Here are some of my observations on Mystery Shopping:

1. Every expense in Mystery Shopping has to be taken into account. That includes mileage, gas cost, time spent on the shop, time spent doing the report, and time spent organizing the report. Time documenting expenses for taxes must also be included. Also, time spent getting the shop has to be included (finding it, applying for it if necessary, etc.).

2. A shop should not be done unless *all* costs are covered, or unless the shopper wants to purchase the product/service anyway.

3. The time between completing the shop and receiving payment should be accounted for in the cost/benefit analysis with a reasonable discount rate.

I think if we all start calculating these trade-offs and select shops accordingly, the median wage for shops will increase, because shoppers will compute their potential earnings more properly.

I write this because I have read some really odd things on this forum, like a shopper driving several hours for a $20.00 shop. If s/he had calculated the total expense properly, then s/he would have never taken the shop, and the wage would increase to a wage that reflects all expenses in aggregate. Proper expense calculation and attendant shop selection is part of how we can get paid more for our work.

Clarification: I'm not saying everyone has to do the same thing, or agree on "universal" costs. I'm saying that if each person takes these costs into account him/herself, it will lead to more accurate decisions for each person individually. The aggregate effect of even slightly more accurate decisions (made individually) could put upward pressure on shopper wages.

Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 02/12/2013 12:48AM by Riki.

We all do what we think is right for us.

Mary pretty much said it all. Athough I'd love to see the shopper community as a whole place a higher value on their services when accepting assignments, there's no way everyone is going to universally agree on what that would be.

I absolutely agree with the part about including ALL costs of doing the job ~ not only shop time and reporting time (including getting photos ready when applicable), but the time it takes to drive back & forth plus gas... etc. etc. etc.

But... if I counted the time spent looking for shops, applying for shops (if need be), figuring out if I can make a route (and if so doing the Google map), getting the paperwork printed, and all that... I could never do this!

The way I account for that, is... the looking is the thrill of the hunt. I just do that while I'm watching TV or whatever, anyway. Sometimes figuring out if I can make a route gets a little complex, with some jobs self-serve and others needing to be approved, but still. Printing & organizing the paperwork can take some time, but again there's so little brain power involved I can do it while watching TV. So I just don't count that time.

If I did, I would get depressed, anyway. Heh.

But I do agree that most shops really do need to pay a little more... or in a few cases, a LOT more.

This forum does a great deal to teach new shoppers how to value themselves, their skill and their time. Unfortunately, it is not a prerequisite for becoming a mystery shopper. There are many shoppers who have learned to consider their time worth more than the price of gas and to realize that $4 and a soda is not realistic compensation for the amount of work involved or that the "free" oil change or meal is far from free.

If you have fun doing something then it has intrinsic value for you. So in your case, you wouldn't count the time looking for shops because it sounds like you actually enjoy it. Everyone's preferences will be a little different. (:


StormCloud Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> I absolutely agree with the part about including
> ALL costs of doing the job ~ not only shop time
> and reporting time (including getting photos ready
> when applicable), but the time it takes to drive
> back & forth plus gas... etc. etc. etc.
>
> But... if I counted the time spent looking for
> shops, applying for shops (if need be), figuring
> out if I can make a route (and if so doing the
> Google map), getting the paperwork printed, and
> all that... I could never do this!
>
> The way I account for that, is... the looking is
> the thrill of the hunt. I just do that while I'm
> watching TV or whatever, anyway. Sometimes
> figuring out if I can make a route gets a little
> complex, with some jobs self-serve and others
> needing to be approved, but still. Printing &
> organizing the paperwork can take some time, but
> again there's so little brain power involved I can
> do it while watching TV. So I just don't count
> that time.
>
> If I did, I would get depressed, anyway. Heh.
>
> But I do agree that most shops really do need to
> pay a little more... or in a few cases, a LOT
> more.

Riki Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Everyone's
> preferences will be a little different.

Sometimes a LOT different. We've gone around about this on the forum before. Everybody has their own ideas of what is worthwhile. As Lisa had mentioned, the resources are here to help shoppers decide for themselves on how to place a value on their efforts. But in the end, this is a personal choice.

Example: (I had a 4 minute shop that paid $22 and it was pretty easy).

I would like to think, that if you make $15 for 20 minutes, it all works out in the wash. .

Your gas is the biggest expense. But if you do 5 shops on "Main Street" then you can do pretty well.

Or, start from the furthest shop and work your way forward.

I have 4 shops, on the same street coming up soon. Literally, I planned them out and they are less than a 1/4 mile apart.

Whatever obstacles you encounter, work through them. Strategize. Otherwise, there is not much point in mystery shopping if you always think it's a loss.

There is so much more to this:

1. Save any paper you use and re-use the other side.

2. Allow enough time to get to your shops so you don't burn excessive gas by speeding.

3. Write down your shops #1.2.3.4.5, get your GPS set up the night before, so you don't drive around aimlessly. I should add, to leave your computer on, while you calculate addresses, in case the GPS says "Not Found."

4. If banks give away free pens, take one or two If they offer those hand-bags take one. Take anything free the bank offers you. I have and have used ALL of those things up, in one year.

5. If you can't find an address, stop at the convenience store and ask the location. Some people love to drive around in circles but I have no problem asking where something is...

6. You can't walk into this thinking it's a money loss. My first 6 months I ate through ink, paper, ect. ect. but it all evens out.

7. You have to look at the bigger picture. Eventually the money rolls in...albeit "small rolls" at times...

When I started shopping in August, 2012, I was averaging $6/shop. This January, my per shop average is up to $19. I credit two things for that. First is the encouragement from this forum, second is that as I gain experience, I gain confidence to try the higher paying jobs.

That's about how mine has gone. I'm seeing higher-paying shops the more experienced I get and I'm making more productive routes now.

I figure I'm cutting into my TV time, which nobody is paying me for. I have put $2000 in my new savings account AFTER paying my out of pocket expenses including gas since last September. I've had two free oil changes and a lot of FF meals and some groceries. I took my sister to Black Angus for less than $20 out of pocket (and I could have avoided that if I'd known coupons were out there).

I also am not spending money like I used to. I rarely eat non-shop fast food any more and I used to have it about five times a week. I've avoided getting my hair cut because I'm waiting till I can get a shop for it. So in addition to the $2000 INTO my account, there is probably another $1000 that didn't come OUT of my account due to mystery shopping.

I don't care if that $2000 works out to $20 an hour or $2 an hour when you factor in the search time. It's $2000 I wouldn't have had otherwise. Most of my mystery shopping I don't actually have a car expense because I was going there anyway. So I turn a trip that would have been a net out of pocket loss into having the cash to cover the gas and turning the trip into a tax deduction.

If I wasn't so busy hunting for shops, I'd sit down with my budget and figure out the true financial gain from mystery shopping, but bottom line, it doesn't matter. I'm making money, stimulating my aging brain, improving my memory, learning new things, can treat a friend or relative to an outing without having to pay for it, and getting free stuff.

If you shop smart, there's no downside to this, even if you're only making 50 cents an hour. I don't have a lot of options in this small town. If I can make $400-500 a month in my spare time doing this, and make $0 in my spare time by not doing this, I'd be stupid not to do it.

You bring up really good points. Experience is critical. The first shop might take an hour, but the next shop might take 20-30 minutes because of experience (yielding the $15 for 20 minutes or $45 an hour).


SunnyDays2 Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Example: (I had a 4 minute shop that paid $22 and
> it was pretty easy).
>
> I would like to think, that if you make $15 for 20
> minutes, it all works out in the wash. .
>
> Your gas is the biggest expense. But if you do 5
> shops on "Main Street" then you can do pretty
> well.
>
> Or, start from the furthest shop and work your way
> forward.
>
> I have 4 shops, on the same street coming up soon.
> Literally, I planned them out and they are less
> than a 1/4 mile apart.
>
> Whatever obstacles you encounter, work through
> them. Strategize. Otherwise, there is not much
> point in mystery shopping if you always think it's
> a loss.
>
> There is so much more to this:
>
> 1. Save any paper you use and re-use the other
> side.
>
> 2. Allow enough time to get to your shops so you
> don't burn excessive gas by speeding.
>
> 3. Write down your shops #1.2.3.4.5, get your GPS
> set up the night before, so you don't drive around
> aimlessly. I should add, to leave your computer
> on, while you calculate addresses, in case the GPS
> says "Not Found."
>
> 4. If banks give away free pens, take one or two
> If they offer those hand-bags take one. Take
> anything free the bank offers you. I have and have
> used ALL of those things up, in one year.
>
> 5. If you can't find an address, stop at the
> convenience store and ask the location. Some
> people love to drive around in circles but I have
> no problem asking where something is...
>
> 6. You can't walk into this thinking it's a money
> loss. My first 6 months I ate through ink, paper,
> ect. ect. but it all evens out.
>
> 7. You have to look at the bigger picture.
> Eventually the money rolls in...albeit "small
> rolls" at times...

You brought up a really good point: there is a change in behavior from mystery shopping. I also rarely eat at a restaurant, etc. if I think I can get a shop instead.

In your case, the time aspect would not be much of a cost since you enjoy doing it *and* you are not giving up anything important to do it (no opportunity cost).

If you take into account the entertainment value and the positive effect on your habits, your total benefit is probably pretty high.


itsasecret Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> That's about how mine has gone. I'm seeing
> higher-paying shops the more experienced I get and
> I'm making more productive routes now.
>
> I figure I'm cutting into my TV time, which nobody
> is paying me for. I have put $2000 in my new
> savings account AFTER paying my out of pocket
> expenses including gas since last September. I've
> had two free oil changes and a lot of FF meals and
> some groceries. I took my sister to Black Angus
> for less than $20 out of pocket (and I could have
> avoided that if I'd known coupons were out
> there).
>
> I also am not spending money like I used to. I
> rarely eat non-shop fast food any more and I used
> to have it about five times a week. I've avoided
> getting my hair cut because I'm waiting till I can
> get a shop for it. So in addition to the $2000
> INTO my account, there is probably another $1000
> that didn't come OUT of my account due to mystery
> shopping.
>
> I don't care if that $2000 works out to $20 an
> hour or $2 an hour when you factor in the search
> time. It's $2000 I wouldn't have had otherwise.
> Most of my mystery shopping I don't actually have
> a car expense because I was going there anyway.
> So I turn a trip that would have been a net out of
> pocket loss into having the cash to cover the gas
> and turning the trip into a tax deduction.
>
> If I wasn't so busy hunting for shops, I'd sit
> down with my budget and figure out the true
> financial gain from mystery shopping, but bottom
> line, it doesn't matter. I'm making money,
> stimulating my aging brain, improving my memory,
> learning new things, can treat a friend or
> relative to an outing without having to pay for
> it, and getting free stuff.
>
> If you shop smart, there's no downside to this,
> even if you're only making 50 cents an hour. I
> don't have a lot of options in this small town.
> If I can make $400-500 a month in my spare time
> doing this, and make $0 in my spare time by not
> doing this, I'd be stupid not to do it.

The entertainment value of some shops is priceless!

Sometimes the entertainment value of this forum is priceless.

You know, about groceries and stuff... I do a lot of grocery shops... and also get a lot of burgers, pizzas, Chinese, and other food... so there's a lot of nights I don't have to fix any of those groceries. I realized over the weekend, that I have a butt-load of canned, jarred, and boxed/bagged goods in my cupboard; and meat vegetables in my freezer! And cans of pop in my pantry. Tons! If I took a month off mystery shopping I probably wouldn't have to buy anything except some milk, eggs, and fresh fruit.

The only trade-off is that it's not as healthy of a diet. But, well... heh.

When I found this forum, I had been mystery shopping for a few months. When I got really into this forum, it had been several months. I was just starting to figure out the route-making way to maximize earnings on my own, and to count gas money and not just my time to figure out how much I was *really* earning; and this forum really helped. It was from reading here, that I finally got the nerve to negotiate my first bonus. I learned little but important ways to maximize my time. I learned the value of keeping on adding new MSC's. My income has been increasing dramatically.

I posted earlier and elsewhere about how good my February was looking, and it's now become my personal record month! Not in total income (yet)... but, in the amount of income in the shortest period of time ~ about $950 in just the first 15 days! I can actually take a day or two off in the second half of the month, if I want!

If it wasn't for my dog's care and schedules, and the fact that my back and hip problems hinder me somewhat, I believe I could earn even more. Then, there's the thing about longevity in this business that the long-timers on here have discussed... when you start getting reliable and lucrative work without having to do all the searching.

I actually like driving, too. I always have. For a while there, I was a little gun-shy about it, after my big wreck. But I'm back to mostly enjoying it.

The only downside to me is time away from home and my dogs. But when I worked a "regular" job, I was gone about the same amount of time. And I don't have to put up with a-hole bosses and co-workers! : )

Storm Cloud said
`I posted earlier and elsewhere about how good my February was looking, and it's now become my personal record month! Not in total income (yet)... but, in the amount of income in the shortest period of time ~ about $950 in just the first 15 days! I can actually take a day or two off in the second half of the month, if I want!`


Wow, I have to learn a lot more!!! I don`t ever make anywhere near $950 in an entire month.

I'll throw in my 2 cents....for seniors, this is a way to supplement your income, go out, get free food and perks, is the $$
good, no, but the supply (if any) of other work for a senior is nill, so, by that comparison, this works. The benefit of using your brain, and staying active is priceless.



Edited 2 time(s). Last edit at 02/14/2013 06:51PM by Irene_L.A..

I posted recently about starting to feel burned out, but you also have to look at the long-term gains from shopping and what that nets you.

I cashed in a boatload of air miles, hotel points and credit card points (all gained from MSing) for a vacation that I'm on right now. The experience reminds me of why I continue to shop, even when it's frustrating.

If we're shopping part time for supplementary income, it's a mistake to overthink this. If I do this as much as I want and I get as much money as I need, that works for me. If it doesn't work for me, I need to move on. The mystery shopping work system is set and it cannot be changed by the shopper. Although the shopper can earn more money by working efficiently and developing a sophisticated skill set, the shopper will never be able to set fees. Money is the primary motivator, but personal freedom, flexibility, and variety of MSing are major benefits.

Mystery shopping to me is about setting up a business. There is an initial investment of time, some money and the learning curve. I am sure that I lost money the first couple of months. I was not very organized, got lost, printed out way too much paperwork and still am trying to figure out a route. I have seen my business start to pick up and more money is now coming in. This would never be enough to live on but if you are on a fixed income it helps to make ends meet and keeps my brain occupied. This forum helps me with the information that I would usually get at a work place but I can do it in my pajamas, do not have to worry about office politics and can pretty much set my own hours. The one problem I do have is I find it lonely at times.

MDavisnowell Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> If we're shopping part time for supplementary
> income, it's a mistake to overthink this. If I do
> this as much as I want and I get as much money as
> I need, that works for me. If it doesn't work for
> me, I need to move on. The mystery shopping work
> system is set and it cannot be changed by the
> shopper. Although the shopper can earn more money
> by working efficiently and developing a
> sophisticated skill set, the shopper will never be
> able to set fees. Money is the primary
> motivator, but personal freedom, flexibility, and
> variety of MSing are major benefits.

Could not have said it any better This mindset is what has kept me going for so long.

Another thing to take into account is the aggravation of chasing down payments. This goes beyond the TIME involved, but dealing with companies who do not pay unless they are reminded multiple times. I think this should be considered as a cost.

On the other side, I do agree that FUN should be taken into account too. Some shops don't pay much, but the fun makes up the difference. For example, shops that pay me to eat Ben & Jerry's ice cream or Godiva chocolates. I do those assignments, even those the pay above the reimbursement is not much, because I love the idea of getting paid ANYTHING to eat that wonderful stuff.

I actually "enjoy" what I do.

When I have out-of-town routes, I can pretend I am on a mini vacay for the day, seeing sites and cities, that I otherwise, might not have ever seen.

Enjoy some lunch, browse a store, buy a small item and get paid for ALL of it!

York states:

the shopper will never be
> able to set fees.

BOB'S reply:

I, as I'm assuming others, regularly set fees or refuse the work. Certainly not on all shops, but in my case it would be the majority of jobs. These, though, aren't the sub $15 assignments many prefer for their brevity, nearness and lack of required narrative. Last month, as an example, I completed 11 jobs of which I set the fee on 6. Dec. was much better with me stating the money on 64 out of 68 shops.

Before becoming a mother, I shopped around the clock and when the big hurricane hit the Gulf Coast, I was well stocked.

StormCloud Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> You know, about groceries and stuff... I do a lot
> of grocery shops... and also get a lot of burgers,
> pizzas, Chinese, and other food... so there's a
> lot of nights I don't have to fix any of those
> groceries. I realized over the weekend, that I
> have a butt-load of canned, jarred, and
> boxed/bagged goods in my cupboard; and meat
> vegetables in my freezer! And cans of pop in my
> pantry. Tons! If I took a month off mystery
> shopping I probably wouldn't have to buy anything
> except some milk, eggs, and fresh fruit.
>
> The only trade-off is that it's not as healthy of
> a diet. But, well... heh.
>
> When I found this forum, I had been mystery
> shopping for a few months. When I got really into
> this forum, it had been several months. I was
> just starting to figure out the route-making way
> to maximize earnings on my own, and to count gas
> money and not just my time to figure out how much
> I was *really* earning; and this forum really
> helped. It was from reading here, that I finally
> got the nerve to negotiate my first bonus. I
> learned little but important ways to maximize my
> time. I learned the value of keeping on adding
> new MSC's. My income has been increasing
> dramatically.
>
> I posted earlier and elsewhere about how good my
> February was looking, and it's now become my
> personal record month! Not in total income
> (yet)... but, in the amount of income in the
> shortest period of time ~ about $950 in just the
> first 15 days! I can actually take a day or two
> off in the second half of the month, if I want!
>
> If it wasn't for my dog's care and schedules, and
> the fact that my back and hip problems hinder me
> somewhat, I believe I could earn even more. Then,
> there's the thing about longevity in this business
> that the long-timers on here have discussed...
> when you start getting reliable and lucrative work
> without having to do all the searching.
>
> I actually like driving, too. I always have. For
> a while there, I was a little gun-shy about it,
> after my big wreck. But I'm back to mostly
> enjoying it.
>
> The only downside to me is time away from home and
> my dogs. But when I worked a "regular" job, I was
> gone about the same amount of time. And I don't
> have to put up with a-hole bosses and co-workers!
> : )

Bob, congratulations on being a successful negotiator. You have been able to get more money on individual jobs because of your skills and dependability, so in that sense you have set your personal fees on those particular shops. You did not, however, affect the fees for any other shoppers.

When I said the shopper could not set the fees (York was quoting me), I meant we cannot change the way the system is set up. We cannot as a group dictate that Cori start shops at increased fees or dictate that Maritz pays more per job. In that sense, we do not have the power to change fees. The MSCs will pay whatever it takes to get a job done, but not more. I will work for what I need to do a job, but not less. Individually as shoppers we can negotiate on individual jobs, but we cannot affect the overall structure and change this into a more lucrative endeavor.

Mary,

You are, of course, correct in stating how the industry, as a whole, operates. Not only did I mis-read from whom the comment originated, but also the context in which you were applying your post.

SassyGirl Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Another thing to take into account is the
> aggravation of chasing down payments. This goes
> beyond the TIME involved, but dealing with
> companies who do not pay unless they are reminded
> multiple times. I think this should be considered
> as a cost.
>
> On the other side, I do agree that FUN should be
> taken into account too. Some shops don't pay
> much, but the fun makes up the difference. For
> example, shops that pay me to eat Ben & Jerry's
> ice cream or Godiva chocolates. I do those
> assignments, even those the pay above the
> reimbursement is not much, because I love the idea
> of getting paid ANYTHING to eat that wonderful
> stuff.



I solved the tracking down payment aspect by not working for companies that I have to chase. They don't have to chase me for reports I don't want to have to chase them for pay.

I also refuse to work for companies that I have to chase for payment. I average out my shops each month and I'm getting from between $25 to $50 per shop. I do about 40 shops a month so it works out pretty well for me. Before I do a route I calculate the gas I'll use and take that off the fee they're paying. I then divide the remainder by the amount of shopping hours, driving areas, and inputting the survey. If it doesn't work out to over $15 an hour I won't do the route.

As with any job, the pleasure principle factors in. How much do you delight in it? How passionate are you about your job? If you are in it for the money, you will never be happy. That principle applies for any job. The question asked is it worth it? I think the answer is within each person. Can everyone in all areas of the country have the opportunities of $50+ shops regularly and constantly? I wonder about that. I'm not saying to stoop to $4 shops at all. That's a slap in the face. But we shop because we simply like it. Each of us has learned a system that has become successful for us to bring in some type of income that supports us in a way that is fruitful individually to us. So ultimately, yes, it's worth it if we're still smiling at the end of the day and booking jobs. We are Mystery Shoppers. That's who we are. It all comes together in a circle to make it "worth it".