I mystery shopped for a company who sent me to a particular fast food restaurant. I couldn't take anyone with me, had to start TIMING when I hit the drive-thru line, report how many seconds PLUS fractions of seconds it took to GIVE my order, then continue timing until I rec'd my order. I also had to report the NAMES (at the pick up window?) of the person who gave me my order. How can you spot their name tag at the pick up window. I was also required to describe the person: how tall? was their hair long or short? What was their name, even if they were NOT wearing a name tag. I thought that was a bit much! How many ordinary customers walk in and ask the employee to turn around so they cal see if the worker's hair is short or long?? On a walk-in assignment, I still had to time how long it took from the time I gave my order til the time it was handed to me. How can you hide a stopwatch in a walk in assignment? I feel all those requirements would give away my identity. I had to check the inside to see if the tables were clean, lights working, etc., PLUS check out the restroom. I'd sit and eat in the car, then come in, make an excuse to talk to the ladies behind the counter, providing there were no other customers waiting,
I had to order a certain meal, reimbursed up to $7, and paid $8 for the shop. I thought the pay should be higher, what with all the requirements involved. After a while, I got burned out on those burgers, and I stopped requesting shops. Another company didn't pay for a shop, merely reimbursed you for the meal. I went about 20+ miles on an assignment, had a nice meal, got reimbursed and that was it. I misread the assignment. When I signed up for several restaurants NEAR MY HOME, they were assigned to other people, so I emailed that company and told them I was disillusioned, disappointed and disgusted because I was not paid for my gas, and to please UNsubscribe me! I was ready to quit mystery shopping altogether until Jacob Jans sent me the email referring me to 2006topscams.com. Now, I'm excited about getting back "into the game" and putting decals on my car!

I totally agree with you. This sounds like a McDonald's shop. I think a lot of the companies expect way too much and I also find it impossible to gather this much information in a short time and be able to remember everything. However, it does get easier as you do more because you know and learn what is expected. Even the best and most experienced shopper forgets something. I have yet to accept a McDonald's shop and I am not sure I ever will. I try and stick to the cell phone, bank shops, grocery stores, and some retail stores.
Mystery shopping can be fun but very time consuming. The extra money does help but for all the time involved, gas, preparation, computer paper, ink, and don't forget taxes---do we really make anything?

The Sonic shops are the same thing the report is 3 papes long and they reimburse 5.00 and pay 6.00. i cancelled that shop that didnt even pay for me to start my car

I've done the fast food shops too. I made the purchase of a tape recorder, when you are in the car and have to record the times just say it. When you do the inside portion of the fast food I wear pants with pockets, keep my hand on the start/stop button. If I remember correctly you start the watch when you get into line and stop when you get your order. So inside there is only one timing, when in the drive thru I can tape record the times and figure out at home how long it takes. I also record the description of the crew person at the drive thru, or name. For the inside portion, when I do the bathroom inspection I tape record the name of the counter person. I also tape record the timing from inside in the event I hit the button and my stop watch clears, or starts timing again.
A popular coffee place wants to know verbatim what is said by you and the counter person. Heck I cant remember all that, so the recorder in my purse is a good thing. I tape record the time I pull in, the parking lot inspection, go into the bathroom record that inspection. Give my stop watch time (there is only one for this place) the name of the counter person. It really helps.
Believe me I know its another expense us shoppers dont need. Its saved my butt a few times, and it helps. I got mine for twenty dollars. Oh, one shop I did they asked a trick question if there was any background music. I didnt recall, but with my trusty tape recorder going I was able to answer honestly.

Some shops can be very overwhelming at first. To be a good shopper, one needs to have the ability to pay attention to detail and remember many different things at the same time.

I always read over my questionnaire before entering so I know exactly what information I need. Once inside, or outside in my car, I just act natural and pay attention to my surroundings. It amazes me how much detail I can recall while I am filling out the report.

I also find it easier to look for what is wrong rather than what is right. An example would be to scan the room and instead of looking to see if all the lights are working, I take note of any that are not.

Once you have been doing this a while, most of your income will be doing the same kinds of shops and it will become natural to make the observations. Heck, I find myself making observations and timings when I am not on a shop. Every time I do something new, and it isn't often, I still get a little anxious and have to remind myself to just relax and remain observant.

On the income note. The way I see it, if I do a fast food lunch, I was paid $7, I put $7 ( or whatever the reimbursement) in the bank and I got to eat lunch too.

I do not use tape recorders or stopwatches because they are not natural. I record things in my head. I always stand with my arms folded so my watch is facing me. Good Luck!

I bought a digital watch with the seconds feature. It was under $7 at Walmart, and no, not on a MS! LOL. I wear that instead of my regular watch. I wear it kind of crooked on my wrist so when I reach into my purse to pay, I can easily see without being notices (hopefully!) You have to remember the times, but then at least I know that I got the time and didnt forget to hit a button the the stop watch. I've also used my cell phone stopwatch feature. Everyone is always doing something with their cell phone, so that's not too obvious.

I agree with Bonnie on the income note. There are some that only reimburse you for food up to a certain amount. I've done some dine in shops like that and some delivery. I've chosen not to do the dine in again. It's a place I normally wouldn't have gone and the requirements of 2 separate entrees make you go over the reimbursed amount anyway. Also I didn't enjoy my meal because I was always making discrete notes and having to watch every time the waitress came to our table. I still will likely do the delivery shops. For my family, it's a free meal up to $25 of pizza, wings, breadsticks, whatever I order. Yeah, I have to put in some time for no shop fee.

It's all in what YOU choose to accept and apply for. If you don't like the requirements or fees, don't accept the jobs. Then may be the companies will raise the commissions are there is someone out the that needs the extra money enough they do them.

I have just started using a stop watch. Normally, I use the digital watch. I have also thought about getting the tape recorder. As to the money it costs to do a shop. Keep track of the miles you go on a shop, the directions will tell you how far it is from your home. Keep track of your expenses..This is tax deductible. Remember, you are self employed...Every penny helps. Back to the stopwatch. I do find it a little difficult to figure it out sometime. But, like anything, the more you do it, the easier it gets....Gloria

Wow! Did this one get some response! We all know what it is like. Sometimes they do expect a lot for little money, but you do get out, and get lunch, too! LOL! If it's too hard, don't take it. The tape recorder is good, I use one also. I also do notes in my PDA, or write in mycheckbook on sticky, or pretend to write directions from a cell phone call on inside shops. There's a lot of little tricks to remember details. You do get used to it and get quick at it. Keep the faith and have fun with it. It it becomes too much of a pain, you might as well go back to an out of home job and let someone else boss you around. And I can safely say I won't do that again!!!

I put my cell phone on silent mode in my pocket and use the laptimer. I start it when I leave my car then hit the lap timer entering, time at end of line,time giving order, time received order, time exiting. I go to my car and jot down the times and quick notes name, description etc, Then I do the drive-through job and take the takeout home after evaluating it around the corner.

I got a small stopwatch at MC Sports for $10. It attaches easily to my keychain and you can actually have it in your hand and hit the start and stop button without anyone noticing, it just looks like you are holding your key chain with the keys dangling. It also has an alarm feature, so I can set it to remind me if I need to be at a shop at a certain time. All that and a clock on it too, so I always know what time it is. A great item for the price.

I also picked up a digital recorder for $30 at Office Depot, it has a real strong microphone and I can put it in my bra (it helps to be well endowed sometimes..ha ha) and get the whole conversation I have with someone and I make verbal notes when I am not around people, such as checking out the parking lots and bathrooms.

I haven't tried it yet, but when I get some restaurant shops, I am going to try taking in a college textbook and setting it next to me, then I can open it up and start making notes on a notepad and it will just look like I am studying. Whenever the waitress comes over, stick your notepad in the book and close it to "save your place". Be prepared with a convincing story about the class you are supposedly taking though, as some waitresses will mention it and ask questions just out of friendly conversation. I'm pretty sure this will work, as I have often actually studied like this while eating out so you can make it look perfectly natural. This is also a good way to take restaurant shops when you don't have someone to go with you, you won't look quite so suspicious as you are getting information if it looks like you are studying.