I use an app called "Call Recorder" for my iPhone 8x when I need to record a call. If I remember correctly, the app if free, but you pay for usage. I haven't put money on it in almost two years, so I don't remember the cost - but I'm pretty cheap, so it wasn't much.
I've used quite a few different call-recording systems (iSS, Sassie, ShopMetrics, Prophet,...) and every time there has been a problem with the system, my call simply did not go through, so I knew there was an issue right away. I've never had one connect me and fail to record...
MSC's don't look for ways not to pay: When they don't pay you, they don't get paid for the shop at all. Plus, they have to find somebody else to do it - often by offering more money.
Joan -
I've done quite a few shops on this site, earning over $10,000. (I do most of my shopping elsewhere, though.) Some shops are better deals for shoppers than others. Plus different shoppers find value in different types of shops. Leaning to identify what works well for you comes with time and experience.
Some shoppers get assignments directly from schedulers, before they ever hit the job boards. Some shoppers travel and will pick up "points" elsewhere. I am yet to hear of any concrete information suggesting that getting "verified" makes any difference.
Ivan -
There is one MSP (MarketForce) that will deactivate you as a shopper if you do not complete at least one shop every three months. I have been deactivated for this very reason twice - and have had an exchange with their help desk about.
For those not familiar with this company, it is likely the single largest MSC and does not use the iSS platform.
I don't do $5 shops like what you describe.... I would not delete this site - though it might make sense to only check it periodically. There is no way to know what opportunities will arise later.
Steven -
Name tags: Most of the time, the MSC will ask for a description if you can't see a name tag. However, for some MSC's and clients, you absolutely need the name and might have to simply ask the person. Read the guidelines carefully. Generally, you can find the answer there.
Restaurants often have a rotation allowing you to shop them periodically. Each one is different, so if you have a question, contact the scheduler.
It's common. Contact the scheduler.
There is no way to determine this. MSC's lose and gain clients all the time. This month, they might not have any work in your area. Next month, they might have a ton. You simply need to sign up with the company and check out what they have. If you are signed up with a company that has nothing for you, but enable email notifications, you will almost certainly get an email when/if they do get work in your area.
Kristy -
To a degree, yes. However, there is not going to be any hard-and-fast rule. There are hundreds of companies that offer shops and each has its own procedures. Well-established companies with long lists of trusted shoppers might be slow to trust more intricate shops to a new person. A company struggling to get shops completed might be more willing to take a chance on somebody that you don't know.
As a shopper, you need to recognize that your reputation is everything. Be professional. Be extremely reliable (i.e. NEVER cancel). Always do outstanding work. If you do this, you will quickly be recognized by the companies and schedulers with whom you work as somebody that can be trusted with the most complex assignments. You will also be the one that gets called at the 11th hours when they are desperate - and ready to offer significant bonuses.
Irina -
I have worked quite a bit with Doug Rector. He is honest and full of integrity. He does not want to deny shops - he doesn't get paid when shops are not approved. Who is above Doug? Nobody: He is the founder and owner of NWLPC. It is his decision to accept/deny shops and shoppers.
Yes, excessive grammar errors can lead to shop rejection. Why? Sometimes grammar errors make it difficult to determine what a shopper is trying to communication. Moreover, grammar errors can suggest that a shopper did not put enough effort into a shop to have trustworthy reporting.
I cannot comment on your concern about losing badges as I do not pay enough attention to them to really know how they work.