With Mystery Shopping Expert Melanie Jordan
Author of
The Perfect Work-At-Home Job: Mystery Shopping
How To Finally Make Money As A Mystery Shopper
The Quick And Easy Guide To Making Money
As A Merchandiser
Award-Winning Publisher of
Perfect Work-At-Home Job Update E-zine
Canceling An Assignment The Right Way
Whatever your reasons for canceling an assignment, here are some tips for doing so with grace, and for the savvy mystery shopper, how to turn cancellations into opportunity.
1. Don't Cancel
This seems obvious, but it is worth repeating. If you can possibly avoid it, don't cancel an assignment once you accept it. A cancellation, except for a true emergency can be hazardous to your bank account. Why? The mystery shopping company, your scheduler and the client have deadlines to meet and they are counting on you to keep your word and do the assignment you have accepted.
Canceling an assignment can keep you from getting future work from that company or scheduler, or at the very least, put you at the bottom of the list.
2. If You Must Cancel
It should be for an emergency, not because you've decided you want to go do something else instead or because the job was tougher than you originally thought. And make sure the emergency is not a constant occurrence. When I was managing the Marketing Department for a bank, it seemed like every week one of my employees had someone in the hospital--when her grandmother who had passed away two months ago, was now in the hospital again, that was a dead giveaway (sorry, I just had to use that pun)!
Don't wait until the due date of the shop to say you could not do the job. Give the mystery shopping company or scheduler the news right away as a professional courtesy. This way, they may still be able to reschedule the assignment with another shopper without blowing their deadline.
3. Surprise--You Might Not Have To Cancel
Did you know that mystery shopping companies and schedulers often have a built-in "fudge factor" on the deadlines for shop reports? This isn't meant to be deceiving--it's just good project management. In fact, you should be using your own "fudge factor" when you do a shop. For example, if you know you have 5 days to complete a job, don't wait until day 5 to do it. Based on Murphy's Law, that's when something will go wrong and you'll never get it done in time. Give yourself till day 3, or day 4 at the latest to do your assignment. This way, if something comes up, you'll have a day or two to fall back on.
If you have been a reliable shopper turning in quality work who now has to cancel due to an emergency, and you give as much notice as possible, you just might be able to extend your deadline so you can keep the gig! If this is not offered to you, and you know that you are absolutely sure you will be able to finish your work if you had a day or two more, ask! You'll be surprised at how often you'll be given an extension--just don't abuse the privilege.
4. Using Cancellations To Your Advantage
Suppose you're not the one canceling, but you're the shopper who is instead contacted to jump in at the last minute? Can you use this to your advantage? You bet! This is a great opportunity to get your foot in the door and show what you can do. Since the company or scheduler has already been disappointed by another shopper, their expectations are pretty low. So when you do a great job on time in a
pinch, it gets noticed and puts you in a strong position to get more assignments from that contact in the future.
Also, keep your eyes out for the lead e-mails and board posts for cancellations. When you see them, seize the opportunity and offer your services immediately. In fact, if you are absolutely positive you will deliver on the shop if assigned, add a line saying "you can count on me not to cancel"! I do this and it really helps you stand out during a time when everyone is canceling and the busy scheduler is wondering if I give this assignment to this person, what are the
odds that he or she will cancel on me? Just make sure you can deliver
as there is nothing worse than having opportunity turn into a
cancellation.
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