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Finally Joined!

March 15, 2020 05:25AM
Hello Fellow MS!

After three years, I finally joined this forum - which I totally forgot about until I ran across a post while doing a Google search. I've finally decided to jump in with both feet and do this business full time. I've learned so much in the last six months by completing many different types of shops in various industries. I now share my excitement with my friends as I'm gearing up for retirement and transitioning into a second career/business. My friends are very curious about what I do since I don't reveal much about the clients that I've worked with. I am running out of ways to describe the industry and what it means to be a "mystery shopper". Would anyone like to share how they explain this business to "inquiring minds?" I'd greatly appreciate it.

Happy Shopping!
Miss_Terri
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March 15, 2020 12:24PM
I try not to discuss it with my friends and family too much. Inevitably, someone wants to do it too. If they live within 30 miles, they become your competition. I brushbit off as boring market research work with so-so pay.
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March 15, 2020 12:36PM
Welcome. I simply say that we act like ordinary customers to see how ordinary customers are provided with information and/or services. I add that if they have heard that we get paid to complain and make life a misery for employees, they have been hearing fables. Our job is to quietly observe and objectively report, NOT to see how people react when a customer yells, screams or misbehaves, lol. Our clients pretty much want to know the facts, ma'am; just the facts.

Enjoy! You will find many retirees here and well as shoppers who work fulltime at MS to make their only source of income, and everything in between.

Based in MD, near DC
Shopping from the Carolinas to New York
Have video cam; will travel

Poor customer service? Don't get mad; get video.
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March 16, 2020 02:50AM
You're right. I had a few ask me if they could sign up. I usually tell them that they need to have an LLC because of the "independent contractor" status laws in California. Thanks for the reminder.
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March 16, 2020 02:51AM
Wonderful! Thank you for the encouragement.
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March 16, 2020 04:00AM
When I first started I told my roommate quite a bit about it, and she seemed like she wanted to get in on it too. Luckily she's now decided it's 'too much work' for what she'd get back, so no added competition for me at the moment.
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April 02, 2020 07:06AM
I tell them that it takes a lot of work that you do not get paid for. Such as actually looking for the work and then there is the bookkeeping to do and the federal forms for taxes (county, city, state, and the feds.) Not to mention the cost of new equipment if needed (like faster printer, faster computer, up to date cellphones, and/or cameras.) And I tell them at least we do not use film cameras anymore so no more running to the photo developer kiosk anymore and hoping that the pictures were OK that up paid to have developed. Even though it was a business expense that you could take off of your taxes every quarter. Oh did I not mention that since you are an Independent Contractor that it is better if you file your taxes every three months to avoid any penalties.


@katiew27 wrote:

When I first started I told my roommate quite a bit about it, and she seemed like she wanted to get in on it too. Luckily she's now decided it's 'too much work' for what she'd get back, so no added competition for me at the moment.
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