The only complaints about JM Ridgway I found via websites such as ripoffreport.com or complaintboard.com, were regarding spammer’s fraudulent use of the JM Ridgway name and not the company itself.
This company uses the SASSIE system to schedule and report shops, and pays via PayPal or check. According to their “Shopper FAQ”, the stated payment schedule is “no later then the 45th day after the completion of a shop”. However, it says to allow an additional five to seven business days after that, for the payment to arrive regardless of payment method. The page advises shoppers of who to contact within the company, with email address provided, if payment is not received by the 52nd day; and what information to include in your payment inquiry.
It also lets shoppers know that shops are paid in two separate payments: shop fee and reimbursements. This is a little different than other mystery shop companies, but not a big deal — just an oddity to note. Interesting is this inclusion: “Please do not inquire about why your shop doesn’t show as paid in Sassie. It will be eventually. There are several reasons why they aren’t marked paid for awhile that we are not going to take the space or time to explain, nor is it necessary. Again, they will be eventually. Thank you.”
For a time, this company suffered quite a bit from a reputation among shoppers of poor payment practices. The stated payment schedule used to be 90 days, and almost without fail, shoppers reported having to email someone at the company to “remind” them that payment was due. But in the last more-than-a-year, JM Ridgway has made vast improvements in this department: They’ve not only shortened the stated payment schedule as outlined; but most importantly, they’ve started paying shoppers on time, every time; without being “reminded”.
General types of assignments & geographic regions in which assignments are available:
When I looked through the job board, I found jobs listed for 26 states. There’s an option to search Canada and Ireland, along with the American Territories and Armed Forces; but I couldn’t find any jobs currently listed for any of those places.
Anyway, the jobs I found right now were:
* furniture stores — one predominantly, but also a second;
* two different mattress stores;
* alcohol compliance and integrity (currently only in Arizona);
* casual dining (currently only in California);
* a party supply store (but only in Maryland);
* storage facilities (currently only Georgia and Michigan, although I’ve seen these in other states as well via shop emails);
* apartments (currently only Louisiana and MInnesota);
* grocery stores.
I’ve also received job emails for jewelry/accessory stores, and recently started getting emails for BBQ grill mystery shops.
There’s a page on the company’s website of client case histories which include some other clients, including fitness facilities, jewelry repair, a transportation company (apparently buses), a “Major League Sports Franchise”, and a few clients identified only as “Specialty Retailers”.
One interesting job I found in a few different states, places the shopper undercover, working alongside a “head delivery and installation technician” to deliver and set up bed frames and mattresses in customers’ homes. This is referred to as a “Mystery Helper”, rather than a “Mystery Shopper”. For this job, you are paid on an hourly basis by the client for your training time and labor, as well as paid by JM Ridgway for a report of your observations while on the job. Qualifying for these jobs is a multi-step process including a background check and screening by both JM Ridgway and the client. The client will then keep you on call for future assignments of this nature.
The company’s “Client Services” page relates that aside from “normal” mystery shops, such as those mentioned above; they also provide services in phone shops, video shops, video surveillance, background checks, worker’s comp fraud investigations, “undercover operatives”, and “ALL investigations needed”. They also provide “Direct Customer Feedback Programs… gain feedback from customer and employees”. This page also includes examples of the types of reports clients can expect from the SASSIE reporting system.
The company’s “Shopper Resources” page informs us that not all jobs get posted to the job board online. Shoppers are encouraged to email schedulers with their location, to see if there are any non-posted jobs available in their area. Besides checking the company’s job board, shoppers are also able to sign up for shop notification emails like with most SASSIE-based companies.
Unlike many mystery shop companies, in my experience at least, reviews of or grades for completed shops/reports are seldom received. Shoppers will be contacted, of course, if there are questions or if clarifications are needed; but otherwise most of the time there is no post-shop communication. You are able to save a PDF copy of your completed reports via the SASSIE reporting system.
Shop guidelines are generally well-written and non-redundant, but could be formatted with more white space for easier reading. Included are all of the steps you’ll need to know to complete your shop, example scenarios, and advice of how shoppers can handle “off-script” occurrences (such as not being able to find an associate in a particular department). Sample narratives are typically provided, including how to report odd circumstances. Be sure to check not only the “Guidelines” link, but the printable version of the questionnaire — it often includes additional information. (It would be nice to have everything all in one place.)
Shops themselves, in my experience at least, are pretty straight-forward. Nothing too weird is expected, like the way some shops have various requirements that scream “Hey! Look here! I’m your mystery shopper today!” One of the grocery shops I’ve done for them does require two questions of the associate — one for product knowledge and one for product location to see if they escort — but it’s easy enough to pull that off.
Pay is very fair and reasonable for what’s required, both during the shop and for the report. Bonuses can get pretty decent for shops in difficult-to-fill locations.
All of the reports I’ve done are are well laid-out, in a logical order, with little to nothing in the way of repetitiveness or redundancy like some reports for other companies. JM Ridgway want a reasonable amount of narrative, but nothing crazy.
Per shop guidelines, reports are always due by 9 AM on the day following the shop. (Although I just found out while putting this review together, that the ICA states 24 hours, so… ???) However, on a couple of occasions when I’ve needed an extension due to all-day routes, the scheduler has lengthened that 9 AM deadline once I explained the situation
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