I do not understand that with the number of Mystery Shoppers out there that we cannot form some sort of organization that would force these cheap companies to pay more for certain shops. We should not have to wait until they offer a bonus because nobody will do a certain shop and most of the time there is a reason for no one wanting to shop a specific location.
The days of a $5 shop should be over and a minimum set for all shops of $15-$20. Think about it, by the time you leave the house, pay for fuel and your other related car expenses that we take for granted, then do you shop and do your report, then return home - how much time did you spend.
I understand that many of us may be retirees and this is just extra money but why are we being taken advantage of? Did you know that if you do an MSI grocery store the shop fee is $5 plus reimbursement in most states but in Nevada they pay $12 plus reimbursement. Did you know that in Nevada overall the shops fees are higher than in Ohio and Michigan -why?
Also restaurant shops that only reimburse you for food is unfair as when I shopped restaurants in Nevada they also had a shop fee ranging from $15-$35 plus reimbursement.
I love what I do but I just feel like we are all being used and being underpaid for the amount of time we spend on each shop.
To change this type of pay structure we must stand together and show these companies enough is enough!

Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 05/07/2016 03:20PM by tobiz777.

@tobiz777 wrote:

I understand that many of us may be retirees and this is just extra money but why are we being taken advantage of? Did you know that if you do an MSI grocery store the shop fee is $5 plus reimbursement in most states but in Nevada they pay $12 plus reimbursement. Did you know that in Nevada overall the shops fees are higher than in Ohio and Michigan -why?
I love what I do but I just feel like we are all being used and being underpaid for the amount of time we spend on each shop.

U cant compare NV to rest of US. From reading here I thinl NV shoppers R real employees not ics. I think they have whole diff set of rules & limited companies to work 4.

And why should it matter what state you live in? If you think about it then ICS should be paid more than Real Employees since we have to pay the taxes at the end of the year rather than being deducted off pay checks?

@tobiz777 wrote:

I do not understand that with the number of Mystery Shoppers out there that we cannot form some sort of organization that would force these cheap companies to pay more for certain shops.

I understand that many of us may be retirees and this is just extra money but why are we being taken advantage of? Did you know that if you do an MSI grocery store the shop fee is $5 plus reimbursement in most states but in Nevada they pay $12 plus reimbursement. Did you know that in Nevada overall the shops fees are higher than in Ohio and Michigan -why?

I love what I do but I just feel like we are all being used and being underpaid for the amount of time we spend on each shop.
To change this type of pay structure we must stand together and show these companies enough is enough!

It would be very difficult to organize a shopper group to stand together. The closest you might be able to come to organization might be this forum, but the mystery shoppers who read on this forum are only a very small percentage of the mystery shoppers across the country, so convincing members of this forum to organize would likely have very little impact on the fee structure across the country.

I agree with you that many fees are too low, but I disagree that anyone is being taken advantage of. Mystery shoppers are not employees of the MSCs and neither are we required to work for low fees. We choose for ourselves when and how we work, and we choose the fees we are paid. As independent contractors, we pick the jobs and the fees that we choose. We are not ALL "being used and being underpaid for the amount of time we spend on each shop." If you are allowing yourself to be used and underpaid, then you are doing it to yourself.

The pay structure IS different in Nevada. This is because Nevada laws apply special requirements to mystery shopping. Nevada requires a Work Card, which is received after paying $125, taking a test, being fingerprinted and photographed, and having a background check done. Nevada mystery shoppers work as employees for a limited number of MSCs. This employee status appears to generate larger fees. I think it also requires that taxes and SS be withheld.

The MSPA has been fighting diligently against the possibility that this employee status for mystery shoppers might become a reality in all states as it currently is in Nevada. MSPA reps have posted here in the past to try to get shopper support to fight this because they want mystery shoppers to continue to be independent contractors. A limited number of MSCs work in Nevada, so I am guessing if all states moved to the Nevada requirements, it might put many of the smaller MSCs out of business. It would likely result in higher overall fees. It would mean it would be more difficult to become a mystery shopper, and it would require a background check and more skills and abilities screening, so it likely would limit less qualified people, resulting in less competition for many of us.

If you are going to try to organize to fight low fees, rather than try to change the fee structure of individual companies, it might be more effective to organize a group of shoppers to support the types of laws in effect in Nevada.

What do long-term mystery shoppers think: Would there be an overall benefit to mystery shoppers if Nevada employment requirements became the standard?

Here's what I think. I understand the problem but I don't have a solution. Every few weeks someone comes along with encouragement to organize. I'm all in favor of that and if you're able to create an effective organization I'll support you. On the downside, I don't think it's possible since (1) we're not employees and (2) most of us are here to supplement other income and we're relatively unconcerned, or (3) we're here for a burger now and then and we're totally unconcerned.

Having your best interest at heart (I promise), I'm going to recommend that if you're ripped up about the way this business works, the best thing you can do is get a job. Every now and then I consider that, but I always reject the idea. Even with all the issues we face, this is much more preferable to me than a regular job.

Yes, some of the MSCs offer less than I would like to earn, at least on part of their jobs. If a job offers less than I would like to earn, I don't accept that one. I move on to something else. No hard feelings (or at least not really hard). They know what their job is worth and I know what my work is worth. If we don't meet each other, I will find other work and they will find someone else.

I regret you're not happy with the situation but I have a different outlook. My opinion is that anyone who doesn't appreciate the flexibility and self satisfaction of this work doesn't deserve it.

Well from the comments I have just read, I think you may be missing my point. Firstly, I enjoy the flexibility of working when I want and choosing what type of assignment I accept - that is not the issue.
If feel that the MSC are just not paying enough for some of the shops that are available and if you are doing shopping as a part time job then you are stuck with accepting low paying jobs or sitting home. I would just like to see the fees raised and not go the way of Nevada.
As for the Nevada issue, I am licensed in that state and did pay my fees to become a PI as required. The up side is being paid more and they do take out some taxes.
Now when in my home state, as a IC, the pay being lower and then having to be taxed on it even makes the amount you net even lower.

@tobiz777 wrote:

Well from the comments I have just read, I think you may be missing my point.
If feel that the MSC are just not paying enough for some of the shops that are available and if you are doing shopping as a part time job then you are stuck with accepting low paying jobs or sitting home. I would just like to see the fees raised and not go the way of Nevada.
As for the Nevada issue, I am licensed in that state and did pay my fees to become a PI as required. The up side is being paid more and they do take out some taxes.
Now when in my home state, as a IC, the pay being lower and then having to be taxed on it even makes the amount you net even lower.

I think the above posters got your point. Because they disagree, I think you believe they missed your point. You are comparing apples to oranges. If you like the way it is in Nevada, including higher pay scale and more jobs, then why would you not want to see things change across the country?

Most mystery shoppers are unreachable because of the very nature of what we do. Trying to locate and organize the majority of mystery shoppers would be like trying to herd cats. There are valid things you can do rather than trying to ferret out mystery shoppers to organize a protest. Spend a little time analyzing the reason that shopper fees are higher in Nevada and lower everywhere else. Why do you think that is?

Having experience working both in Nevada and in other parts of the country, you have a good view of both systems. Which one works best for you? Which system do you prefer, the one in Nevada or the one in your home state? Is there a downside to the Nevada requirements that offsets the higher pay? Is the independent contractor setup, with lower pay, more advantageous in the long run? I'd love to hear a comparison by shoppers who have worked both in Nevada and in other areas.

tobiz, I don't think I missed your point. Your point, as I understand it, is that the work doesn't pay enough. My point is that some of it pays enough for me. Since I don't do the work that doesn't pay enough for me, I don't have a real problem.

You want to organize and I'm not against it. If you get an organization going, I will pay dues if it shows evidence of being effective. I don't understand how that could happen, since no matter what the MSC offers, someone always accepts. Therefore, I don't see how you or anyone else can force up fees.

This work is useful to those of us who take advantage of its positive features. I've been on this forum since 2010 and have seen multiple threads on this subject. No one has ever been able to do anything. Perhaps you will be the first but I'm sure you can understand why I might have doubts, considering the history I've seen.

I suggest your time would be better spent in attention to your own personal situation. I've heard some mountains are difficult to climb,and I understand the view is not always good, either.

Trying to herd cats! I knew there could be some humor! I am fortunate to have enough shops in my area that the pay is fair. I don't have to travel far! I shop part time. I won't take a shop that is under $10 within a mile from my house. We are independent contractors, each to their own.

@MDavisnowell wrote:

I regret you're not happy with the situation but I have a different outlook. My opinion is that anyone who doesn't appreciate the flexibility and self satisfaction of this work doesn't deserve it.

Wonderfully put, Mary. We're worth what we agree to work for. Someone mentioned earlier (bgriffin?) that there are MS jobs that require few skills and those that require experience and wisdom. You don't have a lot of negotiating room on the first; there's quite a bit on the second. Make yourself valuable if you want to earn what you're worth.

@Jay C wrote:

What do long-term mystery shoppers think: Would there be an overall benefit to mystery shoppers if Nevada employment requirements became the standard?

I'm guessing not in today's business climate. Company A can pay an MSC $25 per report + the cost of their pizza. If a shopper gets $10 of that, the MSC uses the other $15 to operate. Make the shopper an employee and now the MSC's operating costs have to include not only a higher rate, but benefits and other costs of having employees. They have to charge Company B $50 per report now (probably more). A lot of companies, especially smaller ones, would drop their programs while the larger ones would probably move in-house.

tobiz >"As for the Nevada issue, I am licensed in that state and did pay my fees to become a PI as required."

Actually tobiz ...The fee(s) you paid were for a "work card" and you work for/employed by a Private Investigative firm. Your sentence has "as a PI" and I am assuming you mean Private Investigator. Just making sure I read it right... because you work for a PI firm, you are not a PI. (Unless you actually started a PI firm on your own).

RE: Nevada and the "higher fees"

New home video shops that pay $100 elsewhere pay $60 in NV. Retail video shops that pay $65 elsewhere pay $50 in NV. Just a couple of examples that show that just like in other places sometimes the fee is higher, sometimes the fee is lower.

RE: A shopper group FORCING MSC's to pay what we think they should

I'm not even really sure where to start. From the MSC side they should not be FORCED to do anything. It's their business, they can run it the way they want to. If you don't want to do a $5 grocery shop because you think it should pay $25 then I have a fantastic idea. Don't do the $5 grocery shops (I sure as hell don't).

Also, you have to understand there are many types of people who mystery shop. Retirees who just want something to do. Housewives who find this to be the easiest way to make extra money and still work around the demands of running a household. Unemployeed people trying to make ends meet. Professionals who do this for a living. And many other reasons. Speaking from the experience of two of these groups (Unemployed and Professional) neither of those groups would join your shopper union. The former because they need everything they can get and the latter because they know their income would go down.

Here's the thing. When an MSC starts a job at $5 and then 2 weeks later it's at $7 and then at the end of the month it's $25 it doesn't mean they can afford to pay $25 for every shop. To think that is to not have a very good view of the overall picture, or understand how this works. If an MSC has a contract to do !000 shops they might have a pool of money to pay shoppers of $10,000. When 200 of those shops get taken at $5 they now have 800 shops and a pool of $9,000. Then another 500 get done at $7 and now they have $5500 for the last 400 etc etc until they have 50 shops left and $1250 and now they can pay $25 a shop for those last ones. Even if they just threw the shops out there at $10 each they would still have some left over they would no longer have the money to pay for.

And if we FORCE them to pay $15 per shop well that means they have to FORCE their clients to pay more for shopping and many of them just wouldn't find it worthwhile.

Some jobs are not worth it to me and some fees are not worth it to the client. The trick is learning where the two meet and sticking in that sweet spot. Let someone else do the $5 shops if they don't fit your plan.


As far as every state going to the NV style. I would find a new job. I do not want to be an employee. I want there to be more MSCs and not less. The idea that fees would go up if there were less MSCs is simply the opposite of reality.

It's very simple, develop the skills to perform the better paying shops. The shoppers that make big money at this take on opportunities that require higher skills. Video shopping, car shops, audits pay well but require more effort and time.

This millennial mind set of wanting high pay for menial work makes no sense.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 05/08/2016 03:44AM by isaiah58.

It is capitalism. We don't have the right to tell anybody how to run their business. If you don't like it then don't do it. Companies do not need to conform to your desires. You just need to decide if its worth it to you. If its not, then get a different job. People don't start companies with the sole goal of making sure you can get paid what you want to get paid!

Unless your state adopts a model similar to the NV one, there is only one way to get higher fees paid. That is for shoppers to stop accepting the ridiculously low job fees. Whatever reason you may have for accepting a job at low or no fee, you are perpetuating the market for low fees and the low fees will continue.

I average between 80-100 shops each month. I have been shopping in both NV and out of state since 2009, but most of my out of state jobs are video nowadays. Video shops pay closer to what NV video shops pay, and they are a lot more fun.

We are all technically IC in NV (for tax purposes), but in reality, we are employees without medical benefits, paid holidays, or paid vacations. A non-NV IC is also without medical benefits, paid holidays, or paid vacations. The difference is that a NV mystery shopper gets paid more for the same jobs, gets to work for many companies without applying to each one individually, does not care so much about certification or what grade he/she receives on each shop, gets paid bi-weekly, gets W-2s, does not have to pay quarterly double Social Security, needs a license which usually requires a clean background, never fails to get paid timely for a properly completed job, and record keeping is simpler. We are not, as one poster presumed, limited to certain companies in NV. If a company meet the state laws to hire mystery shoppers, we have access to shop that client.

I cannot really think of a downside to NV mystery shopping as compared to mystery shopping in other states. Mystery shopping and the fact that there is no state income tax may be the only factors that are keeping me in NV.

To each his own I suppose. If the other states adopted a model similar to Nevada I would not be a mystery shopper any longer. Sure the base rates ON SOME SHOPS may be higher (I've already given two examples that were not) but the top end is lower and I like the top end. The only difference tax wise is they do pay the employer portion of your FICA. In Nevada you do not get to work for many companies. You get to work for primarily 3, 4 if you are a resident. These companies perform shops for other companies but THEY set the prices and you absolutely are only working for those 3-4 companies. Not "many." Since there are only a few companies it has been my experience that negotiating is non-existant. On top of that cultivating relationships with schedulers and companies that have a similar mindset and are easy to get along with and ignoring companies who do not fit my criteria is one of the cornerstones of running my business. With only a few companies to work with this becomes impossible. Honestly, the 3 companies who operate in NV that I've worked for are not exactly my favorites and the 4th is generally considered the least desirable of them all.

Herding cats? More like herding squirrels that can jump from the tree to the ground, and run along power lines, and steal food from bird houses. Actually, it would be even worse than that. I can identify a cat, and even a squirrel. I have little to no ability to identify a mystery shopper who is doing their job properly. OP, how are you going to find them? Maybe you could start by PMing every person who has responded and tell each of us individually our real name and real email address. If you can do that, then you will have gained a lot of credibility. I have seen estimates that there are something like 700,000 mystery shoppers in the US. Even getting 50% of them would probably not be good enough. Maybe 80% would begin to have an impact on the MSCs, but how many people would stand firm for even a month when they need the income from MSing? Remember, no unemployment insurance as an IC, and not even a union strike fund.

@myst4au wrote:

Herding cats? More like herding squirrels that can jump from the tree to the ground, and run along power lines, and steal food from bird houses. Actually, it would be even worse than that. I can identify a cat, and even a squirrel. I have little to no ability to identify a mystery shopper who is doing their job properly. OP, how are you going to find them?

From reading the many posts on this forum, I am 100% sure that there are some pussies AND squirrels out there. And some of them act like they have been infected with rabies. Good luck herding them all!

@bgriffin wrote:

As far as every state going to the NV style. I would find a new job. I do not want to be an employee. I want there to be more MSCs and not less. The idea that fees would go up if there were less MSCs is simply the opposite of reality.

If every state did that I would have to quit shopping as I work for a security company that also does PI work and they demand that employees do no work for competitors.

@tobiz777 wrote:

And why should it matter what state you live in? If you think about it then ICS should be paid more than Real Employees since we have to pay the taxes at the end of the year rather than being deducted off pay checks?

I don't understand your comments about taxes. Why should we be paid more because our taxes are not being withheld. I actually prefer to pay taxes at the end of the year rather than pay the government what amounts to an interest free loan every pay day. Also I've said this many times, develop a route and don't look at each shop individually. If you have three shops in an area your gas cost is divided by three. I need to eat so a ff shop along the way usually makes sense to me. .

@tobiz777 wrote:

And why should it matter what state you live in? If you think about it then ICS should be paid more than Real Employees since we have to pay the taxes at the end of the year rather than being deducted off pay checks?

Why are you waiting until the end of the year to pay taxes? You should be paying quarterly. And why are you paying taxes? Between my FT job and MS'ing, I always get a refund. If I was to only do MS'ing, I would still get a refund or break even once all the business deductions, mileage, etc are written off.

@Sybil2 wrote:

Why are you waiting until the end of the year to pay taxes? You should be paying quarterly. And why are you paying taxes? Between my FT job and MS'ing, I always get a refund. If I was to only do MS'ing, I would still get a refund or break even once all the business deductions, mileage, etc are written off.

Actually it is not always required to pay taxes quarterly. There are certain IRS rules where it is not necessary. Again, I don't like paying the IRS earlier than I have to.

I have a CPA and a business plan so it works for me. I always get money back.

How low can they go? Try zero!!!

I just clicked on a pizza chain shop and the shopper pay was $0! They will reimburse you for the cost of the cheapest pizza they sell and for a quazi-full tummy of questionable quality pizza, you agree to spend your evening tv-time to fill out their shopper questionnaire. If you hit an editor in a bad mood, you might not even get the reimbursement! While that's not happened to me, I've read the stories here.

Sorry boys -- you need to find another sucker for that one.

I totally agree with you that the industry takes advantage and YES, while we certainly have the option to turn down low-paying jobs, the truth of the matter is that they know that in these hard economic times that many people are out of work or drastically under-employed and therefore desperate for any funds they can get. They therefore take advantage of the situation by paying a pittance for work. To be honest, I suggest that you only take the odd job that you can get a decent fee for (usually when they are desperately trying to fill a job and not before) and start looking at more reasonably paid self-employment opportunities like I have. You can still be in control of your own schedule, which is the big draw of mystery shopping for me, but make better money.

Very well put and clearly explained.
As a retiree bank mgr I pick and choose my assignments. I always enjoy being of help and, provided I am paid what was offered, I feel satisfied with jobs that have a relation to my business background.

Just say no!

I did. I asked for $20 extra. They offered $17 extra. I said no. Yea for me!

The long and short of it is this: As long as people are taking the assignments, there is no need to raise the fees! The ONLY way to get higher fees is if NO ONE takes the lower fees. This obviously for whatever reason does not happen, and I suspect nothing will change going forward.