Although Mystery Shopping can be fun, it is very important to realize that it is also serious business.
Sensors Quality Management Inc. (hereafter referred to as SQM) clients are expecting accurate, unbiased, informative,
high quality reports that they can use to improve their business. SQM is bound by contractual agreement to provide
this to each client in a timely fashion. Mystery Shoppers are obviously an integral part of this process. It is therefore
essential that you understand and adhere to the following agreement. Please read it carefully as it sets forth the terms
and conditions of your relationship with SQM.
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You are an independent contractor, providing your services to SQM. Sensors Quality Management
will not issue income tax receipts at tax time. If necessary, it will be your responsibility to notify
your government of any income earned.
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A flat fee is established for each assignment given. This fee is indicated on the instructions.There
will often be free products and/or services offered in addition to the fee. This will also be indicated
on the instructions.
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Mystery Shopping will often require you to make out of pocket
purchases. You will be reimbursed for such purchases, up to the purchase amount stated on the
instructions. Reimbursements will only be paid if accompanied by a receipt.
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SQM does not make it a practice to reimburse expenses not directly related to the shop. This may
include mileage, gas, public transportation to and from, fax charges etc. Any expenses not directly
related to the shop must be approved by SQM before the assignment is completed.
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While performing an assignment for us you must not be intoxicated by alcohol or drugs. Further, it goes without saying,
that drinking and driving to or from an assignment is completely unacceptable!
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In order to get paid for the work that you completed, you must fill out a Work Expense Form at the
end of each month and submit it by the 6th day of the following month. This Work Expense Form acts
as an invoice for your services and therefore must be received before a cheque is issued. The Mystery
Shopping Cheques are issued on or around the 15th day of the month after they were completed.
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SQM will send you assignments on an as needed basis. You are under no obligation to accept each assignment
and SQM is under no obligation to give you assignments. If you choose not to accept an assignment, you agree
to notify SQM immediately by phone so that the assignment can be issued to another shopper.
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You agree to read the Orientation Manual and Project Instructions/Guidelines for each Assignment.
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You agree to read the monthly newsletter and special project instructions so that you can keep abreast of
any changes requested by our clients and what is expected of you as a Mystery Shopper.
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You understand that it is your responsibility to know and to follow the instructions provided to you. Failure
to do so may result in the report being unusable. If the client can not use the report because it was not
completed as requested, SQM has the right to withhold your payment for that shop.
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You agree to not accept an assignment if you are an immediate family member, employee, an ex-employee of a client
or in any other position that inhibits you from completing an unbiased report.
Should you accept such an assignment, SQM has the right to withhold payment to you for that assignment or to demand a refund from you if payment was already made.
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You agree to submit reports within the assigned time period provided on your assignment sheet. Failure to submit reports within this time period may result in a
re-assignment to someone else, and you will not be paid or reimbursed for expenses for any assignment that must be reassigned due
to your lack of communication with SQM or your submission of late reports. Working for Competitors
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It is perfectly acceptable for you to act as a "Mystery Shopper" (including a secret shopper, a mystery guest or
mystery diner) in an independent contractor capacity for any other mystery/secret shopping/dining organization
or its parent, subsidiary or related company ("competitor") as long as you advise us now and continue to advise
us of each and every competitor for whom you have performed or plan to perform work and as long as you do not provide
the competitor with "confidential information" (including, but not limited to, our client names, data, reports, prices
and any other information gathered through your work for us). However, you cannot perform any work for us if presently,
or in the future, you, or your immediate family member: Hold(s) a salaried or hourly employed position, whether full
or part time, with a competitor, or Perform(s) any non-Mystery Shopper-type work for a competitor including, but not
limited to, a managerial or supervisory role or Are/is an owner, shareholder, director, officer, of a competitor
business. Should you perform work for us and not disclose that you, or your immediate family member, have (has) any
relationship (including acting as a Mystery Shopper (secret shopper, a mystery guest or mystery diner)) with a competitor
or you directly or indirectly provide a competitor with "confidential information" you will not be paid or reimbursed
for expenses for any assignments performed for SQM and SQM may demand a refund from you if payment was already made.
Furthermore, you may be exposed to legal action.
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You agree not to conduct yourself in any manner that would serve to undermine the integrity and effectiveness
of the mystery shop or damage the reputation of SQM. This would include, but is not limited to, advising our clients'
staff that you are performing a mystery shop, seeking or receiving reward from our clients' staff in exchange for a
promise of a more favourable report, swearing or wearing inappropriate attire during your assignment. Fabricate
information or details. Provide the information you gather to our client directly, or to its competitor(s), or to our competitor(s),
whether for personal gain, or profit or not. Engage in unauthorized solicitation, religious proselytizing or any political activity while interacting
with our clients' staff. Should you engage in any of the above acts you will not be paid or reimbursed for expenses
for any assignment in which you engaged in these acts and SQM may demand a refund from you if payment was already made. You may also be exposed to legal action.
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While carrying out, or as a result of carrying out, an assignment for us, SQM is not responsible to anyone for the following:
any injury or illness incurred; any property that is lost, stolen or damaged (including your computer);
any fines or penalties levied due to unlawful behaviour; any purchase or expense you were not required to make,
including evaluating the wrong location or buying the wrong product. Warranties or guarantees provided or implied by the
manufacturer, retailer or wholesaler of any product or service purchased.
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You agree to indemnify and save harmless SQM from any losses it may sustain (plus pay legal costs, and pre and post judgment
interest) as a result of your breach of this Shopper Agreement.
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This Shopper Agreement shall be governed by, but not limited to, the Laws of the Province of Ontario, Canada.
This is for your information, you can apply for a Mystery Shopper position on-line at the "Join SQM" web page. Please do not email us
or send your resume as an attachment.
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