Hi there,

I mentioned this in another post but wanted others to see it and hopefully get some feedback and/or suggestions so it doesn't happen to me or anyone else in the future. Okay here's the story: I had a college phone shop to do and I called, but had to leave a message. As per the instructions, I was to give them some time to call back and try calling over a few days if need be. (Call is Not recorded in this shop assignment by the way) So my first call was around 1:30pm, and I received a voice mail from a person at the school around 3pm. They close at 4pm, and I had to call them back the next morning because I missed the call and didn't get the voice mail until 5:30ish. So the next morning I called, and the school's automated system picked up and stated the school was closed for the holidays until January 2nd. I was shocked! It was only December 20th! I emailed the MSP and let hem know and asked if I should wait to call when they reopen or let me know what they suggest. The response via email that I got from the MSP said that my shop had " been declined because the location was closed". I lost points too! I emailed them back immediately and said politely that I noticed I lost points for this shop, and was this on purpose or a mistake? He said yes, you lost points.

I didn't respond because I don't like to argue and cause issues especially since I work with them a lot and like working with them but this really upset me. Help anyone? Thanks!

Hi,

An MSC should not be punishing you for something out of your control. If you follow the directions correctly and contact your scheduler when something like this happens, you should never have points deducted. From what you have shared, the scheduler is in error.

If this were to happen to me, I would ask a question such as this, "Hi, so that I can continue to improve myself, how should I have handled the situation?"

I agree MFJohnston. I wanted to see if I was missing something. I am disappointed in myself for not really saying something.

Hi there,

It is a tough situation and I like the suggestion that MFJohnson made. I might even ask if they may reconsider deducting the points and explain why. As long as you are polite, it should be okay. I know it is tough because they schedule also.

I had a shop recently that said to leave a message, if need be, but I cannot do that because I have a full-time job and cannot receive calls. So, I told the MSC scheduler that and they were fine with it. I just kept calling back until I got a hold of someone.

So they closed after you shopped there?

MFJohnston is right - asking that question would either result in them explaining an option that you might not have been aware of, or them realizing that you were right and the fault really was not yours, in which case it's only fair to restore your points...

I just started. I’ve had like 4 projects & I’m at -80! I’ve never been an under achiever!! One day I phone shop wrong person I was assigned to shop. -50! Wow. I’m not encouraged to stay onboard especially when I’m being asked to buy $130 products and you might see it in 4 weeks? Anyway I’m trying to keep my chin up. I’m a seasoned market research professional but there is a learning curve.

Discouraged Ed in Texas

@JDFREE:

You'll find that, for the most part, this is not difficult. However, it is imperative to follow guidelines perfectly. If we do not, the client will not accept our reports and the MSC will not get paid. If the MSC won't get paid, they won't pay us. It does take a few shops to get into the groove. You may want to start with shops that do not rely on an outlay of cash as you get yourself going - or that having purchasing something you were going to purchase anyhow. After a few shops, you'll be comfortable and able to do fine. Waiting 4-6 weeks (more in some cases) is tough to swallow at first, but you get acclimated. At the heart of that issue is that most MSC's' are really small businesses that cannot afford to pay shoppers until the client pays them.

How does one check their points?

I also would like to know how to check my points... not my rep points, but my shop points? where might we find out that information?

Thanks