I hate to have to give this kind of updated review, but at the moment, it is necessary.
I was called by a representative from Focus Pointe Global named Tony last Thursday, April 27, 2017, to participate in a taste test today. I was offered two time slots--one for 10:30 a.m., and another for 1 p.m. I initially asked for the 10:30 a.m. slot, which was confirmed via email. Monday, May 1 at 10:49 a.m., I called FPG to speak with Tony again in order to change my time. Someone named Cort answered the phone, and I asked to speak with Tony. Cort said Tony was not available but that he could take a message. I told Cort I wanted to change my time slot to 1 p.m., if it were possible, and Cort said that he could handle that. Cort claimed he was looking at the log sheet to be sure that there was an open spot at that time, and he said that there was, and that I would be able to, indeed, change my time. He also said he would send out an email with those changes. So, I thought everything was taken care of because I had never had any scheduling issues with FPG before. Another representative from FPG called me yesterday to confirm that I would still be attending the taste test that was scheduled for today. I don't recall a time being mentioned, but again, I assumed that the time change I requested was already taken care of.
Today was the scheduled test. I was unsure if I was going to make it on time, so I called FPG, and again, Cort answered the phone. He told me that the client was strict on time and that if I weren't going to make it at 1 p.m. to probably not come, but my ride came in a timely manner such that I was going to be able to make the test at or before 1 p.m. As I was walking out the door, I received a call from Focus Pointe Global. It was Cort, and he claims I was still scheduled for 10:30 a.m., and I corrected him, telling him that he and I spoke Monday, May 1 about my needing to change my time slot to 1 p.m., and that he took care of it. HE SAID HE DIDN'T RECALL THE CONVERSATION. WHAT?!! I'm not crazy, and I have it logged on my phone records that I called Focus Pointe on Monday and spoke with him, yet, he kept claiming we didn't talk. I asked him did he write down or make a note that I called and needed to change my time, and he said HE DID NONE OF THOSE THINGS. SERIOUSLY? Who doesn't take a message, whether written or via computer, when someone calls in?
I did speak to Cort's supervisor, Tom, but since Cort claimed he didn't talk with me, didn't send an email, or even made a note that I called, I was not able to be reimbursed. I and the person who was giving me a ride both had to switch around our work schedules to accommodate my attending this test, and I was also expecting to use the extra money that I was going to get. Perhaps I should have double checked when I didn't receive the email, so I take the blame for that; however, since I had never experienced this level of incompetence before with an employee from FPG, I had no cause to expect otherwise. I am EXTREMELY FRUSTRATED AND DISAPPOINTED and will have to decide, once I've fully calmed down, whether or not I want to continue doing focus groups with FPG. read more