After performing 14 perfect shops (including high dollar luxury shops) for a single specific Secret Shopping Company on the iSecretShop platform, I completed and turned in a shop -- which was denied. I realize that many secret shopping companies have contract workers often scoring shop results. I didn't understand why the shop was rejected and asked the reviewer to pass my response for review by one of their supervisors (as I've never had a single issue with this company prior). There was no response.

I tried to communicate with the Secret Shopping Company on their own website. There was no response. I tried calling their company directly and left several polite messages asking for a return call. There was no response.

I asked for assistance with iSecretShop and was told they provide this wonderful platform but are not responsible if the Secret Shopping Companies which use it do not pay Secret Shoppers that use it, and that the specific Secret Shopper Company does not want me to contact them further and has banned me from future shops they list on iSecretShop.

Further, if I sought legal action to recover payment from the specific Secret Shopper Company, which might expose the company I shopped (as part of a legal complaint), I would be banned from the iSecretShop platform for a violation of their terms of service. I was instructed I could seek resolution or ask for assistance here and at MSPA and other Secret Shopper forums, so long as I did not reveal the company I shopped.

Has anyone ever experienced a situation like this on iSS or another platform? What did you do? Are you aware if the MSPA assists members with Secret Shopper Companies that refuse to pay for contracted jobs performed? I thought I'd ask here first before posting this request for assistance on other shopping forums (which iSecretShop suggested I do)?

Eliot

Hello Eliot,

As a general rule, we leave the shopper forums largely unmoderated, even when the content is negative or inaccurate. However, in this case, clarification is warranted: You are well aware of why your shop was declined. The decline message you initially received clearly explained that it was because you failed to comply with the specific shop requirements. The shop was therefore not acceptable per the MSP’s and end-client’s contractual agreement. You then argued with the MSP about the decline, explaining that in your professional opinion, the requirements did not need to be followed. The MSP disagreed and upheld their decision, as is their right to do. You then opened a ticket with iSecretShop detailing the situation, explaining the decline reason you were given (failure to comply with the shop requirements), explaining why you felt it was incorrect, and appealing to iSS to intervene. We are a software company and have neither the authority nor ability to arbitrate a dispute between an MSP and an Independent Contractor. We are here for technical support of the websites, apps, and platform. Posting your frustrations, opinions, and concerns on the forums is reasonable, however, intentionally misrepresenting the situation and stating that you were never given a reason and that no one responded to you is not.