Why are people undependable?

[samrhett2]

I schedule mystery shops for two different companies.  Every morning I wake up and my email is full of people telling me that they are so sorry, but they did not get around to doing their shop as promised yesterday.  The excuses are everything from illness to dead relatives, to accidents and many of them just never respond at all, they just blow it off and then won't answer my emails.  Of course people do have things that come up and so I really try to be understanding and take them at their word, but if I have 50 people scheduled to do a shop, what are the odds that on a typical day, every day 25% of them had something serious enough happen that they could not complete a job that they were contracted to do?

Some people will cancel and reschedule 3 times and when you tell them that you won't schedule anything for them again, they actually become indignant and tell you that you just don't understand how hard they are trying.

I just wonder why no one seems to care about keeping their word and being reliable anymore.

I have had people do this even when they were being paid large bonuses.  It really starts to make you not believe anyone.

[nmsmith]

I would say several things can contribute to this. Not being able to be honest with themselves and others around them and/or wanting to tell people what they think they want to hear. These people may have good intentions but just Unrealistic expectations...

[mrrangerrick]

I'm reliable!!! Without you having to post a link, what would I search for to find your company?

[countrygirl12]

I have tried to find a mystery shopping company to work with.  But they are always on the other side of the country and want my social security number while I have minimal info on them or who they are.  And there doesn't seem to be much in the area I live in. 

I can see where it would be upsetting for people to say they will do something and then not.  If somebody actually has a death in the family I could understand.  I don't get why people lie about stuff like that and I know they do.  Or being sick...most people will go shopping when they are sick so if you are getting paid for it then why would you stay home?  Smh.

[Timberlan127]

Unfortunately we tend to remember all those who let us down and not the others who we can depend on. I can feel for you. I do think there is more of that than thwere used to be because it is not taught to children as important any more. But there are still some good dependable people out there that can always be depended on.

[msmoneybags48]

I have been around a long time, and discovered that people are basically undependable because they just are.  I can be depended upon when they need my help, but the moment I try to depend on a person, I get a big letdown.  I recall that a co-worker was having money troubles and I went to pick up my income tax check.  I lent her $700 and told her she could give it back to me $50 at a time.  She told me I was being generous.  When she tried it a second time, I told her I was unable to do it.  People will use you if you allow them to.  My sister in-law is not the nicest person when it comes down to people.  She told me she was going back to school, but I had to do her schoolwork.  I have known her since 2009, and the last time I offered to help her, she went to my cousin and got help from her instead.  I am 3 courses from being out of school, and I told her I was about out of school and I had to dedicate myself to completing my courses, so I would be unable to help her in that aspect.  Since people get money from schools, they will sign onto anybody's bandwagon and then forget they owe you.  My cousin borrowed $40 from me 4 years ago, and have yet to pay me.  When I saw her with bags one day at the Computer Center, I mentioned the fact that she owed me $40 and she claimed she forgot.  She had no intentions of paying me, now or ever, so that is water under the bridge, so to speak.

[dmahoney]

I think a lot of people have become lazy and want something for nothing.

[nannycoe1]

Sadly I have learned that people no adays just don't think being dependable matters,they are just out for themselves and don't care who gets hurt in the long run. I have always wanted to be a mystrey shopper but never really found a company I thought I could trust. They all want money up front.

[samrhett2]

No reliable company should ask for money.  The only exception is that sometimes we have have restaurant shops where you have to purchase your meal and then present a receipt to get the shop fee and reimbursement.  But many shops don't require a purchase at all.

As far as not having a lot of shops in your area, that is sometimes the case depending on where you live, however it can be a good thing.  I live in such an area.  I don't have a lot of opportunities here but because of that there are also not a lot of shoppers so when there is a shop in my area, the MS companies will often have a hard time filling it, so when I see them start to offer bonuses, sometimes I will pick them up.

There are plenty of reputable companies and they do have to have your SS# by law, so they will always as for that.

I only handle of fraction of the shops for each company I work for, but my name is Karla Cross and if you use Google my name and mystery shopping you will find my many of my advertisements and the companies I work for.  I didn't post this for that reason, because again, it is unlikely that you just happen to live in a town I have a shop in.

But to the original subject, it really is sad that people cannot keep their word.  @msmoneybags, I can so relate to the money thing.   I was burned a few year ago by a boyfriend who needed to buy a car.  $4,000 that he never paid me back for and later tried to claim it was a gift from me.  What?  Like I could afford a $4,000 gift.  After that I made up my mind that if I ever loaned money again, I would only do it if I was prepared to make it a gift because you almost never get it back.

[demaina]

The people that constantly are having something bad happen to them are generally lying in some way, shape, or form.  But, then again, I have come across some people who just happen to have that kind of bad luck.  However, I would tell them that after the second cancellation that if they can't do the job, don't sign up for it.  That and keep a record of their reasons so that you have a record of their behavior and can show them that if they argue with your decision.

[samrhett2]

Yep.  I do.  I really try hard not to make anyone really mad.  One day I am probably really going to need them.  So although I would like to reach out and strangle them, I grit my teeth and try to be as professional as possible.  BTW there is a way to verify online whether there is a power outage reported in an area, because I have people tell me that one all the time too.   95% of the time they are lying.

[Kirenisa]

Well I'm sure a few of them are serious but a lot of them are probably lying but it's human nature sadly 

[claysherrod]

I appreciate this post and agree with a lot of what everyone is saying. I have dealt with this a lot and especially in the past week. I think many of us are in our own heads, dealing with the stress and anxiety of life, living in the past, being afraid to some degree of being who they truly are. I think the technology world plays a big part in it too as many believe that friendship nowadays is sending a text every few weeks or liking a post. I do think all of us need community but there is so much that gets in the way, so much that gets us stuck in our own heads. Sometimes, it may just mean that we all got to make attempts at times to come out of our comfort zones. Thanks for sharing this, as it helps me know that I'm not alone in this dilemma. 

[ernica96]

It could also be you're depending on the wrong people.I would love to be a mystery shopper. Don't get why people would cancel or reschedule.