Hi Lauri,
I understand your frustration, but most MSPs with iSS take about 30-45, even 60 days to remit payment. Each MSP has their payment schedule and requirements listed in the contract you sign with them. Not all of them require a W9, but some do. It's their policy on how they operate, and will probably continue to be that way.
As I said at the beginning, it can be frustrating, and when I started shopping, believe me I was not a happy shopper, but then I changed my way of thinking. I realized that I had money coming into my pocket "in the future". Not a gold mine, but a nice panning stream that I could look forward to, especially in between those other hard earned paychecks. Since then I have no problem of when getting paid happens, because it does.
Finally, the "pending" part is the period from the time your shop is accepted by the MSP until you are paid. It is basically the time period (30-60 days) from the "Date" your shop was accepted. Sorry, but that is how the MSPs on this platform operate with payments.
Hope this brief information helps you. Continue shopping, and you will get a nice stream of "a dinner and a movie". Have fun and a great day.
Hi Dawn,
I would suggest contacting iSS by opening a ticket and letting the support team investigate it. Try that as step one. iSS should be able to direct elsewhere if they cannot assist. Hope that helps
Hi Cas,
Yes it is frustrating. Technology is not perfect. Someone somewhere is always working on that. Usually these shops have a date range listed, which is always updated. Perhaps the client wants them to continue to be listed just in case that they may need more shoppers. These assignments often do require multiple inquiries so that the client gets a well-rounded selection of reports from shoppers of both demographic and geographic backgrounds.
Hopes this tidbit is of assistance. Keep shopping along.
Hello,
Sometimes I have also encountered that situation, but i have found that the necessary information needed before accepting the shop is available beforehand. Also, some info. may not be accessible or perhaps disclosed until the shop is accepted by a shopper. The MSP or client may stipulate these additional requirements. Not to say that this is necessary true, but just a thought.
In addition, if you ever have any questions or concerns about a shop, contact the MSP ahead of time. The shop might be taken when you receive your request back from them, but you will have your answer and when the next shop of the same type comes along, you'll have what you asked for. I've done that, and it works for me.
Hope this little bit of info. helps. Happy shopping.
Hi Carissa,
Welcome to the forum and iSS. Phone shops are a little different than others, but not by much. Here's the scoop:
No, you can use any phone you like. I can't tell you or guide you on that one.
Next, most of the calls made DO NOT use a call app because they must be recorded. There is a special phone number contained within the shop instructions, once you are assigned a phone shop, that you will use to make the call. If you call using the CALL button in the mobile iSS app, it won't record the call. Also, you cannot use any other call or phone apps.
Once the call is recorded, you will be able to listen to it before you submit your shop report. It will be attached to the report automatically. You can't change or delete it, or it will invalidate the shop and get it declined.
Hope this tidbit of information helps.
One last tidbit: Consider using Google Voice. It is a system and method where by you are assigned a phone number and voicemail different from your own, and it get attached to the phone you are using. If you do multiple phone shops, this is a great asset. Check out other discussions on this forum for more information, and also Google. If you do not have Google, then you would need to sign up, but it's a "phone" for thought? Ha.
Happy phony shopping.
Hello all,
Take your time getting your "shopper shoes" wet. It can be intimidating and exciting both at the same time. It was for me. Check out the different areas of this forum and continue posting.
Also, any questions or concerns about ANY shop or instructions, contact the MSP. The schedulers are more than happy to provide the answers to your questions and concerns, so that down the road it avoids any pitfalls, like a declined shop.
Hope this helps. Happy shopping and welcome.
You have to sign the contract and agreement with the MSP before you can accept their phone shops. Also, phone and web shops are VERY popular. Best way to get them is to request all of them, that is for the same shop, then you might get one. Contact the scheduler and MSP about the problem with the popup window. Maybe they can assist. If not, contact iSS via the ticket system and explain the issue. They can also help.
Thanks for reading.
Hello to all and welcome to both the forum and iSS, the fun place to both shop and learn. Maybe I can answer some of your concerns and questions.
The process is very simple. You can choose any shop using the mobile phone app or online directly. I use both to pick assignments, but usually use the phone app to complete the reports. It's very much easier and faster than the computer counterpart.,
After you pick your shop, you will then complete. READ everything in the instructions carefully BEFORE you do the shop. That way, there won't be any delays in getting approved and a lower chance of it being declined.
Also, if you have not, be sure to peruse the contract you signed for each MSP, that will tell you the payment policy. Most MSPs use PayPal, so you have to set up an account. Your paypal account is not set up or linked to the mobile phone app in any way. The information is relayed to each MSP when you sign their contract, so that they can pay you for your shops. Be sure the paypal information is correct, even one letter or number off and you won't be paid.
The instructions for your shop are located with the shop itself. When you get a shop assigned to you, an email will be sent containing the basic shop information and will contain additional links containing more detailed instructions and the shop questionnaire itself. The same details are also posted on the iSS website under Assigned Shops. You will find this selection in the left hand column of the main page once you login to iSS on a computer. On the mobile app, it is listed under Assigned Shops in the second column and row of the main screen on the app just below the Set Assign Limit heading.
There are video tutorials on the iSS website. The link is at the very bottom of the home page on the computer, or is listed as iSS videos on the mobile app at the bottom of that page. They are basic overview videos to help you get started with iSS or as a refresher course.
Finally, as a last great suggestion, circulate around this forum and check out other comments/posts/thread. You will much helpful information, and other posts share the same information that I am. AND, with any shop, if you have a question, concern, or etc. contact the MSP the shop is connected with immediately before doing anything on the shop. Their contact information is listed in the email previous outlined that is sent up shop acceptance, and is also in the list of MSPs you have, another link also available on the left column of the main iSS page on computer or MSPs on the mobile app.
I hope that is beginning tidbit is helpful to all. Happy shopping.
Certification is good to have if you want it. You learn more and enhance your shopping experience. Outside of that, it's good old-fashioned hard work and experience that MSPs look for. I've talked to schedulers with a few that I work with, and most of them state that what they (MSPs) check out is your shopping history and the variety of shops completed. In essence, its the badges and points you accumulate that make a great shopper and get you to stand out, and be noticed, not certifications.
One exception to this might be with videos. MSPA and other shopper organizations offer courses in video shops, video equipment use, and completing video shops. These courses are worth the time and money to complete (and get a certificate). These types of shops are a bit more complex and an increase level of thoroughness is required. So, if you never done a video shop, or before going out and spending $$$ leasing or buying equipment, these videos are worth the time and expense, and the certificate is nice to hang on the wall too!!
MSPA and other organizations are also great for networking, going to conferences, and meeting people. There is so much more to secret shopping, but remember, let's all have fun!! Happy shopping.
Hi Mistee,
Yes to both of your questions.
Payment pending means that the shop has been approved by the MSP and they are in the process of getting you paid. However, if you have not read in your contracts, most MSPs take 30-45 days to make a payment, so it might be a little while before you are paid. But you will get paid.
If a shop gets declined, you will know that too. And you will not be paid. If a shop is declined, there will be no payment pending.
Whether approved or declined, you will receive an email indicating which way the decision went. Once a decision is made, no further review is necessary.
iSS does not approve or decline shops, or make payments to you. The MSP is responsible for all of these decisions.
iSS is a shopper portal or platform that contracts out to MSPs to place job offers for their clients on this portal and make them available to us, the shopper. Think of it like a grocery store; food is sent to the store where it is put on shelves for us to buy and take home. iSS works the same: the MSP sends shops to iSS, iSS then lists the available shops on the platform (website), and we the shoppers come along and pick and choose shops to complete and get paid! Nice, heh!
Hope that helps and happy shopping!