I am new to this field and have been applying for quite a few posts. Can anyone tell me where to go to find the reliable companies that pay properly and have work in Canada? Thanks

One place you can Look is on MSPA-NA.org It is the organization that keeps track of Secret shopping companies. You can do a Service provider search and it will show companies that are based in Canada. There are quite a few different Providences to chose from on the drop down menu. I'm in the middle of the U.S. so i don't have any suggestions about any one company, but I checked and there are quite a few listed for Canada. Hope that helps.

Thanks so much for taking the time to let me know will for sure check it out

Does anyone know why from one month to another companies reduce the permium we are paid to do the same job at the same store

The reason is the the same gas stations raise the price at times - they can. Shoppers can either take them at the reduced fee or get more options by signing up at more companies. With more options you can pass on the lower fee or otherwise less desirable shops.

I have trouble finding the companies to work for. Do you have to pay the middle man to get those lists Thanks

No,

The general rule is not to pay to mystery shop because many such offers provide information that is otherwise available for free. Many lists of valid companies such as the "Official List of Mystery Shopping Companies" on this forum are free and do not need to be paid for.

For shops in Canada try Insight/In Touch and Premier. Also sign up for the larger companies that have shops throughout the US and Canada (hint - 15 most discussed companies on the forum). Also try Jobslinger or Presto Mobile - different things that use the same list of shops.

That should get you started. If that isn't enough, and it probably won't be if you get into this, then sign up for more companies. Many experienced shoppers have signed up for 100+ companies.

Good luck.

Thanks for the info I am already with Premiere and In touch but will go further with the rest you suggested Thanks again

I'm in Metro Detroit and regularly see that Market Force has quite a few shops available in Windsor.

Thanks but i live in Alberta Thanks anyway

@TerryJane wrote:

Thanks but i live in Alberta Thanks anyway

Hello, fellow Albertan. Most of the major companies have shops in Alberta. Are you signed up with Marketforce, Ritter, Maritz, Intellishop, Bestmark, GFK, Bare Associates International, Beyond Hello, Second to None, A Closer Look, Mystery Shopping Canada Inc. ?

They all have shops in Alberta and I found many of them on the list at the bottom of the page. Official List of Mystery Shopping Companies.

Most of the companies on the list have shops in Canada. I once had a list of about 20 which didn't, but that list could be out of date by now.

Good luck.

Thanks Another thing is I am curious why some companies put out a shop at a rate of $6.00 then when no one takes it
they call and offer you $25.00 Is this how the system works Just curiouus as I am new to this so any info you wish to share I appreciate

Thanks

Companies typically put out a rate for all the shops in a particular group. Many of those shops will be accepted and performed at the initial rate. As it gets closer to their deadline, schedulers raise the rates on the hard-to-fill locations that have not yet been accepted. Let's say there are 1,050 shops in a particular group. Nine hundred might be done for $6. Another hundred might be bonused and performed at $12. Maybe 50 might go for $25.

If you are in an area of little competition, or if you are fairly close to a location that is difficult-to-schedule, you may be able to make a lot more money by waiting until bonuses are offered. When you wait, however, you take the risk that another shopper will schedule the shop for a lower rate.

yes makes sense and i understand the risk but to me to do a shop for $6.00 and for the time it takes I would rather pass and leave it. Have you ever had a company not pay you for doing a mission. I see on the forum comments for this Just wondering your thoughts

Thanks

The only times I haven't been paid, I clearly made a mistake. (shopped the walk in when I was supposed to shop the drive through) The time period was over and I couldn't go back to redo it. They didn't pay me, but they let me still shop for them.!

I understand that they must get people who rip them off but to me if I have done everything in my power to complete a shop and then they do not pay me then I probabley would not shop for them again. I spend a lot of time reading and studying to make sure I do not mis something .

can anyone tell me how long do you spend to do a new car mission, how long do you spend at the dealership.?

I'm new to the forum

Welcome to the forum Beacon26. Are you new to mystery shopping as well?

Use the search function on this forum and you should find some discussions about mystery shopping car dealerships. I haven't tried it yet.

TerryJane, that will vary from shop to shop, there's no set rule. I haven't shopped for cars extensively but I've done a few and I've been at the dealership 30 minutes to an hour. Usually. You have to take into consideration the requirements of the shop. If a test drive is not included it will go somewhat quicker. You will need to give the salesperson ample time to make their presentation because to cut them excessively short would not be fair.

On the other hand, you have to control the situation to not let the time spent get out of hand. When you start your conversation with the salesperson, pick up a business card right then. If you don't see one, ask for one and don't continue with the interaction until you get it. If they ask for your identification ask them to make a photocopy and return it to you. Don't go on with the interaction until your get your id returned.

Unless the shop requires assessing your car for trade in, never surrender your car key. If you have to surrender your car key for trade in assessment purposes, give them an extra car key only. Never give them the set of keys you carry.

When you have all the information required and the business card or whatever proof is required, that's the time to rise from your chair and say "Thank you very much. I'm going to think about this." Then stand your ground that you're leaving no matter what.

Here's a tip: If they try to delay you by holding your car, your key, or your license tell them you're leaving now and if they don't produce the car, the key, or the license you're calling 911. Than take out your phone and go for it. You're a woman. They'll try to handle you. Don't accept it.

@TerryJane wrote:

can anyone tell me how long do you spend to do a new car mission, how long do you spend at the dealership.?

thanks great advise

Hi Prince

Thank you,
Yes I'm new there as well

MDavisnowell wrote:
"TerryJane, that will vary from shop to shop, there's no set rule. I haven't shopped for cars extensively but I've done a few and I've been at the dealership 30 minutes to an hour. Usually....

"When you have all the information required and the business card or whatever proof is required, that's the time to rise from your chair and say "Thank you very much. I'm going to think about this." Then stand your ground that you're leaving no matter what.

"Here's a tip: If they try to delay you by holding your car, your key, or your license tell them you're leaving now and if they don't produce the car, the key, or the license you're calling 911. Than take out your phone and go for it. You're a woman. They'll try to handle you. Don't accept it."

Great Advice because this actually happened to you, correct, MDavisNowell?