I have just completed my third casino shop, all shift shops, and am interested in learning from the experienced casino shoppers out there what you find attractive about them? Apparently they are some of the most coveted assignments in the MS business.

Personally I have found them to be stressful, particularly the parts that require you to simultaneously keep track of timings, names and specific greetings/departing comments for the table game area which can involve interactions with the dealer, beverage server, floor supervisor, and host all in very rapid succession.

I also find the compensation for the amount of work involved to be quite low. On my most recent assignment my wife and I spent three hours on the property and I spent another eight hours typing the next day.

I have seen job announcements for casino shops that involve interactions requiring up to 2 nights stay in the property's hotel. They look to be infinitely more complex with only marginally better fees. All the announcements I have seen state that the MSC will not pay travel costs..

So, what's the attraction? Am I shopping for the wrong company or am I just expecting too much? Any advise would be welcome.

I would say that not all casino shops are the same. The fees are almost all poor, but that's not the attraction for me.

My favorite casino shop not only allows me to keep my winnings, but also covers my losses and travel with a check sent to me in advance or the shop! It covers 3 nights at the resort with a bunch a restaurant and is a ton of work, but the payoff is in taking the gamble out of gambling. I'm guaranteed a mini-vacation at no cost, yet still have the potential to come home a winner.

I also really like gaming, eating and drinking, so an assignment that requires me to play a variety of table games and machines on a full stomach while ordering liquor is pretty much built to make me happy

I did one casino shop, but admittedly I bit off more than I could chew. I wasn't familiar with the casino, and the instructions were vague and confusing. I spent 10 hours in a VERY smoky building, with very poor ventilation or air circulation. I filled out the report the best I could, but it wasn't good enough and I did not get paid. Then spent the next 5 days recovering from not enough oxygen or fresh air for an extended period of time. Needless to say I never went back, and I've never done another casino shop.

I think it's somewhat important that you like the environment of casinos if you are going to take the shops....otherwise it's just going to be painful.

I used to do casino shops all the time with one particular msc. They were so easy, 4 questions each interaction. You could keep your earnings. The food allowance was great, as was the gift shop. You could pick and choose which interactions you wanted to do (slot attendant, buffet, gift shop, tables, coffee shop, hotel, etc).

Then the casino switched to a different msc. All of a sudden you couldn't keep any of your earnings. The food and gift shop reimbursements were a joke. Reports more involved, and now you have to do all the interactions (17 total) in one day. The bar shops couldn't be shopped until after 11 PM.

Guess who no longer does shops for this particular casino?

SteveSoCal, when you mentioned that the MSC sent you travel money in advance, was it based on mileage or are you talking about air travel. I live in an area of the country where most of the casinos are quite some distance for me to travel. Also I would not even consider another one without the participation of my "guest." She has been invaluable in helping me to remember names, hair color, height, greetings etc. A travel allowance for one person only, would mean I'd be in the hole right from the start.

The MSC for which I completed my most recent assignment indicated in their training materials that travel was sometimes paid, but all the postings I have seen for them say that the company will not reimburse travel. Maybe I need to move on and look for another company. I'm not asking for names, just an observation.

When I was a new and naive shopper I did several casino shops in Atlantic City. I didn't know what I was getting into, but I love to gamble and figured why not get paid while I do it. I remember using an old hand held voice recorder that had a tape in it and running to the restroom after each of the many interactions. I probably was NOT supposed to be using a recorder in a casino, but ignorance is bliss, as they say. Well, we all know what happened to NJ casinos and I don't believe the ones I did are shopped any longer, at least I don't see them. I was good at finding the table numbers and slot machine #'s as they were required. It was a lot of work and I believe it helped prepare me for shops I did and do currently. Ah, when I was so much younger, I didn't think twice before jumping into crazy things. When I think of some of the shops I have done years ago, I don't know whether to laugh or shutter. Have fun if you do one and it does help to have a companion.

@OHGuy wrote:

SteveSoCal, when you mentioned that the MSC sent you travel money in advance, was it based on mileage or are you talking about air travel.

I received air travel to Vegas, but only for casinos that included a hotel component, and only for me. I use air miles for my guest. Some of the local ones in CA pay a flat fee that includes travel expenses. It's only a few hours drive to most of them for me.

There was only one client that sent me the travel and gambling expenses in advance. They were based out of Nevada but the shop was for a CA based casino. It's NOT the norm.

You should probably look into different MSC's though.

Speaking of Casino's, I'm finally renewing my Nevada work card as I plan on working there a lot...Casino's here I come....see you at the slots Steve!!

The ploy is the pssibility of winning big.

Avoid CHC for casino shops. Long, tedious reports with lousy pay.

@DareWright wrote:

Avoid CHC for casino shops. Long, tedious reports with lousy pay.

Somebody also mentioned that you need a drink receipt from slot servers!

It really depends on the client. I do a few that pay travel but don't let you keep winnings. Others have a flat fee and no separate travel, but let you keep winnings of up to $1199.
Yet another advances gaming funds, others send payment for losses in 14 days. I did a few where I went to the cage and an envelope of cash was there for me.
Best ones I ever did gave me 7-10 day cruises for two adults plus travel. I picked the cruise line and port. Only interactions required were in the casino.

I'll probably never do one again. It was nice getting a $100 check but of course the person I was with expected a hand out. Too many interactions for my memory. I'm good with up to three or four people but 8 was too much and remembering exactly what they said was beyond stressful.

@ DareWright 500 1y
Avoid CHC for casino shops. Long, tedious reports with lousy pay.

you definitely got that right. a 1000 foot pole shop.

Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 09/27/2016 08:21PM by SS4U.

I do not live in NV or NJ, so my experience is relying only on "day shops" here in Arizona.

Know this: After I start writing up the report, I always whine that I will NEVER EVER do another casino shop. But call me a sucker for punishment, because yeeup, I'm back the next month.. (in fact, I am working on the days for October that we are open so the AM can assign us, LOL)

Normally we will complete 2 casinos back to back. We do not have a set time we have to *stay* there - such as 8 hours, or 11 PM - 3 PM. My husband does 3 per month, I do 3 per month. He and I work in tandem doing the shops. I will have my cell phone, and after each interaction, I text the information to his phone, so I now have the info and the "time" of the interaction. The only time I don't pull out my phone is when we are at the table games, as you cannot. (which I found out when a dealer kindly informed me)

When the shop is assigned in my name, I am the one who goes to the Players Club, and asks all of the questions of the employees/interactions. When the shop is assigned in my DH's name, he is the one who will complete the interactions. Same for the gambling - in my name, I do the gambling, in his name, he does the gambling. We don't combine winnings & losses (that's cheating the MSC & Client). Now, of course the other will play. I'm cheap, so I usually will only spend $10, but whomever is the "non-shopper" gets a small allowance of course.

The Shopper's "gambling money to lose for reimbursement" is what each of us is reimbursed from the previous month. eg: DH was reimbursed $55 in August at Casino A - so he had $55 to play at Casino A in September. At Casino B, I was reimbursed $60 in August, so I had $60 to play with at Casino B in September.

Basically, the reimbursement is our "fun money" for the month. Even though I have to write up the reports - I at least get paid for it. We don't go out much, we can't afford to do so. By going to the casinos - even as a shop - we at least can get out of the house and have some "fun time".

There are typically 9-11 interactions per casino for the shops that we do.

Since DH and I have been doing these for months together, we know exactly which way to proceed on the shops. We've recently changed things up. Our two biggest issues: (1) making sure we interact with a different employee each time; (2) trying to come up with another "open-ended question" to ask the employees. We feel like we have run the gamut of questions to ask Casino Employees, LOL! (if anyone reading this has any suggestions, please post!)

The hardest part is the write up of the report. The report is due within 24 hours. I have never, ever, ever turned in a report in less than 36 hours. I just cannot get it completed. When we get back from the casino, I need the next day to literally decompress. Some of the report forms have over 500 questions on them, including narratives on the interactions. I think that of all of these shops, all of the questions and narratives, I've only had 2 questions from the editor over the past 10 months. Both were clarifications on the names. It just so happened that one of the servers had the male spelling of her name, and the other question was because a tech and valet both had the same - unique - name.

If you can get past the fear of not remembering the interaction and what was said, the time, etc - then they really are not that bad. I personally don't mind narratives, I actually LIKE writing up the narratives. If you are not a narrative person, then they are not for you.

I'm surprised the MSC lets you do them back-to-back, knowing that it's really an extension. I'm with you on the "I'll never do another casino" only to find myself drawn in again, usually by bonuses. I did two yesterday that were 100+ miles at the base rate (!) because I was counting on a bonused shop that didn't come through. Guess the goodwill from the scheduler will have to suffice there. For me, one of the biggest draws is that most of the casinos here have great food. It's a dinner shop with a fast-food level write-up. The gas station at the Indian casino is usually the only place I win (because the MSC reimburses the gas), even though I'm a decent poker player. All but one of the casinos in driving distance have horribly tight slots, so no joy there. I don't gamble my own money unless I'm on a cruise, and then only on the first night, but it's nice to play with someone else's.

ETA: I don't buy the scheduler's hype that they are highly coveted and hundreds of shoppers apply for them. They are often bonused in my area, especially the late shift.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 09/28/2016 01:09AM by PasswordNotFound.

PNF

@ wrote:

I'm surprised the MSC lets you do them back-to-back, knowing that it's really an extension.

Sorry - did not clarify - it's *not* at the same casino or an extension. Two of the 3 are within 10 minutes of each other. So when I say back-to-back, I mean that DH will do Casino A from 11 - 1, and then we will drive to Casino B from 1-3, which is in my name. Casino C is on the other side of the city and a good 45 minute drive from A & B, so Casino C is always a solo trip. Once at the beginning of the month and once at the end.

We both do not do Casino A, B, or C on the same day. I actually do not let the AM schedule us on the same days of the week. She and I have discussed it. We do our best to swap days of the week every month along with time frames.

We've actually (finally) started to get promo coupons now, so we use those for brunch, lunch or dinner, depending on our time we go. This casino shop does not have a meal included, as the restaurants are all sub-contractors in the casino and not the actual casino employees.

I'm thinking about getting my Nevada work permit, but haven't decided. It's a 6 hour drive for us if we were to go up to LVNV for the weekend, but I don't know if it would offset it. I haven't taken the plunge and done a hotel shop yet, LOL, so that is another factor.

If you think of any open-ended questions that you pop off to the Casino employees, would you PM me some?

Since we've done so many the AM for the Casinos that we do gives us the okay to ask our own Casino related questions. I'll send you some that we've used, if you also have the option to ask any type of question of an employee.

Thanks!

@SoCalMama wrote:

Somebody also mentioned that you need a drink receipt from slot servers!

Yes, you need drink receipts from the slot servers and the table servers. You are reimbursed $5 for a drink. You are limited to one alcohlic drink per day, so if you're evaluating several bars at the casino you must order soda. Here's the kicker...there are free soda machines all over the casino! No one is going to go to a bar and pay $3 + tip for a soda..

You are reimbursed $5 at the gift shop. The only thing you could buy there within that limit is a postcard, a can of pop, or a candy bar. The last msc for this casino reimbursed $19 for the gift shop.

CHC casino shops are on my 1,000' pole list!

Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 09/28/2016 02:03PM by DareWright.

The best Casino shop I did was the Indian Casino in Palm Springs where they fed ex $300.00 to gamble the .25 slots. Lots of fun and not having to put out my money was a definite plus. Problem with the Indian Casinos compared to Vegas is the smoking, where Vegas has non smoking sections and better air filter.

I haven't done them for CHC (and from this thread am unlikely to do so). I can't imagine asking the slot server for a receipt. What's the reasoning there? They have everything on camera, and it's a huge red flag. As for the soda at the bar, if you order tonic water and lime, that's not available on the floor. Or, if you need to order a mixed drink at each bar (because you're watching the pour), you don't actually have to drink it. You can just put the drink to your lips over and over again.

Irene, that sounds like a lot of fun! I did one earlier this month where the MSC gave a whopping $5 for the slots. That's really not enough time for the server to get to you, let alone return with the drink. Even with minimum bets and reading the payout information screens, I ended up gambling some with my own money (fortunately hit on the last spin so didn't lose any). Why were they having you spend $300 on slots?

@PasswordNotFound wrote:

I haven't done them for CHC (and from this thread am unlikely to do so). I can't imagine asking the slot server for a receipt. What's the reasoning there? They have everything on camera, and it's a huge red flag. As for the soda at the bar, if you order tonic water and lime, that's not available on the floor. Or, if you need to order a mixed drink at each bar (because you're watching the pour), you don't actually have to drink it. You can just put the drink to your lips over and over again.

Irene, that sounds like a lot of fun! I did one earlier this month where the MSC gave a whopping $5 for the slots. That's really not enough time for the server to get to you, let alone return with the drink. Even with minimum bets and reading the payout information screens, I ended up gambling some with my own money (fortunately hit on the last spin so didn't lose any). Why were they having you spend $300 on slots?

Wanted to see if machine paid off and how much. This was a competitor shop, I haven't seen it since.
Fun thing was, I did win, so kept me going a long time, eventually lost it all.

I recall another requirement, and that was to go to the high limits slot room for 15+ minutes, observing, and hoping the 30.00 reimbursement would even last 5 minutes, considering it's 5.00 minimum a spin, and hoping not to get outed either by staff or security.

We just completed another Casino last night.. Since it was in my name, I walked over to the Gift Shop to complete that interaction and my DH was spending his fun money.

DH was "supposed" to come walking over so we could meet up. Um, yeah, well, that never works.. Anyway - I go walking around trying to find him, and look over at one of the electronic Craps games.

There was DH...

....surrounded by 3 slot techs.

My husband broke the machine. AND, he was the roller, so meanwhile, no one else could play either.

What was funnier? Watching how the machines get fixed. We even asked if the slot techs would care for a hammer, which got a good laugh.

We do them. I use a pocket digital recorder and a lapel mic. If you bring the family and organize well ahead of time its a free trip that they get to enjoy while you work.

And if the work you are doing is great, you'll get asked to do the multiday with much higher compansation.

1000' pole...yup....i don't answer calls from that MSC scheduler anymore...too tedious work!

I had one requirement on a casino shop to buy into a poker game which turned out to cost $100.00 to buy into the game with a bunch of shady looking characters. I would not do it. I did not get paid for that particular portion of the shop.

The best thing that ever happened to me in my mystery shopping career was being invited to shop the elite facilities and programs for a casino (including a spa treatment each visit). I loved it. Nobody told me I could only use my elite status for shopping, so my family and I spent a great year enjoying free pool cabanas (when unrented), a lovely bar and lounge, food credits, and concert tickets. Unfortunately the casino changed hands and no longer used my msc.

Nobody has even given me money to gamble with until I recently did a multi-day casino resort that covered losses of $20 for slot machines and $50 table games (3 of each), but any winnings had to be returned. I found it stressful to have to worry about losing too much along with all the interactions, especially when I had to wait for a beverage server.

Also,of course,when you shop a casino a few times you start getting the casino's monthly mailers with "free play," food credits and hotel stays. Those coupons do a lot to compensate for low pay. But I also just love casinos, and will probably continue trying any new opportunities I find.

Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 10/01/2016 06:45PM by linderruth.

The one and only shop that Intelli offers that I love is a casino shop. For the casino in my area that they shop, I have to attend a comedy show where I have to eat and drink, have a bar interaction, visit a dining outlet, complete 3 slot machine attendant interactions, and have 2 cocktail server interactions while gaming (I also have to assess the players club and ticket office). For the slot interactions, I have to put $75 into the machine and play a minimum of 30 minutes each time. Whatever comes back out of the machine is mine to keep and I still get reimbursed the $75. Quite often I have a good portion of that money left after 30 minutes and sometimes more. The shop pays $20 and gets bonused pretty often so I generally make a pretty good bit of money plus reimbursement for an evening of food, drink, and fun. The comedy act is usually pretty good, too. I didn't find the write up too bad. Takes me a few hours sitting at my computer in my houserobe the next day.

If you don't use the app 'shop it' you need to. It can record and time and I find it to be a very valuable tool.

hmm... typed in Shop it for the app and nothing that comes up seems to fit the app you are mentioning..