I just do the shops I need to do. I have no competiton in So Cal. The only competition is myself. I have done mystery shopping since 2002 and I find it gets better when I make it better.
Once a scheduler or proof-reader writes to me to fix the shop, I do my best to do this. I am truly grateful I can do mystery shopping for my personal needs.
I make it fun and do not complain and thank my schedulers when they bonus me or help me by phone when I need to call a company to get the financials straightened out.
Any one who complains about doing this type of work should just go do something else.

I understand your frustrations. There is no 100% guarantee a job won't bite you or you will not be treated unfairly. I work with the ones who treat me fairly and pay. The ones who do not I write off my list. I don't shop to make a living but I do shop to make an extra income. I am on social security so the extra cash helps! Prayers you find the right avenue for extra income - to utilize your God given talents!

Kiki,
If the pain of mystery shopping is too much for you then get out of the kitchen. My heavens, lady you are a true complainer. Go do something else... complaining will never change things for you.

@gbarnes wrote:

I just do the shops I need to do. I have no competiton in So Cal. The only competition is myself. I have done mystery shopping since 2002 and I find it gets better when I make it better.
Once a scheduler or proof-reader writes to me to fix the shop, I do my best to do this. I am truly grateful I can do mystery shopping for my personal needs.
I make it fun and do not complain and thank my schedulers when they bonus me or help me by phone when I need to call a company to get the financials straightened out.
Any one who complains about doing this type of work should just go do something else.

Care to clarify that?

I'm not sure why I'm chiming in on this, I'll likely regret the time and effort it will take just to type it, but every now and again something just ruffles my feathers so completely that keeping my mouth shut is about as likely as the idea of me having a pint of Häagen-Dazs™ in the freezer and refraining from eating it in a single sitting--something are just impossible no matter one's intent!

Having spent a lifetime in the market research/data collection industry, I've seen thousands of people over the years that would apply for a job in our company, maybe make it through the first half of their first day as an interviewer, and then never be heard from again. Literally. Without exaggeration, I cannot count the number of times a mall security officer would come into my office, shaking his head, returning to me the smock, clipboard and paperwork found most often in one of the oversize planters in the forecourt or the old standby, the restroom at the other end of the mall. In a nutshell, it seems these folks took on the job with the misinformed notion that for some reason ours was the one industry outside maybe, Hollywood, that you could make a great living doing little or no actual work at all.

Now I'd like to give credit where credit is due, and admit that some of these disappearing employees did actually do a survey or two before absconding with a handful of #2 pencils...but it seems those few that actually did some work before leaving usually did so with a complete disregard for the most simple instructions.

In the 32 years since I began in the industry I can count on one hand the number of times I've had work rejected, and not one single time has it been for any reason that wasn't (in hindsight) completely my fault. Whether I cut a corner and didn't follow the exact methodology, missed a quota or didn't have my supporting documents to validate my work, anything I've not been paid for hasn't been because of some greedy research company trying to take advantage of me.

The industry (and thus my role in it) has changed tremendously over the years and where I used to hire full-time employees that would do mystery shop assignments in rotation, the new way of thinking is to have independent contractors execute the shops. Brilliant if you ask me! But so many people (such as Kiki) seem to be oblivious to a couple things where contracting is concerned. First off, if you're a contractor, you're self-employed running your own business: Act like it! Read your assignment's guidelines (very few actually need printing as long as you have a computer monitor)! The ENTIRE report is most often available before you conduct your shop. READ IT. If it's so long that you no longer think it's worth it financially, then call your scheduler IMMEDIATELY and say so. But do NOT do a half-a$$ed job on something that is actually QUITE IMPORTANT to a lot of people--from schedulers to editors to the employees you're ultimately shopping.

Keep in mind that your actions (and often incompetence) affect a LOT of people. The scheduler who had the whole projected booked now has to scramble to find a replacement shop. The only way for that to happen is to offer bonuses which are often paid out of the scheduler's own fee! The project manager who knew yours was the last shop before making the report is now behind schedule and unable to deliver on a promise that came with her reputation backing it up. Oh, and the employee you referred to as Mandy (because you couldn't be bothered to get a better view at her nametag) is actually named Dee-Dee. Mandy, is affected because the horrible report you filed about her was actually about Dee-Dee. Mandy is getting fired tomorrow for being so rude to you while Dee-Dee will move up the ladder and take her place. This of course would be even worse but for one thing...your half-hearted, aloof and cavalier attitude didn't give the attention or objectivity these jobs demand. The simple fact is your "interpretation" of rudeness really meant that she annoyed you by asking you to observe the sign posted at the door requesting you not bring your Venti Half-Caff Soy Mochachino into the store!

Bottom line, if you do the work, take pride in the reports you submit and do it all with honor, honesty and just a little self-respect, you'll get paid in full what turns out to be a very handsome living. Otherwise, take it from me, you might be better off working behind the fryer in the establishments you attempted to shop.

Many of you have provided sarcastic responses. The fact is, that's saying something about you. This person just expressed their feelings. And they have valid points. It's unfortunate a person can't express what they feel without receiving crude and sarcastic comments.

For each of the major MSCs with whom I contract I typically do one shop per week at the posted offer, usually $7.50 - 10. This helps me let them know that I am a team player and understand their challanges. I look at this as in investment in the long term survival of my business. To make better return for my time, I accpet offers for bonused shops or mileage fees and in those cases the compensation is usually $25 plus reimbursement for the same shop. Occasionally I get to do a fine dining shop which I enjoy the challange, but the compensation per hour worked is very low. The bottom line is that we get paid for working because it is work, but it should at least be something you like to do (not just tolerate) otherwise do yourself the favor of exploring other options as you are worth it!

I am grateful to have mystery shopping. I am going to retire from my job in 3 years, and I don't want to be one of those people that can't figure out what to do after retirement. My MS money currently pays for my granddaughter's braces, which she so desperately needed. I love mystery shopping, but it certainly is not for everyone.

I have been shopping for a few years and have experience the Godd the Bad and the Ugly lol as most of you I have had the experience that want to make you quit! The aha moment for me was when I realized there was this forum that really gave me some great information from folke that actually do it all of the time and make money.

Most of the shops I do are are least 23 miles away so I have to make sure i find and gather ether a rout or a group of shops to do, I have whittled the companies down two five that I actuall do on a regular basis and because of the time spent with these MESCs they often call me and offer bonus for shops a long distance away. I ask for a call back and see if I can find some others to make a day of it. and it works out in the end. Because of advice on this forum from experience shoppers I am getting better not perfect but better One irritation is when something happens like yesterday----I was on the way to do a shop and an Emergence came up that I had to return home and wasnt able to complete the shop, over the last 24 hours I have sent four emails to the sheduler and the help desk but have not recieved yat an answer about an extension I could not locate a phone number for the MSC anywhere on there site so ether they will re-schedule me or flake me we will see ether way I will deal with it. My wife wants me to quit but I do it for extra income and it haelps pay for things while I build a carreer doing someting else in the end it all depends on our perception Is it a blessing or a curse two you if I hated it I would stop but if I keep going I make a few bucks on the way to somewhere else or get $20.00 plus re-imbursmenet for a morning coffee or 18.00 for a cinnamon roll lol Its' all good

"Remember you are somewhere in the future and you lok much better than you do right now"

.

Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 05/23/2015 03:14PM by mysterytrina.

Don't mind me, I am trying to delete this message.

Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 05/23/2015 03:16PM by mysterytrina.

@graciemonster1 wrote:

I am grateful to have mystery shopping. I am going to retire from my job in 3 years, and I don't want to be one of those people that can't figure out what to do after retirement. My MS money currently pays for my granddaughter's braces, which she so desperately needed. I love mystery shopping, but it certainly is not for everyone.

This is true.

Did you say you wanted to make this a carrier?????????? Ha Ha, it takes time getting to know the companies and getting a personal system down, earning your dues, once you earned them you will understand and have more respect for the companies. I felt like that at first, your stringing yourself out, not organized, you need to learn to maximize your time and routes, be smart about what and how your doing it. I don't do food unless its high end or good. I don't eat fast food, burgers blahhhhh. I have gotten lots of benefits from MSing, learned about myself as well. This is not a carrier where your going to make enough to purchase your next home. If I feel I am pushing myself to hard and the laundry is not getting done I cut back my time is worth it. I noticed most new people come in thinking yah great way to make easy money, no boss or someone to answer to. Wrong nothing is easy, there is even politics in this game, this is another way to make some extra cash, have fun but its business on both sides and you still have to be professional.

lol Nope this isn't my Carreer but it helps pay the bills and additionall expenses involved in my new carreer.. you are right and if you feel overwhelmed and need a break sometimes i will taek a few weeks and finnaly they call me with shoops not done a big bonuses so I go back for a while lol

Hi kiki125. You have the choice to make which shops that you accept. I NEVER accept ANY shops that don't pay for my time and gas. That would really suck! I don't let the MSC dictate what I will be paid for my time and gas. I only work as a mystery shopper part time at my own leisure because I have a full time job. The MSCs will have to pay a more fair fee if shoppers would hold out and accept only the shops that they will be paid fairly for. I do this all the time, and average about 25 shops per month, and do not let the MSC under pay me for my efforts. If all of the shoppers did the same thing the MSCs will be forced to pay more fairly. If a shop is only paying $10 or $15 dollars, I skip to the next email to see the next shop opportunity. I can't tell you how many times I have been called by an MSC trying to get me to complete a shop by offering me more money. When they get to the amount that I am willing to accept, I agree to do the shop. I hope this helps.

I won't take a shop for less than $25.

Mystery Shopping can be a bit stressful especially if there are a lot of expectations for little bit of money. I found that doing the same style shops cut down a lot on the prep as you just have to review any changes but basically know what to observe.
I have a one year old now and really miss the shopping. I could do some during the day when I was at work but the reports would be challenging with little one. I look forward to when I can get out there again. Hubby and I miss our nice $100 dinners all paid for.

Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 05/23/2015 07:26PM by shopperwho.

@pandyman35 wrote:

I won't take a shop for less than $25.

Really? I took a crappy phone bank job for $10 that needed to be done within the hour.
Some company then flew me international ($600 flight) and let me chose the time, airline and write my own expenses as I saw fit. Added a $75 fee for one job that took 20 minutes.

So, bring on the $10 shops. LOL.

Does anyone know which MSC offers $10 crappy phone bank shops?

@elcarev68 wrote:

Does anyone know which MSC offers $10 crappy phone bank shops?

hahaha good one. I generally don't do anything bank related, but they were in a bind. Bank rep had me on the phone for over 20 minutes too.

I don't know who you shop for but I have never seen a shop that paid anywhere near minimum wage. If you are talking about just the time you spend in the store maybe. But I doubt you could get 30.00. You also have to factor in the time you spend preparing for the shop and rehearsing your back story then the time it takes to fill out the forms many of which ask the same questions three or four times just worded a little different. And of course all this info you are gettingfrom the store has to be acquired covertly.

Don't get me wrong. I do mystery shopping and for the most part enjoy it even though the pay isn't great. I guess I just love being a spy.

You sound like me. I have done up to three shops a day but found I was exhausted. I am also retired with health problems and feel really fortunate to have found out about this hidden treasure. I normally do one a day and wish I could find some of those high priced ones I hear people talking about. Most of my shops are 7 to 15 dollars. But I love this business and only have been at it for five months now. I plan to get better and find some higher paying shops. I'm in South Carolina and I have found enough to keep me busy. It really makes me feel good to get a 10 on my reports. I was retired for 10 years and this makes me feel like I have a purpose again. A cruise is on my bucket list.

Do easier shops with less stress. I do mostly bank shops, they pay a decent price and are easy.

My lessons learned the hard way after feeling like the OP sometimes:
(1) Some MSCs are impossible to deal with. Click. Delete yourself from their database. Move on.
(2) Accept no shop with a fee less than $20.
(3) When a MSC calls me, ALWAYS negotiate for a bonus.
(4) Follow the guidelines.
(5) ALWAYS negotiate for a bonus.
(6) Do a good job and show the MSC that you are worth more than they are willing to pay.
(7) Offer to do three shops instead of one, for a bonus of course.
(8) Lighten up. You only get one life.

I can relate to Robin and Cure. I won't do more than 3 a day - and usually one a day and not every day. MS pays for most of my groceries and decent meal out at times. I got my carpets cleaned, my dryer vents cleaned out, my trees inspected and many other small perks for free.. I did do car shops and bought a car and did an in home new window evaluation and bought windows. I am so in the $$$ hole now. Came close to purchasing a fairly expensive ring during a jewelry shop - but luckily I an not an impulse buyer. I was in the market for a car, and thought about windows. I want to try hotel shops next. I usually skip retail but a scheduler from my favorite MS company called and I couldn't say no. I only wish there were shops for house cleaning companies. But I do agree that one cannot make a living doing this, at least not in the DC area. A do a shop for under $25 - umm NO. I did shops while working full time. Now retired, I do a few a week. I do enjoy doing most of the shops.

Stay away from any shop that consistently asks for timings. I did a Duckworth restaurant and it took 3 tries to satisfy the customer report. We took pictures of our entrees and submitted them than they ask you to explain each item on the plate. You got a dam picture. Best shop I have had is a bowling shop that paid $60. I had to bowl 2 games, buy a sandwich and a beer. Best shop ever. Made a $33 profit for an hour of fun.

I can't think of any shop which didn't ask me which TIME I arrived, and often what TIME I left. The post office shops want times to the second, as do Arby's and McD's. Even most bank shops want the TIME you spent in line, the TIME you waited for a CSR, the TIME you spend in the bank. Microsoft wants to know how long before you were greeted and how long they spoke to you. If you believe that you can avoid shops which ask for timing, you are going to be very limited as to what you can do. On the other hand, you will be leaving lots of shops for those of us with watches with second hands.

I have never encountered a Duckworth restaurant, but I just looked at their menu and my guess is that they are a mid-priced restaurant. In my experience doing places like Texas Roadhouse, Champs, the new TGI Fridays meal shops (not the age verification ones), and others, having to describe every item even if you take pictures is typical. Even California Tortilla, which is at best fast casual, requires a description (but no pictures) of each item in the combo.

However, I have good news for you. No one (including me) wants to do the bowling shops in my area and they get often get highly bonused. You could clean up.

@Dogbreederslist wrote:

Stay away from any shop that consistently asks for timings. I did a Duckworth restaurant and it took 3 tries to satisfy the customer report. We took pictures of our entrees and submitted them than they ask you to explain each item on the plate. You got a dam picture. Best shop I have had is a bowling shop that paid $60. I had to bowl 2 games, buy a sandwich and a beer. Best shop ever. Made a $33 profit for an hour of fun.

@Dogbreederslist wrote:

Best shop I have had is a bowling shop that paid $60. I had to bowl 2 games, buy a sandwich and a beer. Best shop ever. Made a $33 profit for an hour of fun.

Those are the best shops, when you can make a profit on an hour of fun. Enjoy.
I really haven't come across any that let me do that, so have to stick to the ones that require timings.

I am just starting out in secret shopping. I'm still unsure. I have some medical issues that give me hard days at times, but I manage to still take care of 3 kids and pets and my fiancé and house work during the week, and on weekends it's 6 kids and the rest. I am unable to have a regular daily job. I clean cabins and small vacation rentals on weekends in the a.m. I am in need of an additional income. This seems perfect and I love shopping and people. I have done a shop in a candle store and loved it. The questions to answer after were easy enough. I used my phone and made me so of what I needed to look for, ask, know and time frame. I used my alarm with a phone ringing ring tone to let myself know my time was up and it worked perfectly as my "I'm so sorry I have to run quickly, please just check me out for this car scent. And have a lovely day!" sometimes I feel rude going in and making 10-20 min conversations and then not buying anything decent, so a saved by the call works perfectly!

What I'm wondering though is this, How do you know what companies are good for their word and stand by their promises and which ones aren't? Can anyone help me find out? Please? I am not asking for specifics were as that would take away from others, but just a point in the right direction would be so very appreciated! Thank you all either way!

Happy shopping one and all!

Look at what is said about companies here. You need to average out the comments a little, but if they are consistently bad, that is probably a sign. Or consistently hard, that is probably a sign. Then there are people (who I think of being "one hit wonder) who come to this forum, sign up, bash a company, and are never heard from again. Look at the dates of the messages. Some companies are still being castigated because they were poor payers 5 years ago, and have since changed their ways.