I appreciate this forum for many reasons. A few weeks ago, I asked if one could hit 6 figures doing mystery shopping. The answers were great. I've been at this for over 20 years now. I started doing it full-time in 2020 in the middle of the pandemic. Between 2021 and 2023 I almost hit that six-figure number every year in just fees alone. I live in a major metropolitan city and I will travel for the right price. I tend to go for the better-paying gigs. I also like the quick and easy shops that might not pay as well, but I can them them done quickly.

When 2024 hit I was rolling along until somewhere mid-year. I saw a change in what was out there and available. Shops that used to be readily available, all of a sudden were being snatched up more quickly for lower fees. Towards the end of the year, the work dried up. December has been a deserted wasteland for shops.

What happened? What changed?

In my opinion, inflation is one reason. People have less money now and are doing more work like mystery shopping.

My second opinion is that people are tired of working for other people and gig jobs like mystery shopping provide people with a side hustle to make easy cash. A certain generation of society is also very lazy and wants easy money.

A third opinion is that these MSPs are getting more creative in finding people to do their jobs.

Lastly, I believe this to be a fact. MSPs and companies in general are looking for ways to save money. Inflation will do that and I've seen this before during these times. Some MSPs have slashed their fees and others will give it to the lowest bidder.

I was on track in 2024 to match my previous 3 years' income, but the wheels did fall off mid-year for me. I will still have a respectful year and I made plenty of money. I think 2025 will start rough and get better as the year goes on.

I don't see 6 figures happening unless I want to work a lot more hours and burn myself out. I'm not interested in doing that.

I know 3 owners of mystery shopping companies. Two of them sold their businesses and the third one merged with a larger company. The one thing they all told me was that there was no money in mystery shopping like there used to be. I can see that.

Looking ahead, I have some lofty goals for 2025. I can't get where I need to be if 2024 repeats itself. I think I need to expand my horizons to achieve what I want next year.

Buckle up, the mystery shopping seas may get rougher.

Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 12/30/2024 04:30AM by Bob Stone.

Never tried to make a full time living at this stuff. I like my job enough that I wouldn't want to try and do shopping full time. I want to be super selective with the shops that I do. I cannot pretend to be interested in stuff that I could really care less about...unless it paid a substantial fee. I can fake interest in a time share presentation because who doesn't like to vacation? Those pay well enough for me to fake interest. I am not going to local wireless store and asking about phones or plans for $15-$30. Or doing apartment shops (or storage shops) for $50 each (or less), or scanning a crap-ton of items for price checks.

I'm happy doing a 5g for $20 or more ore a bonused panda express, or a texas roadhouse because I can feed several people for relatively no cost. I have to eat anyways. I don't have to do the other stuff just to make money.

But yes, it does seem like there are more new people on the boards as well as more people taking shops at lower payment amounts.

Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 12/30/2024 06:32AM by hbbigdaddy.

@Bob Stone wrote:

A third opinion is that these MSPs are getting more creative in finding people to do their jobs.

Have you seen how many apps there are now for the very casual "click worker," plus Presto and ISS? It's no wonder so many of the shops have jumped to the apps...that's how they're getting the ultra-cheap labor.

@Bob Stone wrote:

Buckle up, the mystery shopping seas may get rougher.

Precisely why I blew up my inflatable dinghy and jumped ship to a full-time job. I couldn't keep my head above water any longer.

I don't disagree with anything you've said. I'll add that I think while you may be seeing these impacts as recently as mid-year, I think others have been seeing them for much longer.

I expect inflation to get better. The public is spending money, albeit putting it on credit. Things look up overall, but the thing that better financial conditions won't help is the fact that people want to work for themselves. Covid really changed folks. They liked being able to stay home and work - or not work as the case may have been. Younger people especially like that. The more saturated the market is with willing workers, the more fees will stay low. Of course, this will vary by region and market.

Whatever anybody is doing to make money, you have to think outside the box and do your best to anticipate how you need be ready to adapt to changes, as they are inevitable. I'm not a fan of putting all of your eggs in one basket. Be ready to pivot.

Everybody's situation is different and nobody here can tell anybody what to do. Maybe taking low fee jobs is what is best for someone's specific situation. That's okay and there is no shame in that. Maybe holding out for more money is okay for some folks, and that's alright, too. The folks who survive will be the ones who don't drop shops, follow the guidelines, don't make excuses, communicate clearly, don't ask a lot of questions, don't complain, and are consistent at doing an overall good job.

When I noticed the flood of new "shoppers," lower fees, less assignments and shops being taken at base rate a few years ago, I thought it might be a passing fad. When tax time comes, (I thought/hoped) the "fast cash" workers would be surprised that the income needs to be paid for - schedule Cs and all. And that aspect would make this work less attractive. Sadly it doesn’t seem to have worked out that way. The future is bleak.

On the bright side - the older I get, the less future I have. So there's that.

Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 12/30/2024 11:49AM by sestrahelena.

Bob Stone mentioned, "December has been a deserted wasteland for shops."

My area, too. Whereas in years past there were significantly bonused EOY assignments and December had been the financial icing on the year's cake. This year, barely anything. I've worked, maybe, 4 days. BUT, it has forced me to turn my attention to some much-needed home repairs. After getting astronomical estimates on exterior siding, I decided to patch and paint the siding that I have. On two houses. Myself! If work were available, I would have chosen that instead and pushed off repairs that needed to be done. In a way, I'm making money because I'm saving $30k. A side benefit is that it kept me mostly out of retail stores where people were acting crazy and retailers play that stupid music that grates on my nerves!

Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 12/30/2024 12:05PM by sestrahelena.

The apps are the biggest reason for the most recent decline of fees, imo. Before that, it was the consolidation of MSCs. And before that, the widespread adoption of smartphones. And before that, the downturn in the economy caused by the financial crisis.

What's next? Probably real-time monitoring of employees and businesses using video surveillance or employee wristbands, aided by AI.

What's the solution? I don't know the answer. But it is going to get more difficult to do this full-time, at least at a rate that beats flipping burgers.

@ServiceAward wrote:

Everybody's situation is different and nobody here can tell anybody what to do. Maybe taking low fee jobs is what is best for someone's specific situation. That's okay and there is no shame in that. Maybe holding out for more money is okay for some folks, and that's alright, too.

I have this sentiment too. Particularly for low effort shops where everyone/anyone can view, self-assign, and complete. I don't mean this to come off in a disparaging manner, one way or the other.

@mystery2me wrote:

The apps are the biggest reason for the most recent decline of fees, imo. Before that, it was the consolidation of MSCs. And before that, the widespread adoption of smartphones. And before that, the downturn in the economy caused by the financial crisis.

That was my thought when reading through this.

Ironically, I added MSing to my plate in the late 90's to make up for the changes technology had brought about to my industry...and it continues to force evolutions in many industries.

Prior to the economic downturn, it seems that most shoppers were using this as an additional resource, on top of a well paying job, and needed an incentive to actually take part. You needed to have a decent income already to have internet access, a good computer, digital cameras and such. Reimbursements were fair, and in many cases, pay was higher than it is now. However, when jobs became more scarce, I noticed people started turning MSing into a full time job.

I had always assumed the industry would rebound and pay fairly once more when traditional employment numbers peaked again, but by the time that came about, the gig economy was in place, and it was more standard for people to have multiple jobs, because the dollar did not go as far.

People have been predicting the end of MSing as long as I have been at it, but it's really just evolving...that being into something you probably cannot make a living at. Not in the same way, at least.

I have insulated myself from some of the issues by limiting myself to upscale travel and dining in the recent past, but I can now see that I don't want to have to compete in that market much longer. Like the jobs I left 25 years ago, work is available, but it's disheartening to work for 25% of the pay you once received, in a world were the money is also worth a lot less.

The answer, as always, seems to be evolve with the market, or get out.

Steve opines--The answer, as always, seems to be evolve with the market, or get out.

Bob agrees--I was faced with Steve's post in 2007. I formulated a plan that has worked for me. Simply put, I only work when I will profit. I do understand, though, there are some folks who must "bite the bullet" and accept less desirable work with MSCs that have a poor work:pay ratio.

One area, for which MSCs have been successful is by implementing the concept of FREE or FREE MINUS, reimbursing less than the required purchases.

I will close with an old adage: Give 'em an inch and they'll take a mile!

@shopperbob

I agree with you about giving an inch and taking a mile. However, if you are not willing to give an inch, there will be someone else who will. It would take all of us collectively to not give an inch and we know that is not going to happen.

For example, I know you don't do TXRH shops anymore, but $50 reimburse with no fee seems adequate to me. Would i like it to be more? certainly. Would I like there to be some pay, even it it was $5? certainly. But I could sit here and refuse to take them and not benefit from them. So I give an inch on this one. I will not do the chicken place with the 5g MSC that reimburses $11 with $0 fee and it does not cover the box combo. Even at $5, I won't do it. It's like 90 questions. Now $10 fee is starting to get me a little more interested.

This industry is a race to the bottom because if you take a stand, plenty of others will not, so you miss out. You might say you are okay with that. I am okay with that with most shops, but if I demanded a fee from TXRH, then I would never get to do one and it would cost me much more to take wifey out to steak. BTW, I took her to Fleming's on my own dime and it was $120 for 1 steak, 1 salad, 1 side, and water. We enjoyed it and I would do it again, but at the same time, I also enjoy the TXRH and trying to feed 3 for as close to $50 as possible. It's a game to me. Plus the fam loves the TXRH rolls.

@hbbigdaddy wrote:

BTW, I took her to Fleming's on my own dime and it was $120 for 1 steak, 1 salad, 1 side, and water.

Those Fleming's shops were also ones where I always ended up at a loss (except for the lunch ones), but understood when the shop is not a considerable amount of work and turns out to just be a coupon, that it can be worth it.

I am more miffed at the shop guidelines that force me to go over the limit for items I do not want, and then make me spend hours writing up a report.

I am not sure what I was using as a metric back in the 2007 post Bob was referring to (probably $50/hour), but these days it's $100/hour for dining reimbursements. If the report takes two hours, I better get $200 of value from it.

I get it that there are younger and hungrier people coming in to this that will be okay putting out money and taking lower/no fees for assignments, but if an MSC is advertising they have high-income shoppers that meet a client's particular demographic, they should invest the time and resources to keep those shoppers happy. My 20+ years of experience and demographic come at an additional cost.

I am just jumping to the bottom of the thread because I do not have the time right now to read all the responses.
I believe you missed the number one reason you were able to earn so much money at first with ease. It was a pandemic. You yourself said that. Some shoppers were willing and able to go out and shop but many others either had issues with family and could not leave and drive somewhere far away to make a nice few bucks but many were not willing to venture out in 2023 yet. So fast forward to this year 2024 there are, I think you are right many new shoppers out there. My city never did have much in the way of bonuses. This is the first year, and I have been shopping for close to 20 years, when I saw almost no end of the year bonuses. In fact I am still seeing emails begging me to do a shop at base from several different companies. These shops are due by the end of the year, which is TOMORROW and they are not offering even a penny more.
I do not understand that. Perhaps they really do not need those jobs done. But the bonuses I do see are $2 and I am not driving across town which is up to 50 miles long and almost the same wide in my case for $2. However the wages in non shopping jobs have risen considerably in my state in the past few years so I think many seasoned shoppers may have found W2 jobs and the number of new shoppers is a large percentage of those shopping. I know wages have not risen everywhere but here they have. New shoppers are more willing to take base pay as they need time to figure out what is worth it and what is not.

Daddy, I completely agree the Roadhouse shops, under my category 2, were acceptable. As I was terminated, the choice was not mine, but, considering I now visit on my dime, the following is true:

1-My days and times.
2-Neither foot stompers nor loud music.
3-No report to submit.
4-A military discount that softens my cost.

I can truthfully state that being deactivated by the Nikster, has not bothered me even an iota. My empathy is for those shoppers who, predicated upon their situation, must "grin and bear it" with some of these MSCs. I recall a post earlier this year, where the female stated she was so frustrated with Ipsos and her need to be contracted, that she cried.

The "nikster" is not the only scheduler who posts these. I have been getting them from a different scheduler. I have seen people complain about "the nikster" and another one, but personally I have had no issues and I hope to continue to keep it that way. Who knows, maybe one day I will be terminated by her as well. But for now, all is well and I hope to take advantage of it as much as I can for as long as I can.

@SteveSoCal wrote:

I get it that there are younger and hungrier people coming in to this that will be okay putting out money and taking lower/no fees for assignments, but if an MSC is advertising they have high-income shoppers that meet a client's particular demographic, they should invest the time and resources to keep those shoppers happy. My 20+ years of experience and demographic come at an additional cost.

And that my friend, is how I stay busy. I was getting emails on Christmas Eve this year for travel shops to schedule in 2025. So random, but I love it. It's nice when you are on the "short list" of shoppers to do these kinds of shops.

I will knock out a few shops that benefit me at base rate though. I'll do a Panda, Chevron, and a Post Office in my sleep. I've done these in almost every state where they are available.

Mystery Shopping is much less stressful when you can pick and choose instead of needing the $ for living expenses. I travel probably 10 days a month on average, in addition to my full time job. You bet I am clearing out the airport shops, since I am there anyway.

I hit some big end of year bonus shops. I was surprised that there were not more, based on where my route took me, but 4 big shops with 5 minute reports was better than nothing.

Happy New Year to everyone.

Happy New Year!

@BayShopper22 wrote:

Mystery Shopping is much less stressful when you can pick and choose instead of needing the $ for living expenses.

That's the #1 key to success, I think.

And happy NY to you, and everyone here!

@hbbigdaddy wrote:

The "nikster" is not the only scheduler who posts these. I have been getting them from a different scheduler. I have seen people complain about "the nikster" and another one, but personally I have had no issues and I hope to continue to keep it that way. Who knows, maybe one day I will be terminated by her as well. But for now, all is well and I hope to take advantage of it as much as I can for as long as I can.

I think the Nikster trained another scheduler to be like her. Why would your hate people that are trying to help you get your job done? I don't get it.

Apparently the West coast shededuler for RBG is a dream to work with.

@wrosie wrote:

Apparently the West coast shededuler for RBG is a dream to work with.

I work with at least 4 schedulers in California for RBG.

@BayShopper22 wrote:

@wrosie wrote:

Apparently the West coast shededuler for RBG is a dream to work with.

I work with at least 4 schedulers in California for RBG.

And apparently not the Nickster or her protégé.

"The Nickster" lives in the same state I do. I didn't meet her until I moved here. I don't think she schedules on the West Coast, or even very far from this general area.

"The Nikster" according to Terminator Bob....schedules for CA. She posts several of the RBG clients in CA. It's really crazy how they have their project broken up. There are 2 main schedulers for the national pizza/brewhouse client. They both post for CA. One does self-assign. The other picks the shopper they want. But it's not split by Northern/Southern CA boundaries. It's all over the place for that client. I have not studied the split for the steak place from the "big" state.

Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 01/01/2025 07:52PM by hbbigdaddy.

I've done work for her up and down the East Coast, her co-scheduler buddy as well....so I know they schedule over here.

But we're getting off the topic here....which I think was the future of MSing.

Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 01/01/2025 10:22PM by BarefootBliss.

Lower fees and more work; that’s the future. LOL. What is likely happening is that the MSCs are facing the “lower fees and more work” scenario from the companies that hire them as well. I suspect there is a reason that the red white and blue shipping shops migrated from one MSC to another...for lower fees and more work. There is a reason the red button shops are migrating from one MSC to another...for lower fees and more work.

The future is that you have to diversify if you haven’t already. I haven’t done a revealed shop in probably a decade. I may have to start doing them if I’m going to keep relying on MS’ing. Like my chummy chum chum--doggie--I think I may need to get a regular old job to supplement.

Something I have noticed on customer service type phone calls - I am asked to complete a quick survey after my call for no renumeration. Some of our mystery shops are gone right there - just from this one development. I'm glad for what shops I can get but I can't see it - for myself - as more than a side hustle.

@wrosie wrote:

@BayShopper22 wrote:

@wrosie wrote:

Apparently the West coast shededuler for RBG is a dream to work with.

I work with at least 4 schedulers in California for RBG.

And apparently not the Nickster or her protégé.

1. Nikki
2. Marie
3. Elise
4. Christina

Better? There could be more, but these 4 come to mind.

Morocco opines-- I'm glad for what shops I can get but I can't see it - for myself - as more than a side hustle.

Bob agrees--I possess the ability to be full time, but am completely devoid of the willingness to employ the sacrifices such an action would require. I am perfectly content, and have been for the past 17 yrs., with my 3 category plan. On 12/31/24, an MSC needed my services and anted-up $215, which was an increase from their original stated fee of $50.

@shopperbob

So did you do the shop for the $215? Or was it too far away? Care to state what type of shop it was that went from $50 to $215?

Daddy, I completed the shop and it was received/edited/accepted today. It was a round trip of 67 mls., to open a checking account, for a fee that began at $50 and escalated over a period of which I am ignorant.

Unfortunately, as I have now completed eight such shops, the money never conforms to category 1 for me until Dec. In the past, I have, due to competition, caved in the area of $150. As we all know, it is certainly possible to "sleep and weep," as it applies to bonus money. This year's roll was a 7, but it could have easily been craps.