I know most of this forum's users are in the US but I've noticed a few Canucks like me. My question/problem is mainly addressed to them.

Every since MFI took over the FF shops, I've been having a hard time being properly reimbursed for the meals, particularly when 2 meals are involved. Even though I enter exactly the amount I paid (before and after taxes) and scan copies of the receipts into the reports, I'm only repaid a max. of $14. Where I live, 2 meals cost over that amount. Not by much, but when one does 5-6 of these shops, it adds up. Not only am I not reimbursed correctly, but I'm being paid back in US$ when I've spent CDN$ on the meal. MFI doesn't always use a current conversion rate so I often get screwed on the exchange. After 3 months of having to contact MFI when I receive my cheque, I'm not a happy camper.

Is anyone else feeling like this? Why the heck don't they use the information required from me and pay me back what I've spent? It's really starting to tick me off....

Don't get me wrong - I love these evaluations and particularly the phone calls offering large bonuses but I dislike having to constantly double check each amount reimbursed. I never, ever had this issue with the Aussies.

Your thoughts?

They are Cheapskates with US Shoppers, also.

Just one of the reasons I dropped them some time ago...

Did the Aussies pay more than the stated reimbursement amount? MSPs in the U.S. don't. With some shops and MSPs, the reimbursement is not enough to cover the required purchase. Making the decision to accept the shop depends on what the shopper needs. Reimbursement may cover requirements, tax, tip and parking. If not, reimbursement provides a discounted price of the required purchase.

I think the issue here is the payment itself. I'm not sure if the fee and reimbursement are offered in US$ or Canadian$. If I receive payment by direct deposit to my bank and it is some currency other than US$, the bank does a conversion to US$ prior to crediting my account with the deposit. The exchange rate is never good because of all the fees the bank slaps on for this 'service'. Certainly if I accept a job for $20 to be performed in the US, I expect to receive $20 US. If the company chooses to pay me 20 of some other currency, it may be to my benefit or detriment. It would certainly clear up any fuss and bother if they did the conversion prior to sending payment so that I would receive $20 US without any loss, gain or other issues on my part. I did, after all, contract in US$.

I know from when I was with MF a few years back and did these shops, there was a maximum reimbursement amount. Sometimes, I visited a few more expensive places for this chain and once they even questioned me on the amount, as it was over the maximum limit they would provide. They may have made an exception for their max in that case ... I honestly don't remember.

However, yes there was a maximum amount they paid and I am assuming there still is when they got the contract back from the other MSC since the time I have not worked for them. And as stated above, it probably is the amount in US dollars and not Canadian currency which they reimburse. Worth checking out, but if they don't reimburse you for the full cost, I would honestly not do the shops. If enough shoppers would do the same up in the Great White North, maybe they will get the picture and correct that problem.

Thanks for the responses.

A few clarifications:

The shop CPI states "full reimbursement" for these shops. There is no max. reimbursement in this particular case. The reports ask for a scan of the receipt and one must input the price paid before and after taxes. The MFI knows how much was spent and they have the CPI so why has this been an issue month after month, since they took over this client?

The MSC has been very communicative and has responded well to the issue. When questioned, they have always apologized and sent a cheque covering the difference. My question was to see if other Canadians were going through the same thing - not being paid full reimbursement even though the CPI said so and if the conversion rates messed up their payments too.

My other issue has to do with the monetary conversion. I have contracted and agreed to be paid in US$ so that's not the issue. The problem is that I've been promised "full reimbursement" which would be in CDN$ since that's what was paid. Instead, the company is taking what I've paid, converting it into US$ using rates that are not always current, then sending me a cheque a month later for that amount, which I then have to reconvert into CDN funds at the bank using that day's rates. When I cash it in, it rarely equals the amount I spent - especially lately with the strong Canadian dollar. This company does not offer direct deposit for its Canadian shoppers or the option to be paid via Paypal. The Aussies paid via Paypal in CDN funds.

Does that make more sense? Maybe I just need for the CDN economy to lose a little steam so the US$ is worth more...

Thanks for letting me vent and ramble.

...or maybe we'd prefer that the US economy improve a little so the US$ is worth more.............LOL

Or maybe we should all move to Vancouver and compete for shopping jobs, thus driving the rates down lower. LOL. Just kidding.

I don't know if it is still stated this way or not, but it used to be a little contradictory. It used to say "full reimbursement up to $14."

deleted due to an ooops



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 07/29/2010 07:00PM by Cettie.

I wouldn't mind moving to Vancouver or even Victoria. Went there on vacation one year and it was a magnificent place. As for MFI, their initials say it all M...F...Idiots


Can you see how much I adore them?

Might MFI losing 1 of every 3 faxes I send to them confirm your opinion, Cettie? And, of course, it is always my fault.

ShopUntilYouDrop Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Might MFI losing 1 of every 3 faxes I send to them
> confirm your opinion, Cettie? And, of course, it
> is always my fault.


Of course. They never do anything wrong. Only shoppers do.

Exactly why they're not even on my 10-foot list, maybe my 10-MILE list but not 10-foot.