I just did a fine dining shop last night. Thank you Customer Impact!!!!

Did I make $15/hour or more? Nope
Did I spend 30-60 minutes on the report - nope - I spent longer because I take pride in my work and want a 10.

What did I get?
A fantastic meal that I otherwise would not spend $$ on.
The opportunity to take my 80 year old mother (who I don't know how much longer I will have around) and spend an evening out with her that we both immensely enjoyed.
Not to mention that the quality of food and beverages was excellent. Service was great!!!!

You go right ahead and quit mystery shopping and I will gladly take these kinds of jobs from you.

@ OP: This is the place for shoppers to express. OP vented. Others shared additional kinds of experiences in this business. Thanks for starting this thread in which all kinds of people tell us about their mystery shopping experiences.


I love that all kinds of people are welcome in this business because all kinds of people are potential customers for the clients. This means that we shoppers (who are all kinds of people) can work at our own pace, according to need, according to preference, for giggles, or for any other reason.

I love this business because it is "expandable and collapsible". Sometimes I work expansively and do more ms-ing. At other times, I cut back and do less of it. This suits me perfectly!

Kiki...Stay focused, conduct the shops that you prefer, and forget the ones that you don't like. It's a learning process, don't give up!

Kiki...Stay focused, conduct the shops that you prefer, and forget the ones that you don't like. It's a learning process, don't give up!

I've been mystery shopping for three years. It's been an awesome experience based on many of the reasons listed in the thread. With that said, I don't understand some of the criticism that has been levied at individuals who make posts like this. I think many of us started with the same concerns, is the money worth enough for the amount of time the reports take. Can I actually make significant money working as a mystery shopper. Am I being taken advantage of in terms of the amount of pay I'm receiving for the amount of work I'm providing. If there's anywhere that a mystery shopper should be able to vent about the plusses and minuses of this job, I would think an online message board would be that place. For the people who ultimately decide that mystery shopping isn't for them, I can fully relate to their reasons why. The pay is not enough to sustain their lifestyle, there is not enough work available to them since they are just getting started, etc. It has taken a bit for me to reach a point where I'm fully satisfied mystery shopping, so I guess I'm just asking for a little understanding for posters who feel this way. I know I would be lying if I said I never had the same concerns as the OP raised, and I surmise many of you would be as well. I understand that many of us love mystery shopping, so we are protective against those who criticize it, but I think we would be wise to take into consideration that OP probably does not mean it personally, they are just frustrated that there isn't more monetary gain in this type of work. If we started any other profession, and we were low person on the totem pole, we would be able to relate a lot better.

Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 05/17/2015 10:45PM by VinnyRoo.

@VinnyRoo wrote:

I've been mystery shopping for three years. It's been an awesome experience based on many of the reasons listed in the thread. With that said, I don't understand some of the criticism that has been levied at individuals who make posts like this.

Check out the number of posts written by the OP. There are four of them. And they basically say the same old rant. That is totally unnecessary even for a newbie.

I can't really argue with that. I guess I take the perspective that maybe they are just looking for some reassurance about how great this can be once they get established. It's kind of like if you're at a party where you don't know anyone, and everyone else is having a great time, but you're depressed because you maybe only know one person, and that person is interacting with all their friends. Maybe we should just throw OP a life jacket, and maybe they'll become more optimistic.

@af517 wrote:

But the nice thing is incompetent people with no work ethic aren't much of a threat. It's the smart ones who do good work that you really have to worry about.

Which is why no serious player in shopping really considers other people competition. If you do good work you're not at risk in losing your jobs to like 95% of people who end up doing shops.

@jrossetti wrote:

@af517 wrote:

But the nice thing is incompetent people with no work ethic aren't much of a threat. It's the smart ones who do good work that you really have to worry about.

Which is why no serious player in shopping really considers other people competition. If you do good work you're not at risk in losing your jobs to like 95% of people who end up doing shops.

This is something that I often wonder about. Personally, I tend to consider any shopper within a 100-mile radius of me as competition... there are hundreds of shops that I won't touch, and relatively very few that have great pay or highly desirable benefits.
I fully get what you're saying, though... while terrible shoppers may be a dime a dozen, I'm sure that good ones are always in high demand. Case in point: when I went to the Ardent training, there were supposed to be six of us. Four showed up, including myself, and one guy was wearing filthy sweatpants and a baggy T-shirt with stains all over it. He was clearly there just for the food, and ate the equivalent of three entrées. He kept complaining about how far he'd had to drive, and it wasn't even that far. The other two people kept asking me a lot of questions about what kind of shops I did, and for whom, and I was very vague.
So my general question for everyone is this: if you get a great assignment, do you tend to figure that allowing for the rotation means that there's enough shops for everyone? I tend to be very protective...

Robinv,

I'm with you. I am 61, retired and do mystery shopping. My kids fuss at me when they see how much time I spend on the reports for the little amount of money I get. I keep telling them it’s healthy for me. I get out of the house, get to interact with people, and the narratives help to exercise the brain. Don’t get me wrong, if I had the money, I wouldn’t mystery shop. I would go out to lunch every day at fancy restaurants, shop for myself and travel. Oh well, maybe in another life!

"So my general question for everyone is this: if you get a great assignment, do you tend to figure that allowing for the rotation means that there's enough shops for everyone? I tend to be very protective..."

No I don't figure that. Of course rotation is a factor but some jobs go fast with or without it. Some I know are there and just don't bother, like the Aeropostle in my area is always gone. I know when it gets posted and I could go after it but its' not worth the drive to me. I try to get my favorite shops before someone else does. That being said, there are always plenty in outlying areas to keep me busy. I could work all day every day if I wanted.

I personally love what I do. With young children, it's nice to have the flexibility. I get lots of free stuff like cosmetics, clothing, purses, toys, etc. I love to write (majored in creative writing, ha ha) and this gives me a chance to do so. Some days I don't make a lot of money. Other days I do.

No one's holding a gun to our heads forcing us to do these jobs. If you don't like it, don't do it. That just means more jobs for the rest of us! I definitely agree it's not for everyone, and it doesn't sound like it's the right fit for the OP.

I think it's an okay part-time opportunity. It is not a good full-time job--but if you don't have anything better offered then it just has to do.

I agree, I think for a p/t gig it's OK. I used to do MS full-time, but I am now retired and
only do a few shops a month. I mainly do shops to get out of the house and earn a little
extra cash, plus I moved to a area where there is just not that much MS work, unless I
want to drive 60 miles one way and then there is a abundance of work. I would say for
the money there are worse ways to make a living.

I have fibromyalgia. Mystery shopping gives me the flexibility to work on my own terms. Right now, I do weekly grocery routes when I feel up to it. The reimbursements cut what we spend on food and allow me to do something to help support my family even though I'm not well enough to hold a traditional job.

I love all of your posts....I actually laughed out loud reading them....(I am new today)...May 20, 2015....But this post is priceless and wonderful. From this very short read I have done....seems like a lot of wonderful folks contributing.

It is not so much the mystery shopping, but the company you deal with, oh my god, I signed up with a company initial BH, and a editor of Kara, and the b.s. all for 15 dollars. It is more like 2.75 or less after having 17 reports , yes that right all 17 reports sent back, I am done with chump change, I have been doing shopping for over 8 years and took on chance on a new company that constantly sent me emails about all the jobs they have. Now I see why no great shopper in their right mind takes their jobs. Lesson learned. You figure out the company!

LOL. That is funny. One has to pick and chose their battles in this business, get to know the companies, and only do what suits you. Some surveys are easier than others. Also, upgrade your skill-set and invest some money in your business and it will pay off.

Edited 2 time(s). Last edit at 05/22/2015 03:14PM by mysterytrina.

goldengirl
What did they say was missing from the reports that everyone was sent back?

I did four bonsed shops today and will earn $140+/- today, so it's worth it if you do it part-time and wait for bonuses.

I earned $100 yesterday, plus we ran our own errands in between. I already got the editor's notes back on one and I got a 10 score. So I was stoked about that. Plus my SO worked 12-9 today so instead of doing it this morning, I did it last night. I was going to take a bus home after my last bank shop anyway and I was able to bus to the last shop and then bus home on one fare. So I have flexibility on my side.

This guy must be a NEWB or totally not creative. There all kinds of ways to get you information for safe keeping while you are on a shop. Thank goodness for the digital age with the smart phone it just makes one smart.

Thats a lot of work for $15. I did a shop today for $12 , took 5 mins at the store and 5 on the report. Doing phone shops i usually make 30 and hour.

When you start doing MS you are learning and seeing "if you can do it." You also want to know if you like to do it. I've done them for 18 months but not as steady as some have mentioned. I discovered companies I enjoy working for and some I don't. Unlike my real job, I can pick and choose who I work along side. If I don't like the company, the reports or the pay I can ignore them without it affecting me very much.

There is real freedom to do what you choose and when you choose. Also, as the months pass by you find you begin to be called about opportunities and start earning bonuses.

For the last three years I have been continuously shopping. At first its making ends meet as single parent. Now, anything coming from shops goes into savings. This is something I was not able to do, my children are grown and there aren't a great demand for financial help. On my days off it keeps me busy, normally I cannot afford to buy anyone dinner or lunch, but with mystery shopping I can now afford to do that. I get out and meet people, lots of social interaction, and new knowledge, like visiting tech stores. Yes sometime I spend money, but if you want to make money you have to be willing to pay a price, you get to determine how much. My adventures while on shops are fun and exciting. I totally enjoy mystery shopping and have helped others get started. I have driven cars I normally will not have done. I don't depend on mystery shops as my sole source of income, but its my nest egg being built up for the future, which was non existent until now.

I love mystery shopping. It's probably the best "job" I ever had.. so good it became a profitable business for me after a year. I don't have to work for anyone else any more and not many can say they are business owners in their 20's. I made two bills doing four hours of work including the shop and data input today. I do all of my shop entries on the road. It allows me to have a family life and social life whereas other jobs drain the life out of me. What you get out of mystery shopping is what you put in. If you think mystery shopping sucks, perhaps you need to reflect on your attitude, work ethic or whether mystery shopping is for you. Maybe it's not and that's OK. You'll find what works for you..

@Sybil2 wrote:

@kiki125 wrote:

MYSTERY SHOPPING SUCKS!!!!!!!!!!!

Don't let the forum door hit you on your azz.

lol

Some shops are not worth it. Some are great and pay well. I take what I like and don't worry about the others. It is just extra money, but lets me earn some money when I have time. I am not desperate for any shop and fee. I use the thought, what would I do in that time otherwise. When I began, I took the low pay, it was my schooling to figure my niche and preference.

There are some companies that aren't worth working for. I've done several shops like you describe. 10 hours in a smoke filled casino with vague instructions that I did my best to follow. I got names, times, everything I thought they had asked for. I bought everything that I thought I was required to and talked to all of the people they said to. But because I didn't understand that one of the venues was a fine dining restaurant during the day and a nightclub at night I did the shop wrong and couldn't return. It was supposed to be a payout of over $500. But I spent over $290 of my money, they didn't accept my shop and i got sick and ended up in the hospital because of the cigarette smoke and never recovered a penny. I tried another time to work for the same company, similar vague instructions, $50 out of pocket, in spite of getting everything they asked for and writing up an excellent narrative they didn't like what I wrote and didn't pay me again. They still send me emails all of the time trying to get me to work for them, even personal emails from schedulers, but I tell them I'll THINK about working for them again after I get paid for the work I've already done. And I don't hear from them again for a few weeks.. lol

If I posted it once I posted it many times. "If it is not fun and MUTUALLY BENEFICIAL I aint gonna do it"! How is that for grammer. I built businesses on the feedback of people who were giving me their opinion. When they said, "You are crazy, that will never work" I knew I was on the right track but thought of it first. Now in my "retirement" I get lunches and dinners and go to the beach and do reports on paper instead of doing cross word puzzles. My recorder rememers everything. I do not need to take notes or look at my watch until I get far far away and play it back. Most of all I am paying forward with my reports and hope I am contributing to the clients "fly on the wall" reality of their location. Those people who prey on the misfortunate that needs the $5 shops to buy Mac and Cheese and Raman noodles will get reports that match the compensation received. The shoppers who make the best money are those that give the clients value.

frugalmommy:

When I started reading your post, I had to look at your name and see if I had written it myself. I've suffered with fibromyalgia for decades; it ended my 30+ year medical transcription career. I stumbled into Mystery Shopping because I couldn't work full time or even a structured part time job anymore. MS allows me to work when I'm not in a flare and take time off when the fibro does flare up.

I lost a really great company when I first started because I took on more than I could handle and had to cancel and reschedule too many shops, but from that I learned many valuable lessons, and I probably wouldn't have ventured out to find other MSCs. I'm only able to work 1 day a week now as it takes me a full week, sometimes more, to recover and be able to get back out there, but it's something I can do on my own terms.

When I received my first MS check, I cashed it right away and held my breath until the cashier put the money in my hand. The second check, I deposited and waited weeks to make sure there was nothing bogus going on. LOL So it took me a full month from my 1st shop until my 3rd, but I felt confident at that point that the company was legit and trustworthy.

Then I found this forum, discovered other MS companies, learned a lot and have even increased my pay because of the helpful insight from the forum members. I'm so grateful to all of you.