I don't feel the need to make some arbitrary number that is set in stone. I often rate my days pay as opposed to hourly pay. If I am going to leave home I want to make at least $14. That's right here at home in town. Less than 5 miles away. Since I live in a somewhat rural suburb I can't make much here so I like to compile little day routes. If I drive 75 miles and it's on the interstate where I can drive it in an hour or so, and make $75 I consider that worth it. It's fast and easy and I can be home in time to spend the afternoon doing something else. If i put together a route of shops that takes longer, but I still might make only 75. However, due to the nature of the roads and surrounding area, I still consider that worth it because I live in beautiful horse country and driving the rural roads through the horse farms and country side is delightful. I would do it anyway but I wouldn't get to as much because I would be working at something else. So much like S.E.A., I enjoy the traveling through beautiful countryside and consider it a major perk of what I do.

So if there is some perk to it for you, whether its reimbursements to nice restaurants or hotels, being able to basically nix the grocery bill (I do that) , or test driving new cars, then you may not need to focus so much on hourly rates which don't make that much sense for mystery shopping anyway, IMO. I decide how much I want to make in a day and I won't leave home to go to a neighboring town for less than $40, which is often 3-4 quick, cheap shops. That's ultra-cheap but like Cease, if I were working a minimum wage job I would have to work 5 or more hours to make it and I'd be stuck in one place with people I couldn't avoid.

The variety of things I do is yet another perk I like. I do routes of bank shops, routes of gas stations, routes of post offices, and routes of grocery stores and convenience stores. In between the routes I do phone shops and apartment shops. Every day is different for me and I love that.

I don't have a boss and that is yet another perk. A major one, and yet I manage to bring in anywhere from 4-7 hundred extra a month regularly.

What do you consider the perks of mystery shopping?

I agree mostly with making money driving through nature's scenery. Long routes where I spend most of my time driving between towns and cities has the most appeal to me. Having no boss is good too, except for the times when I have to make myself do things I really don't want to, such as shop while sick or return to a far-away location for a missed photo on my day off, lol.

CQ..i agree, the perks got me into the business and I was amazed at all the work. Being Independent definitely has it's perks and just as important as the money, but of course money counts. Restaurants galore, pick and choose, I never feel eating out is done for money, but for the experience. I have taken a couple friends for a dinner to repay them for having me for Thanksgiving and Jewish holidays. I took my best friend to Vegas and we had a grand time at the Red Bar (Mandalay Bay), so perks, keep on coming, where else are you your own boss, and can say no to a job....money has become so important to some, they won't work for reimbursement, big loss.
I'm now going to eat the Wild Salmon I bought on a shop (12.99pd) how sweet it is....



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 06/01/2019 09:00PM by Irene_L.A..

Those returns for a photo are killers. But out of hundreds of stations completed I have had to go back maybe 4 times.

@mystery2me wrote:

I agree mostly with making money driving through nature's scenery. Long routes where I spend most of my time driving between towns and cities has the most appeal to me. Having no boss is good too, except for the times when I have to make myself do things I really don't want to, such as shop while sick or return to a far-away location for a missed photo on my day off, lol.

I have spent almost 2 decades in a glorious beach area. During that time, I've done MS very part time and either worked in the retail or service industries and have had to work every weekend in the summer, every holiday all year round and have not really been able to enjoy this fabulous place that I live. People pay thousands of dollars here in the summer and I get to live here every day. This past February, I was relieved of my duties as a bartender and it being the off season, there was basically nothing around that would pay what I needed.

I decided to get back into mystery shopping full time instead of getting two jobs where I would be in the same situation. This past Memorial Day weekend was the first time I have had off for a holiday in years. My boyfriend lives 2 hours away and when he comes down for the weekend, I don't have to leave him half the time to go to work. I make my own schedule, pick my own work, and am enjoying myself more than I ever have. Of course, I'm not making 1000/week in season slinging drinks anymore, but I'm also not making 100/week in the offseason and wondering how I'm going to make the rent and bills.

My biggest perk of mystery shopping? Time

Flexibility in my schedule counts for a LOT, because I am NOT a morning person!!! Quick paying companies help a lot, even without the bonuses, but I DO get PAD regularly on hard to fill grocery shops. By PAD I mean anywhere from an extra $5 to $20 perhaps once a month or more. Doing jobs I like, like grocery, mailing shops, thrift stores. Quick apps on the phone....I earned $28 with Survey Merchandiser about 10 days ago in a grand total of 90 minutes....on my direct route to another job. As for the mailing shops, I've done 4 this past week and one to do on Monday....THREE of the five total EACH paid $25 instead of the regular $12. So, I don't make a lot, and do this part-time, but being able to pick and choose, and not be on anyone's schedule, or have anyone watch over my shoulder, counts for a lot. I also do a few merch jobs as an IC here and there, and I like that too.

I get it. Another perk for me is that I get to eat as many avocados as I want. And I want a lot. Ah the beauty of reimbursements.

@Irene_L.A. wrote:

CQ..i agree, the perks got me into the business and I was amazed at all the work. Being Independent definitely has it's perks and just as important as the money, but of course money counts. Restaurants galore, pick and choose, I never feel eating out is done for money, but for the experience. I have taken a couple friends for a dinner to repay them for having me for Thanksgiving and Jewish holidays. I took my best friend to Vegas and we had a grand time at the Red Bar (Mandalay Bay), so perks, keep on coming, where else are you your own boss, and can say no to a job....money has become so important to some, they won't work for reimbursement, big loss.
I'm now going to eat the Wild Salmon I bought on a shop (12.99pd) how sweet it is....

Avocado and Wild Salmon are the good fats....we're doing something right.

@CoffeeQueen wrote:

The variety of things I do is yet another perk I like. I do routes of bank shops, routes of gas stations, routes of post offices, and routes of grocery stores and convenience stores. In between the routes I do phone shops and apartment shops. Every day is different for me and I love that.

What? no coffee shops? Where does your name come from?

I like expensive coffee but I like money more.

@sandyf wrote:

@CoffeeQueen wrote:

The variety of things I do is yet another perk I like. I do routes of bank shops, routes of gas stations, routes of post offices, and routes of grocery stores and convenience stores. In between the routes I do phone shops and apartment shops. Every day is different for me and I love that.

What? no coffee shops? Where does your name come from?

I'm not a morning person either! I don't leave to go anywhere until 9:30 at the earliest and that is like the crack of dawn for me. I'm with you though, I like the flexibility. I get to choose what I want to do. Of course pay is a big factor in it but if a shop pays well but I still don't want it I don't have to do it.

@guysmom wrote:

Flexibility in my schedule counts for a LOT, because I am NOT a morning person!!! Quick paying companies help a lot, even without the bonuses, but I DO get PAD regularly on hard to fill grocery shops. By PAD I mean anywhere from an extra $5 to $20 perhaps once a month or more. Doing jobs I like, like grocery, mailing shops, thrift stores. Quick apps on the phone....I earned $28 with Survey Merchandiser about 10 days ago in a grand total of 90 minutes....on my direct route to another job. As for the mailing shops, I've done 4 this past week and one to do on Monday....THREE of the five total EACH paid $25 instead of the regular $12. So, I don't make a lot, and do this part-time, but being able to pick and choose, and not be on anyone's schedule, or have anyone watch over my shoulder, counts for a lot. I also do a few merch jobs as an IC here and there, and I like that too.

I'm so glad you get to finally enjoy the beautiful place you live! I like that I can bring my spouse along on a beautiful drive. She reads in the car while I complete shops and we enjoy the time together.

@Jenny Cassada wrote:

I have spent almost 2 decades in a glorious beach area. During that time, I've done MS very part time and either worked in the retail or service industries and have had to work every weekend in the summer, every holiday all year round and have not really been able to enjoy this fabulous place that I live. People pay thousands of dollars here in the summer and I get to live here every day. This past February, I was relieved of my duties as a bartender and it being the off season, there was basically nothing around that would pay what I needed.

I decided to get back into mystery shopping full time instead of getting two jobs where I would be in the same situation. This past Memorial Day weekend was the first time I have had off for a holiday in years. My boyfriend lives 2 hours away and when he comes down for the weekend, I don't have to leave him half the time to go to work. I make my own schedule, pick my own work, and am enjoying myself more than I ever have. Of course, I'm not making 1000/week in season slinging drinks anymore, but I'm also not making 100/week in the offseason and wondering how I'm going to make the rent and bills.

My biggest perk of mystery shopping? Time

I especially like that I can go visit my kids scattered across three different states whenever it suits us. I dont have to ask for time off AND I can still "work" while on vacation. Sure, I might not make $500 that week, but I can still pick up two or three hundred dollars in work. I get to treat the kids to a nice night out and still pay my bills. A couple years ago, I was able to take advantage of cheap airfare to Alaska, had all my meals reimbursed, and was even able to get reimbursed for some of the souvenirs I bought. It was a wonderful trip!

@CoffeeQueen wrote:

I'm not a morning person either! I don't leave to go anywhere until 9:30 at the earliest and that is like the crack of dawn for me. I'm with you though, I like the flexibility. I get to choose what I want to do. Of course pay is a big factor in it but if a shop pays well but I still don't want it I don't have to do it.

CQ, I don't get out of bed until 9:30 most mornings!! So that's what I mean by my saying I'm not a morning person! Yes, love the flexibility, and that I can pick and choose what I want. My goal is $200-$250 month, and I make that no sweat. THIS PAST MONTH (MAY), without even trying....I brought in a bit over $450!! And THAT'S with the APPENDIX ATTACK/SURGERY I had last weekend!! So, it's all good for me!!

CQ, I too am not a morning person. I can get up but have no interest in doing so. This world revolves around early morning. I think we late late morning people need to get together and have an uprising.The good part is when I have a fasting procedure of any kind to schedule I have no problems getting the later appts cause all those morning people cannot fast until 10 or 11 AM. For me, no issue at all. Get up late and just wait a bit for my coffee.

For me it's time. I live in a metropolitan area, so the assignments are plenty. I can work when & where I want. I aim for higher paying assignments and make more in 3-4 hours than a minimum wage employee would in an 8 hour shift. I do use phone call assignments as well as certain lower paying shops as fillers or if there's a benefit (i.e. I'll be in the area anyways, wanted something from that store/restaurant, etc) me.

I used to work at a bank back home and the deadlines used to drive me crazy. That was before I got married. The cherry on top were pesky co workers, horrible bosses and sometimes working the weekends for the month end accounts. My perks are pretty clear here I think

No catty/gossippy/bossy/mean coworkers.

Not to nitpick but you left out "backstabbing".

@sestrahelena wrote:

No catty/gossippy/bossy/mean coworkers.

I LOVE MSC, wish I found this forum EARLIER. I am not a 9-5 type of person. I love people however working with people is NOT for me. I have gotten fired for many jobs for not being a "team player" lol. That is fine, I work on a team of ONE

I love the flexibility, the odd thing is unlike you guys. I prefer to be up in the morning and often because of this I can pick up some shifts that could otherwise be snagged up by other people.

My favorite thing about MSC is snapping up 3-5 shops in the same area from different companies.

I LOVE the variety, and love that people respect my job. Alot really feel omg I could get fired. That is true! Just do the JOB your paid to do simple

I like to meet different people, get lots of free stuff and get to know my city very well. I live in a metropolitan area so there are tons of shops however sometimes there is a drought luckily MSC is just one of 3 jobs that I have.

Being a creative person, I was happy to write lengthy reports and even enjoyed doing Disney shop!

My personal favorite shops are CC shops, phone/electronics shops because they usually pay well and rarely require you to buy ANYTHING. I am not intimidated by them AT all. I have performed at least 100 or so.

I eat for free most days and have learnt how to get the highest reimbursements

I went from making maybe 20 bucks a month to closer to 1400-1500 with dedication/strong rapports with schedulers/editors and an active effort also I am not super picky. If it has a $ or can get a gift-card, I will do it. I have done some weird shops and expect to perform some weirder shops in the future.

Nevertheless, there are so downsides like employees asking what company is auditing, being chased out of a restaurant because I was taking sneaky pictures lol Nosey employees sometimes think your stealing when taking sneaky pictures in the electronics department.

MSC has helped me go out more, since I was a hobo for several years, get alot of walking exercise and got me out of my comfort zone. This is the closest to what I call a dream job as I can get groceries, get fit, find a gym (for cheap), get lunch on the house

Lastly I am able to feed my drink addiction, by completing shops that I turn into gift cards and then while at the shop. I perform another shop that pays for the drink. I can't lose

Plus I never buy anything at amazon anymore because I always just work for a giftcard ROFL

The pluses out weight the negatives, yes it is a bit of a risky job and can be physically demanding (especially gas station audits) but hey why not better than sitting at a cubicle hating all your coworkers lol

Edited 3 time(s). Last edit at 06/02/2019 01:36AM by Mysteriousways.

This is the most enjoyable job I have ever had. I wish I could do this full time, but where we live, that would not be possible. Our mortgage would not get paid. And, the prospect of a pension from work at 60% of my salary is too much to ever give up.

@CoffeeQueen wrote:

Not to nitpick but you left out "backstabbing".

@sestrahelena wrote:

No catty/gossippy/bossy/mean coworkers.

I was trying to keep the list short. It could have filled the whole page!

Like I did this past week (after Memorial Day), I took the entire week off from shops. Instead, I caught up with "other stuff", relaxed, enjoyed a mid-afternoon adult beverage, gardened, etc. That is the benefit of this occupation.
OTOH, I am disappointed that more and more MSCs are forbidding the wearing of shorts, instead, insisting on "business casual' wear. In the warmer weather, I always wore sensible looking shots and a top, nothing scanty. I wonder if they realize how many professionals who spend their days outdoors or in warmer, year round climates dress.

Agreed, FF. These days, business casual often IS long shorts in the hotter, muggier climates. I'm not saying I approve of the trend, but what I wear for shops would likely stand out in some places in July/August. And frankly, I am very heat sensitive. This becomes a real issue for me. I tend to fudge the dress code a bit, and wear lightweight leggings during these months. Not exactly correct but I've never been called out on it.

I have a career I love but my salary isn't remarkable. MS helps me earn a little extra for that vacation or to pad my savings account. It's a great side hustle!

Here in Central Florida, "business casual" would often make a shopper look memorable. It's a fine line.

One would think that if shorts are okay for mail carriers they would be okay for everyone. As long as everything else is nice.

@French Farmer wrote:

Like I did this past week (after Memorial Day), I took the entire week off from shops. Instead, I caught up with "other stuff", relaxed, enjoyed a mid-afternoon adult beverage, gardened, etc. That is the benefit of this occupation.
OTOH, I am disappointed that more and more MSCs are forbidding the wearing of shorts, instead, insisting on "business casual' wear. In the warmer weather, I always wore sensible looking shots and a top, nothing scanty. I wonder if they realize how many professionals who spend their days outdoors or in warmer, year round climates dress.

I love the flexibility, I'm my own boss, only take shops that pay at least $12 or more, close to home. Pays for my pedicure, hair, and lunches.

@Niner wrote:

This is the most enjoyable job I have ever had. I wish I could do this full time, but where we live, that would not be possible. Our mortgage would not get paid. And, the prospect of a pension from work at 60% of my salary is too much to ever give up.[/quote
Wouldn't be that much fun if Mortgage didn't get paid.......enjoy it part time. and do more when you retire....

Live consciously....

@Irene_L.A. wrote:

@Niner wrote:

This is the most enjoyable job I have ever had. I wish I could do this full time, but where we live, that would not be possible. Our mortgage would not get paid. And, the prospect of a pension from work at 60% of my salary is too much to ever give up.[/quote
Wouldn't be that much fun if Mortgage didn't get paid.......enjoy it part time. and do more when you retire....

We have a house in another state that is paid off, where we will retire. Where we live now, we have a mortgage but that's where I'm licensed to teach and to practice law. Housing prices where we have our other home are going up, as is rent. They are asking $1500 in a rural area for rent for a very modest house, that recently sold for 120k. I don't know how people do it with the local wages.