Sentry Marketing

Recently I did a SixT photo audit in the San Diego airport in October 2021. I reviewed the material, passed the certification test, and went to the assignment. When I got there I was able to take 95% of the required photos as most areas were open to the public. When it came time to take photos of the back room, behind the counter, and cleaning area (not open to the public), I was told those were off limits to customers. I asked to speak to the manager and was told the manager wasn't there that day. When I asked to speak to the supervisor, I was told he quit. At this point I said I was with Helion Research, I offered to show them my official documentation on my smartphone and even had my ID to give them. The workers looked at me like I was crazy and asked me to leave. When I tried putting my phone in front of them to read the official documentation, they threatened to call the police. The San Diego area is full of drug addicts and homeless. On top of that, this SixT is located in an airport where people are worried about terrorists. Long story short, the staff here is very suspicious of people and serious about security.

Last I heard from Sentry, they were threatening not to pay me because I did not get all photos. They said it was my fault I wasn't able to get into the private areas for photos. I verified the time with Sentry before going. I think the problem is either SixT management did not brief their employees on the upcoming audit and / or that Sentry did not double check to ensure the manager would be there when I was assigned to go. Nevertheless, I spent my own gas money driving there (40+ minutes at close to $5 a galloon in CA), my own time doing the assignment, and my own pride being humiliated when no one believed I was doing an audit.

The more research I do on this company, the more I am seeing other shoppers with similar stories of not getting paid for their work. Shame on Sentry. "Woe to him who makes his fellow man serve without pay and will not give him his wages" (Jeremiah 22:13).

This company will not respond to my requests to provide information on a payment that has already been invoiced. The statement regarding payments reads "Sentry Marketing pays via Bill.com, with direst deposit being the main form of payment. Sentry Marketing also pays via check, with a $2 fee. Pay statements are generated on the 16th of each month. Payments are sent by the last day of the next month". Sentry has charged me the $2, even though I do direct deposit and do not receive a paper check. On March 16th a pay statement was generated and as of today there is no record of payment with my bank or with bill.com. The shops I completed required that I pay almost $20 each to complete, and they weren't hesitant to ask me to take the assignments. I am upset that I have not been paid as agreed.

The FAQ directs you to the company website. However, when I login I am automatically redirects to the gigspot.com website instead.

I completed the assignment and I did not miss any guidelines and I had previously completed same restaurant job before. This time, the food was not acceptable and I rated it accordingly. The company told me I won't get paid because my feedback negatively affected the shop score. Pretty much, the company was not happy the feedback reflected the facts and said the photo doesn't match my feedback. However, it does and even they admitted it.
The reason to reject my work and not pay me is nor professional because I completed every part of the shop correctly. I reported the facts and the company was not happy that this time the report was not giving the restaurant a "perfect" score, so they rejected my work. I was not paid for my work, my work was done correctly. They even claim things that the photo does not support. This is a dishonest business.

Beware of Sentry Marketing. They are a legitimate company, but they practice unfair practices. There are so many other companies... don't work for one that doesn't treat us, the workers, well.
I have been a secret shopper since 2003. I work for more than a dozen companies as an independant contractor. I have had a great experience with all of them except for Sentry Marketing. They come up with any excuse that they possibly can to not pay you. Nearly all of their shops include making a purchase, so not only do I not make money for my time and effort, but I loose money.