Just a one-time comparison of mystery shop apples and oranges along with base pays, bonuses, and other oddments.... and a consideration of this thread and current others like it...
So.
An entire mall eval can be had for $8. A variation of a gas station revealed audit can be had for $7. A drive-thru fast food can be had for $8.
The mall evaluation probably takes hours on-site in addition to prep and reporting. The gas station revealed discussion and taking of measurements is estimated to take "30 minutes". It was not clear whether this time was estimated for on-site activities only or for everything related to the shop, including locating or purchasing a sufficiently long measuring tape. I have forgotten whether you make reimbursed purchases or not. If I try the assignment, I will re-read that portion of guidelines carefully. The drive-thru meal, on a slow day, can be completed in less than twenty minutes for everything. Your meal is paid for via reimbursement. On a busy day, the shop might take a few more minutes-- t still come in well under one hour.
In my world, these three assignments would take days!!!!!!!!!!!! First, I would have to drive to the mall. The nearest one I have seen listed is three hours from home (on a decent traffic day). Then, I would need to break up the visits into little bits so that my back and feet would still love me. Along the way, I would have completed the gas station reveal assignment. On the way home, I would pick up the dinner drive-thru. Then, I would plunk myself into the most comfy-looking chair in the nearest library and report my little heart out before returning home. I would arrive home just in time to freshen up for the early job. Wait. That was just one day. Could I have completed the mall?
So that was completely silly. No amount of bonus money would cause the mall eval to fit into one, two , or three days (probably). My back and feet would demand this. Considering that all my extra work must fit within one day segments, I cannot even consider such an adventure.
But what do other shoppers do with these potentially huge assignments? How much of a bonus do you charge for a small mall, a mid-size mall, and a sprawling huge thing? Do you become more efficient over time? Is there time for mystery meals, or is it better to fast or nosh snacks from home in a restroom? Inquiring minds want to know!
Nature does not hurry, yet everything is accomplished. - Lao-Tzu