I know it is supposed to snow, but not until later in the afternoon. I actually live 25 miles south of Dallas in a rural area. This is why I get a lot of bonused shops. I pick up a lot of the small towns where Confero have shops that need working. It is an easy drive for me to work these without getting into the traffic nightmares in Dallas and the surrounding suburbs. For mystery shoppers close to Dallas, it would be a 100 mile round trip. For me, I can be at most of the locations in 30 minutes.

I have 3 shops scheduled for Confero tomorrow. I could have them all done in a couple of hours. I still feel like Confero is having financial problems and I am taking a risk investing more money working shops, but it is hard to give up large bonuses when I really need the money. I am in a dilemma as to what to do.

I enjoyed the warmer winter, but when I hear the word "snow," I personally bail! I don't know what I would do though if I was in that situation.

Thank you, Patman. Your advice is sound and exactly what I was thinking. I believe my mystery shopping for Confero is going to be very limited. We all need to be cautious about working Confero shops until we see what happens. We are due to be paid again between January 10th and the 15th.

I have been shopping for Confero for 8 years. On the average, their payments are 7-8 weeks after the shops have been completed. I had a payment issue in the past. They never respond, but I did receive the payment. I don't think they are ever going to stick to a predetermined payment schedule where you can fully rely on a payment within 6 weeks. Not do I think they are going to respond directly to payment inquiries. It's not in their mode of operation, much like the big"i.". At this point, I do not have concerns about payment. However, that can change. So if you have concerns, you may want to limit the number of shops you do with them to mitigate damages if they don't pay.

Tex, as you solicited the thread's opinion, the following is the same answer I have shared on several occasions in the past: Go with your gut. I have read that when Ben Franklin was undecided, he would divide a paper in half and list one column PRO, the other CON. IF your financial need is greater than your reluctance or concern, that is definitely a factor, but unless you are able to accept the company for who and what they are, you will be miserable continuing the relationship.

@Texans I am an accountant and you can't write it off as a loss you just don't have to declare it as income. If you incurred any expenses you can definitely claim them.

Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 01/09/2025 06:15PM by jpgilham.

Well, surprise-surprise! My monies arrived in my Paypal account late this afternoon. Phew!!

I got paid today 1/9/25 for shops done in November

ShopperBob, I agree with what you said and thank you. I am just going to trust my instincts. I am not sure right now what I am going to do regarding Confero.

Jpgilham, that is what I was saying. I wasn't going to claim the job, I couldn't report it as income. I was referring to the groceries that I had to purchase as part of the shop. That is why I mentioned keeping your receipts. My accountant told me that I could certainly claim those as an expense IF we didn't get paid for the shops.

My shopper log says I was paid December 8, but it is not in my Paypal account yet. I'll give it until tomorrow, but I will be limiting my exposure to this company. Something is up. (Or more likely down.)

Still waiting......

Tex, you are welcome. Should you ever again desire my opinion, it will be concise and logical, but never condescending, do not hesitate to ask.

DRJ. We are supposed to receive our payment for the second half of November between January 10th and the 15th. We'll See

Dang, Confero has it out for DRJ!

And here it is December 11 and I've yet to receive my Paypal payment for early November shops despite the shop log saying they paid me on December 8 (which would have been over a week late anyway.)

I got an invitation to do the same shop I did in early November and wrote back explaining that I would not take it until I am paid for my prior shop. The scheduler sent a response saying she'd forwarded to my inquiry to Confero payment support and that I'd hear back by the next business day (which of course I didn't).

I could understand an independent scheduler not being aware of a payment issue, but this scheduler seems to be an in-house project manager, so there is no excuse for her to feign surprise.

Equine24 shares--I have been shopping for Confero for 8 years. On the average, their payments are 7-8 weeks after the shops have been completed. I had a payment issue in the past. They never respond, but I did receive the payment. I don't think they are ever going to stick to a predetermined payment schedule where you can fully rely on a payment within 6 weeks. Not do I think they are going to respond directly to payment inquiries. It's not in their mode of operation, much like the big"i.". At this point, I do not have concerns about payment. However, that can change. So if you have concerns, you may want to limit the number of shops you do with them to mitigate damages if they don't pay.

Bob comments--To all shoppers, read and then re-read Equine's post. He/she concisely stated what one needs to accept. I have been contracted with Confero for 19+ yrs., have completed 48 shops and have always been paid, BUT, I ceased sending any inquiries when I failed to receive a single response. I accepted that shortcoming, just as they may have accepted mine.

@NinS wrote:

I got an invitation to do the same shop I did in early November and wrote back explaining that I would not take it until I am paid for my prior shop. The scheduler sent a response saying she'd forwarded to my inquiry to Confero payment support and that I'd hear back by the next business day (which of course I didn't).

I did the same thing, and my scheduler responded in the same way. I wasn't paid that day, but at least my money came within a couple of days of that response, so maybe it did help.

Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 01/14/2025 04:55PM by guysmom.

Texans, did you get paid for your second half November shops?

I still haven't been paid for early November. I contacted my scheduler who forwarded my email to "suppport." I also emailed "support" directly who said they would reply within 24 hours. Crickets. I have a shop due Monday that I pushed out from last Monday waiting for this to be resolved. I've never had a problem getting paid by them in the past and nothing has changed with my Paypal so I don't understand what the problem could be. I'm not going to extend my exposure to them as an unsecured creditor if they are having financial difficulties, so I will be letting my scheduler know this as I cancel my remaining shops with them.

@Texans wrote:

DRJ. We are supposed to receive our payment for the second half of November between January 10th and the 15th. We'll See

I did not receive my payment that was due on January 15th. I have 4 shops that I am supposed to work for them on Saturday. These are bonused shops because they are in tiny towns about 75 miles south of Dallas. I doubt if I will work them unless I get paid.

ShopperBob wrote that he has always had a problem with Confero paying on time. I have worked for them for 3 years, but until about 6 months ago, my payments were either on time or early. I emailed shopper payments yesterday and asked them to please send my payment. I explained that I am on social security and dont get paid until next Wednesday. I am not willing to use a quarter tank of gas and spend another $40 on groceries when Confero hasn't paid me. As usual, they didn’t reply. Up until about 6 months ago, I always would receive a reply by the next day.

Many years ago, I was in accounting. I would cut two million dollars worth of checks each week for a large company. These were to pay the companies that they purchased products from. The owner started dividing the check runs into twice a week. Then, he started holding the second check run until the next week. I saw the writing on the wall and took a job with another company. Within 6 months, the company that I had worked for went out of business. This issue with Confero is worrying me.

Texan posts--ShopperBob wrote that he has always had a problem with Confero paying on time.

Bob replies--After seeing Texan's comment, I re-read all of my posts in these pages and, either I am being confused with another shopper or there is a definite misunderstanding. Confero has always paid me, but, as I stated in one post, the time frame is immaterial to me. I did mention that replies to my queries were unanswered, so I accepted that communication was not one of their priorities.

Below is a pasting of a post from 11/11/24:

My relationship with Confero extends back to Dec. of 2005. During that period, I have always been paid as agreed for 48 completed shops, with 6 this yr. and a seventh for this week.

I would be less concerned with a late payment than I am by the fact that the shop log says I was paid on January 8th when in fact, I have NOT been. My emails and that of my scheduler have gone unanswered. I cancelled my remaining shops with them and will be considering what action to take next. Does anyone know the CEO, Elaine Buxton's email? EBuxton@Conferoionc.com? ElaineB@Conferoinc.com?Elaine.Buxton@Conferoinc.com?

@DRJ wrote:

EBuxton@Conferoionc.com?

Yes, this ^^^^^^ ebuxton@conferoinc.com ^^^^^^

I got paid for the second half of November late yesterday evening. I had sent an email yesterday stating that I would have to cancel my shops if I didn't get paid. This was the truth. I can't afford to buy gas for my car plus purchase groceries if I don't get paid.

Thanks Guysmom!

I got paid today for the rest of Nov today as well.

After telling a scheduler earlier this week that I wouldn't do any more shops I was paid tonight for my Nov shop.

@JimmyP wrote:

Why are you afraid to write "Confero"?

I figured it was just not knowing how to spell and thought the non-payment might be owing to poor writing skills.

Finally got paid late today (Jan 18) for November 7th shop that the log says they paid on January 8: No reply to any of my emails nor any explanation. The last I checked, it didn't take Paypal 10 days to process a payment. I will be watching closely for my payment for December shops.