I have always understated my income. Didn't want to let them know how much I really make. Does it really give you better shops if you state your real income? I didn't think it would make a difference. So I need to see if I need to state the correct amount?
granny j

A couple of years ago I got a pop up when I applied for a job indicating I did not meet the income requirement. The requirement was not stated in the requirements for the job in the posting. I went into my profile on the site and saw that I too had seriously understated income. Correcting that, I went back and was able to sign up for the job. For many/most jobs it probably makes no difference, but obviously for some jobs it does. As I have checked profiles from time to time I have updated them to current income and other demographic info and equipment.

Why would they care what your other income is?

Some jobs need to have certain demographic characteristics for their shoppers. The idea is that you want shoppers who are as close to what would normally be expected as a client of the business. Just as it doesn't make sense to send a 50 year old into a gas station to see if they get carded when they try to buy cigarettes, it doesn't make sense to send somebody into a shop situation where they wouldn't "fit". Our value systems do vary with our age, income and educational levels.

When a client operates a restaurant that is geared to the 30 somethings who are upwardly mobile young professionals, I certainly would not fit in as a 60+ early retiree. If the menu is vegan, I also don't comfortably fit. And yes, I have done some of these shops though I felt awkward and conspicuous. You will do your best observations when you feel comfortable in the situation. The ideal shop for a shopper is a place where they would normally go anyway.

In a pinch I did a particular resort for a company. I felt very awkward because the guests were either newly weds or second honeymoon 40-50 year olds and all of the activities of the resort were geared for pairs. I was sent there as a single. I had to quickly construct a reason for being there that was credible and would perhaps keep the blinking neon lights from flashing "MYSTERY SHOPPER" over my head. I was awfully glad when that one was over, though it was rather amusing watching guests make idiots of themselves. To add to the "out of place" feeling, this was a place that folks were paying close to $1000 per night for a room and about $80 per person for a simple breakfast. Definitely not how I would choose to spend my funds. But I'm not sure that any shopper even in the age range and income range to do this shop as a "natural" thing would have been comfortable as a single there.

You get most of your shops by phone, you said. I suspect most of us get what I get, mass emailings. If I don't feel comfortable in a situation, I don't sign up. Are MSP's calling specific people based on their applications? I was thinking in reverse. I figured if I showed that my income has been reduced, they would see that I was really motivated to get shopping money as a supplement.

I can't do resorts and upscale restaurants, but I normally don't eat at fast food places either. I'm lost. Mwaahhh.

Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 03/22/2008 11:37PM by sneakers.

Many of the shops I get involve one or more phone conversations along the way. I too get the mass emails and sometimes find reasonable stuff in the stack. Even if a shop is not personally interesting or in my comfort zone I am sometimes willing to do it for the challenge of the game. But there are some that are just a little too far fetched. It does break my heart that I am out of the age range to take the GMAT because I get a kick out of puzzles and tests.

As far as income showing motivation, don't kid yourself. Warren Buffet is one of the richest men in the world and also one of the most motivated around to do better. I don't know that I have ever met a single person, no matter how wealthy, who felt they had enough and didn't need to earn more.

I'm not kidding myself; I'm being naive.

Yes, but naive is so CUTE (chuckle).

There are some things that are none of their business. Income is one of them. Represent yourself as one of the group you wish to shop as. If you are comfortable in a $150 restaurant; you will not get it if your income says 20k. I often do spas and jewelry shops. I represent myself as well below what I made in my previous life, and as well above what I make now.

Do you think someone who makes 60k is going to Mystery Shop?

Beth

I'm much too old to be cute!

Beth--Do you skip the income line on applications?

In my first previous life I might have been comfortable in $40 restaurant, except that would be maybe $60 now, 35 years later. In my next incarnation, I was comfortable in a $20 restaurant, but that was 20 years ago. Now I rarely eat out, but I don't eat fast food either. If the MSC is paying the bill, I can be comfortable anywhere I can wear jeans. Hee-hee.

Anyone see the one asking for someone with a $75K income to shop for a watch? As you said, why would they be MSing?!!??!!

Change your signature, Beth. You write much too well to be an editor.

Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 03/23/2008 11:18PM by sneakers.

Ok, I would love to do High end Restaurants and spa, Which company places those shops? I might be sign up in that company. Also will put my imcome to the higher since I know it would get me better shops. I just don't like everyone know my income, so that's why I understate it.
Do you know which company's like the higher income levels? If I belong to those shops I will raise it.
thanks
jan d

Why would someone with a $75K income be Mystery Shopping? In my case, it's because I like to make a little of my own money. My wife is a physician and I stay home and take care of the kids. If I could fit a job into my schedule, I might do it, but my wife's schedule changes from week to week. There's no way I can fit any sort of traditional work into our schedule, but I can grab a few MS every month.

It's not like I can't buy things I need, but it's nice to have a little money that I made, even if it's $20 or $30.

Sneakers,

I applied for the $75,000yr. Watch shop. The computer told me I wasn't qualified because my income was too low. I got p_____ off. I emailed them and told them in my "second life" (this is my third), I did shop in those places, know fine jewelry and was insulted by this. 4 days later, they assigned me the job. I did it, it wasn't hard, the report was easy and I made $25.00 for 20 minutes in the store. My thinking on this is they are looking for wealthy customers that happen to shop now and then with the object being while in the store, they will buy something, and nothing is less than a grand. Another way to get a customer.....Moral of the story, everything is negotiable.

I'm impressed. I wouldn't know what to ask.

I relied on my past history. That was my life for many years. I told them I was looking for a nice watch for my daughter's 35th birthday, and went into a whole scerio covering all their directions. I have "downsized" as many of us, but, that doesn't mean I can't do their shop. I remeber what is was like to buy nice things. But, of course, I didn't buy the watch.....I wanted to

I had one other shop where you needed a high income to do this restaurant, and again, I got p_____off. That one I didn't repute. I don't think money makes you entitled to shop in certain places...more a matter of good taste and knowing the product. I now have a champange taste, on a beer pocketbook. I have done many high end shops, mostly in Beverly Hills, and because of my history, am not intimadated. We all like nice things....and just maybe, I'll meet a wealthy man and he will take me away from all this.....lol

A knight in shining armor riding a white horse. And pigs can fly.

Badgerman, you are adorable!

I loved the high end jewelry store; made me wonder if 20 to life was worth it. Eating at a high end cafe in the highest end chain I know (it isn't Saks, hows that for subtle) made me wonder why anyone would spent that much on a meal. I didn't even when I had it. The 5k watch store manager was so cute, I wanted to take HIM home. The spa, ahhhhh, the spa. I didn't see any difference than I could do at home, but a pedicure and massage are a real treat.

I would like to comment on your last comment, Sneakers, but I can't get it down to PG rated.

:-)
Beth

PM it to me.

PM it to me. Since it answers shop 4 u's quandary, if it's funny enough I'll PM it to her.

1) Dye your hair blonde. No, I don't know why, but it is essential.

2) Be intelligent, but let him think he is always right.

3) Never complain. Unless it is something he can save you from, so he can pound his chest,

4) We are getting into less PG rated territory. Show cleavage. They think they are buying it. If it is fake, they will know.

5) Poor guys are better........... They don't think they have graced you enough with their presence,

It is 4:20 in the morning, and I was awakened by doing a shop report in my sleep. I was half way out of bed, going to look for a POV, when I realized I was dreaming. But my condo is on a lake, and I can hear the waterfall and smell the breeze, and I am sitting with the coolness against my skin. Who needs a guy?

Beth

I didn't get it....the thread I mean. My answer would be:
1. No need to dye my hair blond.
2. I am intelligent, and show it and he knows he is not right.
3. Cleavage is a good thing, if done with taste and with the right guy and only under dim lights.
4. Poor guys are not better, bring more problems, way too needy and last but not least, why give it away.
5. I have an adorable 5 month old...puppy that is.
6. I was married 17 years, and by choice am single.

If you are insinuating that a man would be another way to "make money". Shame on you two.

Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 03/28/2008 02:30PM by shop 4 u.

A man can be a great way to "make money" under some circumstances:

1) set him up with a printing press in the basement
2) rent him out if he has the physical strength to do hard labor

I could go on but you get the drift . . .

Sounds like we're talking servitude here. LOL
Well, whatever works best, I guess.

Flash, Everything has a price, you'll pay for that printing press, in ways not as easy as mystery shopping.....he he.

HI Joan, How are you doing?

Hi back, S4U. Stressed, as usual.

IMHO, the income question on apps is out of line. In this day and age of layoffs, downsizing, etc., it's not an accurate indicator of a MSer's ability to portray a client's demographic. If I had been MSing two years ago, I would have been indicating 120,000K a year on apps. Today, it's half of that because my husband got layed off from Disney Imagineering after 35 years. But I still have the same house, cars, jewelry, clothes, and life in general (well, sort of), that I had then.

BTW, I didn't know you could leave that space blank on apps.

Joan, Sorry to hear about your husband...we have all been there, somday we'll meet and talk. I agree with the income question. Ridiculous, a person in their prime making 100 grand, one, won't be mystery shopping and won't be making that the time they retire...they still have the experience of their past history and know how to shop with the best of them. I try and have the "same" life, but don't have the security as when married. Find the things you enjoy, and do em.....gonna do my taxes now, so, I'll join you in the stressed dept. We'll see what write off's I can take on my "business".

You can leave the space blank on some and not others.

JoanG and s4U--we're all joking.

---we know you're joking---

Did mine yesterday. Came up with a $59.99 loss on paper because of the $99 gold workshop fee. MSF has a loss/profit poll going. Interesting to see the reality of MSing as a career. I'm not willing to do daily strings of $7 coffee or gas shops in order to show a profit.

I guess I'll need to find a wealthy man to date while my hubby's at work(KIDDING) His chauffeur can drive me to the UPS store. LOL

Edited 2 time(s). Last edit at 03/28/2008 03:49PM by JoanG.

With those huge boxes of balloons.

Iced coffee all this month, ladies. I emailed my scheduler half-jokingly about iced coffee when it's 30 degrees out, and she said "But they don't start until April." I guess she's in Hawaii.

We could do iced coffee in L.A., but I haven't seen them. I'm not with shopnchek or those others that have them. I do Peet's coffee, and love it, best espresso in California.

Joan, That's an idea, get a old guy ready to keel over, have him sign the will (Anna Nicole sytle), and mystery shop for the "love of it"....oh yea! With age comes being non-judgemental, or after having seen so much, none of us should judge another (by the jobs they do).

Just did taxes...lots of writeoffs with this home business. Glad I did it right, got license and all the trimmings. You are allowed to claim mileage one way only. I, like Joan am glad I don't do those strings of 7$ jobs on a daily basis. Too draining. Would rather do 3 at $20.00 a days 4 days a week. Stop supporting the $7.00 jobs, look for higher paying ones....if your as good as you claim on this forum, you shouldn't have to take anything under 10.