| Author |
 Topic  |
|
Robert113
Member
Canada
16 Posts |
 Posted - 10/17/2007 : 10:36:40 AM
|
| This is just so sad java shops almost completely nonexistent in Canada. |
Robert |
 |
|
|
LisaOV
Star Contributor
MN
USA
2609 Posts |
Posted - 10/17/2007 : 6:15:29 PM
|
quote:
Originally posted by CherylK
With the new coffee shops, we don't have to be there the full 10 minutes, right? Call me paranoid--I don't want a shop rejected because I was only there 3 minutes! If so, what a relief it'll be not to have to stand around looking at the merchandise for what seems like hours, but is only minutes!
I agree. I've done some where there wasn't a restroom or a merchandise display - just basically a counter and bakery case - how in the world do I spend ten minutes there!! Drives me crazy!! Yes, I love the new shops. |
|
|
|
Aileen M.
Star Contributor
Naperville, IL
USA
406 Posts |
Posted - 10/17/2007 : 9:02:35 PM
|
Lisa-
Yesterday I ended up picking up a nutritional brochure and looking at it for several minutes. The location was inside a store, so I didn't have to check out the restroom and the merchandise was very very slim. So, reading the brochure killed time and made me realize that, since I had three shops to do, I was going to be consuming about 30 grams of fat...before 10 AM.  |
Aileen Mullee
General Manager
Ann Michaels and Associates |
|
|
|
Cilla
Star Contributor
MD
USA
1407 Posts |
Posted - 10/18/2007 : 05:35:23 AM
|
Prefilling the n/a s is a temporary fix. They are trying to get this huge job up and running on very short notice. I am just so glad that a reliable, and responsive, MSC has the client. When STN says, "We're working on it," I am confident that they actually are. 
 |
Cilla
MSPA Gold Certified 2005
IMSC Certified 2009 |
|
|
|
Lisa C
Member
Lombard, IL
USA
17 Posts |
Posted - 10/19/2007 : 09:52:43 AM
|
I agree with you, Cilla. Those poor schedulers/account managers - have been bombarded with emails about the reports. It's wonderful how they've been so proactive, keeping us all informed of temporary and future permanent fixes. I know that their IT folks were working on the system yesterday afternoon, because nobody could access the client's report pages. Tough, if there's a report due, but I'm glad they're addressing the issues.
All I know is....right now, I'm glad I'm not having to deal directly with frustrated shoppers and correcting this goofy report! Hat's off to everyone at STN!
- Lisa
quote:
Originally posted by Cilla
I have done a ton of shops for them in the past 2+ years and have found them highly reliable.
 BTW, the survey for their new client is giving everyone (including their IT staff) fits   and they are emailing shoppers with apologies and fixes. How refreshing to have a proactive MSC staff getting in touch and comiserating with frustrated shoppers! And, there has been the inevitable new client scheduling SNAFU, but, again, I got a nice email with apologies and an explanation of the "fix" that is being implemented. The client is being "super strict" with shopping hours and rotations on this new contract so STN gets a tough job due to the screw-ups made by the prior MSC, I think. 
|
|
|
|
MoniJ
Member
Trumbull, Connecticut
USA
30 Posts |
Posted - 10/19/2007 : 4:01:48 PM
|
| I just completed my first survey for their new client. Ugh !!! I hope they fix it soon. 100+ questions when most don't apply to the scenario is a bit much. Glad to see that the client is with a reputable MSC.One that doesn't keep changing the rules of engagement. |
Monij |
|
|
|
BettyWh
Member
Houston, TX
USA
29 Posts |
Posted - 10/21/2007 : 7:39:14 PM
|
| Is anyone else going nuts from the Clarifications Dept sending out notices for every single solitary "new, faster and easier" coffee shops? I haven't had a single one be accepted without a clarifications email asking questions that have already been answered in the initial report. I finally called last week and the editor agree I had answered the questions and approved them. And now here come 2 more today - Sunday. Sent this afternoon. I don't always read my email on Sundays. The scheduler was right - the new shops are much easier, both to do and to fill out the reports - BUT the clarifications people don't appeared to have received the message. In the end I'm spending more time and receiving less pay for these "new" shops. GRRRRRRR! |
|
|
|
Larry S
Valued Contributor
Simi Valley, CA
USA
210 Posts |
Posted - 10/21/2007 : 9:06:18 PM
|
I agree. I was asked for 4-5 things that the partners did to earn the rating. I wrote back that I was in the store less then 2 minutes and that the partners did not do 4-5 things in total period. That the rating was based on how I felt after interacting with the partners. Must have worked as the report was accepted. Now I simply say that the register partner made eye contact, smiled and greeted me. The barista thanks me. Two sentences and that seems to keep them happy. |
Larry |
|
|
|
.Stu
Inactive
Williamsburg, VA
USA
42 Posts |
Posted - 10/22/2007 : 06:35:58 AM
|
As there is two sides to every story , I will tell of my experiences with this company. In a one month span my scheduled shops were changed 3 times without being properly notified. Payments for 2 reimbursable paint shops finally received after 196 days and countless inquires. It was not until I threaten to contact the Attorney General in the companies home state that payment was immediately made. And of course the relentless e-mails for confirmation on the new shop scenarios.
Being vigilant with this company is necessary for proper payment. I myself lose valuable time (= money),compensating for their employee ineptitude. |
Stuwart |
|
|
|
Cilla
Star Contributor
MD
USA
1407 Posts |
Posted - 10/24/2007 : 06:09:21 AM
|
I have just completed my first 2 reports for their new client. I was very disappointed that they have not yet implemented the promised "n/a as default" fix to the questions that are not necessary for each shop.
 |
Cilla
MSPA Gold Certified 2005
IMSC Certified 2009 |
|
|
|
LisaTX
Valued Contributor
Plano, TX
USA
239 Posts |
Posted - 10/25/2007 : 05:52:50 AM
|
| I've got my first shop for the new client next week. I'm a bit nervous after hearing about other shoppers' experiences. Maybe I'll get lucky and changes will be made prior to next week??? Regardless, I still love STN and Lisa is my favorite scheduler of all time! |
Lisa
MSPA Gold Certified and happily shopping in North Texas |
|
|
|
NicLinBlue
Member
BC
Canada
14 Posts |
Posted - 10/25/2007 : 11:01:53 AM
|
| Am I the only idiot that didn't know that the new security badges for the airport had an expiry date on them. I went to do the Starbucks shops at our local airport last night and found out the hard way that my badge had expired and I now have to get it updated. They changed over their security badges last year and the old badges never expired so who knew! You would think that someone in the security office would let us know when the expiry date is coming up. Since we have to turn the badges in after every visit I never really looked at them. Anyway, I feel better now that I have ranted.... |
Linda |
|
|
|
Aileen M.
Star Contributor
Naperville, IL
USA
406 Posts |
Posted - 10/25/2007 : 1:32:44 PM
|
quote:
Originally posted by LisaTX
I've got my first shop for the new client next week. I'm a bit nervous after hearing about other shoppers' experiences. Maybe I'll get lucky and changes will be made prior to next week??? Regardless, I still love STN and Lisa is my favorite scheduler of all time!
They're very easy shops. It's annoying to have to click the N/A option 50 something times, but there's no problem with these shops. |
Aileen Mullee
General Manager
Ann Michaels and Associates |
|
|
|
Jahn Z
Contributor
USA
73 Posts |
Posted - 10/25/2007 : 1:34:47 PM
|
The questionaire and form for the new banking client is not short as someone had stated before. Even if you were not to consider the "NA" scenario and assuming that N/A would be by default already, the form is still too long for that one scenario. The report has so many narratives and then clarification emails. At least the previous notorious MS was paying much higher.
I only did two with so much frustration, and then clarification emails for the petty $10. I am hesitent picking those jobs.
I am disappointed with STN |
Jahn |
|
|
|
BethInNJ
Valued Contributor
NJ
USA
105 Posts |
Posted - 10/25/2007 : 1:41:58 PM
|
| What narratives Jahn? I just completed this shop and had no narratives, nor any emails for clarification. |
Beth
Silver Certified |
|
|
|
ValricoConnie
Star Contributor
FL
USA
1050 Posts |
Posted - 10/25/2007 : 10:41:20 PM
|
Linda, Don't feel bad, I had airside passes that were issued for the wrong date (issue date instead of weekend shop date) and I ended up personally escorted by the GM and I was not allowed out of his sight. In 3 years of ms, I never had someone watch me ms; it was weird with eyes on my back. Fortunately, the guy was really nice and it all worked out and I enjoyed it. I love STN and the bank form N/As reminded me of their warehouse shop forms, where I had to N/A page after page. |
>^..^< ::¤Connie¤::¤Gold Certified¤:: >^..^< |
|
|
|
Jahn Z
Contributor
USA
73 Posts |
Posted - 10/26/2007 : 01:02:24 AM
|
Beth,
I am not sure of I can list exact questions here. However, they pertain to what you liked about the visit and what not etc. Then the clarification emails also added more questions about ATM transactions and how I went well with those or not, and how the telephone cust. svce. was.
Since not everyone is getting those clarifications, I am now thinking it is all in the eyes of the editors you get? |
Jahn |
|
|
|
Cilla
Star Contributor
MD
USA
1407 Posts |
Posted - 10/26/2007 : 06:25:14 AM
|
| I have not gotten any clarification requests. |
Cilla
MSPA Gold Certified 2005
IMSC Certified 2009 |
|
|
|
LillianMae
Member
Colorado
USA
25 Posts |
Posted - 10/26/2007 : 08:23:02 AM
|
quote:
Originally posted by Cilla
I have just completed my first 2 reports for their new client. I was very disappointed that they have not yet implemented the promised "n/a as default" fix to the questions that are not necessary for each shop.
I completed one of these shops last week and the defaults were there. I just turned in a report today and the defaults are back again. I asked my scheduler about it this morning and she said that it wasn't working for a couple days but they have fixed that problem!  |
|
|
|
MarkFL
Valued Contributor
FL
USA
140 Posts |
Posted - 10/26/2007 : 11:59:57 AM
|
quote:
Originally posted by MarkFL
The only real complaint I have is that just about every month I would be contacted by my scheduler (now I have a new one), to complete a shop at a mall a little over an hour away. I would be offered the same bonus/mileage of $30. Every month I would have to call and get the bonus that was left out. I would then have to wait till the following month to get it.
I am now waiting for this months payment, which should be coming in today according to their web site. What scares me the most is that now that I have a new scheduler, I hope the old one didn't "forget" again. I hope I saved the email!
I love my new scheduler. Once again after receiving payment, the bonus was not listed. She reviewed my history at this location and emailed her supervisor. I received the extra payment in paypal 3 days later. |
Mark
MSPA Gold Shopper and Professional Merchandiser. |
|
|
|
Topic |
|
Feedback Requested: Second to None