Should I tell a friend what companies I get jobs from?
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@wrosie wrote:
My sister knows someone who takes my TXRH and 5G shops "just for fun" at I'm guessing base.. I cant tell her to tell her friend to stop. Right?
No, that would be price fixing, lol. The legal way do do it would be to buy out your competitors and control a large part of the market. But seriously those two shops are probably the most worth doing at base rate for someone who enjoys the food. It could be worse and they could be burning up their car doing $10 shops.
Prior to Covid three friends who were (and remain) underemployed asked me about mystery shopping. I spent a long time writing a detailed guide including specific MSCs they could sign up with to start with no-reimbursement inquiry shops so they wouldn't risk their own funds while they learned the ropes. I was candid about the work required and the finite income return. None of these people ever signed up for a single MSC or did a single shop, and I learned my lesson. A few years later, when getting heavily bonused Five Guys was a major part of my cash flow, a friend asked me to show a friend of his how to do it, and I texted that if I did that "it would take the secret out of secret shopping."
You can lead a horse to water, but you can't make it drink!
btw i did a motorcycle shop, having literally no knowledge of them . I just said it's always something i've wanted to do, and want to ride around in my retirement/later years/early years....whatever fits. was a good bonus!!!
i made the mistake of telling a co worker because I was always getting food at lunch and now guess who else is getting food at lunch? sometimes at a better price than I do, and its aggravating. lol. my own fault.
if your friend is living far away from you you can tell him. I did it for people who area far away but nobody was interested.
Shopping Eastern Pennsylvania since 2009
Just circling back to Tik Tok Kayla for a second. I had private messaged a few people that had shown interest in her "program" I am proud to say that I got two whole people doing mystery shopping and all I did was point them in the right direction... FOR FREE. But first, i made sure they lived nowhere near me!!! The one reaches out to me all the time and she is rocking it.
But I agree as the others have said, most people are interested but won't actually do it. I have shown my daughter's friend who lives in a populated area how to use Presto and showed her the hundreds of shops in her immediate area. She was so interested. Has she done any? NOPE.
But I agree as the others have said, most people are interested but won't actually do it. I have shown my daughter's friend who lives in a populated area how to use Presto and showed her the hundreds of shops in her immediate area. She was so interested. Has she done any? NOPE.
@Datagirl wrote:
Just circling back to Tik Tok Kayla for a second. I had private messaged a few people that had shown interest in her "program" I am proud to say that I got two whole people doing mystery shopping and all I did was point them in the right direction... FOR FREE. But first, i made sure they lived nowhere near me!!! The one reaches out to me all the time and she is rocking it.
I really like how you give yourself a pat on the back through knocking Kayla, then building yourself up by stating you gave two of Kayla's leads information "FOR FREE", but only after you made sure you looked out for yourself and ensured the people did not live near you.
There is the truth.
Then there is the right thing to say.
Then there is the right thing to say.
@ServiceAward wrote:
@Datagirl wrote:
Just circling back to Tik Tok Kayla for a second. I had private messaged a few people that had shown interest in her "program" I am proud to say that I got two whole people doing mystery shopping and all I did was point them in the right direction... FOR FREE. But first, i made sure they lived nowhere near me!!! The one reaches out to me all the time and she is rocking it.
I really like how you give yourself a pat on the back through knocking Kayla, then building yourself up by stating you gave two of Kayla's leads information "FOR FREE", but only after you made sure you looked out for yourself and ensured the people did not live near you.
What can I say, I'm trying to help but gotta look out for me too. I have no shame
Datagirl, do you have any openings? I would like to sign up!
I'm just letting you know upfront, I'm not up for those Ty beanie babies shenanigans. I suffer from ADD and procrastination. Is there any hope for me?
I'm just letting you know upfront, I'm not up for those Ty beanie babies shenanigans. I suffer from ADD and procrastination. Is there any hope for me?
I zip my lips on all mystery shopping activities with friends. I tried getting my mother in law into it, but she's not very tech savvy (rarely even takes pictures with her phone). She enjoys coming with me for a free meal though!
I always say Coyle.
"I told myself to quit you; but I don't listen to drunks." -Chris Stapleton
@HonnyBrown wrote:
I always say Coyle.
Coyle is the best choice to recommend for new shoppers. It helps get them started on the right foot. And gets rid of them quickly.
Just say it would be taking money out your pocket and you ain't with that, sorry.
The first thing I would do is clarify what they're asking. This may be obvious to you based on the conversation you've already had. If I was curious about a shopper's work and I asked who they work for, my question would mean "Who is the client?", not "Who is the MSC?"
The second thing I would do is clarify that I'm a little hurt they are trying to steal work from me, right to my face. Don't be subtle, because they might not get it. And don't be rude, because then they'll feel like the victim. There aren't that many shops and they aren't that well paying, so what are you trying to do to me?
But after that if they are a friend, I'd tell them whatever is the most obvious. Bestmark happens to top Google right now. And I haven't done a shop for them in ages, so knock yourself out. There are also SecretShopper on the first page of results, proving that SEO is a different skill than getting clients. That way you're giving honest information but also demonstrating that the opportunities aren't as flush as one might hope.
The second thing I would do is clarify that I'm a little hurt they are trying to steal work from me, right to my face. Don't be subtle, because they might not get it. And don't be rude, because then they'll feel like the victim. There aren't that many shops and they aren't that well paying, so what are you trying to do to me?
But after that if they are a friend, I'd tell them whatever is the most obvious. Bestmark happens to top Google right now. And I haven't done a shop for them in ages, so knock yourself out. There are also SecretShopper on the first page of results, proving that SEO is a different skill than getting clients. That way you're giving honest information but also demonstrating that the opportunities aren't as flush as one might hope.
To each his own - but no I don't tell a soul. That would be like McDonald's giving customers directions to Burger King. Oh but my buddy lives 4 states away....great...but then he tells someone. Nope. Not for me 
There seems to be a tacit expectation that all mystery shoppers must work in the same way and for the same goals. For example, why is it in any way bad for some shopper to complete gigs for fun? This violates no law and might fit into their overall financial situation-- which is none of our business. It annoys other shoppers who seem determined to micromanage the allegedly independent contract industry. We are independent. Why is anyone annoyed by another independent contractor's choices, especially when we have no standing in the matter and no context to consider?
Some MSC's have asked registered shoppers to refer potential new shoppers. Has anyone refered a potential shopper (or someone they don't know is already a shopper) when an MSC has asked for this?
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 10/31/2024 01:32PM by Shop-et-al.
Some MSC's have asked registered shoppers to refer potential new shoppers. Has anyone refered a potential shopper (or someone they don't know is already a shopper) when an MSC has asked for this?
Bach is not noise, Madam. (Robert, in Two's Company)
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 10/31/2024 01:32PM by Shop-et-al.
Shop inquires--Has anyone refered a potential shopper.........
Bob responds--I have referred three. The first completed several dozen jobs, then quit. The second, a single shop and the third's count stands at zero. I would not hesitate to share, should a number four request, BUT, I am in a position whereby the competition would be meaningless to me.
Bob responds--I have referred three. The first completed several dozen jobs, then quit. The second, a single shop and the third's count stands at zero. I would not hesitate to share, should a number four request, BUT, I am in a position whereby the competition would be meaningless to me.
I have told friends. I have given them the website information. They did one shop. Complained about too much work - too little pay - too long of wait time for reimbursement - etc -etc.
I give up!! I just don’t mention to anyone that I do this anymore.
I give up!! I just don’t mention to anyone that I do this anymore.
When asked, I always refer people to Coyle for their short reports and to Cirrus for their exceptionally prompt payments. Macy's does not tell its customers to go to Gimble's.
If you want them taking money out your pocket. I tell no one! lol
Right! I agree.@Bowesman wrote:
If you want them taking money out your pocket. I tell no one! lol
A fellow cat rescue volunteer asked me about getting into mystery shopping / auditing as she's looking for a second job / additional income. Without getting too detailed I told her about the pros and cons. Didn't mention any specific companies. Told her the types of shops I like to do (bank mystery shops, auditing stores). She wound up passing on it and found another gig.
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 11/14/2024 07:34PM by retrodaddy.
I don't think there are any Russians / And there ain't no Yanks
Just corporate criminals\ / Playin' with tanks
Just corporate criminals\ / Playin' with tanks
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 11/14/2024 07:34PM by retrodaddy.
I have a different viewpoint. Since I'm not going to do all the shops out there in existence....I share tips with another nearby shopper - and that shopper shares theirs with me. It's good to know how much to bid, not to leave money on the table, which ones are not worth it. etc.
Works better for me not to be too territorial.
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 11/14/2024 07:40PM by BarefootBliss.
Works better for me not to be too territorial.
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 11/14/2024 07:40PM by BarefootBliss.
I tell those who ask to go to this message board. I tell them about the database of MSCs on the MSC page. I tell them to go through the discussion forums, and when they see the name of a company to go to their website and sign up as a shopper and then look through their job board. I tell them to keep track of all the companies where they registered, and to keep good records. That's plenty. The rest is on them.
@teacherguy wrote:
I tell those who ask to go to this message board. I tell them about the database of MSCs on the MSC page. I tell them to go through the discussion forums, and when they see the name of a company to go to their website and sign up as a shopper and then look through their job board. I tell them to keep track of all the companies where they registered, and to keep good records. That's plenty. The rest is on them.
I tell them to start with Coyle. Easy, peasy shops to get started with.
Per my IC Agreement, I cannot legally disclose that information. You can go to the MSPA website, and they have a location where you can search what is available in the area. I travel, so I don't see it as competition. But at the same time, since this new organization came into play, my competition has been fierce. I also no longer shop at home.
I’ve told people/co-workers. One person seemed interested but never did anything afaik.
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