Goodwin Hospitality

I used Goodwin Hospitality for assistance in finding a new job. My former employer (current at the time of my job search) was not respecting my hard work and dedication nor did they have opportunity for career advancement for me. I needed to find something new, and fast, before I sank more time into the situation that I was in.
Andrea was by far the best recruiter that I have ever dealt with (And trust me, there have been many). From day 1 to the completion of the process, Andrea was with me every step of the way.
Here are a few of my favorite things that I got out of my experience:
1) Andrea treated me like a friend. She always had my best interests in mind and listened to what I had to say. My happiness was most important to her, not just finding me a job that I wouldn’t enjoy.
2) Before every interview, Andrea had a prep session with me. She went over everything that I needed to know for each specific step. Clothing/​attire, interview questions, who am I going to be meeting with, how should I present myself at each level of interview, what should we talk about, etc. I went in to every single interview fully prepared for it which was significant in my confidence.
3) Part of the deal with Andrea was that I had to let her know after anything happened (phone call, email, interview, even a call from another recruiter trying to get me into their network. I found this particularly important because to me it goes back to the friendship point I made in #1. Andrea wanted to be in the loop, she cared more than any other recruiter that I have ever worked with.
4) When we got close to the offer, Andrea had information for me that regarded the job/​company in more detail. She answered questions I had about benefits, future growth, salary expectations, forward advancement, etc. She was not only great at assisting me with the interview process but she was extremely knowledgable about the company as well.
5) Last but not least, Andrea demands to stay in touch :) She has already reached out multiple times to make sure that I start off on the right foot and she has made it clear that I am to reach out in a few weeks and months to make sure that I am still on the right track and of course, happy!
I would recommend Goodwin Hospitality to anyone seeking a new career in the hospitality field. Andrea was a star and I am so lucky to have been paired up with her for this process.
Thank you Andrea and Goodwin Hospitality!!!

BEWARE SHOPPERS! This company does not pay for work that has been completed successfully. They do not manage the reporting website iSecretShop and there are serious issues with the system. If you like donating your time and not receiving reimbursements as promised you will LOVE this poorly managed group. Otherwise stick with reputable, honest companies that treat their shoppers fairly. There are too many good companies out there, don’t get taken advantage of! Don’t learn the hard lesson that I, and other shoppers like me have learned the hard way… by being taken advantage of and cheated our payments!

I have done some mystery shops with this company over the last few years. Average company to work for some of the Project Managers are great some are awful! Drove over an hour for one project and the store did not have a display as they were supposed do, and Even though I had pictures of the shop and all receipts necessary the one Project Manager refused to pay me! Others have been ok to work with — not my favorite company will work with others first.

I love being a mystery shopper because it means I get to try a lot of new restaurants and evaluate businesses at the same time. Writing the reviews for the businesses can take about 30 min to an hour, but it’s well worth it since you get reimbursed for the review. I’ve got to try a few restaurants/​businesses thanks to Goodwin Hospitality, and payment is always very timely. I have recommended this to many of my friends!

I love completing shops for Goodwin Hospitality. I’m always paid on time, they give clear instructions and it’s schedulers are always available to answer any questions. I love their 24 hour shop due times as well, most companies require 12 hours or less.

I have done shops for these guys and if you follow the rules they clearly lay out, you get paid just like they say. It’s fun, I’ve tried places I wouldn’t have thought of and went bowling for the first time in years! You don’t make money, it’s not a job, but it mostly covers the cost of the fun. The report can be long but that’s what you are getting paid for! Try it, it’s a great way for a low cost fun time.

This company is awesome. They offer the best mystery shops, have always paid me on time if not sooner than expected and everyone I have called or e-​mailed is super friendly.
On top of the mystery shops, I have had several friends in the industry use them for recruiting help that ended in a successful position placement that they are happy with.

I also have done a few shops with them, and most of the account managers are great, one however is not. My family completed a shop and put extra effort into the report, and spent money we didn’t have for what should have come to a $ 2 dollar payment after the report. 8 days later we received an email which said on the bottom «*note-​do not pay, will not be accepted».
It said they had tried to contact multiple times regarding a missing receipt, well I had that receipt and it had been attached to the report. I could have given it to them right then, but they would not take it. I went back and forth with this woman who insisted they had tried to contact us, there were no emails or phone calls so I do not know how she could say that.
She got her report and got to keep payment which should have been sent here as reimbursement. STAY AWAY
I want to note by $ 2 I mean I spent $ 57 after tip at a restaurant and they are reimbursing 55. Also, a chain of restaurant which is in Nashua requires you spend and get so much to eat, and only pays $ 35 for a long report to do, and it’s obvious you are a shopper with the requirements.

I have shopped for Goodwin & Associates in the past and they have instituted new policies to make sure no checks get «lost in the mail.» It is now entirely Paypal based, so if you aren’t getting paid, it’s really your own fault. They clearly and repeatedly post the shop requirements and email them to you as well. Of my dozen or so shops, I’ve never gotten paid outside a 45 day window and they usually pay within about a month. Mystery shopping isn’t meant to pay you a steady wage, it’s meant to be a mutually beneficial proposition — you offset the costs of going out and the locations get good feedback on how to improve or keep their standards high.
Do I hate the 24 hour deadline? Oh, heck yes, I usually have work the next day and plans that evening. Do I fit it in anyway? Yes, because I read the rules and know that I need to do it to get paid anything at all. If you are good at reading and following basic instructions and writing objectively with a concrete deadline, Goodwin & Associates can help you save some money and try some new places.

I just realized I have not been paid about $ 400 from them. Boy am I a dummy. If I don’t hear from them soon I will take it further!

I WAS SCAMMED!
I did the work for them — was never paid. I have been given the run-​around left and right. It’s been over 60 days since the 90 day deadline I was supposed to receive compensation. I’m now forced to pursue legal avenues.
Consumers and restaurants — AVOID THEM!

I have contacted this company, oh I’d say 10 times in regards to non-​payment for the first visit i performed for them. And Ive done at least 3 at this point. They say payment is sent out 60 – 90 days after a report is received, and at this point it’d been 120 days. The last time someone actually got back to me about my non-​payment request I was told their billing person was out and has been in the hospital. NO SYMPATHY FROM ME! I“m off to get the contact information for the Better business bureau. So FYI, if you actually want to be PAID for work you’ve done, DO NOT USE THIS COMPANY!

This is the company that runs
, a website that facilitates secret shops for restaurants across the country. BEWARE! It’s a hustle.
I signed up as a shopper earlier this year after seeing a story about it on the local news in Atlanta. It seemed easy enough and I thought I would be a good candidate since I already review places I eat for Unilocal.
Anyway, I finally accepted a job shopping a sports bar off of Clairmont Road in Atlanta. I brought a friend (as they requested) and we ordered drinks, an appetizer, and two lunch entrees. Our bill plus tip was $ 10 more than the predetermined reimbursement amount. Oh well…
I carefully completed my report and submitted it along with my receipts only to be told that I wouldn’t be paid because we didn’t order dessert. First, this is a sports bar and they did not have any desserts listed on the lunch menu I had. Also, are you really asking me to spend EVEN MORE of MY money knowing that it’s not even going to be reimbursed?!?
After sending a few emails back and forth I was able to conclude that this is just a hustle and I don’t think they ever intended to support me. It’s possible I was the victim of some bad circumstances and should have done a better job of reading the fine print. Maybe it’s all my fault and they were right? Hmm…
Regardless, don’t let yourself become a victim. I don’t recommend that you sign-​up with this company as they don’t do the right thing when it comes to treating their shoppers properly. If you do, make sure you read and understand everything. They don’t provide any training or explanation prior to sending you out to conduct shops on their behalf. Restaurant owners should be aware that if they use this company the shoppers are sent out without any training and probably don’t provide the best possible information.