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FAQs

 

• Schmooze Event
• Schmooze Survey and Rating
• Profile
• Membership

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SCHMOOZE EVENT

Will I know who else is attending my Schmooze Event?
NO - and that's part of the fun!  You never know whom you're going to meet and how those people are going to help your business.  You embrace the randomness of the Schmooze Event and, in turn, expand your circle of contacts.  Rest assured that you will be seated with new and interesting individuals, with a genuine interest in meeting you.
 
Can another Member with my same industry and profession attend my Schmooze Event?
Firstly, we avoid such conflicts at all costs. That being said, such an occurrence would only be the result of (a) someone being seated at the wrong table by the Restaurant, (b) the Member providing the incorrect Table I.D. Letter to the Restaurant host/hostess, or (c) the Member providing incorrect Profile information to GoSchmooze. Regardless of the reason, please provide this feedback via the Schmooze Survey and we will take the necessary action to correct the issue.
 
What should I bring with me to the Schmooze Event?
You must bring your Table I.D. Letter - which is in your Event Confirmation/Reminder email(s). Oh, a few business cards and an open mind are handy, too.
 
Are Members permitted to distribute information at the Schmooze Event?
Yes, subject to the Schmooze Rules; see: http://www.goschmooze.com/schmooze-rules.php

How do I know I won't be the only one there?
We work very hard to ensure that no one ends up the lone attendee at a Schmooze Event. If no one else signs up for your table, we will notify you - either 12 hours before a breakfast event, or 4 hours before a lunch event. Our hope is that this allows you plenty of time to make other plans.
 
Why do Schmooze Events always start at 7:30am and 12:30pm?
Based on our extensive research, we understand these times are the most universally convenient for our Members. While we welcome feedback on this topic, any timing change would be implemented system-wide, across all locales.
 
Can I cancel an individual Schmooze Event reservation?
Yes, without penalty - so long as you cancel at least
12 hours before a reserved breakfast event, or
4 hours before a reserved lunch event.

What is the "penalty" for failing to cancel my attendance at a Schmooze Event?
If you are confirmed (via Survey data collected from your fellow Members) as a "No-Show" for 3 Schmooze Events in any 90-day period, your Membership may be terminated.
 
Can I reserve Schmooze Events in multiple locales?
YES - By all means, take advantage of the GoSchmooze Universe and Schmooze around! You are welcome at any Restaurant/locale.
 
Can I reserve two Schmooze Events scheduled for the same time slot?
No. We know you can't be two places at once, and that just wouldn't be fair to the other Members reserving the Schmooze Event to join you.
 
Do I pay for my meal at the Restaurant?
YES - GoSchmooze Restaurant partners have agreed to create a separate check for each Member at the Schmooze Event. Simply pay as you would at any other Restaurant, but please refrain from paying for other Members.
 
How long does the Schmooze Event last?
One hour from the scheduled Event starting time.
 
What if I show up at the Restaurant for a Schmooze Event without my Table I.D. Letter?
Your Event Confirmation/Reminder email(s) include your Table I.D. Letter.  You can also obtain your Table I.D. Letter by logging into our site and selecting "My Schedule" and the link for the Schmooze Event in question.
 
I've been waiting at my table and no one else has shown up. What do I do?
While Members are asked to make every effort to attend Schmooze Events on time, traffic happens. We ask that you (a) wait at least 15 minutes from the designated start time for the Schmooze Event for others to arrive, and if you do leave, (b) double check with the Restaurant's host/hostess on the way out - to ensure no other Member has asked for your table, or arrived without her/his Table I.D. Letter.
 
What happens if I wait 15 minutes, and no other Member arrives at my table?
GoSchmooze is all about courtesy.  If this situation happens to you, we ask that you call our customer satisfaction telephone number from your Event Confirmation/Reminder email(s).  See "Schmooze Survey" for guidance on rating the missing Members as "No-Shows".
 
Can I bring a friend to the Schmooze Event?
Respectfully, NO!  GoSchmooze is all about bringing together individuals who have NOT met, in groups no larger than 4 at a time. Please don't dilute the power of the Schmooze by bringing others.  By all means, your friends are welcome to visit us at www.GoSchmooze.com and evaluate whether Membership is right for them.
 
One Member at my Schmooze Event dominated the entire conversation - what should I do?
First of all, DURING any Schmooze Event, EVERYONE gets to both listen AND be heard - even beyond the initial 5 minute introduction. Also, when you receive the Schmooze Survey, rate the offending Member accordingly. In addition to the star-rating, use the free-form text field to tell us about your experience with the over-eager Member. (Your fellow Members will not know how you rated them or that you commented on their actions.)  A repeat offender will be warned, and may have his/her Membership terminated.
 
I attended a Schmooze Event with another Member I had met at a prior Event - how does this happen?
GoSchmooze is about meeting new people. To achieve that, we promise to seat you with people with whom you have not Schmoozed in the prior 30 days. While this format keeps the introduction opportunities fresh and new, it is possible that you will attend an event with someone from a prior Schmooze Event - but at least 30 days will have passed since the two of you last Schmoozed.  If your Event includes a Member with whom you've Schmoozed in the prior 30 days, please notify us via the Schmooze Survey.
 
How do I suggest a new Restaurant Partner to GoSchmooze?
Please submit your suggestion via the Feedback tab, or email us at: info@goschmooze.com

Is GoSchmooze safe?
Our Members' safety and security are our highest priority. While we carefully select each Restaurant Partner to ensure a quality dining experience, we also prioritize the location and reputation of each Restaurant. We make every effort to ensure each Schmooze Event is held at a Restaurant accessible in an open, public area. Members are encouraged to practice reasonable caution when attending events before/after dusk, especially when parking.

Is there a dress code?
No hard rules on this topic - just come dressed to Schmooze.


 
SCHMOOZE SURVEY & RATING
 
When will I receive the Schmooze Survey?
The Schmooze Survey is sent exactly 1 hour after the scheduled start of each Schmooze Event. We pride ourselves on the survey being simple, brief and flexible. We are relying on Member comments to make GoSchmooze better.

When I rate a Member, will that Member be able to trace the comments to me?
No. Firstly, a Schmooze Rating will not be calculated until there are at least 3 data points to include in the calculation. Separately, your rating of another Member is never disclosed to that Member in a way that is traceable back to you. In other words, it's anonymous.

Can someone rate me at zero-stars?
No. A zero-star rating is assigned only for confirmed No-Shows.

What is my Schmooze Rating?
This rating (based on a range of 0 to 5 stars) is the simple average of all star-ratings received from fellow Members for prior Schmooze Events (adjusted upward for the "Survey Completion Bonus"). The higher, the better!

Why is my rating "N/A"?
In order to preserve the anonymity of those rating you, your average will not be displayed until you have been rated by at least 3 others.

What is the "Survey Completion Bonus"?
In order to incentivize our Members to complete Schmooze Surveys, Members receive a 5% rating bonus for any Event for which they themselves completed a Schmooze Survey.  Once a Schmooze Survey is completed by a Member for any individual event, that Member's ratings received by others for that same Event will be increased by 5% - and then be averaged into the accumulated total.  In other words, that 4-star rating you just received from John is now averaged in to your total as a 4.2!

What is the highest average Rating a Member can achieve?
The highest average rating you can achieve is 5.0.  If you're that good, do you really need a rating higher than 5-stars?

Does anyone else see my Schmooze Rating?
Currently, a Member is permitted to see only her/his own rating.

Do the qualitative (free-text) comments in the Schmooze Survey affect the Schmooze Rating?
Currently these qualitative comments are not incorporated into the calculated Schmooze Rating. That being said, this free-form text is welcome and critical to the success of the GoSchmooze system - please keep it coming.
 
What happens when I designate a fellow Member as a "No-Show" for the Schmooze Event?
We take No-Shows very, very seriously.  If someone fails to show up for a reserved (and uncancelled) Schmooze Event, and is designated as a "No-Show" on the Schmooze Survey by all other Event Members responding to the Survey within 48 hours, the No-Show Member will receive (a) a warning and (b) a zero-star rating from each Member attending that Event.

What if I have a poor Restaurant experience?
Our Schmooze Survey asks you to rate the Restaurant, and also offers the chance for free-form text comments. By all means, tell us about your experience - good or bad.
 
A Member attending my Schmooze Event clearly was not employed, and was asking for job leads - what should I do?
Please detail this interaction in the Schmooze Survey. The Member utilizing the Schmooze Event to seek employment will have his/her membership suspended once the incident is verified.
 

PROFILE
 
I am not a LinkedIn member - can I still create a GoSchmooze Member Profile?
YES. We will ask that you complete the necessary fields to provide the information typically downloaded from Members' LinkedIn Profiles.

How do I upload my Picture if I don't register for GoSchmooze via LinkedIn or I don't have my picture on LinkedIn?
From "My Profile", simply select "Edit Profile Information" and utilize the "Profile Photo" function on the right.
 
Is my Profile information shared with any entities outside GoSchmooze?
Please see the current version of our Privacy Policy further detail.
 
I cannot find my industry and profession when I set up my Profile - what should I do?
Please select the industry and profession that come closest to describing your work. Also, we ask that you send us a "Feedback" message notifying us of your industry and profession as you would classify them.
 
What if I change jobs?
Members are required to keep their GoSchmooze Profiles up-to-date. If, based on Survey responses from fellow Members, a Member is shown to have misrepresented her/his credentials, the Member will be warned, and Membership will be terminated if the Profile information is not corrected within 5 business days.
 
What if I lose my job or close my business?
Firstly, please know that we are sympathetic to those who unexpectedly find themselves unemployed. Please log on to your account and update your Profile to reflect the fact that your current employment has been discontinued. Your membership charge will be suspended from renewal and Member Profile put on hold until you notify us that you are once again gainfully employed.
 
How do I keep track of Members I've met at past Schmooze Events?
Your contacts are tracked under your Profile tab. For those Members to whom you were introduced by GoSchmooze, their key contact information is provided, along with the rating and text comments you provided for each Member.
 
What is the badge assigned to my Profile?
Badges are awarded based on the highest-ranked decile (10%) in various categories, such as "Highest Schmooze Rating" and "Best Survey Responder”. These badges are awarded, and expire, based on rolling time frames as determined by GoSchmooze.
 
How come my badge no longer appears on my Profile?
Because the criteria for badges are based on explicit rolling time periods, you may no longer be in the top decile (10%) for that category after a new average is calculated for the most recent period. Just as someone else has earned the badge in your place, this presents your own opportunity to earn the same or a new badge from someone else!
 

MEMBERSHIP
 
How many people am I likely to meet via my GoSchmooze membership?
That depends on how often you Schmooze!  We promise that you won't be seated with the same Member twice in any 30-day period.
 
Does GoSchmooze limit membership to specific industries or positions?
No. GoSchmooze is open to all gainfully employed individuals.
 
How does GoSchmooze define "gainfully employed"?
GoSchmooze defines gainful employment as any type of employment that leads to earnings and/or profit for the employee.
 
How much does GoSchmooze cost?
$14.99 per month for recurring monthly membership - all you can Schmooze for one low fee!
 
What happens to the repeat "No-Shows"?
If, as determined by feedback collected from Schmooze Surveys, a Member fails to show up for 3 Schmooze Events in any rolling 90-day period, his/her GoSchmooze membership will be terminated, without refund for any membership fees paid to date.
 
How do I pay my Membership Fee?
We accept major credit cards (American Express, Discover, MasterCard, Visa). Recurring Membership Fees are billed on the monthly anniversary of your original subscription date, adjusted to the nearest prior day of the shorter months for those originally subscribed on the 29th, 30th or 31st of the month.
 
Can I cancel my Membership?
YES, via your Member Profile. Cancellations take effect on the next monthly subscription anniversary day, and refunds for the current period are not available.
 
Are there any refunds if I decide to cancel my GoSchmooze membership?
To preserve Members' flexibility, we bill on a monthly basis, in-advance. Given the short billing cycle, we do not offer refunds for cancellations submitted prior to the end of the current month's period. Monthly billing cycles begin on the monthly anniversary date, and continue to the day immediately prior to the next scheduled monthly anniversary date.
 
What is the return / refund policy?
GoSchmooze shall not refund any funds of any unused Schmooze pay period in the event a membership is terminated with GoSchmooze, unless otherwise unilaterally, and in its sole discretion, agreed to by GoSchmooze.

What is our shipping Policy?
The GoSchmooze service is delivered upon payment submission by End User.
 
What if my credit card expires?
You will be notified by email that your credit card information is no longer valid. Your account will be suspended for up to 30 days (preserving your Profile and contacts) until a currently activated credit card is entered under your Profile.  Otherwise, after a 30-day suspension period, the account will be terminated and deleted.

When am I considered a GoSchmooze "Member"?
You are not considered to be a Member of GoSchmooze until you meet all the requirements outlined in our Terms & Conditions.