@LisaSTL wrote:

In fairness, the original post was edited on May 10, four days after it was first published. I'm not positive, but think the line about not answering if you don't feel comfortable was added at that time. By that time there were also almost two full pages of responses and I doubt anyone who had been participating since the beginning went back to read the original post again.

@EileenS wrote:

My goodness, the OP said in the original question, if you don't feel comfortable, don't answer. The OP was clearly trying to get a feel for what he/she might be able to expect. You guys need to relax! Don't disclose if you don't want to, but just relax! Wow!

@cJan49 wrote:

I am a full-time route shopper doing video, audio recorded and written. Last year, I made a little over $24,000 fees and reimbursements. However, that does not include the cost of gasoline, wear and tear on my cars, the equipment I invested in, two PV500's, with extra button cams, extra buttons, backup batteries, three digital cameras, two audio recorders, two new laptops, laser printer, ink jet printer for the road, tablet, car chargers for each electronic device, hot spot, wigs, recorder for home telephone for recorded calls, and of course office supplies and software. I invested every dime back into the business and to pay the expenses of the job. This year, I will make a profit.

@SoCalMama wrote:

I almost never drive more than 75 miles to do a shop. I fly quite often though.

I do lots of bar audits (paying $50-$75 in fees for 90 minutes).
I do hotels with $500 fees, usually 2-3 days at most.
I do special projects internationally. I speak 3 languages fluently and a bit of a handful of others in order to get by.
I do shipping shops for 3 companies. I can do these in my sleep. Love them. Food banks and teacher friends of mine are grateful for what I send.
I do gas station mystery shops. I quit doing the audits 4 years ago. They pay the same as they did in 2000.
I do amusement parks. I am good at it. I like them. They are profitable for me. I end up with enough free tickets at the end of the year to send my kids and 20 of their friends for free between Christmas and New Year's.
I do casino audits. Some clients let me keep up to $1199 in winnings.
I will do about 30 easy peasy food shops a month. My OOP food expenses are less than $20 a month on the road.
I do special projects. I get unexpected calls from people to do one-time or ongoing assignments.
anything in an airport. I fly through no less than 30 airports a year. I will watch for anything to make an extra $100 on a trip


Here's what I don't do:

apartment shops
bank shops (except the 30 second deposit a check shop)
I have done exactly ZERO video shops. I have no interest in being a road warrior, downloading video at a motel in BFE, regardless of how much I could make doing it. Not for me.
car buying, test driving, negotiating etc shops. No interest. $200 for a Porsche test drive. Pass.
purchase / return shops
nursing home shops
"fun & easy" shops
any of the new low priced grocery store shops with more than 3 interactions for less than $25

OK .... I did one bank phone shop for a favor, and didn't really even want to get paid for it. Hourly rate ended up being $7/hour. (insert eye roll here) Within 24 hours, I was offered an all expenses paid international job. Pays not to burn bridges or be an ass sometimes. I know that sometimes, there is no margin and a job needs done. Call me. I'll do it. I know you'll call when you have extra money or a great job. It works.

Hope that helps. I'll edit if I think of anything else.

@Maineman1 wrote:

I'm not sure why everyone gets so uptight when they are asked how much they make. I feel the more important feature of this entire discussion is to discus how to make the most of a not so great situation. It is true that Mystery Shopping is not the highest paying job in the world and that being a ms is not all that glorious but you can make the best of he situation. The key is planning. Obviously the more companies you sign ujp with the more potential you have to make more money. You do have to be selective in not only the company, the shop itself, how far you will travel, how involved the report is, how soon the company pays, can you link jobs together or in other words, set up a route for the day so your travel is minimal. Time and experience will be your best teacher so keep good notes. Also, as I previously stated, the report is important. I have run into some companies who's report is longer than the actual shop, it they pay you well enough, okay, but otherwise avoid them unless you are desperate. Remember, lots of companies don't let you cut and paste your reports.
Another word of wisdom, the later in the month, the more desperate the scheduler is so bonus is the key word and these are negotiable, the scheduler does have some room to work.
Always remember, the shopping company is contracted to complete the contract, they need to get these shops done or else so at times you are in the drivers seat.
With regards to taxes, remember, Uncle Sam doesn't know your schedule, if you can do five shops per day, he doesn't know that you did them as a route so at .50 plus per mile, use your imagination and 'travel from home' for each shop. I did not tell you that.

@Maineman1 wrote:

With regards to taxes, remember, Uncle Sam doesn't know your schedule, if you can do five shops per day, he doesn't know that you did them as a route so at .50 plus per mile, use your imagination and 'travel from home' for each shop. I did not tell you that.

@Angel wrote:

@SoCalMama wrote:

That and the requirement to dress a certain way and send in a photo of yourself dressed that way to be approved. I find that a bit silly actually since I've dealt with a lot of wealthy clients when I worked in a law office and I can tell you that they often go out about their personal business (as opposed to corporate business) dressed like an average joe... I doubt most of them get dressed up to go look at a car, even if it's an expensive one. lol


I am presently shopping for a Chrysler Pacificia. ($39,000 ti $37.000 and can buy it for cash and not miss the money. I dress the way I please. If the salespeople have an issue it is their loss. Many of the people I rub elbows with and are self made wealthy dress as they please also. We di not buy $70 to over $100,000 vehicles as most are not worth the powder to blow them to kingdom come. That is why we are financially comfortable. I also mystery shop because it is an activity done regularly in one's leisure time for pleasure: I dress to the demographic and play the role. The clients applaud me when they send the fee.

Why do I do mystery shops? I am paying forward for to thank those cared enough to comment on my concepts as I was developing them and .

@_shopper wrote:

May I ask, how do you get bonuses? I am a part-time shopper and only hearing this now. Do some companies offer them but others don't? I mainly shop for Best Mark, Intelli-Shop and Coyle. (I have been a long-time hobby shopper and only recently joined the forums) Thanks!

@minkecantrell49 wrote:

Oh for Pete! If you were about to enter a profession which was new to you, would you not research a bit to make sure that it was feasible for you to do? What better place to ask? If I was wanting to be an accountant for the love of numbers and challenges, you better believe I am going to do my research before committing myself, wouldn't you?
These verbal attacks towards a newbie are what potential newbies will read and honestly, it is becoming more and more embarrassing to throw my name on this forum. Do y'al attend the conferences and if so, please tell you don't act this ugly.

@bgriffin wrote:

I am going to reiterate again. Asking how much someone makes is rude. It is much better to ask "what is the range a full time shopper can make?" Or "I need to make $863,000 a year, is this possible with mystery shopping?"

@bgriffin wrote:

I am going to reiterate again. Asking how much someone makes is rude. It is much better to ask "what is the range a full time shopper can make?" Or "I need to make $863,000 a year, is this possible with mystery shopping?"