Does anyone else have trouble getting AA to assign you shops? I apply every month and have never been assigned a single shop. I know that these kinds of shops (e.g. aquariums) typically are very involved and lengthy, and maybe they don't want to assign them to someone who hasn't shopped for them before, but they won't even give me a chance to. I've done similar shops for a different MSC, so I don't doubt I can do it; I just need to convince them of that... Also, these are the only types of shops they have in my area, so there aren't any simple ones that I can do to prove my competency.

Anyone run into this?

I gave up after I found out part of the pay is paying for parking four times in and out of the lot. All comes out of the shopper fee.

It can be difficult to get assigned. Lots of people apply. You might try on least popular days.
Yes, the report is lengthy. You might ask the scheduler for tips. I have had them ask if I could do an emergency shop and I was able to do it. Since then, I've had no problems. They have been very workable and try very hard to accomodate if I'm not able to get everything they need but have a good reason for not having it. I can usually back up anything because I document things pretty well.

I look at that it is a day out that I can get a huge discount for doing something fun with my kids. They love it.

I was assigned one of their shops, a Saturday. I was very nervous about doing it, as it was VERY involved, with multiple things to do and remember. They called and cancelled, telling me my assignment was for the following day, Sunday, when I had absolutely been assigned on Saturday. I haven't volunteered for one of their assignments since.

Robinv

Was wondering what's happening with these folks. We are at the end of the summer season and.... NADA I have not seen a single thing anywhere posted in 2013. Have they gone out of business? Even in heavy tourism states like Florida, I have not seen any listings for 2013.

I have been trying to get amusement parks in Southern California and the list is very long. Every month I would try and nothing. I told my 24 year old daughter she might enjoy this and she got a shop the first try. This was her first mystery shop and I tried to warn her to prepare and be careful. She spent over 100 dollars that day with parking, a tube rental, meals, snacks, a gift store gift AND she had to buy one full price ticket for a companion at the window. This was a water park and tons of photos were required. She failed to get names or proper descriptions of two workers and her shop was rejected.

I've not wanted to continue with them after this.

They are very discerning it what they will accept for the reporting. The guidelines are very detailed and they expect that back in their reports. This is not a shop for a newbie. I do several shops a year for them and have never had any issues with payment. They have given me constructive criticism about some of the staff pictures I have taken and it ahs been appreciated. They did just hire more schedulers and not having a relationship with the new schedulers ahs made it harder to get some shops. I hope once they get to know me, things will go back to being smoother on getting the jobs end.

They absolutely have shops, it just depends on area. There have been tons of postings in Ohio the last week or so, with generous incentives, etc. But then again there are at least four locations (off the top of my head) that they shop in Ohio, so that is probably part of it.

I would LOVE to take a shop with them, as I am a theme park nerd, but I can't justify the out of pocket expense.

I have completed several shops with them. No problems. They choose the shopper based upon a variety of factors so if you keep getting turned down it might be because you don't fit the demographic or that there are several shoppers in your area that they work with who have seniority and they know will do a good job.

I too have done many shops for them but limit it to only one or two per year as most are a distance away, take all day and I have to find someone wanting to go with me. Each shop differs as to payment. I don't do the amusement parks where you get free tickets for pay as I don't plan on visiting other than for mystery shops. But the museums, zoos, etc all pay cash. If you only go with one other person, as opposed to a group of kids you need to feed etc, it is possible to underspend. It is also imperative that you start out early....10 AM seems to work...to get all the stuff done. I have never had a shop with pictures but maybe they have added that since my last one a few months ago. They allow coupons and I generally use a 2 for 1 to get into the venues....purchase just one item at each food place and make a meal that way. If you purchase pencils or postcards where ever possible you will also end up with some money at the end. I am available weekdays and that seems to work well to get jobs assigned in addition to which it is easier to do the job when the place is not overrun with people. If you request as many dates as you can possibly do that will help in getting assigned.
Some areas only have one venue so if you live there you will have lots of competition...In my state there are multiple venues.

I did an Amusement Advantage my first week of mystery shopping. Big Mistake. My husband and I were so nervous we were snapping at each other the whole time and didn't even enjoy the experience. The report took me several hours to complete and I wanted that $5 bonus so I stayed up super late filling it out! Wish I had known about this forum when I first started! I would have known better!Anyway, I made it through and got paid.
I did another one a few months later, knowing what I was getting into and it was a much more enjoyable experience. All of the expenses do come out of your fee, but my latest shop had a bonus (to be out in the 100+ degree weather) so I still made a $50 profit.

They have been good to me. Easy to work with. The reports are very detailed..

I have zero interest in doing any of these assignments. I briefly entertained the notion of signing up for a zoo shop until I read the guidelines which required something ridiculous like spending 10 hours there, and another 4-5 hours on the report, all for paltry reimbursement. I'd much rather spend my money at the zoo and have a relaxing time with my kids then have to worry about various gift shops, drink stands, obtaining employee names, etc. I can't believe people really want these assignments, but to each their own

Phoebe70 Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> I have zero interest in doing any of these
> assignments. I briefly entertained the notion of
> signing up for a zoo shop until I read the
> guidelines which required something ridiculous
> like spending 10 hours there, and another 4-5
> hours on the report, all for paltry reimbursement.
> I'd much rather spend my money at the zoo and
> have a relaxing time with my kids then have to
> worry about various gift shops, drink stands,
> obtaining employee names, etc. I can't believe
> people really want these assignments, but to each
> their own

Phoebe, those of us who want these assignments do not think they are difficult. I find them to be fairly easy...time consuming but if I went to these venues I would spend time there anyway...going with only one other person I think would be ideal.

I, too, am afraid to shop them because of the out of pocket expense. I'll have to wait until next summer when my kids come visit and something fun pops up to go do!

*Update*

I had emailed AA before I made my OP and I received a response from them on Tuesday. The email explained that since I hadn't completed this type of shop for them, they were hesitant to assign such an involved/detailed shop to me (exactly what I figured). She then mentioned that since my profile showed excellent writing skill, that I should apply for September shops and they'll give me a shot if any of the dates align. I have to say, I'm pleased with the response I received and will definitely be keeping AA in my list of MSCs.