Targeted shops vs regular

I've been receiving more offers for shops that target a specific employee. They seem to pay quite a bit more than the regular ones. Is that always true? I did my first targeted shop today and it wasn't as bad as I thought! If they always pay higher, then I may start to think about getting the hang of shopping a particular person.

I'm still really new, so I hope this isn't a dumb question!

Create an Account or Log In

Membership is free. Simply choose your username, type in your email address, and choose a password. You immediately get full access to the forum.

They don't always pay more and you'll find lots of threads on here about the hassles that come with targeted shops. Personally, I won't do a targeted shop unless I can make an appointment first or its a video shop.

They should pay more, but not always. The reason is there are often multiple phone calls to reach the target. Also, you need to schedule an appointment that is convenient for both you and the target. It also sucks when you discover the target does not work there anymore.

If it works for you, go for it!

Happily shopping Rhode Island and nearby Massachusetts and Connecticut

It depends. I conduct targeted financial and real estate, telephone, shops each month. The financial shops pay more. Sometimes it is hard to reach the target and the guidelines require seven attempts before an unsuccessful shop can be submitted. The real estate calls pay less and require only three attempts before the unsuccessful call can be submitted. Many people do not like targeted shops. They save me expenses for transportation and travel. They can get boring after a while, so I tend to limit the number I do each month. On a positive note, sometimes the targets are reached on the first attempt.

I do targeted shops for a certain apartment company. If I don't get anyone on the phone after a couple of days, I am usually told to ask specifically for the target using the person's first name only. Often the targets who don't answer their own calls tend to be managers who have secretaries or receptionists screen their calls. So having a specific person to reach is not always easy. The company in question does not charge more for a targeted vs non-targeted person.

I've done them for apartment shops. It's usually a couple of phone calls more than the non-targeted, but not difficult. The worst one was where I called 3-5 times per day for nearly a week. Finally, I got permission to ask for the target - she was on vacation the entire week! I got an extension, called the following Monday, made an appointment to visit later that day, and found the office closed an hour early! I wrote the report and submitted it as-is. I knew I wouldn't get the entire fee, but would be paid a partial payment. I think something was very, very fishy with this particular target. Otherwise, I have no problem with them - it's easy enough to make a few phone calls in between other assignments during the day. Then again, I'm partial to apartment shops as a whole anyway.

This past Thursday I found a video shop to add to a route I was doing on Friday--literally not more than 10 minutes out of the way. I applied, explaining that I would be doing it the next day. I get a call from the scheduler--the shop is targeted [wasn't mentioned on the website]. I got the information, made three stops along the way to try to contact the target. No luck. I would have liked to have added the $95 to the trip but it just wasn't meant to be.

And I actually went into McDonalds at the last stop to use the Wi-Fi. I tried two times there to contact the target, literally staying as late as I could without putting the rest of the shops on the route into jeopardy.

.
Have PV-500 & willing to travel.
"Answers are easy. It's asking the right questions which is hard." (The Fourth Doctor, The Face of Evil, 1977)

"Somedays you're the pigeon, somedays you're the statue.” J. Andrew Taylor

"I have never met a man so ignorant that I couldn't learn something from him." Galileo Galilei

Thanks everyone for the insight. It helps to hear from others who are more experienced. I must have gotten lucky my first time around. It sounds really annoying to have to make multiple calls to try to track down the right person. I wonder if I will be lucky or unlucky next time.

I tried to do a targeted shop once....the person was to come to my house..she cancelled...I notified the scheduler..but the MSC gave me a hard time for it being passed due.....

I scheduled a targeted makeup counter shop. Called on Sunday to find out the artist wouldn't be in until today. Showed up today-the artist says she's sick and going home. Tried to get her to do a quick demo, but she declined, saying she didn't want to spread her germs. I left thinking I was going to have to go back.

I was pleasantly surprised when I contacted the MSC and told them what had happened. I hadn't gotten a business card from the artist (because we really hadn't had a transaction) but DID take the required photo of store front. The company accepted that as proof, and said I'd be paid for the job, becaue the reason for non-completion was beyond my control.

Happiness is not a goal; it is a by-product. Eleanor Roosevelt

Sorry, only registered users may post in this forum.

Click here to login

Targeted shops vs regular

Create an Account or Log In

Official List of Mystery Shopping Companies

Mystery Shopper Magazine