Trump planning on laying off thousands of IRS staff and cuts in government employees, what will happen to mystery shopping?

It just keeps getting better, every day since Jan 20th.

Noting will really change, things will continue to slowly get worse. Say goodbye to the old boss. Say hello to the new boss.

I think we will continue to see more shops via phone apps/online ordering. Less pay/reimbursement... I think the rollout of the new Foto app shows what is to come.

I would think that the long running USPS shops might be subject to the ax especially if the USPS is assimilated into the Commerce Department.

The trends have been discussed here at length and they trend negative....so, there's that.
Paying less for more.
The overall economy is predicted to be quite choppy and volatile due to new policy changes...some of the changes should bring savings.....but those are downstream and take some time to reflect in the data.
Meanwhile new expenses are also happening....and we can expect continued inflationary pressure.
so...for mystery shopping? probably more of what we've already been seeing and of course, increased moves toward use of technology - so sorry, not much to be hopeful for with respect to MS...it kind of mirrors what's happening to other workers.

Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 02/24/2025 04:22PM by BarefootBliss.

I do not anticipate the number of needy or leisure shoppers decreasing, BUT, those two groups will experience continuing reductions in fees and/or reimbursements until the camel collapses.

The following is my professional opinion. I do not criticize any MSC for employing the Arab/camel in their business model. It is the responsibility of ICs to either accept or decline work. The aforementioned, though, is NOT my personal opinion.

Maybe evaluating drone delivery? I ran across an AI-operated menu board. If I had to evaluate it against a typical shop's evaluation guidelines, criteria, and reporting, it blew the human competition out of the park. This is in regards to metrics such as greeting, timing standards, recommendations, operation of the digital display screen / multi-tasking, etc. It's become one of my favorite go-to locations. Maybe one day in my lifetime, a robotic nanny will change my kid's diapers or mine, and I can evaluate that!

But shopperbob had mentioned in another thread, something along the lines of adjusting and adapting to changing landscape. As long as shops conveniently and seamlessly fit into my everyday lifestyle, I hope to continue mystery shopping.

Maverick. I debated responding to your "subtle" political statement; but what you just said is both cruel and lacks compassion. "It just keeps getting better since January 20:" My daughter serves veterans in the VA. In her career she has consistently worked 10 hours extra a week of unpaid overtime. The shitstorm coming from this administration has impacted Veteran healthcare as every day there is a new DOGE brilliant and often illegal move. DOGE; so far, has fired over 5,000 Veterans across all the agencies. Wham bam thank you mam They are upending people's lives. The Federal Government was not the sh,,tstorm Twitter was and is until DOGE came to town. And don't lecture me about the waste and fraud and the need to cut costs. I saw the resolution bill extending the 4,5 trillion tax cut for the richest people in this country WHILE adding 4 trillion to the national debt. President Clinton cut 400,000 federal employees during his presidency through a methodical process approved by Congress. It was not a shi,tstorm. I was part of the VA at that time. You guys can MAGA all you want, but I implore you to keep your mean and unkind sentiments about what is happening to real people off this forum.

Maybe they will tax reimbursement and it stops being worth it.

Maybe I'll be the oldest living (barely) waitress for the tax-free tips. Weird how only some income will be taxable instead of all. Hey, if they make it retroactive, I'll get tax money back for about 50 years, right?

@maverick1 wrote:

It just keeps getting better, every day since Jan 20th.

Is this a joke or sarcasm?

@Okie wrote:

Maybe evaluating drone delivery? I ran across an AI-operated menu board. If I had to evaluate it against a typical shop's evaluation guidelines, criteria, and reporting, it blew the human competition out of the park. This is in regards to metrics such as greeting, timing standards, recommendations, operation of the digital display screen / multi-tasking, etc. It's become one of my favorite go-to locations. Maybe one day in my lifetime, a robotic nanny will change my kid's diapers or mine, and I can evaluate that!

But shopperbob had mentioned in another thread, something along the lines of adjusting and adapting to changing landscape. As long as shops conveniently and seamlessly fit into my everyday lifestyle, I hope to continue mystery shopping.

"Blew them out of the park" I just have to say I love this because I can never get any sayings right and this is adorable. I once described myself as easy go lucky and I'm pretty sure I've said that someone was not the sharpest match in the box. An admin at my school was also similarly afflicted and said things on the announcements like life can't be all peaches and gravy.

Thanks, I'll show myself out.

Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 02/27/2025 01:16PM by olympia tennenbaum.

@Equine24 wrote:

Maverick. I debated responding to your "subtle" political statement; but what you just said is both cruel and lacks compassion. "It just keeps getting better since January 20:" My daughter serves veterans in the VA. In her career she has consistently worked 10 hours extra a week of unpaid overtime. The shitstorm coming from this administration has impacted Veteran healthcare as every day there is a new DOGE brilliant and often illegal move. DOGE; so far, has fired over 5,000 Veterans across all the agencies. Wham bam thank you mam They are upending people's lives. The Federal Government was not the sh,,tstorm Twitter was and is until DOGE came to town. And don't lecture me about the waste and fraud and the need to cut costs. I saw the resolution bill extending the 4,5 trillion tax cut for the richest people in this country WHILE adding 4 trillion to the national debt. President Clinton cut 400,000 federal employees during his presidency through a methodical process approved by Congress. It was not a shi,tstorm. I was part of the VA at that time. You guys can MAGA all you want, but I implore you to keep your mean and unkind sentiments about what is happening to real people off this forum.

I'm guessing it was sarcasm.

I agree with adapting. I also want to make hay while the sun shines (that's the right way to say that, right?) and I scoop up jobs that work for me quickly. I feel like MS is a marathon and a sprint. I try to prepare for the long run but will also hit some jobs as hard as I can, knowing they might dry up.

Each year I do a year in review. I tend to categorize shops by shop type to see what I've saved/made in different categories. Just looking back a year or two, I can see that there are some jobs that used to work well for me that aren't even available at all anymore. So, my thinking is to take advantage while the opportunity exists. For example, I'm sad to read that grocery pickup shops will be taking a long hiatus but I'm glad that I tended to do quite a few so I have a stocked up pantry and freezer, etc.

As self-employed ICs, it is paramount to success that we "plan our work, then work our plan." Read Olympia's post and heed her words. IF your current results are unacceptable, analyze the situation. IF, though, you are unable to construct a profitable plan of success, whether it runs the gamut from very occasional to full time, manure can* the business.

The plan I formulated in 2007 is still in effect, BUT, I have seen work shift from principally category 1 and a great reduction of category 2. Currently, my work is almost exclusively in Category 3. That required me to adjust to what Olympia posted concerning adaptability.

*The U.S. Navy refers to a trash receptacle as a s_it can. When referencing the term figuratively, it means to abandon attempts and move on.

You take what the current market gives you. If it no longer works for you, look for other opportunities elsewhere. You can stay put and hope things will get better. Maybe they will, and perhaps they won't. A lot of what is going on is beyond our control as shoppers. There is not much we can do about things we can not control. What you can control is what you choose to accept.

@shopperbob wrote:

As self-employed ICs, it is paramount to success that we "plan our work, then work our plan." Read Olympia's post and heed her words. IF your current results are unacceptable, analyze the situation. IF, though, you are unable to construct a profitable plan of success, whether it runs the gamut from very occasional to full time, manure can* the business.

The plan I formulated in 2007 is still in effect, BUT, I have seen work shift from principally category 1 and a great reduction of category 2. Currently, my work is almost exclusively in Category 3. That required me to adjust to what Olympia posted concerning adaptability.

*The U.S. Navy refers to a trash receptacle as a s_it can. When referencing the term figuratively, it means to abandon attempts and move on.

Bob, have you ever shared what your primary business is? If you don't feel like sharing, that is completely fine. Just wondering if you have also had to learn to be very adaptable with your main pursuits.

I read a heartbreaking post from a graphic designer and artistic photographer yesterday and how his career/business has been destroyed by AI. He posted the most amazing shots that he had captured in photographs that you could easily now create with AI. It definitely left me reflecting on the need to be adaptable.

And, bringing it back to Bob and manure (with love!), whenever my better half pays the plumber he always reflects on the fact that some kinds of jobs will always be needed!

Olympia, I entered self-employed sales contracting in the Fall of 1963, retiring in 2005. In anticipation of that life's event, in 2003 I literally stumbled upon shopping. Come 2007, though, I realized I needed to either change my model or leave shopping to other folks. That was when I formulated my 3 category system; it has worked for me.

I am aware there are people for whom self-employment if not the direction for success. It takes a self starter with absolute discipline and the awareness that tomorrow has the potential to be devastating. As an example, I am positive some shoppers have had their budget adversely affected by this week's Kroger decision.

@shopperbob wrote:

Olympia, I entered self-employed sales contracting in the Fall of 1963, retiring in 2005. In anticipation of that life's event, in 2003 I literally stumbled upon shopping. Come 2007, though, I realized I needed to either change my model or leave shopping to other folks. That was when I formulated my 3 category system; it has worked for me.

I am aware there are people for whom self-employment if not the direction for success. It takes a self starter with absolute discipline and the awareness that tomorrow has the potential to be devastating. As an example, I am positive some shoppers have had their budget adversely affected by this week's Kroger decision.

Got it. It definitely is worth setting one's own guidelines to determine if work is "worth it" for them personally. Some of the jobs out there are a great ROI while others seem like constant headaches for a pittance.

I feel slightly devastated by the Kroger decision but I think I'm an optimizer type when it comes to shopping. I think of HBbigdaddy who never wants to spend his own money on Texas Road House when he could eat there on the MSC's dime. I had developed that attitude toward groceries and drugstore purchases. Luckily, I seemed to do plenty of hoarding while the jobs were available. I also had been a shopper for Whole Foods before my location because deliver only and my zip code was no longer included. I was sad when it went away but was glad for the opportunity while it lasted.

If those jobs were your only way to cover groceries, then it's more than just a bummer. Necessity might be the mother of adaptation as well as invention.

About "It just keeps getting better, every day since Jan 20th."

Whether it's sarcasm or just plain cruel, that's up for debate, IMO.
But, I will say, if that commenter believes it, that person has not looked any further than their own nose.

Here is what I have to say: Monday, we cut off our YouTubeTV subscription.

The recession has already begun.

Why?

I believe folks like me are already cutting back on non-essentials (like YouTubeTV).
We are already seeing family and friends losing their jobs through firing from federal jobs and the fallout down the line.
I know friends in manufacturing who are saying companies are cancelling orders.
Farmers are seeing the congress cutting out MedicAid services - SNAP programs that farmers rely on for selling their goods. Some farmers are worried about their federal loans.
I could go on. I'll just point out that when you know friends and family members who are worried or who have already lost their jobs through all the current federal worker firings, the effects rumble through the federal, state and local economies. How? Those workers do not purchase goods and services. Restaurants, groceries, you name it.
I remember studying the unexpected economic shock created by the 1973 Oil Embargo. Those effects were devastating to the world. Now, we have an administration making wholesale cuts to various departments of the government that were funding anything from medical research to local school programs.
That kind of unexpected economic shock has an unimaginable effect on the unemployment rate to just plain purchasing power.
Add to that the expected tariffs on Canada, Mexico, and China, among others. Already, I know people in the building trades worrying about the cost of goods they import for construction. Costs go up, customers cancell work, workers lose their jobs.

So, what I am saying is this: I believe if the economic downturn continues, we, mystery shoppers can expect an influx of those who have lost their jobs, through no fault of their own and who cannot find gainful employment.
Meaning of course, the MSC's shall relish the opportunity to further cheapen their pay.

@olympia tennenbaum wrote:

@Okie wrote:

I ran across an AI-operated menu board. If I had to evaluate it against a typical shop's evaluation guidelines, criteria, and reporting, it blew the human competition out of the park.

"Blew them out of the park" I just have to say I love this because I can never get any sayings right and this is adorable. I once described myself as easy go lucky and I'm pretty sure I've said that someone was not the sharpest match in the box. An admin at my school was also similarly afflicted and said things on the announcements like life can't be all peaches and gravy.

Thanks, I'll show myself out.

I thought I was using the phrase correctly! In my mind, I had a picture of a cartoon character detonating dynamite in a canyon. There's a NFL analyst named Chris Simms who butchers phrases and idioms and too, where it's coined as "Simms-isms."

It's interesting to read other people's perspectives from different backgrounds and experiences.

Regarding AI though, I've always viewed it as a tool to enhance one's work, under someone else's supervision and review, where it does tasks no one wants to do and excels at repetitive tasks prone to human error. In my line of work, there's been tangible use cases where the time savings and return is beneficial. Also, some smaller product offerings revolved around it have been successful, but now there's been big bets on trying to scale it to more complex products, with trying to formulate a successful proof-of-concept. Interesting time be a part of it though.

I always get a chuckle out of people who slaughter common sayings but my sister is the queen of this practice.
Just one of her beauties that was probably the best, when she was annoyed by something she would say
"It gets stuck in my crawl" .
Try and top that one!!

=========================

"Blew them out of the park" I just have to say I love this because I can never get any sayings right and this is adorable. I once described myself as easy go lucky and I'm pretty sure I've said that someone was not the sharpest match in the box. An admin at my school was also similarly afflicted and said things on the announcements like life can't be all peaches and gravy.

Thanks, I'll show myself out.[/quote]

I had a coworker who used to say right off the back. I knew English wasn't spoken in her home and I did not have the heart to ever bring it up. And, it's not like I have a leg to stand on in the idiom-sphere.

I have no such language excuse for myself.

@French Farmer wrote:

About "It just keeps getting better, every day since Jan 20th."

Whether it's sarcasm or just plain cruel, that's up for debate, IMO.
But, I will say, if that commenter believes it, that person has not looked any further than their own nose.

Here is what I have to say: Monday, we cut off our YouTubeTV subscription.

The recession has already begun.

Why?

I believe folks like me are already cutting back on non-essentials (like YouTubeTV). Some farmers are worried about their federal loans.
I could go on. I'll just point out that when you know friends and family members who are worried or who have already lost their jobs through all the current federal worker firings, the effects rumble through the federal, state and local economies. How? Those workers do not purchase goods Now, we have an administration making wholesale cuts to various departments of the government that were funding anything from medical research to local school programs.

Add to that the expected tariffs on Canada, Mexico, and China, among others. Already, I know people in the building trades worrying about the cost of goods they import for construction. Costs go up, customers cancell work, workers lose their jobs.

So, what I am saying is this: I believe if the economic downturn continues, we, mystery shoppers can expect an influx of those who have lost their jobs, through no fault of their own.

I am an ESL teacher for a large district. The very nature of my job encompasses DEI. On the one hand, conservatives are always screaming about English-only, but on the other, I am very certain they are only too happy not to provide ESL services to students who need them.

My district also decided to close about a quarter of schools year after next. Even if I survive the DEI purge, I probably will not have a job as I just moved from another teaching department and ESL teachers do not accrue building seniority. Low man on the totem pole. But I did it because I am passionate about helping people achieve the American dream.

However, in anticipation that I may not have a job next year, I’ve cut out all non-essential spending except for $18/month streaming (which will drop by two-thirds once La Liga season is over). I literally change into my pajamas (which have already been mended once) as soon as I get home so my outside clothes will hopefully last longer. Ive cut my food budget so low it’s astonishing (luckily, I have no allergies, and like rice, beans, and potatoes). Vacation? Cancelled. After-school work gatherings? Not attending. Birthday gifts? I brought you homemade cookies. Every. Single. Person I know is either worrying about their own job or a family member’s job. It’s horrifying.

Maybe stupidly, I’m also taking fewer mystery shopping jobs. I do it after my main job, but, I don’t take any now unless they are very high paying or literally on my way to/from work/other errands

Edited 2 time(s). Last edit at 02/27/2025 05:16PM by mysterioso412.

@mysterioso412 wrote:

Maybe stupidly, I’m also taking fewer mystery shopping jobs. I do it after my main job, but, I don’t take any now unless they are very high paying or literally on my way to/from work/other errands

That's not stupid at all. It's utilizing MS in a way that's beneficial to you , and you will get a higher average value for each shop that way.

Anyone losing their job and hoping to replace it with MSing is making the mistake IMHO. The best value of MSing work is augmenting traditional employment, or retirement/disability. It was never meant to be a full-time job and while some can make that work, those who are getting the best value from are not doing it full-time.

A big mistake I made long ago was relying on MS to get me through a period of unemployment, when I doubled down on the shopping. In retrospect, I could have cut back on MSing and invested more time into finding a new job, then recovered quicker.

@SteveSoCal wrote:

@mysterioso412 wrote:

.......Anyone losing their job and hoping to replace it with MSing is making the mistake IMHO. The best value of MSing work is augmenting traditional employment, or retirement/disability. It was never meant to be a full-time job and while some can make that work, those who are getting the best value from are not doing it full-time.

A big mistake I made long ago was relying on MS to get me through a period of unemployment, when I doubled down on the shopping. In retrospect, I could have cut back on MSing and invested more time into finding a new job, then recovered quicker.

It is my opinion that when a person suffers job loss and, without any other means of financial compensation (unemployment never covers costs), they'll surely look for any avenue to augment their ability to keep their house afloat, mystery shopping being one of them. Not for full time, just to keep the wolf from the door.

The misuse I both read and hear most often is the substitution of MUTE for MOOT. I never correct, unless my assistance is requested.

On a related note, many EFLs struggle with homonyms, especially YOUR and YOU'RE. Another would be THEIR, THERE and THEY'RE. Finally, TO, TWO and TOO.

I see the truth. It IS getting better every day. I always worked with honesty, accountability and responsibility. I was asked to join other organizations as a team member. My last employer went through 7 or 8 RIFs (Reductions In Force) during my tenure, I lost count. Everyone in my company had to give their manager a short list of accomplishments EVERY WEEK (it was known as Items Of Interest). Sometimes I dealt directly with US Government representatives, sometimes with an European Government representative. I worked sometimes in Washington D.C. When stopped by a police officer in D.C. traffic, I showed my badge and was waved through.

I knew government contracts from the proposal stage, that they were won, lost, had deadlines, termination clauses and end dates. I knew colleagues who were laid off. I saved and invested in every pay period. I read the company procedure for a RIF. I knew the details. I knew another RIF was being planned. I looked at our finances and determined that I could take the next RIF and retire early. I could have transitioned to another department and stayed employed at the company. But I took the RIF.

Please don't preach to me about layoffs, budgets, private employers, or how the government functions. It IS getting better every day.

@shopperbob wrote:

On a related note, many EFLs struggle with homonyms, especially YOUR and YOU'RE. Another would be THEIR, THERE and THEY'RE. Finally, TO, TWO and TOO.

EFL = English as Foreign or First Language? I see plenty of people born here who can't figure those out.