National Center For Professional Mystery Shoppers

Code Of Conduct

All terms agreed upon in a written and/or oral contract override the NCPMS Code of Conduct. All members and former members agree to hold harmless: the President, Advisory Board, and Direction Team as these individuals/groups exist only to serve the membership and provide their services without compensation.

1.1 As a member you must resolve any unsettled complaints within 45 days, or show proof that you have taken legal action.
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1.2 Mediation will take no longer than 31 days unless otherwise agreed upon in writing by both parties.
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1.3 During Mediation, each side has 21 days to write a written response; the Advisory Board will use the last 10 days to review and make a decision.
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1.4 Any party wishing to seek mediation assistance must submit a detailed typed statement. The 31 days begins when NCPMS receives the typed statement.
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1.5 NCPMS reserves the right to render a decision that shall not exceed total monies that were in dispute.
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1.6 All members agree to abide by any decisions set forth by the NCPMS Advisory Board.
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1.7 Members agree to hold harmless the NCPMS Advisory Board and the National Coalition of Professional Mystery Shoppers.
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1.8 If the NCPMS refers you to a company and they attempt to contact you, as an NCPMS member you must make a good faith effort to accept or deny the opportunity.
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1.9 If the NCPMS makes an attempt to contact you, as a member you must make a good faith effort to contact the NCPMS.
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1.10 No NCPMS member can forward or post another members message without their permission.
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1.11 The NCPMS reserves the right to refuse or terminate service to anyone.
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1.12 The NCPMS reserves the right to refuse or terminate membership to anyone.
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1.13 If the NCPMS must file suit against a member for failure to follow the code of conduct (or an ex-member for failure to follow the code of conducet in place before termination), the defendant is responsible for the NCPMS: court filing fees, collections, lawyer fees, and any legal services that may accrue.
5.1 A member can not knowingly misrepresent the truth on any application or shop form.
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5.2 All information between paying parties is confidential by default.
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5.3 Each shop form must be accompanied by an original store receipts, unless specifically waived by the company.
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5.4 Each member must act professionally at all times during assignments. Professional conduct entails a friendly and courteous attitude and demeanor. No mystery shopper shall be confrontational or argumentative while on assignment.
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5.6 A member cannot accept an assignment in a place where his/her objective, neutral, and unbiased work may be questioned. A mystery shopper is obligated to decline assignments in which they have been previously employed; have family or close friends employed; and/or has had problems with the business in the past.
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5.7 Completed assignments must be returned to the company by the agreed deadline.
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5.8 Any member who withdrawals or is dismissed from the group, shall not reapply for membership until one complete year has passed from the date of withdrawal or dismissal..
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5.9 All members must notify NCPMS of any changes to their submitted application.
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5.10 Under no circumstances can any member contact any business associated with any other member for the sole purpose to demean, belittle, or slander.
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5.11 Under no circumstances can any member of the NCPMS demean, belittle, or slander any other member of the NCPMS.
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5.12 All members must give ample notice when an accepted assignment can not be completed.
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5.13 All members are free to terminate membership at any time.
6.1 Social Security numbers can only be used for payroll, background verification, & tax purposes.
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6.2 Releasing a Social Security number on a basic application must be optional to all members.
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6.3 All companies must acknowledge receipt of an application to become a mystery shopper or merchandiser within 45 days.
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6.4 Payment for all services rendered must be received 45 days after completion of assignment.
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6.5 No company can release personal information without prior consent.
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6.6 If your bank does not honor the check released for services rendered, the company which requested the services is obligated to pay any overdraft penalties assessed.
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6. 7 Under no circumstances should any member of the NCPMS contact the employer or any business associated with the NCPMS for the sole purpose to demean, belittle, or slander.
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6.8 All members must give notice when an assignment is over or has been canceled.
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6.9 All mystery shoppers / merchandisers expecting payment for services rendered should be notified about any unexpected late payments.
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6.10 Under no circumstances can names of members be sold or traded without consent.
Penalties & Suspensions
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8.1 Three (3) month suspension from the coalition.
8.2 Six (6) month suspension from the coalition.
8.3 Immediate dismissal from the coalition.
ALL CASES ARE HANDLED AND REVIEWED SEPARATELY.

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