The shop that does the tire inq went from $15 to $10

This what I do. I will take a low fee of let's say $8 and shop 25 or more of these that are within a 20-mile radius of each other. You all know the shops I am talking about. They take a day. I have made up a quick form that I carry with me that lists the addresses and the route I am taking to each to save time and gas. From the form, it takes 7 to 9 minutes tops to do the shop and another 10 minutes to report it at max. The companies I work for know that I am a full-time route shopper, I ask straight out for travel money or route bonuses. Some say yes, some no. I have to figure out then whether it is worth the drive and effort. For me, this is a business. I am not a lifestyle shopper or part-time income shopper. I think many of the fees are too low, so I agree with you. I have told several companies that I will not do a car sales shop for $17 to $22. The report is too long; one is there for at least 45 minutes to an hour and the report takes about an hour to do, plus driving time, overhead, etc. Several have agreed with me and while the jobs are posted at these low fees, they will add in some extra when they can't get someone else to work for this amount. For many people, this business is a supplement, or something to do to get out of the house. Those $12 grocery store shops, plus $5 fee will give them $17 in groceries. That is great for those who need it. We are all in this business for different reasons. The companies are always trying to sell themselves and many go as low as they can to get the contract. In order for them to make a profit, they offer the lowest fees they can. I understand both sides. I have to evaluate each fee for myself and I have the ability to hit delete or accept. In theory, I totally agree with you. Even the lifestyle shoppers and part-time shoppers would benefit from the increased pay.

I can't believe how many take those TINY $2-$5. shops for calls at home... THEN, you prob have a nice write up which can take an hour............... I don't go there. I love shopping and did an inhouse mystery shop for 7=6 yrs and they paid so well, incl mileage!

You know? I am one of those retirees. I make $840/mo. without mystery shopping. I take what I think is worth it and happy to do it. But when a company offers a revealed job, with 20-30 photos (like one just did) STATING that the job takes a min of 45 minutes and 45 minutes to report the shop, and pays $12.00, I feel insulted. Truly. That is a skilled shop. It takes someone who can dress nice, communicate to a businessman or woman, take MANY clear photos and upload and report in an excellent manner. I tell you, it truly made me not want to do any of their jobs anymore.

@Crickettt wrote:

You know? I am one of those retirees. I make $840/mo. without mystery shopping. I take what I think is worth it and happy to do it. But when a company offers a revealed job, with 20-30 photos (like one just did) STATING that the job takes a min of 45 minutes and 45 minutes to report the shop, and pays $12.00, I feel insulted. Truly. That is a skilled shop. It takes someone who can dress nice, communicate to a businessman or woman, take MANY clear photos and upload and report in an excellent manner. I tell you, it truly made me not want to do any of their jobs anymore.

I know EXACTLY the job and Company this is referring to. I agree....I would NOT do this for LESS THAN $30!! Wayyyyyy to much time and effort involved for $12.00!!

@Crickettt wrote:

You know? I am one of those retirees. I make $840/mo. without mystery shopping. I take what I think is worth it and happy to do it. But when a company offers a revealed job, with 20-30 photos (like one just did) STATING that the job takes a min of 45 minutes and 45 minutes to report the shop, and pays $12.00, I feel insulted. Truly. That is a skilled shop. It takes someone who can dress nice, communicate to a businessman or woman, take MANY clear photos and upload and report in an excellent manner. I tell you, it truly made me not want to do any of their jobs anymore.

I would really encourage everyone who does a shop like this, only to find out how much work and time is involved for such low pay, to be honest with the MSC about what you think about the pay. I have straight out told some MSC's/schedulers that I've done certain shops before and I won't do them again below a certain fee because of the time and reporting requirements and I tell them approximately how much time it took to do both, plus the amount of driving involved, etc. Some times they need to really have a reality check from shoppers.

You are correct! If all shoppers would just stand together and not accept jobs that are menial in pay, then the companies MUST raise their wages. I challenge ALL shoppers to stop taking these low wages and pass over them when they are sent and to even reply to the company that they need to offer more to get MY business

Shoppers on this forum are a small group. Unfortunately, you can't challenge ALL shoppers here. Wish you could, but you can't.

@Aliasllt wrote:

I challenge ALL shoppers to stop taking these low wages and pass over them when they are sent and to even reply to the company that they need to offer more to get MY business

Hey, MDavisnowell, I'm not sure how you regard your refusal of a $17 bonus instead of $20 a win for you. The way I see it, you gave up both the shop fee and the bonus. Obviously you didn't really want to do the assignment anyway; and I'm sure the MSC found someone else to do the job - maybe even without paying a bonus. So I'd chalk that one up as a win for the MSC.

Hey, Hutch, I see where you're coming from but it's a win for me because it was worth $20 extra to me to make that long drive. It was only worth $17 bonus to them to get it done. I know we're talking about about three dollars. I got that part. It's no more ridiculous for me to refuse over three dollars than it is for them to refuse to pay three dollars. That line of amazement runs both ways.

They immediately put that job on their board with a $17 bonus and it's still there days later. Apparently that $17 bonus is not evaluated as a gee whiz hot dog offer by the shoppers in my area.

I'm sure someone will pick it up, if they happen to be going there, or going near there. $17 is a nice bonus, but it's nothing special when I consider going from here to there. But hey, if I find something else up that way and that $17 is still on the board, I'll pick it up. In the meantime, I'm proud of myself.

Also, I was able to pick up $44 in bonus work in the opposite direction and was able to accept it because I was not committed elsewhere. That accidentally worked out.

Yea for me.

I believe the status in Nevada is the result of "private investigator" license requirement. And no, we don't want to go there.
It is quite simple as you point out. We make the decision whether to take the assignments or not. If enough of us do not, the fee will change.
But-they do add up. I may not take one, but a few on the same route -yes.

Mystery shoppers don't get private investigator licenses to work in Nevada. It is some other type of license or certification.

Hay is cheaper once it has gone through the horse. If the MSC's want a quality job they must pay more. If they want a the shopper to take money out of their pocket to drive 100 miles for a $20 fee and the shopper is stupid enough to take the deal their should be a law that protects the stupid. As we are entrepreneurs we can set our own prices and The MSC'S can pick our pockets BUT ONLY IF WE LET THEM!.

There are people who will risk their lives at a minimum wage job in a convenience store or gas station knowing it is only a matter of time before they are held up at gun point. They should get "Combat pay". There are shoppers who will drive into neighborhoods and put themselves at risk. Life is not fair.

You are where you want to be. If you did not want to be there you would find a way but only if you quit making excuses. George Elliot said, " IT IS NEVER TOO LATE TO BE WHAT YOU MIGHT HAVE BEEN". The examples are plentiful of people who got it together You are six inches away from changing your life. The six inches lie between your ears where your brain is. .Take the leap! You can do it! Sorry I will not attend your Pity Party if you do not help yourself.

You can have everything in life you want if you will just help enough other people CHEERFULLY, INTELLIGENTLY AND WITH INTEGRITY. If you have screwed that up and your reputation is shot you can change. No one wants to be abused,mislead or cheated. That is the "secret" of success..Be cheerful do not abuse people. Get educated so you do not mislead people and do not attempt to make money by cheating people.You will find people will want you to help them if you do it with a smile, do it correctly and do it honestly . People will reject you are nasty.It is your choice. Choice and common sense are wonderful things.

Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 05/18/2016 06:22AM by Piled Hip Deep, PHD.

No, NV shoppers are also independent contractors. They just need to be licensed, which is easily obtained with fingerprinting paying a fee. I have done restaurant reviews in Las Vegas.

Others have said they are employees so taxes are taken out of pay. Is that not correct?