Thanksgiving tell all (storytime)

This Thanksgiving, when probed for what I'm doing for work these days, I, for some unknown and possibly wine-induced reason, decided to provide my family a tell all about mystery shopping.

I start off by mentioning two of my other businesses and then, inexplicably, the words "mystery shopping" cross my lips - at which point one of the relatives blurs out, "is a complete scam." I then proceed to tell them all that it is, in fact, not but that there are definitely scams out there. As to leave no doubt that it is a scam, I decide to provide a wealth of evidence. With great zeal and a horrifying level of detail, I extol the many virtues of mystery shopping. With a growing crescendo, I also divulge all kinds of shops I do, detailing expensive dinners, covering all groceries, visiting theme parks, etc. The family then asks how much I make a year doing it and I decide to drop a five figure sum.

I then proceed to figuratively mic drop and wait for them all to clamor for the details so they can accomplish such amazing feats themselves. Shockingly, I'm met with mostly crickets and one relative who says maybe her husband should look into it when he retires.

Next year, should such a subject arise, I will be arming my husband with sedative blow darts.

How was your Thanksgiving?

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OMG. That's hilarious! Thank you!

lol
I've told all my extended family about mystery shopping.
Zero interest.

@prince wrote:

lol
I've told all my extended family about mystery shopping.
Zero interest.

What really made me chuckle is one of the relatives is a really cheapskate. I thought for sure that she would be all over it since she goes SO far out of her way to save a buck. Nope, she was the "scam" commenter!

To me, mystery shopping feels like a cheat code at times. I still feel wide-eyed about getting to wipe out necessary items as well as have frivolous experiences while mystery shopping.

More for me, I guess!

Wine is your truth serum! They may be shocked at how far it can go.

I come from a large family and now live near some siblings closer in age and watch their kids more often. My family is frugal, and they think it's good for the most part. Earlier, we did some of the meals and shops on the same trip where it's gone rather smoothly.

Olympia, thanks for the laugh! Have extra wine at Christmas so you can regale us with details about your next game of "To Tell The Truth."

If your path dictates you walk through hell, do it as though you own the place. -unknown

I view shopping as no different than coupon clipping or miles/points redemption for travel. Or low cost index funds for investing. Just a means to an end. For me it has to be worth the effort, however. Most of the shops are NOT worth the effort for the shopper, IMO. The same holds true in the area of miles/points and investing as well.

One of the local casino resorts here is popular among friends and family....I'm always thinking one or more of them will run into me while I am on a shop there....and blow my cover lol.... I try to go on off days/off times.
I don't chat about it much - first because I don't do it much, second because the nuances are a pain to explain.
Peace all.

I also, in a tea-induced state had once mentioned MS to a bunch of friends. The most surprising comment was "isn't your husband in IT and how does that compare to what he makes?"
Relax, relax..I didn't punch anyone and everyone made home safely!

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Thanksgiving tell all (storytime)

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Official List of Mystery Shopping Companies

Mystery Shopper Magazine