Can you explain this fee

I did a corner grocery store mystery shop. The guidelines say:
Special Expenses (NOT A BONUS - This is a special reimbursement limit for internal use only.): $24.00

The fees upfront say:

Fee: $14.00
Expenses: Up to $16.00
Spec Exp: Up to $24.00
Bonus: $11.00

Has anyone seen this and can you explain it?

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These shops are for two identical purchases: one with cash and one with a debit card. They added the special expense up to $24 because some locations did not have anything to purchase twice under $8. The ones in my area a bars/restaurants. I have not done one, this is just what I understand from reading the emails regarding these shops.

I don't know what the special expense is, but I wouldn't buy two different things.

Here is the explanation I got from the company.

Thank you for reaching out,

This is not a bonus. This is a higher reimbursement limit set for certain locations with minimums or more expensive options (salons).

Kind Regards,

Ipsos Shopper Support Team
mystery.shopping@ipsos.com | ishopforipsos.com | 833-782-0500

The way I read that is you have up to a $40 reimbursement, but I'm not the MSC. So is it $24 or $40 I dont know.

Now the $11 bonus, I would hope would be on top of the $14 fee.

You are supposed to be allowed $20 for places like a nail salon (and for those you only made a debit purchase, no cash) but I've had editors not give the full $20 (even though the service was over $60)

Many many many times there was nothing in the store under $8, I made sure to note this and offered pics of the full menu. There were items for $14 and up, so I made the debit and cash purchases. The reimbursement was not changed from $8/each transaction ($16 total)
It really is a crapshoot on what editor you get, and how they want to handle it. Complain (even politely) and you could find yourself banned from the project.

@wrosie wrote:

Here is the explanation I got from the company.

Thank you for reaching out,

This is not a bonus. This is a higher reimbursement limit set for certain locations with minimums or more expensive options (salons).

Kind Regards,

Ipsos Shopper Support Team
mystery.shopping@ipsos.com | ishopforipsos.com | 833-782-0500

The way I read that is you have up to a $40 reimbursement, but I'm not the MSC. So is it $24 or $40 I dont know.

Now the $11 bonus, I would hope would be on top of the $14 fee.

Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 03/23/2024 11:15PM by viv0412.

On my shop the reimbursement was for $16 total, $8 for 2 items that are the same. I bought 2 large bottle waters for $4.39 each. I was reimbursed for the 2 items, $14 fee and $11 bonus. I will do more of these shops.

So I guess it's a crap shoot if I buy two (2) sub sandwiches at $9 each if I'll be reimbursed or if the shop will even be accepted.

Why were your shops not accepted?

These crack me up. One is a nail salon I visited for years and there is absolutely nothing you can purchase twice unless you want 2 manicures on the same day.

@ShopperGirly wrote:

These crack me up. One is a nail salon I visited for years and there is absolutely nothing you can purchase twice unless you want 2 manicures on the same day.

Pedicure? Wait, that's not the same thing.

To add- In all the years I visited this nail salon, they only took cash. And, also- no one makes separate payments in a nail salon. It is all one payment that includes the tip. I know of another nail salon where they do sell small trinkets such as mirrors and facial rollers but that is very rare.

The shopper guidelines appear to have been modified recently for salons (hair, nails, etc.) There is a section for “special exceptions” that states you should not make a cash purchase, just make one purchase with your debit card for up to $20 reimbursement. (This is for the small business shops on the magic app, might not be true for all areas).

For nail salons the guidelines state to only make one purchase, using debit.

@ShopperGirly wrote:

These crack me up. One is a nail salon I visited for years and there is absolutely nothing you can purchase twice unless you want 2 manicures on the same day.

As long as you follow the other guidelines, your photos are good (and you don't get an editor that's bent on declining everything) you will be fine.
You can always go over, but you will only be reimbursed the $8/ each transaction.

When I was doing these I would go over quite often as there were things in the store I actually wanted and just viewed this as free with a few dollars less in pay.

@wrosie wrote:

So I guess it's a crap shoot if I buy two (2) sub sandwiches at $9 each if I'll be reimbursed or if the shop will even be accepted.

Interesting to read this. Maybe i will start looking again. Up to now the only ones I ever see are the weird places where there is nothing really to buy and often in a private home. I do not take those.
Have these moved from Presto to ?Magic? what is Magic?

Magic is the 'code' name some on this forum use to refer to Presto.
When I started doing these if there was nothing to buy/ closed/ etc I was always paid 50% of the fee. Right before I was banned from these it went to $5 or $1 or sometimes nothing. Depended on the editor. I think i remember reading in another thread on this topic someone else stated they were paid $1 or $5 in those circumstances.

@sandyf wrote:

Interesting to read this. Maybe i will start looking again. Up to now the only ones I ever see are the weird places where there is nothing really to buy and often in a private home. I do not take those.
Have these moved from Presto to ?Magic? what is Magic?

The only small business location left in my area is for a "gentlemen's club". I'm female so I can only assume there won't be any way to capture a photo of the price or get a receipt, especially for the cash you relinquish!

Serious question: can you take a friend and pay for both (one in cash and one with debit card?)

These crack me up. One is a nail salon I visited for years and there is absolutely nothing you can purchase twice unless you want 2 manicures on the same day.[/quote]

Yes the guidelines even suggest taking a friend to do this if you don't feel comfortable buying two of the same things on your own.

@gigishopper wrote:

Serious question: can you take a friend and pay for both (one in cash and one with debit card?)

These crack me up. One is a nail salon I visited for years and there is absolutely nothing you can purchase twice unless you want 2 manicures on the same day.

[/quote]

@gigishopper wrote:

Serious question: can you take a friend and pay for both (one in cash and one with debit card?)

yep, that's how my son and I have been doing them. He pays cash, I use the card. Doesn't matter if it's his shop or mine. Since Presto is funny about the pics, whoever claimed the shop is the one that takes the pics.

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Can you explain this fee

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