contact your local Attorney General's office. Your state has one and should be able to offer some help as that is utterly ridiculous and possibly illegal.
Where does the number $150 come from? Is it a number the MSC "pulled" out of the air@2stepps wrote:
Sounds like it really needs to go to Judge Joe Brown or Judge Judy!
Judge Joe Brown has his own legal problems
. You may have to go with Judge Marilyn Milan or Judge Faith. Judge Faith seems to be more up on the current contract law.
If MSCs are going to "fine" Shoppers for mis-communication resolving to a "flake" situation, we then should be able to sue for higher shoppers fee.
Taking the kid to a professional baseball game would be a perfect birthday gift and time spent with nana.@jmitw wrote:
I'm sorry, but missing an important event for a grandson (birthday party) would not be a viable option for me...unless I was actually too sick to go. Things like that mean a lot to kids.
Without reading or knowing all of the details, I'd be really surprised if they could successfully collect $150. That's laughable. That's why shopping companies either work with shoppers that they have known for many years, or they require a deposit upfront.
I did a project a few years back where they sent me $2000 CAD gift cards, but they only would send one at a time. LOL. Cracked me up, since my expenses on jobs routinely exceeded $5,000.
I did a project a few years back where they sent me $2000 CAD gift cards, but they only would send one at a time. LOL. Cracked me up, since my expenses on jobs routinely exceeded $5,000.
I have seen shops from this MSC which require the shopper to acknowledge when applying for the shop that the shop if time critical, can not be rescheduled, and that there will be a "fine" if the shopper does not complete the shop. I have even seen some which require that you pay them a "deposit" in advance (hundreds of dollars) since they will be providing you with valuable tickets. You get the deposit back and get paid your fee after you complete the shop. I have never done any of these, nor have I requested them. But, a shopper agrees to the terms, including the imposition of a fine, when they apply for the shop, then that may constitute a legally binding contract.
Shopping Southeast Pennsylvania, Delaware above the canal, and South Jersey since 2008
It would not be a legally binding contract until they were informed of their application's acceptance.
There are reasons that a body stays in motion
At the moment only demons come to mind
At the moment only demons come to mind
C. If I do not fulfill the minimum requirements for a Shop whereby sports and/or entertainment tickets were assigned and/or issued in advance to me, I will be responsible for the cost of each ticket provided and the loss of any and all Service Scouts' expense associated with ticket(s). These costs may exceed $500. I will be invoiced for the all costs associated in providing ticket(s) and expected to pay the invoice within 30 days. Any invoices not paid will be sent to collections immediately and I will be deactivated as a Service Scout.
Guess they can invoice you! Who would have known. But the issue you have is you never received the assignment. Unless they can prove you received it, I wouldn't pay!
Guess they can invoice you! Who would have known. But the issue you have is you never received the assignment. Unless they can prove you received it, I wouldn't pay!
Actually, you canceled last minute last year as well. I gave you a second chance this season. I also did send you the copies of all of the notifications that were sent to you within the invoice. I did so a second time when you requested that information. In fact, if you look at the notification email stating you were assigned the shop, it specifically states that your tickets are printed for you and left in your name at will call. It also states that whether or not you complete the offered training, you are still obligated to complete the assignment per the shopper agreement and requirements.
Your Guide to World Class Customer Care!
Tracy A. Keller
Quality Assurance Coordinator
Tracy@ServiceScouts.com
www.servicescouts.com
Tracy A. Keller
Quality Assurance Coordinator
Tracy@ServiceScouts.com
www.servicescouts.com
A reminder was sent out.
Your Guide to World Class Customer Care!
Tracy A. Keller
Quality Assurance Coordinator
Tracy@ServiceScouts.com
www.servicescouts.com
Tracy A. Keller
Quality Assurance Coordinator
Tracy@ServiceScouts.com
www.servicescouts.com
Actually- this post is incorrect. I was not your scheduler for this event. Please double check your information before you slander my name. You have done exactly one assignment for me, for which you were not given a poor rating. That shop was not at Christmas time.
I would appreciate you checking your facts before you falsely accuse me.
Thank you.
I would appreciate you checking your facts before you falsely accuse me.
Thank you.
@angelagoble wrote:
I worked for Service Scouts doing lots of evaluations for over 5 years but as soon as Tracy took over for Cheryl I began having a lot of trouble with her. The breaking point was a game I agreed to do on 12/23 (the day before xmas eve). I got my shop in on time and was told to wait for it to be reviewed. I checked my mail regularly the following day and did not see any emails from Tracy. I assumed my shop did not need any editing after 24 hours had passed and I spent Christmas morning with my family. Around 1pm on Christmas day I logged into my email account and saw that I had received an email from Tracy at 9 am Christmas morning, more than 24 hours after I had submitted the shop for approval. I immediately logged into my SS shop and began doing the few requested edits. When I was done I hit "submit edits" and it would not load. After trying unsuccessfully to submit them, I emailed Tracy to let her know I was having a problem. She did not respond right away and around 3pm I went back to enjoying my holiday. Later that evening she sent me an email advising me that her email at 9am on Christmas day stated I had "two hours" to complete the edits and that I had not complied to that deadline which is why I could not perform the edits. I apologized for my tardiness in seeing the email and forgot about it.
A few weeks later I was checking on the status of my reimbursements when i saw that she had denied any reimbursements for that shop. When I contacted her, she told me I had failed to meet the contract expectations regarding completing the shop edits. She then included a portion of the contract which stated that I had x amount of hours to complete the edits after they were requested. Upon further review of the contract, I found that she had failed to comply with the time allotment for requesting my edits so she agreed to, "as a one-time courtesy", reimburse half of my out-of-pocket costs. I have never done another shop for them. I think she is having a hard time filling slots because so many shoppers have had horrible experiences with her.
Your Guide to World Class Customer Care!
Tracy A. Keller
Quality Assurance Coordinator
Tracy@ServiceScouts.com
www.servicescouts.com
Tracy A. Keller
Quality Assurance Coordinator
Tracy@ServiceScouts.com
www.servicescouts.com
I did not receive an email notifying me that the shop was assigned. I did receive an email on Friday 4/15 reminding me of the shop on 4/17. I immediately replied letting you know that I was unable to complete the shop and that is when you told me that I had to complete it or I would be billed for $150. I have not shopped for Service Scouts before and I was not contacted to do over the phone training.
Could you forward those emails with the headers? I did not receive the emails.
@Tostresh wrote:
Could you forward those emails with the headers? I did not receive the emails.
Please re-read the emails sent to you- they are there. I am finished responding on this thread.
Your Guide to World Class Customer Care!
Tracy A. Keller
Quality Assurance Coordinator
Tracy@ServiceScouts.com
www.servicescouts.com
Tracy A. Keller
Quality Assurance Coordinator
Tracy@ServiceScouts.com
www.servicescouts.com
@tracy@servicescouts.com wrote:
Actually- this post is incorrect. I was not your scheduler for this event. Please double check your information before you slander my name. You have done exactly one assignment for me, for which you were not given a poor rating. That shop was not at Christmas time.
Just to clarify, are you merely denying you are the scheduler for this event or are you denying that none of the other things happened?
I am not at all trying to stir the pot, I'm simply curious because to me a company sending an email on Christmas morning and then cancelling the shop because I was spending time with my family on the only day of the year they are all together is fairly pertinent information when deciding to do work for that company.
I'll be honest, I have several times wanted to do shops for Service Scouts. I log in and look at job boards and think wow that would be fun. At the same time there seem to be a lot of complaints. And every time there is a complaint there is a forceful it was your fault not ours response. Which makes me wonder if the company is pretty heavy handed with shoppers. Perhaps I would feel a bit better if once there was an ooooops we messed up reply. And if the company is so heavy handed it makes me wonder if perhaps their pool of shoppers is on the lower end of the spectrum. And if that's the case why? Is it because the jobs are too much work for the pay?
I just have questions. And multiple threads that shed a negative light on the company scare me.
There are reasons that a body stays in motion
At the moment only demons come to mind
At the moment only demons come to mind
I did not receive the email from 3/17 stating that the shop was assigned.
Here is a copy and paste of a portion of that from your typed statement:
Thank you for requesting your Indianapolis Events. Please download the Shopper Agreement, and the Requirements documentation associated with your shop. Print, sign, scan, then email the Shopper Agreement back to me. I need to have the shopper agreement in hand no later than March 18, 2016 at 7:30 pm local time.
It looks like it was assigning an event in Indianapolis so this was definitely not for the shop you assigned to me. It also looks like I never signed a shopper agreement.
So I guess you made a mistake.
Here is a copy and paste of a portion of that from your typed statement:
Thank you for requesting your Indianapolis Events. Please download the Shopper Agreement, and the Requirements documentation associated with your shop. Print, sign, scan, then email the Shopper Agreement back to me. I need to have the shopper agreement in hand no later than March 18, 2016 at 7:30 pm local time.
It looks like it was assigning an event in Indianapolis so this was definitely not for the shop you assigned to me. It also looks like I never signed a shopper agreement.
So I guess you made a mistake.
I was not the scheduler or the editor for the event in which Angela is referring to. BGriffin- I am wrong often- and when I am wrong, I do own it. I've been known to pay a shopper out of my own pocket for something I've messed up. Not that anyone would come to a forum and say, "Hey guess what?!"
Unfortunately, others do not own their mistakes. I state facts, it is not meant to be snarky nor is it "heavy handed." I have a set of policies that I must follow just as you shoppers do- if I want to keep my job.
Unfortunately, others do not own their mistakes. I state facts, it is not meant to be snarky nor is it "heavy handed." I have a set of policies that I must follow just as you shoppers do- if I want to keep my job.
@bgriffin wrote:
@tracy@servicescouts.com wrote:
Actually- this post is incorrect. I was not your scheduler for this event. Please double check your information before you slander my name. You have done exactly one assignment for me, for which you were not given a poor rating. That shop was not at Christmas time.
Just to clarify, are you merely denying you are the scheduler for this event or are you denying that none of the other things happened?
I am not at all trying to stir the pot, I'm simply curious because to me a company sending an email on Christmas morning and then cancelling the shop because I was spending time with my family on the only day of the year they are all together is fairly pertinent information when deciding to do work for that company.
I'll be honest, I have several times wanted to do shops for Service Scouts. I log in and look at job boards and think wow that would be fun. At the same time there seem to be a lot of complaints. And every time there is a complaint there is a forceful it was your fault not ours response. Which makes me wonder if the company is pretty heavy handed with shoppers. Perhaps I would feel a bit better if once there was an ooooops we messed up reply. And if the company is so heavy handed it makes me wonder if perhaps their pool of shoppers is on the lower end of the spectrum. And if that's the case why? Is it because the jobs are too much work for the pay?
I just have questions. And multiple threads that shed a negative light on the company scare me.
Your Guide to World Class Customer Care!
Tracy A. Keller
Quality Assurance Coordinator
Tracy@ServiceScouts.com
www.servicescouts.com
Tracy A. Keller
Quality Assurance Coordinator
Tracy@ServiceScouts.com
www.servicescouts.com
[shopper first name deleted by mod], When you joined Service Scouts- you electronically signed a shopper agreement which states what you are obligated to in the contract- you have one for every company you work with as a mystery shopper. There are two. One has a higher penalty than the other. Please read your documentation shoppers. Really- if you don't agree to the terms of the contract, then don't join the company as a shopper.
Mod note: Hi Tracy. In the future, when responding to someone, could you please use their forum name instead of their real name since that is how they post here and for various reasons they may not want their real name revealed? Thanks!
Mod note: Hi Tracy. In the future, when responding to someone, could you please use their forum name instead of their real name since that is how they post here and for various reasons they may not want their real name revealed? Thanks!
Your Guide to World Class Customer Care!
Tracy A. Keller
Quality Assurance Coordinator
Tracy@ServiceScouts.com
www.servicescouts.com
Tracy A. Keller
Quality Assurance Coordinator
Tracy@ServiceScouts.com
www.servicescouts.com
Wow, reading this thread is distressing. Tracy, a little sugar goes a long way. (The written post has a habit of coming back to you
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 04/20/2016 10:22PM by Kr.
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 04/20/2016 10:22PM by Kr.
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