NEW Contributor Program - PERSONAL SHOPPER (preliminary feedback needed)

Contributor: DeliciousSurprise DeliciousSurprise
Quote:
Originally posted by Kindred
I would suggest that compensation not be commission based. Personally as a shopper, I am always skeptical when I know a salesperson is commission based that they are pushing more expensive items.
I agree; I think that compensation similar to how the EdenTasks program would be much better, because then there's no agenda.
09/25/2011
Contributor: Adriana Ravenlust Adriana Ravenlust
I also really like this idea.
09/25/2011
Contributor: BBW Talks Toys BBW Talks Toys
If it were a paid-in-cash position (as opposed to points) I would be more interested than if it's points. Not that I wouldn't be, but if I'm going to take some of my time to cover 2-4 hours and be online, especially waiting for people to ping a chat, I would want an incentive besides toys. If that makes sense. I'm not trying to sound greedy or unappreciative, but I'm busy, busy.
09/25/2011
Contributor: wrecklesswords wrecklesswords
I agree with BBW, having an Eden-based incentive is awesome, but we already get so much of that. A paid-in-cash position would be a lot more enticing. However, I am already very interested by this and I myself would be very interested.

I will also throw my hat in agreeing that there should be minimum requirements, and possibly "classes" that people should take. You know, something to keep all of the experts up-to-date, make sure that they really do know all the information that could help, etc. Though, I think a minimum number of reviews would help a lot of that.

Also, if I were doing it, I really wouldn't want a picture of my face, either.
09/25/2011
Contributor: Just Tigger Just Tigger
Think this is a fantastic idea and agree on expertise. It may perhaps run on availability with fields of interest. IE who is on and what toys and products they have the most experience in.

Reading through the posts, I personally would be happy with the point system, as that gives one the opportunity to try even more toys / products video's etc and as a result be more knowlegable about the products. I don't agree that reviews are necessarily the way to go forward a good reviewer is not necessarily a good respondent to an actual person.

However I do think a basic understand of the diferent toys, knowledge of the product range on EF is a prerequisite at minimum, so some training would be beneficial.

My 2c...
09/25/2011
Contributor: null null
This could work out really well with my new job schedule: 24 hour shift Saturday night.
09/25/2011
Contributor: Love Perpetua Love Perpetua
This is a fantastic idea! I would definitely love to be involved in this if I qualified.
09/25/2011
Contributor: Breas Breas
Okay so I've finally read through the entire thread and I agree and disagree with some of the things mentioned..

I do agree about having certain areas of expertise.. or at least areas of interest. Some may have never used an anal toy, and would not be comfortable or knowledgeable of such things. So I agree with that suggestion.

A lot of people are saying they'd prefer money over Eden Points, but I think giving Eden Points is a better idea because the points are used to buy more products to try, and with that, you'll have more experience and knowledge to share with potential customers. I also think Eden Points as compensation is the best way to do things from EF's point of view, because you'll be taking the compensation they give you, and putting it back into the company.

Someone suggested training, and I think that is a good idea. Some people may have amazing knowledge of all things sexual... but their customer service skills are sht and vice versa. So a training period would be good so that all participants follow a certain procedure when dealing with customers. This should apply to EVERYONE regardless of rank.

I also think that there should be requirements to get into the program. I'm not sure what type of requirements, but there should be some. I probably would not be eligible since I'm still quite new and only have a 5.7 rank but I understand that requirements are needed and would wait until I met them. Though, I don't think high rank necessarily means excellent customer service skills. Maybe a minimum amount of time spent on EF? This would prevent people from signing up and applying right away? Or perhaps a mentor program could be implemented for customer service, much like the review mentor program?

I think this is a really great idea, but I think it will take a while to figure out how everything is going to work.
09/25/2011
Contributor: JessCee JessCee
Quote:
Originally posted by Breas
Okay so I've finally read through the entire thread and I agree and disagree with some of the things mentioned..

I do agree about having certain areas of expertise.. or at least areas of interest. Some may have never used an anal toy, and ... more
I agree. I like everything you said!

I'm just really worried what the customer's experience might be... I think training/instruction must be given to contributors in order to follow some kind of protocol.
09/25/2011
Contributor: Sir Sir
I'd do it, but I could only take shifts on the weekend since I work and have class during the week.
09/25/2011
Contributor: toxie m toxie m
Quote:
Originally posted by Breas
Okay so I've finally read through the entire thread and I agree and disagree with some of the things mentioned..

I do agree about having certain areas of expertise.. or at least areas of interest. Some may have never used an anal toy, and ... more
That points can be spent on toys and therefore increase someone's knowledge base is a good point, but I think it's also somewhat safe to assume that when someone has a certain high ranking (which it sounds like will be required for this program) they have already accumulated quite a number of products over the time they spent working up said ranking. It's probably true that EdenPoints are the best way to give compensation from EF's point of view, but this is a fair chunk of people's time we're talking about here, as I understand it. Other programs can be participated in more or less at one's leisure, but this is an actual time commitment, akin to a shift at work (especially if you're signing on for a 4-hour block). I wouldn't take a shift at work in exchange for store credit, even if it was true that I do spend some of my paycheque on products from my store. At least, that's how I'm looking at this deal.
09/25/2011
Contributor: MR Chickhabit MR Chickhabit
i think that this just might be a lot of fun.

i love helping people out, and helping them with a sex toy purchase sounds like an excellent way to use all this knowledge i have about toys as well as knowledge i have about toy usage.

sign me up.
09/25/2011
Contributor: Valentinka Valentinka
I agree with the idea of providing participants with some training! For instance, I studied Business Administration and Marketing at Uni and have some knowledge about different aspects of communication with customers, but definitely lack the real experience

By the way, I was wrong saying that my time zone is EST+7, it's actually +11 (Omsk Standard Time OMST is UTC+7). So if I participated, I would take early 12 am - 6 am (EST) shifts.
09/26/2011
Contributor: Breas Breas
Quote:
Originally posted by toxie m
That points can be spent on toys and therefore increase someone's knowledge base is a good point, but I think it's also somewhat safe to assume that when someone has a certain high ranking (which it sounds like will be required for this ... more
I agree with you, but at the same time, EF is constantly adding new products.. so there really is no shortage in where you can spend your points, even if you do own a lot of the items they sell already (for the more established users), there will always be more added that a customer service rep will need to be familiar with.

Again, those were just my opinions... I think if they did choose to compensate with points, then for those who prefer money could just take smaller shifts (say, one hour instead of 4 per shift?) Just throwin' ideas out there
09/26/2011
Contributor: BBW Talks Toys BBW Talks Toys
It's a great program idea. No matter HOW EF decides to compensate, it's still a good plan. However, for points, I wouldn't be able to commit to very many, if any, shifts.

During the day I'm busy with my kid and my home. Two nights a week I have roller derby practice. The rest of the week nights I have other obligations. I also plan to start school soon. However, I could see myself committing to a few hours 5 days a week if I could use the money for something other than toys. I understand that by compensating in points they're basically ensuring that we're going to put the money back into the company, but I honestly am having difficulty even finding time to review items, let alone being interested in trying new ones. I already pretty much have everything I want, save a few high-end toys (Form 2 and Eleven, for example). But I do need new toe stops for my skates. I do need a better mouthguard. I will need a jersey. Money for dues. Help paying for books when I go to school. Clothes for my kids for the winter. Hell, clothes for myself as I lose weight while skating.
09/26/2011
Contributor: Breas Breas
Quote:
Originally posted by BBW Talks Toys
It's a great program idea. No matter HOW EF decides to compensate, it's still a good plan. However, for points, I wouldn't be able to commit to very many, if any, shifts.

During the day I'm busy with my kid and my home. Two ... more
I think most people would prefer money over the points too, but I was just saying that it would make more sense from the business' side of things
09/26/2011
Contributor: Breas Breas
Quote:
Originally posted by Breas
I think most people would prefer money over the points too, but I was just saying that it would make more sense from the business' side of things
also, it would be different if EF had contacted specific users they had in mind. If that were the case, then I could see monetary compensation being the obvious choice. I just figured since they are asking everyone here on the forums, that it is more of an open program, rather than something for the select few, so in this case, points would probably be more appropriate because the shifts are not mandatory. If an EF user is busy for two weeks,no one would force them to take a shift. It seems as though it would be completely voluntary so no one is expected to cancel plans they have in their everyday lives. (but like I said before, this is me looking at it from the business' perspective rather than EF users.. but even then, I'd still participate for points only).
09/26/2011
Contributor: Darling Jen Darling Jen
I absolutely adore this idea! I think it would be perfect and wonderful for new shoppers or someone who isn't part of the community.

To clarify my answers...

Yes - I'm totally interested!

Maybe - I might use an avatar of my real face if it's not associated with my log-in. There are plenty of people I've recommended this website to and they know I'm involved in some way but I would NEVER want them to read details about my body and sex life.

Availability - I work a late shift at work that might move to even later. So right now I'd be available between 9:30pm to 12:30pm EST. If my shift moved it would either become later in the night or move to the afternoon before my shift started.

Shift Time - I wouldn't mind doing any shift between 1-3 hours. Being full-time and having a dog that requires multiple pee breaks doesn't allow me for longer shifts than that except for weekends and holidays (which I would totally do too).

Frequency - I'd be willing to do however many shifts a week. I would love some extra employment to cover my poor self and it would be easy if it's only a few hours a day.

And now that I catch up on everyone else's questions/concerns, I must agree that it being cash-based pay is what I'm going on. Not that I wouldn't do it for points and GC, but I would commit less of my time to it then because (as BBW said), I'm a very busy woman.

I'm also hoping that there's some preliminary requirement for this position because there are huge ranges of knowledge and experience on the forum.
09/26/2011
Contributor: P'Gell P'Gell
Quote:
Originally posted by BBW Talks Toys
It's a great program idea. No matter HOW EF decides to compensate, it's still a good plan. However, for points, I wouldn't be able to commit to very many, if any, shifts.

During the day I'm busy with my kid and my home. Two ... more
I agree with a lot of what you said. Except, as I am not employed at the present time, (and need to be) monetary compensation would be about the only way I could give this kind of time commitment. Basically, I need it for.. food and shoes and clothing for my kids... and the mortgage.

I would still get toys from points etc, but a program of this magnitude would probably be a "real" job and require not only commitment from the worker but compensation that would allow us to do it well and stay focused.
09/26/2011
Contributor: P'Gell P'Gell
Quote:
Originally posted by Breas
also, it would be different if EF had contacted specific users they had in mind. If that were the case, then I could see monetary compensation being the obvious choice. I just figured since they are asking everyone here on the forums, that it is more ... more
It depends on how Eden is looking at this. If this position is rewarded with cash compensation, it's a real job. In that case, one would be required to be available at the time noted, as any employment requires. It would be hard to for Eden to cover all shifts if people are just coming and going at their leisure, as we do our with our reviews and post on the forum etc.

I'm guessing this will take a good amount of dedication, as a real job does. But, I don't know for sure.
09/26/2011
Contributor: MeliPixie MeliPixie
This is a great idea! Depending on when it goes live, I may or may not be immediately available: my computer at home is DEAD, and I'm only here at my boyfriends two weeks on, two weeks off, until the end of November when I move in. Then it will all depend on when and where I work

Also, your one voting option? It says "6pm to 12pm," I can only assume you don't mean an 18 hour shift and so meant "6pm to 12am." So I added myself to that time slot as well.
09/26/2011
Contributor: Nora Nora
I'd love to do this! Since I'm on the West coast though, early morning for the East coast is highly unlikely to find me out of bed, lol. Noon EST is 8am here, that I can handle! I'm also up to 10pm PST, so 2am EST.

As for number of "shifts", as a "stay-at-home", 'll take as many as I can get too!
09/26/2011
Contributor: AndroAngel AndroAngel
I'd love to do this in the future, but I feel like I'd need to learn more first.
09/26/2011
Contributor: BBW Talks Toys BBW Talks Toys
Quote:
Originally posted by P'Gell
I agree with a lot of what you said. Except, as I am not employed at the present time, (and need to be) monetary compensation would be about the only way I could give this kind of time commitment. Basically, I need it for.. food and shoes and ... more
I essentially said the same thing. I don't have any kind of full-time employment and the few paid projects I do, don't compensate to the level that I need for the expenses we have currently.
09/26/2011
Contributor: Jobthingy Jobthingy
My work hours are all over the map but I would certainly be willing to help. I would just have to base it around what I have to do at my real life jobthingy
09/26/2011
Contributor: P'Gell P'Gell
Quote:
Originally posted by BBW Talks Toys
I essentially said the same thing. I don't have any kind of full-time employment and the few paid projects I do, don't compensate to the level that I need for the expenses we have currently.
It's rough, I know. Things have to get better. I keep telling myself this.
09/26/2011
Contributor: js250 js250
I was trying to be reasonably general about the times available, It will open up fairly quickly time-wise for me at work and I could take more shifts. Definitely no facial avatar for me since it conflicts with why I am on the internet, however my avatars are my are my own body, not a pre-created one.

How about an introductory paragraph beside an avatar for the shoppers to click on? What if there were 2 categories of scheduling? One set schedule and also a 'drop-in' schedule? This would compensate for those who are able to work a set schedule, and those like me who can have set schedule conflicts.
09/26/2011
Contributor: Ciao. Ciao.
Seems like a great idea. A couple of questions (I'm late to the thread so sorry if they've already been covered):

Would the customer get to pick from a list of available "personal shoppers" or would the pairing be random?

I'm genetically male, but present both male or female depending on my mood and can offer the perspective of also having a female partner who uses toys...if the customer gets to pick based on the list of personal shoppers will it show gender info and/or a short bio as well?

What if you work shifts but are not ever used?

Can we pick areas of "expertise" as a way to help direct customers?

Just my questions.
09/26/2011
Contributor: NaughtyNikkie NaughtyNikkie
This is a fantastic idea !!
I would be very interested in this program
I'm a stay at home mom so I have LOTS of free time to fill & with having a 7 week old im up all hours of the night too!
09/26/2011
Contributor: AngelvMaynard AngelvMaynard
Sounds great, count me in.
09/26/2011