National Shopping Service

The client rejected the photo because it was blurry, not because there was cheese on top of the toppingsThe client grades pizzas every day with cheese on topWe tried to send your photo to the client, but they rejected itOur agreement with our client is to send them the highest quality photos we can, with the understanding that if any photos are deemed unusable by the client, we will accept the rejection and not bill for the shopThis in turn means we can not pay the shopper for any unusable reportsThis is clearly explained in the shopper training materials provided to any shopper who accepts a shop with us.If you would like to discuss further, please contact me directlyI would be happy to go over this in more detail with you so we can meet a conclusionThank you

Your report was submitted on 12/16/5:30pmThe next morning, the report was held by our Quality Control Team due to the pizza image being blurryAn automatic email was sent to you regarding the reason for the holdThe email also gave you instructions on how to replace the blurry photo with a better oneSince we did not get a better image, the report was deleted within hoursWe did get a response from you on 12/in which you sent us replacement imagesThe images you sent were also blurry, but we uploaded them to your report and sent it to the clientThe client then appealed the report on 12/again, for blurry photos.Attached is an image from a past shop you did in which the images were accepted by the client ( [redacted] )We have also attached [redacted] , which is the image from this shop that was rejected by the clientThe client has to 'grade' each image from each reportThey need to be able to measure the crust size, cheese coverage and count toppingsIf/when photos are too blurry or pixalated, the client can not properly grade the pizzaWhen they can not grade the pizza, they reject the report, ask for a reshop and do not pay for the shop.We provide each shopper with clear guidelines on what the required picture requirements are to ensure the photos are accepted by the clientIf/when we receive photos that are not of good enough quality, our Quality Control Team does everything possible to edit blurry photos to the point where they are able to be gradedUnfortunately, even after working with your photos, the client could not grade themThe client rejected the photo/shop, asked for a reshop and did not pay for this shop.I hope this answers your concernIf you would like to discuss further, please contact usThank you

Mr [redacted] contacted us on 10/28/to inform us that he had not received his checkIt seemed as though we had part of his address incorrect in our shopper databaseWe cancelled his check and reissued another for him on 11/11/with the re-issue fee wavedHis check was reported as cashed by our financial institution today, 11/17/

I am rejecting this response because: I was told by my scheduler that the shop was accepted as sentThen several days later, [redacted] sent an email that it was deletedI feel they submit the report and were paid, by [redacted] ***, and just don't want to pay me for my expensesThis is not the first time they have done me this wayThey have accepted some of the shops that I was paid less money for

Per the agreement with our client, they require specific images to be taken of the pizza as part of the mystery shopOne of the required image is of the pizza face up, with two pieces flipped overThis is referred to as the 'cut' or 'flip' viewThere are examples and specific instructions on how to take all required images in the shopper training materials, each assigned shopper is required to review I have attached two images hereThe first image 'unapproved' is this shopper's 'cut' viewThe second image, 'approved' is an example of how this image is supposed to lookAs we can see, the shopper removed the two slices completely before taking the photo, instead of flipping the pieces as our client requires Unfortunately, the client rejected this shop due to the 'cut' image that was done incorrectlyI hope this clarifies why this shop was not paid forIf the shopper has any further questions, she can contact myself or the Manager of this team, [redacted] ***

I am rejecting this response because: I took the photos exactly that were shown to me in the instructions If you see my photos and the examples in the instructions, I took them exactly the same

I am rejecting this response because:They have failed to successfully explain why my shop was rejected. When I received an email on December 17 that my shop was rejected, I called the company to inquire why. It was a Saturday, and I was told by the receptionist that no one was available to talk and that I could send an email. I sent an email that day, December 17. You cited incorrect information. I then called the company again on Monday, December 19, and I was told there was no one who could talk to me. I then sent ANOTHER email to ***. Later in the day, she finally addressed my email. If you need a copy of the email, please let me know.I found it interesting that you did not address the main point. If the picture was blurry, was is the writing on the assignment and site numbers clear? You can't have a blurry pizza but clear writing in the same photo. I also found it interesting that you posted a picture of my previous shop with the disputed shop. Yes, they do look like completely different pizzasAnd that is because they are. The one has the pepperonis placed ON TOP of the cheese. The disputed shop has the pepperoni and bacon cooked UNDER the cheese. Of course the toppings cannot be counted--they are cooked under the cheese! If that's not what the employees at Papa John's are supposed to do, then don't reject my shop for exposing an error. Isn't that the whole point of a mystery shopper? Also, I find it frustrating that since my first email on December to ***, I have explained the issue with the toppings, and yet that has never been addressed.Thank you for understanding my point of view. I am looking forward to this being quickly resolved so that it no longer wastes any of our time

National Shopping Service is one of the leading US mystery shopping companiesOur prime directive is to ensure our client's are provided with accurate and clear data and that our shoppers (Independent Contractors) are clearly trained on how to perform the various assignments they acceptFor this
particular program, each shopper is provided with online training which includes detailed instructions with photo examplesThere is also a video available that demonstrates how to properly take the required imagesWe also have NSS staff available via phone and email for trainingAs part of the requirements for this particular program, the assigned shoppers must provide photos of the pizza they purchaseThese photos must be taken at the correct angle, must be within the specified size range and must be clear/unobstructed imagesIf/when shoppers provide images that are not up to our client's requirements, we have an internal photo editing department that will do as much as possible to adjust the photos to make them clearer and of better qualityHowever, sometimes we can not fix very poor quality photosThis was the case for the photos provided for this shopUnfortunately these photos were of very poor quality, so much so that the pizza quality could not be graded by our clientWe did the best we could to adjust these photos and they were sent to our client, but the client rejected the photosIf/when the photos for any shop for this program are rejected, the client will not pay for or use the shopTherefore, we can not use the shop and the report ends up being deleted and the shopper is not paidWe try to do everything possible to use every report, but unfortunately about 2% of all reports are rejected by our client and not paid forAdditional training and/or follis available to all shoppers who have a rejected reportThey are welcome to inquire by contacting us by phone or email, which is available through our web site: www.nationalshoppingservice.com

I am rejecting this response because: Unfortunately the company does not take into consideration that delivery options are not available to everyone and every neighborhood which is my caseI had no other choice but to carry out the orderWhen I did reach out to the company for an explanation, my emails went unnoticed, which is not professionalI just want my refund for the shop since I did perform itThank you!

This shopper was assigned one of the three types of scenarios we do for this program: web order deliveryThe shopper was sent a confirmation email when this shop was assigned confirming the shop details and specific assigned scenarioThe shopper was also provided with instructions specific to her
assigned scenario (web order delivery)The shop instructions also clearly state that failure to follow the assigned scenario will result in the report being deleted/non-paymentWhen the report the shopper submitted was reviewed by our quality control team, it was noticed that the box receipt read: carry out orderWe reached out to the shopper to confirm that this order was placed and done as a carry outThe shopper confirmedOur client only allows three type of scenarios for this program: web order delivery, phone order delivery or phone order carry outSince this order was placed as a web order carry out, we could not use the report/send it to the clientThe client's system is not set up to receive these type of reports as it is not an approved scenarioWe had to delete the report and schedule a reshop with another shopper

Per the agreement with our client, they require specific images to be
taken of the pizza as part of the mystery shop. One of the required
image is of the pizza face up, with two pieces flipped over. This is
referred to as the 'cut' or 'flip' view. There are examples and specific
instructions...

on how to take all required images in the shopper training
materials, each assigned shopper is required to review.
I have attached two images here. The first image 'unapproved' is this shopper's
'cut' view. The second image, 'approved' is an example of how this
image is supposed to look. As we can see, the shopper removed the two
slices completely before taking the photo, instead of flipping the
pieces as our client requires.
Unfortunately, the client rejected this shop due to the 'cut' image that was done incorrectly. I hope this
clarifies why this shop was not paid for. If the shopper has any further questions, she can contact myself or the Manager of this team, [redacted] 
[redacted].

I am rejecting this response because: I took the photos exactly that were shown to me in the instructions.  If you see my photos and the examples in the instructions, I took them exactly the same.

I am rejecting this response because:Yet again, no one has been able to explain how a picture of a large pizza could be blurry, and yet the small writing on the assignment and site id cards and pizza sauce (in that same picture) can be read clearly.  It's like there's an elephant in the room that your company keeps ignoring.The pictures of the rejected pizza were taken in the same lighting, with the same camera, and in the same space as all of my accepted shops.  I gave you multiple pictures of the rejected pizza.  I find it odd that you and your supposed client would find all the copies blurry.  Something seems quite off about this whole situation.      I am happy to talk to you.  However, you have given me no direct contact information.  Again, I have called your company's main line several times, and I have never made it past the receptionist.  During my last call, I was told by the receptionist that my message would be noted as "urgent" and would be sent to a manager immediately.  I have yet to receive any callback.

The client rejected the photo because it was blurry, not because there was cheese on top of the toppings. The client grades pizzas every day with cheese on top. We tried to send your photo to the client, but they rejected it. Our agreement with our client is to send them the highest quality photos we can, with the understanding that if any photos are deemed unusable by the client, we will accept the rejection and not bill for the shop. This in turn means we can not pay the shopper for any unusable reports. This is clearly explained in the shopper training materials provided to any shopper who accepts a shop with us.If you would like to discuss further, please contact me directly. I would be happy to go over this in more detail with you so we can meet a conclusion. Thank you.

Mr. [redacted] contacted us on 10/28/14 to inform us that he had not received his check. It seemed as though we had part of his address incorrect in our shopper database. We cancelled his check and reissued another for him on 11/11/14 with the normal re-issue fee waved. His check was reported as cashed...

by our financial institution today, 11/17/14.

Your report was submitted on 12/16/16 5:30pm. The next morning, the report was held by our Quality Control Team due to the pizza image being blurry. An automatic email was sent to you regarding the reason for the hold. The email also gave you instructions on how to replace the blurry photo with a...

better one. Since we did not get a better image, the report was deleted within 24 hours. We did get a response from you on 12/19 in which you sent us replacement images. The images you sent were also blurry, but we uploaded them to your report and sent it to the client. The client then appealed the report on 12/22 again, for blurry photos.Attached is an image from a past shop you did in which the images were accepted by the client ([redacted]). We have also attached [redacted], which is the image from this shop that was rejected by the client. The client has to 'grade' each image from each report. They need to be able to measure the crust size, cheese coverage and count toppings. If/when photos are too blurry or pixalated, the client can not properly grade the pizza. When they can not grade the pizza, they reject the report, ask for a reshop and do not pay for the shop.We provide each shopper with clear guidelines on what the required picture requirements are to ensure the photos are accepted by the client. If/when we receive photos that are not of good enough quality, our Quality Control Team does everything possible to edit blurry photos to the point where they are able to be graded. Unfortunately, even after working with your photos, the client could not grade them. The client rejected the photo/shop, asked for a reshop and did not pay for this shop.I hope this answers your concern. If you would like to discuss further, please contact us. Thank you.

I am rejecting this response because: I was told by my scheduler that the shop was accepted as sent. Then several days later, [redacted] sent an email that it was deleted. I feel they submit the report and were paid, by [redacted], and just don't want to pay me for my expenses. This is not the first time they have done me this way. They have accepted some of the shops that I was paid less money for.

I enjoyed doing Papa Johns shops with this company had no problems. They paid on time till this time. It said that they had send me a check for my shops in April and May this August have not received it yet. What can I do?

Review: I contracted with National Shopping Service to do a mystery Shop at [redacted] location #4602 in Paris Texas for a fee of $25.00 and reimbursement for expense of pizza on June 25, 2016. I was required to take and send 2 pictures of the pizza, 2 of receipt and 2 of assignment form, along with report form that was to be done online and reported within 12 hours of shop. I complies

d with these requirements and submitted to [redacted] within 6 hours of my shop.

Today I received an email from [redacted] of National Shopping Service that my report was deleted and that I would not receive payment. This is not the first time he has done me this way. He is submitting my report to [redacted], and getting their compensation and not reimbursing me. I know I can not be the only person they are committing fraud on.

Please stop this action and get my expenses met.Desired Settlement: I want the money that is owed me, $37.99 for this shop paid to me as contracted.

Business

Response:

National Shopping Service is one of the leading US mystery shopping companies. Our prime directive is to ensure our client's are provided with accurate and clear data and that our shoppers (Independent Contractors) are clearly trained on how to perform the various assignments they accept. For this particular program, each shopper is provided with online training which includes detailed instructions with photo examples. There is also a video available that demonstrates how to properly take the required images. We also have NSS staff available via phone and email for training. As part of the requirements for this particular program, the assigned shoppers must provide photos of the pizza they purchase. These photos must be taken at the correct angle, must be within the specified size range and must be clear/unobstructed images. If/when shoppers provide images that are not up to our client's requirements, we have an internal photo editing department that will do as much as possible to adjust the photos to make them clearer and of better quality. However, sometimes we can not fix very poor quality photos. This was the case for the photos provided for this shop. Unfortunately these photos were of very poor quality, so much so that the pizza quality could not be graded by our client. We did the best we could to adjust these photos and they were sent to our client, but the client rejected the photos. If/when the photos for any shop for this program are rejected, the client will not pay for or use the shop. Therefore, we can not use the shop and the report ends up being deleted and the shopper is not paid. We try to do everything possible to use every report, but unfortunately about 2% of all reports are rejected by our client and not paid for. Additional training and/or follow-up is available to all shoppers who have a rejected report. They are welcome to inquire by contacting us by phone or email, which is available through our web site: www.nationalshoppingservice.com.

Consumer

Response:

I am rejecting this response because: I was told by my scheduler that the shop was accepted as sent. Then several days later, [redacted] sent an email that it was deleted. I feel they submit the report and were paid, by [redacted], and just don't want to pay me for my expenses. This is not the first time they have done me this way. They have accepted some of the shops that I was paid less money for.

Review: This company does not live up to it's end of the bargain. I completed a shop for them on May 9, 2014. After attaching 8 photographs of the item, paying for it and completing their online form, they deleted my shop and refused to pay. All required items were attached and completed. The photographs were modeled directly off the sample photos sent to me by this company. It seems they are duping people into complete this activity, selling the information to the company and then refusing to pay them. This is a very poor business practice. I will never again use this company, nor would I now return to [redacted]'s. Whether you are a potential mystery shopper or a prospective business looking at mystery shopping services, I would be very weary of using this company in any capacity. They seem to running a scam. There are numerous legitimate mystery shopping companies out there that I have worked with and never had any issues.Desired Settlement: I would like to be reimbursed for the $15.50 I spent on the item. If you are unhappy with my "shopping" services, you are more than welcome to keep the $5.00 fee.

Business

Response:

Per our client's requirements, all photos must be complete. Meaning, the entire pizza must be visible, including the crust edges. This is clearly explained in our shopper training materials and all example photos for our shopper's, show images of complete pizzas. The images supplied by this shopper for this report were cut off. Meaning, in some of the pictures, the edge of the crust was either covered or was not included in the image. The client can not grade the pizza if they can not see all parts of the pizza, including the crust. Therefore, we had to delete this report since the images were not taken per the shop requirements.

We strive to ensure all reports are paid for and accepted by our client whenever possible. Unfortunately, if part of the required image is missing, the client will not accept the shop and there is really nothing we can do to fix the photo. In any case, whenever a report has to be deleted, we always offer explanation to our shopper's as to why the report was not usable and we also offer retraining and a make up shop opportunity for the shopper to complete to ensure successful shopping. We would be more than happy to speak with this shopper again regarding this if more explanation is required and/or if the shopper would like to retrain and attempt the shop again.