Updating MSC Database
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The listing of the top 15 most discussed companies contains several that are no longer in business. For instance, #2, Maritz. I suggest that the criteria for inclusion be changed to require that the company still be in business. At 706 discussions, it is unlikely that Maritz will ever fall out of the top 15.
I am replying "in public" because others may see a need to retain the current Top 15 even if the company goes out of business.
I am replying "in public" because others may see a need to retain the current Top 15 even if the company goes out of business.
Shopping Southeast Pennsylvania, Delaware above the canal, and South Jersey since 2008
Thank you for your reply and expressing your concern. Once all of the defunct companies are removed from the list, we will be able to determine if this remains a problem.
I'll put Maritz on the list. Are you able to add other ones?
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 08/31/2022 07:25PM by stilllearning.
I'll put Maritz on the list. Are you able to add other ones?
I intend to live forever. So far, so good.
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 08/31/2022 07:25PM by stilllearning.
Northfork which went through several iterations and then went defunct.
Why keep companies on the list if they are no longer alive and well? Why not have a second list that says who bought them or if you keep them on the list with an asterisk that says "see XXX who bought them".
Do you you actually have access to how many times an MSC is discussed on the boards, which I think is what gives them ranking.
Why keep companies on the list if they are no longer alive and well? Why not have a second list that says who bought them or if you keep them on the list with an asterisk that says "see XXX who bought them".
Do you you actually have access to how many times an MSC is discussed on the boards, which I think is what gives them ranking.
Hi wrosie,
Crossing Northfork off of the active list. Thank you.
I see no reason to keep defunct companies on the list, however what would think if we included "(formerly
(company name))" following the name of an active company, as appropriate?
To answer your question, I know nothing about the technical side of the forum, so you might want to address the question to Jacob J.
Crossing Northfork off of the active list. Thank you.
I see no reason to keep defunct companies on the list, however what would think if we included "(formerly
(company name))" following the name of an active company, as appropriate?
To answer your question, I know nothing about the technical side of the forum, so you might want to address the question to Jacob J.
I intend to live forever. So far, so good.
There is utility in keeping a list of MSCs that are either no longer in business or have been absorbed by other MSCs. For one thing, individuals that were once associated with MSC#1 may end up with MSC#2. It is useful to keep track of certain individuals. For example, if Laurie Hines ends up with a new MSC, I would want to know. I would also want to know if someone with a long, positive history in this industry has moved on to a new MSC.
@BusyBeeBuzzBuzzBuzz wrote:
There is utility in keeping a list of MSCs that are either no longer in business or have been absorbed by other MSCs. For one thing, individuals that were once associated with MSC#1 may end up with MSC#2. It is useful to keep track of certain individuals. For example, if Laurie Hines ends up with a new MSC, I would want to know. I would also want to know if someone with a long, positive history in this industry has moved on to a new MSC.
I have no idea who Laurie Hines is or what MSC she used to work for that is now defunct or not. But as I said, provide a way, footnote, another list or something that would show what MSC got swallowed up by another MSC.
If Laurie Hines is the best scheduler in the world, perhaps you e-mail her and ask her who she's working for now.
Laurie Hines. Secret Shopping Services. The Wizard of Oz.
May I propose a method of configuration control? In other words, keep a historical list including MSC's no longer in business on a master list. A notation can be placed on the master list indicating when the MSC ceased operation and the forum member name who provided the information as well as the date. A sub-set of this list would be the active MSC list. I'd be more than glad to help if such assistance is needed.
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 09/01/2022 10:46AM by maverick1.
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 09/01/2022 10:46AM by maverick1.
If no one else has mentioned it yet, We Check, which is a Canadian Based Company, was acquired by the Canadian Division of Ipsos earlier this year. The We Check Sassie site is still active, for now, but eventually will be like the American Site with a Sassie and a Shopmetrics login on Ipsos' Canadian Site. Not sure when they will make the move.
Lady Marius
Canadian Mystery Shopper
Canadian Mystery Shopper
I just wanted to thank those who are making the effort to update.
The long list of no-longer-active MSCs that myst4au's has provided. was a huge contribution! Please PM me with your list, no matter how short or how long.
I intend to live forever. So far, so good.
Has anyone considered using a public Google Spreadsheet or Microsoft 365 Excel document to just track things live?
Honestly, that would be the most efficient way in tracking things will having multiple users on the forum make updates live.
Obviously, to avoid trolling, maybe have an admin user control by invite who gets to make updates?
If you guys would like, I have many anonymous alias emails I can use to start it up. Let me know!
Honestly, that would be the most efficient way in tracking things will having multiple users on the forum make updates live.
Obviously, to avoid trolling, maybe have an admin user control by invite who gets to make updates?
If you guys would like, I have many anonymous alias emails I can use to start it up. Let me know!
Very infrequently shopping the Greater Denver Area, Colorado Springs and in-between in Colorado these days.
Jacob also suggested using a Google Spreadsheet, and so I suspect that's the way we'll go.
Thank you for your offer to help set it up; I might very well take you up on it!
(heart)
Thank you for your offer to help set it up; I might very well take you up on it!
(heart)
I intend to live forever. So far, so good.
Step 1: Review the complete list of MSC Names, beginning with the Letter A.
Step 2: Extract the names of the active MSCs only. (If you're not certain, add a question mark after their name.)
Step 3: PM your redacted list to me.
A
Action Reaction Services(1 Discussions)
Agile Market Research Mexico(0 Discussions)
Alta 360 Research(48 Discussions)
A Closer Look(101 Discussions)
A Customers Point of View(9 Discussions)
About Face(81 Discussions)
Advanced Feedback Inc(8 Discussions)
Advantage Sales and Marketing(2 Discussions)
Albatross Global Solutions(40 Discussions)
All Star Customer Service Inc(3 Discussions)
Amber Arch(3 Discussions)
Amusement Advantage(66 Discussions)
Ann Michaels & Associates(10 Discussions)
Anonymous Insights(9 Discussions)
Apartment Shoppe(7 Discussions)
Ardent Services(56 Discussions)
Asset Protection Associates(17 Discussions)
Associate Consumer Evaluations / ACE Mystery Shopping(6 Discussions)
At Random Communications(0 Discussions)
At Your Service Marketing(3 Discussions)
Ath Power Consulting(156 Discussions)
Automotive Insights(17 Discussions)
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 09/01/2022 05:49PM by stilllearning.
Step 2: Extract the names of the active MSCs only. (If you're not certain, add a question mark after their name.)
Step 3: PM your redacted list to me.
A
Action Reaction Services(1 Discussions)
Agile Market Research Mexico(0 Discussions)
Alta 360 Research(48 Discussions)
A Closer Look(101 Discussions)
A Customers Point of View(9 Discussions)
About Face(81 Discussions)
Advanced Feedback Inc(8 Discussions)
Advantage Sales and Marketing(2 Discussions)
Albatross Global Solutions(40 Discussions)
All Star Customer Service Inc(3 Discussions)
Amber Arch(3 Discussions)
Amusement Advantage(66 Discussions)
Ann Michaels & Associates(10 Discussions)
Anonymous Insights(9 Discussions)
Apartment Shoppe(7 Discussions)
Ardent Services(56 Discussions)
Asset Protection Associates(17 Discussions)
Associate Consumer Evaluations / ACE Mystery Shopping(6 Discussions)
At Random Communications(0 Discussions)
At Your Service Marketing(3 Discussions)
Ath Power Consulting(156 Discussions)
Automotive Insights(17 Discussions)
I intend to live forever. So far, so good.
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 09/01/2022 05:49PM by stilllearning.
Circle of Service is one MSC that appears to be out of business.
I agree with the Google spreadsheet or something where we can see what’s been done/said, and I think you could use it to make the list. It doesn’t make a lot of sense for me to extract ones I know are in business when I’m not familiar with most of them. And absence of knowledge on those doesn’t mean they’re not in business. If you’ve been told by one person they’re still in business, do you really want 15 PM’s saying so? It’s up to you how it’s done, obviously, but this seems like it will waste a lot of time on everyone’s part. We already have a list to start with. If someone puts it into a word or excel document online then people can just put notes next to each name. If someone has already said “I did work for them last month, definitely in business,” I won’t bother commenting. Etc. (Also need to add all the MSC’s that are active but are missing from list). The rule is you can’t delete anything anyone else has written, whether it’s from the list or comments. If someone says “out of business” but I know it’s not true I’d just add my comment. If everyone just saves a local copy of what it looks like every time they access it, then if a troll deletes things it should be recoverable.
Dear Notme2022, to clarify, my immediate goal is to use the the simplest method possible to separate the active companies from the the defunct companies. From my viewpoint, pulling the active companies out of the list is the simplest. I have no doubt there are many different ways to approach this undertaking and this one works for me. In the end, I promise you that the forum's list of MSCs will be accurate and easily updatable.
And to assuage your concerns, I expect the updated information will be entered onto a Google Spreadsheet or something similar, so that it'll be easier to keep the list timely.
Myst4au has collated a pretty extensive list of defunct companies, which will definitely accelerate this process. Thank you again, myst4au!
(heart)
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 09/01/2022 07:42PM by stilllearning.
And to assuage your concerns, I expect the updated information will be entered onto a Google Spreadsheet or something similar, so that it'll be easier to keep the list timely.
Myst4au has collated a pretty extensive list of defunct companies, which will definitely accelerate this process. Thank you again, myst4au!
(heart)
I intend to live forever. So far, so good.
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 09/01/2022 07:42PM by stilllearning.
Ok if that’s best for you then that’s best. I’m not worried about it being easy to access and change as time goes on, just that you’re asking us to pull out ones still in business, but to include all the unknowns, and I may only know one in the A’s. So according to your instructions I’m supposed to say Acme is in business and then say asterisk or unknown for each of the others. And I won’t know what other DM’s you’ve gotten. So it seemed like it wasn’t the easiest method for either of us, but again it’s obviously up to you since you’re doing the big project. Huge thanks for doing this!
@stilllearning wrote:
Dear Notme2022, to clarify, my immediate goal is to use the the simplest method possible to separate the active companies from the the defunct companies. From my viewpoint, pulling the active companies out of the list is the simplest. I have no doubt there are many different ways to approach this undertaking and this one works for me. In the end, I promise you that the forum's list of MSCs will be accurate and easily updatable.
And to assuage your concerns, I expect the updated information will be entered onto a Google Spreadsheet or something similar, so that it'll be easier to keep the list timely.
Myst4au has collated a pretty extensive list of defunct companies, which will definitely accelerate this process. Thank you again, myst4au!
(heart)
And, many thanks to all involved for the congeniality with which this essential project is being tackled.
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.
Shopping from the Carolinas to New York
Have video cam; will travel
Poor customer service? Don't get mad; get video.
I think that the biggest benefit will be to new members of the forum who we instruct to check out the "the list". Most of the posters here have already had a relationship with the MSCs they do business with and will continue to do so.
But I have to agree, an updated list of any kind is better than the one we refer new shoppers to.
I might just check out the new list to see if I've missed any of the 200 or so MSCs I've signed up with off the old list.
But I have to agree, an updated list of any kind is better than the one we refer new shoppers to.
I might just check out the new list to see if I've missed any of the 200 or so MSCs I've signed up with off the old list.
@stilllearning I messaged you the A's list I reviewed.
Joanna81 Thank you; I really appreciate it!
(heart)
(heart)
I intend to live forever. So far, so good.
I'll just add in my two cents here....
On my toolbar at the top of my computer screen, I have a folder called "MSC"--Mystery Shopping Companies. When you click on it, a list drops down. I have them in alphabetical order. The companies I know that regularly have active shops in my region are listed by name. Intellishop, BARE, IPSOS, etc... There are about 20. After the last one on the list, I have a "ZZ" prefix and the name of the MSCs that are active. Companies like Mintel, and DSG. They're in business but don't usually have active shops down here. After the "ZZ" is the "ZZZ" prefix. These are MSCs that appear to be out of business. But I figure it costs nothing to keep the list so I have them here.
Anyway...my two cents. Is it possible to list companies by state/region? I know it may change...if company A lands a national account, it becomes a 50 state player. If Company B loses a national account, they become a regional actor. But I don't think that happens too too often.
Anyway...my two cents. Peace out.
On my toolbar at the top of my computer screen, I have a folder called "MSC"--Mystery Shopping Companies. When you click on it, a list drops down. I have them in alphabetical order. The companies I know that regularly have active shops in my region are listed by name. Intellishop, BARE, IPSOS, etc... There are about 20. After the last one on the list, I have a "ZZ" prefix and the name of the MSCs that are active. Companies like Mintel, and DSG. They're in business but don't usually have active shops down here. After the "ZZ" is the "ZZZ" prefix. These are MSCs that appear to be out of business. But I figure it costs nothing to keep the list so I have them here.
Anyway...my two cents. Is it possible to list companies by state/region? I know it may change...if company A lands a national account, it becomes a 50 state player. If Company B loses a national account, they become a regional actor. But I don't think that happens too too often.
Anyway...my two cents. Peace out.
Just be cool folks.
@condorchristi wrote:
Anyway...my two cents. Is it possible to list companies by state/region? I know it may change...if company A lands a national account, it becomes a 50 state player. If Company B loses a national account, they become a regional actor. But I don't think that happens too too often
Impossible to realistically manage without any sort of automation, active involvement from the entire MysteryShopForum community, etc.
Very infrequently shopping the Greater Denver Area, Colorado Springs and in-between in Colorado these days.
Are you directing this to everyone here who wants to help? So, you'll be getting a number of copies of this list with notes from different people? Or are you directing your instructions to someone in particular? I feel like I missed something.
@stilllearning wrote:
Step 1: Review the complete list of MSC Names, beginning with the Letter A.
Step 2: Extract the names of the active MSCs only. (If you're not certain, add a question mark after their name.)
Step 3: PM your redacted list to me.
A
Action Reaction Services(1 Discussions)
Agile Market Research Mexico(0 Discussions)
Alta 360 Research(48 Discussions)
A Closer Look(101 Discussions)
A Customers Point of View(9 Discussions)
About Face(81 Discussions)
Advanced Feedback Inc(8 Discussions)
Advantage Sales and Marketing(2 Discussions)
Albatross Global Solutions(40 Discussions)
All Star Customer Service Inc(3 Discussions)
Amber Arch(3 Discussions)
Amusement Advantage(66 Discussions)
Ann Michaels & Associates(10 Discussions)
Anonymous Insights(9 Discussions)
Apartment Shoppe(7 Discussions)
Ardent Services(56 Discussions)
Asset Protection Associates(17 Discussions)
Associate Consumer Evaluations / ACE Mystery Shopping(6 Discussions)
At Random Communications(0 Discussions)
At Your Service Marketing(3 Discussions)
Ath Power Consulting(156 Discussions)
Automotive Insights(17 Discussions)
Thank you all for your contributions and a special thanks to myst4au and joanna81! ❤❤❤
Please message me with your comments and corrections.
Bold = Changes and additions
A
A Closer Look
A Customers Point of View
About Face
Action Reaction Services
ACE (Associate Consumer Evaluations)
Advance Sales and Marketing
Advanced Feedback Inc
Advantage Sales and Marketing
Agile Market Research Mexico
Albatross Global Solutions, now CXG
All Star Customer Service Inc
Alta 360 Research
Amber Arch
Amusement Advantage
Ann Michaels & Associates
Anonymous Insights
Apartment Shoppe
ARC Quality Solutions (At Random Communications)
Ardent Services
Asset Protection Associates
Associate Consumer Evaluations / ACE Mystery Shopping
At Your Service Marketing
Ath Power Consulting
Automotive Insights
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 09/04/2022 08:11PM by stilllearning.
Please message me with your comments and corrections.
Bold = Changes and additions
A
A Closer Look
A Customers Point of View
About Face
ACE (Associate Consumer Evaluations)
Advance Sales and Marketing
Advanced Feedback Inc
Advantage Sales and Marketing
Agile Market Research Mexico
Albatross Global Solutions, now CXG
All Star Customer Service Inc
Alta 360 Research
Amber Arch
Amusement Advantage
Ann Michaels & Associates
Anonymous Insights
Apartment Shoppe
ARC Quality Solutions (At Random Communications)
Associate Consumer Evaluations / ACE Mystery Shopping
Ath Power Consulting
Automotive Insights
I intend to live forever. So far, so good.
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 09/04/2022 08:11PM by stilllearning.
Hi all! I haven't been around the forum much since ~2015 due to returning to school and getting a bachelor's in computer science. I'm now a web developer/programmer, and as much as I enjoyed MS'ing and have no regrets about my time doing it -- this is so much better. 
Anyhow, the current plan is that I'll get to work with Jacob to hopefully make some forum improvements as well. Hopefully we can do something about the user interface of the MS Company List, since it kinda sucks. I mean, it serves it's purpose but could be much better.
Where on here do users indicate their association with a MS company? I notice that when you click on a company's MSF page it tells you if you are or aren't affiliated, but I haven't found where you tell the forum that.
Anyhow, the current plan is that I'll get to work with Jacob to hopefully make some forum improvements as well. Hopefully we can do something about the user interface of the MS Company List, since it kinda sucks. I mean, it serves it's purpose but could be much better.
Where on here do users indicate their association with a MS company? I notice that when you click on a company's MSF page it tells you if you are or aren't affiliated, but I haven't found where you tell the forum that.
Practitioner of the Nerdly Arts.
Top of the screen under your login name pull-down screen.
StormCloud has created a Google Spreadsheet, to which she will enter the "Preliminary A List".
Moving on to the Bs and Cs.
Moving on to the Bs and Cs.
I intend to live forever. So far, so good.
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