MrsFrank Wrote:
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> a shop
> is only worth the least amount that someone will
> accept.

Good point. The problem is that although there are many of us in this forum community that believe likewise and utilize this standard in deciding which shops are worthwhile, there are scads of other shoppers out there in mystery shopping land flying solo who don't have these resources for making informed decisions. Their presence in the field will always be a major factor in the rates set by MSCs as well as the availability of assignments. And there's not a thing we can do about it.

Not everyone will go out and look for us. Now, if every time someone did a search for mystery shopping this forum showed up as one of the top results it could help. Then we would just have to be sure people weren't too lazy to read or didn't just think we were full of s--t because all they see are $4 jobs

LisaSTL Wrote:
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> if
> every time someone did a search for mystery
> shopping this forum showed up as one of the top
> results it could help.

So true. I didn't stumble upon this forum until I had been shopping for over two and a half years. I wish I had found it sooner as I have learned so much that I wouldn't have otherwise.

My answer is a resounding yes. Every single shopper has their own reasons. It is possible to make money with experience and planning. There are just as many perks as there are expenses. Being your own boss - priceless.

While in theory I agree with Mrs. Frank, the problem is this is mystery shopping, there is not a great way to go out and find everyone else in my area who is doing it. If everyone of us here agreed to never take another shop for under $25 for any reason, it would affect such a small percentage of mystery shopping that it really wouldn't matter. What would happen is a lot of great mystery shoppers would have a hard time making ends meet while somebody unaware of this deal we have come to would swoop in and pick up all those shops. Because there is no way for me to even effectively contact all all other potential mystery shoppers, there's no way to let people know what price point they should start shopping.. We may even see an influx of new shoppers we would have to compete with because the shops are now going for a higher rate, though below the agreed upon price point.

Shelly Wrote:
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> We may even see an influx of new shoppers we
> would have to compete with

That's been happening more and more in my area since the start of the new year. It's getting a lot more challenging. The only answer is for me to up my own game. We have no control over our competition, whether they are Chicken Littles or old pros at mystery shopping. We can get pissed off all day long about typical $25 jobs disappearing in an instant for $4. So we can kvetch and sound off with each other from time to time to alleviate our frustrations, but to expect a change is unrealistic.

It should be standard that we are allowed to see the reports before accepting the job. I don't care for applying to all of these strange companies. i have been getting emails for the same old not worth it shops. I would like to continue shopping. Maybe I will start applying to more companies.

Several weeks after I started shopping (I'd done less than a dozen local shops at that point) an ad popped up on Facebook for a facebook page that led to this forum.

I KNOW that I would not be finishing my fifth $400+ month in a row if I had not found this forum.

I have no idea why that ad popped up, except for the fact that I had done some searches on MSPA site, but I'm sure glad it did.

I think the chicken littles will be gone as fast as they hatched. Without a plan, they won't succeed and will quickly figure out they will make more money working at McDonalds than mystery shopping.

The shoppers may become the shoppees, LOL.

itsasecret Wrote:
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> I think the chicken littles will be gone as fast
> as they hatched. Without a plan, they won't
> succeed and will quickly figure out they will make
> more money working at McDonalds than mystery
> shopping.
> The shoppers may become the shoppees, LOL.

I so hope you are right. I have never seen the job boards so picked over since I started this gig three years ago. It's been downright depressing, and a little scary.

to flyfeathers- so agreed- I now will ask to see the report before accepting with a new company. Some schedulers dance around the question, that you can't see it until you are assigned it. It gets tiresome to explain that I do have to factor all aspects of accepting a shop, and that it is in everyone's best interest to have this info up front rather than to accept the shop and cancel it because of a ridiculous report. I am finished with the 100 question redundancy reports that you have to restate the very question that asked for a simple yes/no response, that you have no idea about until you have invested in already having done the shop. If they are unwilling to show the report, I don't accept it.

Tricia,

You're my kind of woman. Thurs., I also requested to see the report, which was sent and acceptable; the assignment is now on my schedule. I seldom make absolute statements, but when a scheduler refuses to permit a preview of the report, look elsewhere for work.

As to repetition, in the past I always accepted it as a necessary evil. HOWEVER, the first of Feb. I turned over a new leaf and now have an up-charge for redundancy. If, as with some apt. shops, it's necessary to state all of the info in the individual sections and THEN restate, using different verbiage, in a re-cap, my fee is an extra $20. Although I possess the ability to comply with such a requirement, it's far more time consuming the second time around.

I had one of those reports with the recap and decided to try something different. I copied and pasted the previous answers. The status is showing as complete and payment pending

Jesse,

While I agree this industry seems to be more attractive to women, there is a small segment of men in the business. In addition, I also agree that many MSCs have a model that assumes an amateur, you used the term housewife, will accept the job, so why pay any more than necessary? In fact, one company, whose name I don't recall, actually states on their website that they don't want professional shoppers. To me, that translated to mean they pay in pennies, BUT, it is what it is; I only work when it's profitable for me.

I'm, what the owner of a video MSC refers to as, a cherry picker; I absolutely refuse to accept jobs as a favor to anyone. If there's a problem with scheduling, merely "up the ante" and the solution is immediate. That's why I favor the large National Corps. with deeeeeeeeep pockets, where shopping is a small division; when they NEED a shop completed, they open their purse! Last year, as an example, one paid me $158 for an assignment and another $50 + I retained $116 in usable merchandise. Unfortunately, it has taken me 10 yrs. to arrive at this point; most folks, understandably, would have given up on this industry, which is what I did several yrs. ago and it was the best decision I could have reached. If I sit a month, so be it; I'll sit if the money isn't right. No longer was I concerned with quantity; quality rules this house.

StormCloud Wrote:
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> I absolutely agree with the part about including
> ALL costs of doing the job ~ not only shop time
> and reporting time (including getting photos ready
> when applicable), but the time it takes to drive
> back & forth plus gas... etc. etc. etc.
>
> But... if I counted the time spent looking for
> shops, applying for shops (if need be), figuring
> out if I can make a route (and if so doing the
> Google map), getting the paperwork printed, and
> all that... I could never do this!
>
> The way I account for that, is... the looking is
> the thrill of the hunt. I just do that while I'm
> watching TV or whatever, anyway. Sometimes
> figuring out if I can make a route gets a little
> complex, with some jobs self-serve and others
> needing to be approved, but still. Printing &
> organizing the paperwork can take some time, but
> again there's so little brain power involved I can
> do it while watching TV. So I just don't count
> that time.
>
> If I did, I would get depressed, anyway. Heh.
>
> But I do agree that most shops really do need to
> pay a little more... or in a few cases, a LOT
> more.

I think it gets sorted out in the end from experience. I used to wear myself out on low paying jobs that, when I netted it out, we're ultimately costing me money to do. After a few months of this, I finally wised up and do not do it anymore. I would think that a lot of people trying to figure out their way in the business probably do the same.

StormCloud Wrote:
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> You know, about groceries and stuff... I do a lot
> of grocery shops... and also get a lot of burgers,
> pizzas, Chinese, and other food... so there's a
> lot of nights I don't have to fix any of those
> groceries. I realized over the weekend, that I
> have a butt-load of canned, jarred, and
> boxed/bagged goods in my cupboard; and meat
> vegetables in my freezer! And cans of pop in my
> pantry. Tons! If I took a month off mystery
> shopping I probably wouldn't have to buy anything
> except some milk, eggs, and fresh fruit.
>
> The only trade-off is that it's not as healthy of
> a diet. But, well... heh.
>
> When I found this forum, I had been mystery
> shopping for a few months. When I got really into
> this forum, it had been several months. I was
> just starting to figure out the route-making way
> to maximize earnings on my own, and to count gas
> money and not just my time to figure out how much
> I was *really* earning; and this forum really
> helped. It was from reading here, that I finally
> got the nerve to negotiate my first bonus. I
> learned little but important ways to maximize my
> time. I learned the value of keeping on adding
> new MSC's. My income has been increasing
> dramatically.
>
> I posted earlier and elsewhere about how good my
> February was looking, and it's now become my
> personal record month! Not in total income
> (yet)... but, in the amount of income in the
> shortest period of time ~ about $950 in just the
> first 15 days! I can actually take a day or two
> off in the second half of the month, if I want!
>
> If it wasn't for my dog's care and schedules, and
> the fact that my back and hip problems hinder me
> somewhat, I believe I could earn even more. Then,
> there's the thing about longevity in this business
> that the long-timers on here have discussed...
> when you start getting reliable and lucrative work
> without having to do all the searching.
>
> I actually like driving, too. I always have. For
> a while there, I was a little gun-shy about it,
> after my big wreck. But I'm back to mostly
> enjoying it.
>
> The only downside to me is time away from home and
> my dogs. But when I worked a "regular" job, I was
> gone about the same amount of time. And I don't
> have to put up with a-hole bosses and co-workers!
> : )

anyone care to report on how much they profited in 2012? That is net profit.

I have decided to give the MS career full time 100% and see what I can do and if it is worth all the trouble.
I have just completed my tax return and can honestly say, it is a doozy.

I have read various posts of those who are struggling and take jobs even though they know they do not pay well, but it is better than nothing. I drew the line at anything less than $10. Yes I know that is quite paltry, but in this industry $10 is not too far from the 'average' pay for an 'average' assignment.

Now understand, I have gone all out and taken assignments that were way out of my area, requiring plane and over night stays, rental cars. Very few expenses were reimbursed. I have not "vacationed" either as anywhere I travel to I am always looking to complete an assignment and do so all the time. So basically, I have worked 24/7/365. I cannot even begin to calculate the hours I have put in, so don't even ask. I do video, audio and just ordinary assignments. I route, cluster and group as often as possible and use my experience to shorten data entry time wherever possible, but still maintain integrity and reliability.

I have tried to stay away from P&R's as much as possible. I find they cut into profit (you are visiting the same location twice, so your profit is cut in half)and if offered at a sensational rate, I will do them, but overall, I find them to be so not worth the effort. Scheduling the return date is oftentimes inconvenient and many times, have found myself doing the location unsupported by other assignments just to fulfill it as per my agreement.

So I appreciate any feed back from anyone who does this full time only. If you dabble, don't reply, I have no interest in your story.

Thanks
Barry

Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 02/17/2013 07:11PM by beisen.

beisen Wrote:
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> So I appreciate any feed back from anyone who does
> this full time only. If you dabble, don't reply,
> I have no interest in your story.


Define "full time", please. And while you're at it, it might be helpful to also describe the parameters involved in "dabbling".

if you are not full time, committed and consider yourself full time and only do this as a career/job/occupation, then you dabble and I have no interest in your story because it does not translate to me. Either you are full time or you dabble. Picking up a few nuggets here and there does not qualify anyone for anything other than being called a dabbler.

Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 02/17/2013 07:44PM by beisen.

beisen Wrote:
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> Picking up a few nuggets here and there
> does not qualify anyone for anything other than
> being called a dabbler.

I see. You seem to have very clear definitions of who's who and what's what. In some of your previous postings you have referred to others as "hens", "housecoat commandos", and "crumb crunchers". All of which you state "pollute the labor pool".

Glad you're here to arbitrate who should be involved in mystery shopping and which forum members have anything of interest to share.

So all you dabblers and hens and housecoaters and crumb crunchers, be sure to follow Beisen's previous advice: "Just sit back and relax, turn on oprah and let the professionals do what needs to be done."

Is it worth it?

Sure it is. After some years in the business, I have found it is worth it for me to do the shops I want to do when I want to do them.

What matters to everyone else will differ, of course. However, there will always be an element of I need that product (an oil change) or I have to go to that store anyway or one like it (a supermarket or gas station), or I'm going that way anyway, so why not add on that shop to my drive (no extra mileage expense), or I want to go to that museum (entertainment value).

The bottom line is important, but not the only consideration. But I'm glad I'm far enough along in this business so I don't cheat myself out of a reasonable wage.

Shopgal said "So all you dabblers and hens and housecoaters and crumb crunchers, be sure to follow

Beisen's previous advice:"
"Just sit back and relax, turn on oprah and let the professionals do what needs to be done."

I think I'll do that Shop gal. I'll just enjoy the wine and cheese I got from my mystery shopping dabbling. Beisen doesn't want to hear my story.

beisen. About the only thing you qualify for is Professional Jerk!

You were not welcome here before-

You are not welcome here now...

I have no time for anyone but full-timers, so don't get so offended, y'all need to chill. My goodness have I ruffled a few feathers?. If you are out there and I am sure there are some, contact me and we can carry on an adult conversation. We can network and share ideas. Dabblers do not quite get it, never will. You are either in or out. Oh, and by the way, Mr Computer 101, your input is needed least of all. You do not determine who is welcome and who is not. You are but a tiny minority, tiny in most ways, with intellect leading.

shopgal, why so offended? did I get you upset, don't take it-personally unless I am talking to you, like I am now. You can continue with your hen party here, no problem with me, I am searching for a few intellectual people that can network with me, outside of this forum if it is possible. I am searching and will then trade addresses and leave you and your distaff running mates to your chat pool. No worries,.me about business, that is all. Move along, nothing to see here.

Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 02/17/2013 09:48PM by beisen.

Here troll, troll, troll... Want a cookie?

beisen is one of those cowards that normally hides in the shadows. I would welcome the opportunity to have an "Adult" conversation with him in person. Boy, I will tag you everytime you open your yap...

I'm just a dabbler hen, so I can't share my secrets to regularly making over $1000+/month in fees plus reimbursements with the beisen.

You could share them with me. But, I imagine you work hard and there isn't really a secret.

beisen Wrote:
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> shopgal, why so offended? did I get you upset?

Did I say I was offended or upset? No. You make a faulty assumption, Beisen. If it was your goal to offend or upset me, which seems very probable considering the type of relationship-building you've been engaged in on this forum, your attempt to do so was ineffective.

I would describe my overall reaction to your presence here as one of amusement and even fascination, rather like when biologists discover a unique species that heretfore everyone had believed extinct or as existing only in mythology.