Please read this independent contractor agreement carefully before completing the online application that follows. This agreement sets forth the terms and conditions of your relationship with CustomerTrend Inc., (hereinafter referred to as “CustomerTrend Inc.”).
Mystery Shopper Independent Contractor Agreement
1. Individuals (hereafter “shoppers” or “shopper”) who accept assignments from CustomerTrend Inc., are independent contractors and are NOT employees or agents of CustomerTrend Inc., and CustomerTrend Inc. is not your employer. CustomerTrend Inc. may request your services from time to time on an assignment basis. You are always free to provide your services to other mystery shopping companies.
2. CustomerTrend Inc. will not withhold income, social security, or any other taxes from any compensation you are due or may receive from CustomerTrend Inc., and CustomerTrend Inc. will not pay any other taxes on your behalf. You are solely responsible for any taxes due from any compensation you receive from CustomerTrend Inc. If your total compensation from CustomerTrend Inc. exceeds $599.00 (five hundred and ninety-nine dollars) in a calendar year, CustomerTrend Inc. will issue you a 1099 form, in compliance with IRS regulations.
3. A scheduling representative from CustomerTrend Inc., may contact you to offer mystery shopping or other assignments. You are under no obligation to accept any assignments offered and CustomerTrend Inc. is under no obligation to provide you with any assignments.
4. The compensation for each assignment offered by CustomerTrend Inc. is clearly stated during the scheduling and confirmation process. In addition to compensation, there may be other considerations offered with specific assignments that hold value for you.
5. CustomerTrend Inc. assignments may require out-of-pocket purchases. Shoppers are reimbursed for such purchases, up to the maximum limit as set forth in the scheduling and confirmation process. All reimbursements require a valid, accurate receipt, and the shopper understands that reimbursement may be withheld if such a receipt is not provided to CustomerTrend Inc..
6. The guidelines set forth by CustomerTrend Inc. for each assignment pertain only to the data or other information requested by our clients, and not to the specifics of how you conduct the assignment. Shoppers will only be paid upon CustomerTrend Inc. receiving the mystery shop evaluation or other information within the time frame specified and agreed upon, and per the guidelines as set forth by our clients. If any evaluation or other information relevant to an assignment is not received within the timeframe or per the client’s guidelines, the shopper understands that they may not be paid for that assignment.
7. Periodically, shoppers are asked to put themselves or their property in situations from which a dispute may result, for example: an auto repair that may have not been done correctly, body damage to one's car in a parking lot, a bad haircut, food poisoning, etc. These random, unforeseeable situations are very rare, but even when they occur in connection with an evaluation, they are not CustomerTrend Inc.’s fault or responsibility. Your recourse is to contact the establishment (only after you receive permission from us) to resolve the issue just as you would with any other consumer complaint. We will attempt to assist you as well. Ultimately, as an independent contractor, the risk you undertake is your own. You should contact your insurance company with any questions or claims.
8. If an evaluation involves the drinking of alcohol, you may refuse the assignment. If you accept an evaluation that requires the drinking of alcohol, you must either take a designated driver with you and/or minimize your intake so that you can be sure of driving legally and safely. As an auditor under contract, it is YOUR responsibility to ensure that you do not drive while impaired. If you find yourself in an intoxicated state where you can not safely and legally drive and have no one to assist you, we will pay for a taxi or for lodging but must remove you from our database as a result.
9. As an independent contractor, you are responsible for having your own insurance for whatever type of activity you might be involved with while performing shops. Contact us for more information on this item if you require it.
10. Payments for assignments completed successfully will be made only via Pay Pal, www.paypal.com, an online payment service. No checks or other methods of payment will be issued. It is the independent contractor’s responsibility to review all Pay Pal guidelines and establish their own account before accepting assignments from CustomerTrend Inc. CustomerTrend Inc. in no way assumes any liability for any obligations of Pay Pal.
11. Payments will be issued on the 10th of each month for all assignments completed, per the guidelines for that assignment, within the previous calendar month; if this date falls on a weekend or recognized holiday, payment is issued the next business day. CustomerTrend Inc. reserves the right to revise this schedule at its discretion.
12. You are not to duplicate or disseminate any of CustomerTrend Inc.’s materials, or any part thereof, in any way or form, without prior written consent of CustomerTrend Inc.
13. If you are a current or ex-employee, or a friend or an immediate family member of a current or ex-employee of any CustomerTrend Inc. client or our client’s competitors, you agree not to accept any mystery shopping or other assignments, or read, disseminate, copy, or reproduce any information about any CustomerTrend Inc. clients in any manner whatsoever.
14. The shopper agrees never to: (1) disclose the names and/or locations of CustomerTrend Inc. clients to anyone; (2) convey the results of their findings with anyone other than CustomerTrend Inc.; (3) contact CustomerTrend Inc.’s client’s management or other personnel in regard to the assignment (unless expressly authorized to do so in writing by CustomerTrend Inc.); (4) use any of CustomerTrend Inc.’s or its clients’ information or materials for purposes other than the agreed-upon assignment. Completed reports and other information gathered during an assignment are for the exclusive use and knowledge of CustomerTrend Inc. and its clients. All questionnaires, forms and other materials are copyrighted and remain the exclusive property of CustomerTrend Inc. and/or its clients.
15. CustomerTrend Inc., is not liable for any accidents, injuries, losses, legal liabilities, physical actions, or other negative occurrences to the shopper before, during or after the evaluation or when visiting a client’s location, and/or utilizing a client's product or service. Furthermore, the shopper agrees to indemnify and hold harmless and make no claim against CustomerTrend Inc., its employees, agents or other representatives, and its clients, relevant to any claim asserted against another party.
16. In the event you are unable to perform an accepted assignment, you agree to notify CustomerTrend Inc., promptly by phone so that the assignment can be offered to another shopper.
17. I understand that by clicking “I Agree” below, I am expressing my interest in participating in assignments from CustomerTrend Inc. as an independent contractor, and not as an employee or agent of CustomerTrend Inc. in any way. If my services are retained, I will be solely responsible for reporting all income received from CustomerTrend Inc., and for paying all pertinent federal, state, and local taxes, and any other taxes and/or assessments levied by governmental authorities, as well as all other pertinent liabilities or payments. I understand that during my participation in the assignment(s), I will remain free to perform services for any other person or business, so long as I abide by the terms and conditions stated herein. I also understand that my participation is not guaranteed, that CustomerTrend Inc. may discontinue my services at any time and for any reason with notice it deems appropriate. I am free to cancel assignments I have accepted, per the terms stated herein. I certify that all information given on the shopper application is complete, accurate and true, and that any falsification of information on this questionnaire and/or failure to supply requested information will result in disqualification from the program.
