Why do you think more people don't do this?
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It takes some time at first. You have to spend a lot of time printing and reading the instructions. I remember when I first started 9 1/2 years ago it took me twice as long to do them and I forgot a few things on every shop. My brain is now trained to pay attention to a lot more ALL THE TIME!! I am mystery shopping even when I am not mystery shopping. I am always looking at name tags. My husband (who has been on many restaurant shops with me) and I are always critiquing everyone when we go out to eat. We have to remind ourselves "this is not a mystery shop" at times.
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I could agree with you, but then we'd both be wrong.
I could agree with you, but then we'd both be wrong.
Because collecting welfare is a hell of a lot easier.
I agree with kkalook - I have done the same many, many times over the years, only to hear the same thing over and over again - I need money NOW, not in 3 months, plus I can't afford to pay for it and then wait for my money back. Excuse me??? Most of the OOP are around $5 to $10. I have two days lined up next week when I am driving to visit my mother and it has over $425 worth of reimbursements and shop fees!!! That more than pays for my trip and I only do shops for things I would normally buy, so the reimbursement is added money for me. We are taking the motor home, and 6 of the shops are for around $25 gas each, so that is $150 worth of gas paid for that I would normally be paying OOP anyway. I guess you just have to be a certain type of person who can see the advantages in order to be a mystery shopper, and everyone else wants a regular paycheque.
kkalook Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> I told quite a few people about this and they were
> very excited and wanted more details. I spent
> hours on a guide which included do's and not to
> do's that I learned along the way. They were
> worried about scam companies even though I kept
> telling them the ones I worked with were legit and
> I have not been stiffed by any of them. I even
> gave them a list of some of my MSCs as a
> legitimate starting point. Some of them were
> desperate for money, visited the food pantry and
> received food stamps. Not one of them made a move.
> I refuse to help anyone else out. In the future if
> anyone wants advice, I will tell them to visit
> this forum and figure it out on their own.
kkalook Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> I told quite a few people about this and they were
> very excited and wanted more details. I spent
> hours on a guide which included do's and not to
> do's that I learned along the way. They were
> worried about scam companies even though I kept
> telling them the ones I worked with were legit and
> I have not been stiffed by any of them. I even
> gave them a list of some of my MSCs as a
> legitimate starting point. Some of them were
> desperate for money, visited the food pantry and
> received food stamps. Not one of them made a move.
> I refuse to help anyone else out. In the future if
> anyone wants advice, I will tell them to visit
> this forum and figure it out on their own.
The one thing I hate about mystery shopping as an occupation...I spend it as fast as I earn it. Just yesterday, I did a purchase and return shop. Didn't have to pay anything out of pocket, and I made $13. I ended up including somthing I didn't intend to return in my purchase. Plus I spent $9.90 on dinner while I waited to make the return. It couldn't be helped, I had just came from working out and was famished! lol
Plus to really make money, well, it's not for everybody. I got my mom into it when her unemployment ran out. She said she averages about 2k a month. There are tons of shops in our area, and she does a lot of phone shops to top it off, so she's not constantly out. But wow, I've never made more than a few hundred. I lack the motivation and discipline, as well as the personality she has. I'm shy, and some days I hate that I signed up for a shop that requires no purchase, but demands a business card and/or getting the name of everyone you come in contact with.
That being said, fingers crossed today will go well. I have 7 cell phone shops to do. Did I mention I hate those business card shops? What did I get myself into????
Plus to really make money, well, it's not for everybody. I got my mom into it when her unemployment ran out. She said she averages about 2k a month. There are tons of shops in our area, and she does a lot of phone shops to top it off, so she's not constantly out. But wow, I've never made more than a few hundred. I lack the motivation and discipline, as well as the personality she has. I'm shy, and some days I hate that I signed up for a shop that requires no purchase, but demands a business card and/or getting the name of everyone you come in contact with.
That being said, fingers crossed today will go well. I have 7 cell phone shops to do. Did I mention I hate those business card shops? What did I get myself into????
*applause*
One of the biggest keys to increasing your profit as a mystery shopper: Spend only what you would have anyway, and don't accept shops where the reimbursements are merely break even.
Nobody that shops in any type of volume can do either one 100% of the time, but the more you do, the more that will show up on your bottom line.
That's why I love gas station shops that allow/require fuel to be the only purchase. It's absolutely money that I would have spent anyway. And, in most cases, the mileage to the gas station is now a tax writeoff as a business expense.
coldcoupons Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> We are taking the motor home, and 6
> of the shops are for around $25 gas each, so that
> is $150 worth of gas paid for that I would
> normally be paying OOP anyway. I guess you just
> have to be a certain type of person who can see
> the advantages in order to be a mystery shopper,
> and everyone else wants a regular paycheque.
>
> kkalook Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> > I told quite a few people about this and they
> were
> > very excited and wanted more details. I spent
> > hours on a guide which included do's and not to
> > do's that I learned along the way. They were
> > worried about scam companies even though I kept
> > telling them the ones I worked with were legit
> and
> > I have not been stiffed by any of them. I even
> > gave them a list of some of my MSCs as a
> > legitimate starting point. Some of them were
> > desperate for money, visited the food pantry
> and
> > received food stamps. Not one of them made a
> move.
> > I refuse to help anyone else out. In the future
> if
> > anyone wants advice, I will tell them to visit
> > this forum and figure it out on their own.
One of the biggest keys to increasing your profit as a mystery shopper: Spend only what you would have anyway, and don't accept shops where the reimbursements are merely break even.
Nobody that shops in any type of volume can do either one 100% of the time, but the more you do, the more that will show up on your bottom line.
That's why I love gas station shops that allow/require fuel to be the only purchase. It's absolutely money that I would have spent anyway. And, in most cases, the mileage to the gas station is now a tax writeoff as a business expense.
coldcoupons Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> We are taking the motor home, and 6
> of the shops are for around $25 gas each, so that
> is $150 worth of gas paid for that I would
> normally be paying OOP anyway. I guess you just
> have to be a certain type of person who can see
> the advantages in order to be a mystery shopper,
> and everyone else wants a regular paycheque.
>
> kkalook Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> > I told quite a few people about this and they
> were
> > very excited and wanted more details. I spent
> > hours on a guide which included do's and not to
> > do's that I learned along the way. They were
> > worried about scam companies even though I kept
> > telling them the ones I worked with were legit
> and
> > I have not been stiffed by any of them. I even
> > gave them a list of some of my MSCs as a
> > legitimate starting point. Some of them were
> > desperate for money, visited the food pantry
> and
> > received food stamps. Not one of them made a
> move.
> > I refuse to help anyone else out. In the future
> if
> > anyone wants advice, I will tell them to visit
> > this forum and figure it out on their own.
sferro Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Plus I spent
> $9.90 on dinner while I waited to make the return.
> It couldn't be helped, I had just came from
> working out and was famished! lol
>
Were you a fair distance from home? If yes....I'm not a tax professional, so don't take this as gospel, but I'd take the dinner as a tax writeoff. You were legitimately working as an independent contractor, traveling and it was dinnertime.
On Tuesday, I did a run of 20 gas station audits from 11AM-6PM, including 80 miles of driving. Damn right I'm taking my lunch at 2PM that day as a travel/meal expense write off.
-------------------------------------------------------
> Plus I spent
> $9.90 on dinner while I waited to make the return.
> It couldn't be helped, I had just came from
> working out and was famished! lol
>
Were you a fair distance from home? If yes....I'm not a tax professional, so don't take this as gospel, but I'd take the dinner as a tax writeoff. You were legitimately working as an independent contractor, traveling and it was dinnertime.
On Tuesday, I did a run of 20 gas station audits from 11AM-6PM, including 80 miles of driving. Damn right I'm taking my lunch at 2PM that day as a travel/meal expense write off.
zlinedavid Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> sferro Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> > Plus I spent
> > $9.90 on dinner while I waited to make the
> return.
> > It couldn't be helped, I had just came from
> > working out and was famished! lol
> >
>
>
> Were you a fair distance from home? If yes....I'm
> not a tax professional, so don't take this as
> gospel, but I'd take the dinner as a tax writeoff.
> You were legitimately working as an independent
> contractor, traveling and it was dinnertime.
>
> On Tuesday, I did a run of 20 gas station audits
> from 11AM-6PM, including 80 miles of driving.
> Damn right I'm taking my lunch at 2PM that day as
> a travel/meal expense write off.
Actually, only 50% would be a write off if you are in Canada. Rev. Canada says that no matter where you are you must eat, so you should have brought a sandwich. You can, however, if you are not that organized, eat out and claim half the expense LOL.
-------------------------------------------------------
> sferro Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> > Plus I spent
> > $9.90 on dinner while I waited to make the
> return.
> > It couldn't be helped, I had just came from
> > working out and was famished! lol
> >
>
>
> Were you a fair distance from home? If yes....I'm
> not a tax professional, so don't take this as
> gospel, but I'd take the dinner as a tax writeoff.
> You were legitimately working as an independent
> contractor, traveling and it was dinnertime.
>
> On Tuesday, I did a run of 20 gas station audits
> from 11AM-6PM, including 80 miles of driving.
> Damn right I'm taking my lunch at 2PM that day as
> a travel/meal expense write off.
Actually, only 50% would be a write off if you are in Canada. Rev. Canada says that no matter where you are you must eat, so you should have brought a sandwich. You can, however, if you are not that organized, eat out and claim half the expense LOL.
coldcoupons Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> zlinedavid Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> > sferro Wrote:
> >
> --------------------------------------------------
>
> > -----
> > > Plus I spent
> > > $9.90 on dinner while I waited to make the
> > return.
> > > It couldn't be helped, I had just came from
> > > working out and was famished! lol
> > >
> >
> >
> > Were you a fair distance from home? If
> yes....I'm
> > not a tax professional, so don't take this as
> > gospel, but I'd take the dinner as a tax
> writeoff.
> > You were legitimately working as an
> independent
> > contractor, traveling and it was dinnertime.
> >
> > On Tuesday, I did a run of 20 gas station
> audits
> > from 11AM-6PM, including 80 miles of driving.
> > Damn right I'm taking my lunch at 2PM that day
> as
> > a travel/meal expense write off.
>
> Actually, only 50% would be a write off if you are
> in Canada. Rev. Canada says that no matter where
> you are you must eat, so you should have brought a
> sandwich. You can, however, if you are not that
> organized, eat out and claim half the expense LOL.
That may be the case here in the US too, that only a portion of it is deductible. Either way, however much I can claim is getting claimed.
-------------------------------------------------------
> zlinedavid Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> > sferro Wrote:
> >
> --------------------------------------------------
>
> > -----
> > > Plus I spent
> > > $9.90 on dinner while I waited to make the
> > return.
> > > It couldn't be helped, I had just came from
> > > working out and was famished! lol
> > >
> >
> >
> > Were you a fair distance from home? If
> yes....I'm
> > not a tax professional, so don't take this as
> > gospel, but I'd take the dinner as a tax
> writeoff.
> > You were legitimately working as an
> independent
> > contractor, traveling and it was dinnertime.
> >
> > On Tuesday, I did a run of 20 gas station
> audits
> > from 11AM-6PM, including 80 miles of driving.
> > Damn right I'm taking my lunch at 2PM that day
> as
> > a travel/meal expense write off.
>
> Actually, only 50% would be a write off if you are
> in Canada. Rev. Canada says that no matter where
> you are you must eat, so you should have brought a
> sandwich. You can, however, if you are not that
> organized, eat out and claim half the expense LOL.
That may be the case here in the US too, that only a portion of it is deductible. Either way, however much I can claim is getting claimed.
coldcoupons Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
I guess you just
> have to be a certain type of person who can see
> the advantages in order to be a mystery shopper,
> and everyone else wants a regular paycheque.
>
Certainly it takes a little stepping back after the new shopper rush of trying to do as many shops as possible. There are many potential benefits through reimbursements that bring a lot to the table through saving you money you otherwise would have needed to spend.
I have spent virtually no money on groceries in the past few years that was not reimbursed. I have a dinner out tonight that will pay no fee but will be a 'date night dinner' that will be fully reimbursed. I got the car washed and vacuumed. No fee for it but I didn't have to get out everything, do it myself, and then get everything put away in summer heat. The reimbursement covered all but a buck or two. I stopped along the way to take care of personal business, which is the reason that virtually every mile on my vehicle each year is deductible as a business expense.
Of course it gets to the absurd stage--I'm currently annoyed that I can't find a shop in the shopping center I want to go to to get my new laptop, so those are going to need to be 'personal miles'. But then again, since the laptop is for the business, perhaps I should just deduct the miles anyway.
-------------------------------------------------------
I guess you just
> have to be a certain type of person who can see
> the advantages in order to be a mystery shopper,
> and everyone else wants a regular paycheque.
>
Certainly it takes a little stepping back after the new shopper rush of trying to do as many shops as possible. There are many potential benefits through reimbursements that bring a lot to the table through saving you money you otherwise would have needed to spend.
I have spent virtually no money on groceries in the past few years that was not reimbursed. I have a dinner out tonight that will pay no fee but will be a 'date night dinner' that will be fully reimbursed. I got the car washed and vacuumed. No fee for it but I didn't have to get out everything, do it myself, and then get everything put away in summer heat. The reimbursement covered all but a buck or two. I stopped along the way to take care of personal business, which is the reason that virtually every mile on my vehicle each year is deductible as a business expense.
Of course it gets to the absurd stage--I'm currently annoyed that I can't find a shop in the shopping center I want to go to to get my new laptop, so those are going to need to be 'personal miles'. But then again, since the laptop is for the business, perhaps I should just deduct the miles anyway.
Generally only meals away from your 'tax home' are allowed at the 50% level if you are deemed to be traveling. Generally the 'traveling' relates to needing to spend more than the ordinary amount of work hours away from your 'tax home'. Because we are self employed and most of us use our residence as our 'tax home', one could probably adequately defend a 12 hour route of shops as 'traveling' and therefore be allowed to claim the 50% of meals. IRS recognizes the need for 'substantial sleep or rest to properly perform your duties' as a defining criteria for meal deductions and identifies that naps in the car do not fulfill the criteria. So I would suggest you to go there very cautiously.
I shop to supplement my Social Security check. The older I get, the harder it is. Can't do those long trips these days, can't sit at the computer too long either. My mind is still as sharp as ever, but everything (the shops, the narratives, scanning, selecting photos) just takes so much longer. Oh yes, I'm too old for new car dealer shops too.
OTOH, I get away with outrageous conversations. Conversations were the little old nosy lady asks all kinds of questions of the target. Living in a state where it is legal to tape conversation certainly helps! For descriptions, I tape it all. My Bluetooth ear piece allows me to just chatter away. No one knows that I am talking to myself.
But I do this not just for the money. I do it to keep myself busy, to stay disciplined and sometimes to have fun. I do it for the car wash, the gas, the groceries and the free meals.
OTOH, I get away with outrageous conversations. Conversations were the little old nosy lady asks all kinds of questions of the target. Living in a state where it is legal to tape conversation certainly helps! For descriptions, I tape it all. My Bluetooth ear piece allows me to just chatter away. No one knows that I am talking to myself.
But I do this not just for the money. I do it to keep myself busy, to stay disciplined and sometimes to have fun. I do it for the car wash, the gas, the groceries and the free meals.
The big thing I've had from people is that this must be too good to be true. You know, getting scammed and whatnot. I do let 'em know there is work involved and I am glad I have a gym membership to counteract some effects, too.
I went to lunch with a gal back in April whom I referred to MF, so I ought to check if she's gotten started.
I, myself, take forever to get started with a new company. I just started doing shops for about three companies I signed up for back in 2009(?), I believe.
I went to lunch with a gal back in April whom I referred to MF, so I ought to check if she's gotten started.
I, myself, take forever to get started with a new company. I just started doing shops for about three companies I signed up for back in 2009(?), I believe.
TIL (Today I Learned) that OOP means Out Of Pocket.
And once you hit Medicare you will learn that in Advantage plans MOOP is the 'maximum out of pocket' you might need to pay per year.
HI FRIENDS I AM NEW TO THIS FORUM PLS GIVE SOME IDEAS ABOUT THIS TOPIC....
COOL
COOL
Some people aren't happy with a job that must be done independently. They need structure in their work. I am an independent-natured person. In fact, I don't care for a job that is too structured. This is not to say that people who prefer a stuctured job are stupid or lazy. Its just that diferent people have different mindsets. Just an observation.
jpgilham Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> I've had two
> friends who both said they would dearly love to
> earn a few dollars and help out the family and so
> I've told them all about it, even took them with
> me on a few shops to show them how it goes.
> Neither of them did a thing about it. They're
> still complaining that they need to earn some
> money. I just don't understand why more people
> don't do this?
i just evicted two people who couldn't pay the rent because they were out of work. this is after i provided them with direction to get into mystery shopping. they were all excited about potentially becoming mystery shoppers, but they never actually did anything to get started with it. my impression is that they just got too lazy to work. they've since lived in three different places in the last two month and are preparing to move again. they keep on getting kicked out and don't work.
-------------------------------------------------------
> I've had two
> friends who both said they would dearly love to
> earn a few dollars and help out the family and so
> I've told them all about it, even took them with
> me on a few shops to show them how it goes.
> Neither of them did a thing about it. They're
> still complaining that they need to earn some
> money. I just don't understand why more people
> don't do this?
i just evicted two people who couldn't pay the rent because they were out of work. this is after i provided them with direction to get into mystery shopping. they were all excited about potentially becoming mystery shoppers, but they never actually did anything to get started with it. my impression is that they just got too lazy to work. they've since lived in three different places in the last two month and are preparing to move again. they keep on getting kicked out and don't work.
The problem is likely the money if you are averaging $15 an hour - pull the FICA off and you are down around $12.75, deduct gas, and then figure the income tax - passable money for someone not working, but nothing to write home about.
I wont take a shop if I dont net $22 an hour AFTER gas tolls and 25 cents a mile for wear and tear on the car - that gets me around $18.50 an hour after the FICA - decent money but not what I consider something to lust after
jpgilham Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> I think mystery shopping is an awesome way to earn
> money. It works out at $15 an hour or more for me
> and I work the hours to suit myself. I've had two
> friends who both said they would dearly love to
> earn a few dollars and help out the family and so
> I've told them all about it, even took them with
> me on a few shops to show them how it goes.
> Neither of them did a thing about it. They're
> still complaining that they need to earn some
> money. I just don't understand why more people
> don't do this?
I wont take a shop if I dont net $22 an hour AFTER gas tolls and 25 cents a mile for wear and tear on the car - that gets me around $18.50 an hour after the FICA - decent money but not what I consider something to lust after
jpgilham Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> I think mystery shopping is an awesome way to earn
> money. It works out at $15 an hour or more for me
> and I work the hours to suit myself. I've had two
> friends who both said they would dearly love to
> earn a few dollars and help out the family and so
> I've told them all about it, even took them with
> me on a few shops to show them how it goes.
> Neither of them did a thing about it. They're
> still complaining that they need to earn some
> money. I just don't understand why more people
> don't do this?
It's not just mystery shopping. I gave two people leads and an inside source to get jobs that they were qualified for and start at $30something,000 a year. I also told them about mystery shopping as they were both interested. Neither has done anything about either opportunity. They are both still at their basically minimum wage jobs.
I don't get it.
I don't get it.
Vince I just don't get that at all. To me it's a great job and when I say I get at least $15 an hour, that's after gas etc., is deducted. I earn $1000 a month and then another $300 odd in reimbursements. It just astounds me that people say they desperately need to earn money but won't consider this as a way to get it.
I don't know either; the couple that lives in the apartment in the house next to us complains about money constantly. I've mentioned this to them, the guy in particular as doing theater assignments, putting together stuff would be great for him. But he can't be bothered; must be holding out for management while collecting cash assistance. His girlfriend? Hmf. She applied for a job at Sears. Ever follow up? Of course not. But its "woe is me". I'm astonished too.
jpgilham Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Vince I just don't get that at all. To me it's a
> great job and when I say I get at least $15 an
> hour, that's after gas etc., is deducted. I earn
> $1000 a month and then another $300 odd in
> reimbursements. It just astounds me that people
> say they desperately need to earn money but won't
> consider this as a way to get it.
good for you.
i have a modest monthly earning goal (to cover the full mortgage payment), that i meet with part-time mystery shopping. even if i didn't meet my monthly financial goal, i'd still perform what work i can, to get as close to it as possible.
if one is not earning enough money, then one should probably work more as opposed to less, in most cases. if available jobs don't pay enough to meet the bills, then one should get what one can in the meantime. one should not just sit around and incur more debt. it is not likely that the ecomony is going to get substantially better anytime soon. newer, higher paying jobs are not likely to suddenly materialize for those who wait for such to occur.
-------------------------------------------------------
> Vince I just don't get that at all. To me it's a
> great job and when I say I get at least $15 an
> hour, that's after gas etc., is deducted. I earn
> $1000 a month and then another $300 odd in
> reimbursements. It just astounds me that people
> say they desperately need to earn money but won't
> consider this as a way to get it.
good for you.
i have a modest monthly earning goal (to cover the full mortgage payment), that i meet with part-time mystery shopping. even if i didn't meet my monthly financial goal, i'd still perform what work i can, to get as close to it as possible.
if one is not earning enough money, then one should probably work more as opposed to less, in most cases. if available jobs don't pay enough to meet the bills, then one should get what one can in the meantime. one should not just sit around and incur more debt. it is not likely that the ecomony is going to get substantially better anytime soon. newer, higher paying jobs are not likely to suddenly materialize for those who wait for such to occur.
Vince:
The old saying, "You can take a horse to water but you can't make him drink" applies perfectly here. I have had similar experiences, recommending this to them. They've grown accustomed to not working and just scamming others or waiting to be rescued each time from their "disaster du jour" that comes along without fail and which is today's reason why they couldn't get that job you suggested.
vince Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> jpgilham Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> > I've had two
> > friends who both said they would dearly love to
> > earn a few dollars and help out the family and
> so
> > I've told them all about it, even took them
> with
> > me on a few shops to show them how it goes.
> > Neither of them did a thing about it. They're
> > still complaining that they need to earn some
> > money. I just don't understand why more people
> > don't do this?
>
> i just evicted two people who couldn't pay the
> rent because they were out of work. this is after
> i provided them with direction to get into mystery
> shopping. they were all excited about potentially
> becoming mystery shoppers, but they never actually
> did anything to get started with it. my
> impression is that they just got too lazy to work.
> they've since lived in three different places in
> the last two month and are preparing to move
> again. they keep on getting kicked out and don't
> work.
The old saying, "You can take a horse to water but you can't make him drink" applies perfectly here. I have had similar experiences, recommending this to them. They've grown accustomed to not working and just scamming others or waiting to be rescued each time from their "disaster du jour" that comes along without fail and which is today's reason why they couldn't get that job you suggested.
vince Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> jpgilham Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> > I've had two
> > friends who both said they would dearly love to
> > earn a few dollars and help out the family and
> so
> > I've told them all about it, even took them
> with
> > me on a few shops to show them how it goes.
> > Neither of them did a thing about it. They're
> > still complaining that they need to earn some
> > money. I just don't understand why more people
> > don't do this?
>
> i just evicted two people who couldn't pay the
> rent because they were out of work. this is after
> i provided them with direction to get into mystery
> shopping. they were all excited about potentially
> becoming mystery shoppers, but they never actually
> did anything to get started with it. my
> impression is that they just got too lazy to work.
> they've since lived in three different places in
> the last two month and are preparing to move
> again. they keep on getting kicked out and don't
> work.
@digitaltechograp:
Suggestion 1: Don't "SHOUT" -- it is considered rude and off-putting.
Suggestion 2: Set aside a couple hours and scan through postings on subjects you need to know more about. To be a good mystery shopper is, by definition, to be a good self-starter and researcher. If you then have specific questions you are more liable to get help if you show you've taken initial steps of your own.
Take these steps under advisement, then come back with your questions. Good luck.
Suggestion 1: Don't "SHOUT" -- it is considered rude and off-putting.
Suggestion 2: Set aside a couple hours and scan through postings on subjects you need to know more about. To be a good mystery shopper is, by definition, to be a good self-starter and researcher. If you then have specific questions you are more liable to get help if you show you've taken initial steps of your own.
Take these steps under advisement, then come back with your questions. Good luck.
frank85260 Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Vince:
>
> The old saying, "You can take a horse to water but
> you can't make him drink" applies perfectly here.
> I have had similar experiences, recommending this
> to them. They've grown accustomed to not working
> and just scamming others or waiting to be rescued
> each time from their "disaster du jour" that comes
> along without fail and which is today's reason why
> they couldn't get that job you suggested.
>
i believe that you're perfectly correct.
-------------------------------------------------------
> Vince:
>
> The old saying, "You can take a horse to water but
> you can't make him drink" applies perfectly here.
> I have had similar experiences, recommending this
> to them. They've grown accustomed to not working
> and just scamming others or waiting to be rescued
> each time from their "disaster du jour" that comes
> along without fail and which is today's reason why
> they couldn't get that job you suggested.
>
i believe that you're perfectly correct.
I don't think lack of motivation is the main reason more people don't mystery shop. I think there are a number of points, many mentioned above but other reasons include the following:
- Mystery Shopping requires great attention to detail. The need to write well was already mentioned but they go hand-in-hand.
- There is a lot to remember! I have my devices/tricks/tools, but when beginning mystery shopping it can definitely be overwhelming.
- Many people are uncomfortable pretending to be interested in a product or service that they won't buy. Some people think that it is wasting the salesperson's time and can't bring themselves to do a shop.
My husband often hears me calling to make an appointment and tells me that I'm going to go to Hell for the lying. I have to keep reminding him that I am not lying. I am playing a role.
While it is true that the ridiculously low pay offered by many MSPs is inadequate compensation for our time, there are more rewarding shops out there. Slow payment and reimbursement is also a detriment. Like anything else, though, a shopper has to keep at it to develop the skills to be successful.
- Mystery Shopping requires great attention to detail. The need to write well was already mentioned but they go hand-in-hand.
- There is a lot to remember! I have my devices/tricks/tools, but when beginning mystery shopping it can definitely be overwhelming.
- Many people are uncomfortable pretending to be interested in a product or service that they won't buy. Some people think that it is wasting the salesperson's time and can't bring themselves to do a shop.
My husband often hears me calling to make an appointment and tells me that I'm going to go to Hell for the lying. I have to keep reminding him that I am not lying. I am playing a role.
While it is true that the ridiculously low pay offered by many MSPs is inadequate compensation for our time, there are more rewarding shops out there. Slow payment and reimbursement is also a detriment. Like anything else, though, a shopper has to keep at it to develop the skills to be successful.
I think those are all valid reasons, MrsFrank, but the people I've told haven't even submitted applications so I still blame lack of motivation.
I can understand people quitting once they see what they are going to be in for..lol
I can understand people quitting once they see what they are going to be in for..lol
Unfortunately we live in a society where entitlement is becoming the norm. Some people want everything handed to them on a silver platter or want to make a lot of money by doing as little as possible. If there's work involved but the pay is low, they feel it's not worth their time. Starting at the bottom and working their way to the top is beneath them. For those kinds of people it's just easier for them to sit around and complain about their lack of money than do something about it.
I think MrsFrank has posted valid reasons why many people who sign up and try to mystery shop are unsuccessful and stop quickly. As far as why more people don't get into mystery shopping, I'm with Bena on motivation.
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