I've done a few shops now, and Ace Cash Express are the best return on the time I invest in them. I've been offered an Ace Loan shop for $100 plus reimbursement when the MSC bonused the shop. Has anyone taken out a loan with Ace? Does it negatively impact your credit score if you apply for these loans?

Are there any shops easier than Ace Cash Express? A typical Ace shop takes 5 minutes at the business location and 20 minutes to report and pays $12 to $20.

I'm a new shopper and I keep reading old pros talking about making far more than I can figure out how to make based on the drive distance, shop time, reporting time in return for the fees I see on job boards.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 05/12/2014 12:55AM by missterryus.

I've seen them and have considered doing one. I've completed a bunch of $15 bank and credit shops. Can do two banks a day. Have done 8 so far, scheduled for two more. Added two more bank shops for a different company. Fees and easy reporting.

Let me suggest you explore video shopping. It seems to pay well, I gather the written reports are overall pretty minor.

But here you are again on the "gimme, gimme". The best paying shop I have are based on building working relationships with the companies. You need to get your feet wet with a number of companies where you really don't care much if you screw up and get low scores because that is part of the learning process. Then when you get an opportunity with a company you really do want to work with you have some background to perform well and competently and start building a relationship. There is something to be said for getting an email from a scheduler and being able to respond back, "Hi ___, I'd like ____, ____ and _____ and can take ____ and _____ with an extra $____ each if you don't find somebody else." and within minutes getting a notice that you got the three you said you would take and a "keep you in mind" for the other two.

I won't answer this question, as it seems most of your past posts are about circumventing shop rules, violating ICA's or otherwise looking for the easy way through everything.

You could very well figure this information out for yourself by signing up for more companies. You could find more companies by either clicking the link that says "Official List of Mystery Shopping Companies" or clicking this link:

[www.mysteryshopforum.com]

missterryus,

Welcome to the forum and the wonderful world of mystery shopping. I can only address two of your questions, the credit score question and how to make more money, so here goes.

As for your credit score if the shop involves an inquiry to one of the major credit bureaus, yes each "hard credit inquiry" will negatively impact your credit score a bit. How much? It depends. May I suggest you seek out a reputable site that shows you the factors that go into your credit score and how your actions will impact it. I have a favorite site to use for that, but I don't want to advertise on the open pages of the forum for that for-profit site so anyone can PM me for it.

Regarding making more money, you need to get more shops available to you and get more practice. When I started. I was taking shops just to get more experience, or to fill out a route, or to get 'in' with a new company. Today I have many more shops available than I could ever do so I can be much more picky. Now, I can plan routes better with a minimum of driving. I can pass up low-fee shops and easily make a route around a high-fee shop. Practice allows me to do the same shops shops quicker and similar shops take less preparation time as well. So sign up for more companies and get more shops under your belt and you will be on your way.

I am still looking for them. I like, hotel shops but $60.00 plus reimbursement is not a high paying shop for the time frame. It is just a free night while travelling.

Flash Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Let me suggest you explore video shopping. It
> seems to pay well, I gather the written reports
> are overall pretty minor.
>
> But here you are again on the "gimme, gimme". The
> best paying shop I have are based on building
> working relationships with the companies. You
> need to get your feet wet with a number of
> companies where you really don't care much if you
> screw up and get low scores because that is part
> of the learning process. Then when you get an
> opportunity with a company you really do want to
> work with you have some background to perform well
> and competently and start building a relationship.
> There is something to be said for getting an
> email from a scheduler and being able to respond
> back, "Hi ___, I'd like ____, ____ and _____ and
> can take ____ and _____ with an extra $____ each
> if you don't find somebody else." and within
> minutes getting a notice that you got the three
> you said you would take and a "keep you in mind"
> for the other two.

I can vouch for this. Have gotten my feet wet and this week got an email for a hotel shop. Responded quickly. MSC said I was first to respond out of the 10 emails she sent out. I got one of 3 nites with appetizers at the bar and breakfast the next morning. Not any money in it, but I'm learning and it will look good on my "resume".

Flash Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> But here you are again on the "gimme, gimme". The
> best paying shop I have are based on building
> working relationships with the companies.

Yes that's all true but after reading about the company that I'm referring to on the other board (the one I see referred to as V-God's) the MSC that has these shops doesn't care at all about building relationships with ICs and this makes sense after I found out that they were purchased from the founder by an investment group headed by Ivy-league educated investors.

As for the other posts thanks for the advice, except for the comment from the holier-than-thou poster above who said he wouldn't answer my question and then gave me advice. How do you know that I'm not registered already with 40 companies from that list? I believe every IC everywhere has fudged a report and rationalized doing so because of the low pay. I've worked for a company in the mortgage industry and my job was called "Coordinator" because I had to monitor the work done by ICs who were responsible for cleaning houses that had been foreclosed, and from the side I was on I saw the culture of contempt that executives have for ICs who will work for spare change. And from the perspective of an employee of one of these stores being evaluated we all look like liars and dissemblers just for doing this job.



Edited 2 time(s). Last edit at 05/12/2014 02:17AM by missterryus.

missterryus Wrote:
I believe every IC
> everywhere has fudged a report and rationalized
> doing so because of the low pay.


Please don't speak for me. My integrity is not for sale at any price.

LJ Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> missterryus Wrote:
> I believe every IC
> > everywhere has fudged a report and rationalized
> > doing so because of the low pay.
>
>
> Please don't speak for me. My integrity is not for
> sale at any price.

Of course it is, because you are human, and you just haven't been offered the right price, and probably won't be in your lifetime. And from the standpoint of the car salesman who is spending time trying to sell you a car and feed his family, if you are telling him fibs and playing him for your paycheck then you have already sold your integrity and that is a fact.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 05/12/2014 02:24AM by missterryus.

I would reiterate my comment, "The best paying shops I have are based on building working relationships with the companies." There are indeed some companies that treat shoppers as a disposable commodity and shoppers need to treat them as a disposable commodity. There are companies that seem to feel that shoppers are unreliable brutes with a 3rd grade education and not worth minimum wage. There are ways you may find to get around that and become a 'star pupil'. There are then the companies with whom you can build a relationship that is good and mutually productive.

This is not a data entry job that you sign in at 8:28 AM, sign out at 5:01 PM, have 30 minutes for lunch and a 10 minute bathroom break in the morning and afternoon. This is a business you build for yourself, you deal with all aspects of from registering through doing your taxes. You are the CEO, the phone receptionist, the bookkeeper, the salesman, the clerical pool and the photo lab. You are the planner, the scheduler, the actor and the writer. You need a little psychology, you need a little humility, you need a lot of energy and you need infinite patience (geez, that sounds like a description of a Mom on Mother's Day).

You will find there are jackasses in this business and they aren't all Ivy-league educated. You will also find some very kind, thoughtful and considerate people who respond in kind to kindness, thoughtfulness and consideration.

Flash, I totally agree with you. There are also some MSC employees who read these forums and it helps determine whether that MSC employee wants to establish, and unfortunately at times, terminate a business relationship.

A few of my better assignments have come from an employee seeing how I conduct myself on this forum.

I've had shops that were $10 plus reimbursement handed to me for $250 and many other instances.

I'm very honest and straight-forward with everything in my life, espically matters involving my businesses. Even though mystery shopping is a part-time business venture for me, I take it just as serious as I take my other business ventures.

Some companies recognize integrity, reliability and honesty and will reward for those qualities.

DanteInOH Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------

> Some companies recognize integrity, reliability
> and honesty and will reward for those qualities.

Even a semi-competent scheduler or editor will see those qualities in your work and in their interactions with you, forum or no forum.

missterryus Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> LJ Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> > missterryus Wrote:
> > I believe every IC
> > > everywhere has fudged a report and
> rationalized
> > > doing so because of the low pay.
> >
> >
> > Please don't speak for me. My integrity is not
> for
> > sale at any price.
>
> Of course it is, because you are human, and you
> just haven't been offered the right price, and
> probably won't be in your lifetime. And from the
> standpoint of the car salesman who is spending
> time trying to sell you a car and feed his family,
> if you are telling him fibs and playing him for
> your paycheck then you have already sold your
> integrity and that is a fact.

It's good to know if I ever lose mine I can buy yours for the price of a Filet-O-Fish.

missterryus Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> LJ Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> > missterryus Wrote:
> > I believe every IC
> > > everywhere has fudged a report and
> rationalized
> > > doing so because of the low pay.
> >
> >
> > Please don't speak for me. My integrity is not
> for
> > sale at any price.
>
> Of course it is, because you are human, and you
> just haven't been offered the right price, and
> probably won't be in your lifetime. And from the
> standpoint of the car salesman who is spending
> time trying to sell you a car and feed his family,
> if you are telling him fibs and playing him for
> your paycheck then you have already sold your
> integrity and that is a fact.

missterryous, have you met Michael C? I think you two would get along.

I feel that the easiest jobs with the best pay are in the eye of the beholder and according to your likes/dislikes and lifestyle. If a shop meshes closely with your lifestyle (whether it be food, finances, furniture, cars or hardware), it will flow easily for you and be easier to understand and conduct. Conversely, if you are in strange territory, this can be more difficult. Having said that, I want to make an exception. I love, love cars and motorcycles.........all years, makes and models. It flows through the family blood. However, I cannot tolerate the low pay and disrespect that Intellishop offers to shoppers in this area. If I can have interesting, respect and decent pay, I am truly grateful.

I think all I-shop jobs are low pay and their schedulers for the most part arrogant. I don't think that's limited to auto and cycle shops, KathyC!

missterryus Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
How do you know
> that I'm not registered already with 40 companies
> from that list?
I believe every IC everywhere has
> fudged a report and rationalized doing so because
> of the low pay.
I've worked for a company in the
> mortgage industry and my job was called
> "Coordinator" because I had to monitor the work
> done by ICs who were responsible for cleaning
> houses that had been foreclosed,
and from the side
> I was on I saw the culture of contempt that
> executives have for ICs who will work for spare
> change. And from the perspective of an employee of
> one of these stores being evaluated we all look
> like liars and dissemblers just for doing this
> job.

Goodness.

Terry, when I read your first post, my immediate reaction was: How on earth did a new person get a job paying $100. Maybe I misread and need to go back and reread.
Next, I have learned in quick order from this forum that the seasoned shoppers are signed up with 200+ companies, not 40. Of course, you could already be signed up with that many. I know for me it's taken some time to get signed up for the less than 100 I am with.
Your next statement made the "fur" on my neck straighten. There probably are shoppers who have fudged a report. If they do it once, they might try again, and then they are out. Period. A shopper without integrity will not last in this industry, either because they get tired of fudging, or they get caught, and then dropped by the MSC. Every industry has a segment of unscrupulous individuals, but that doesn't make everyone in the industry unscrupulous. I certainly resent being put into a category of "every IC everywhere has fudged...". If it's about the pay, then there is only me to complain to. I did in fact choose to take a low paying shop.
It is possible that you are jaded by your past experience. Why not reconsider your understanding? I believe we are a bunch of every day people, just like the people you hang with every day. We are fun. We get grouchy. And we are honest and filled with integrity.

I've done a pay day loan shop that paid extremely well and I'm going to tell you what I didn't like about the one I did. First of all, it was in a really sleazy neighborhood and I didn't like getting past the panhandler outside. Second, the charges on the loan were astronomical and I had reservations about associating myself, even during a shop, with such a despicable company. Third, I discovered that if I didn't make my payment on time I would be slapped with an outrageous assessment which would not be reimbursed. Fourth, I had to make the repayment in a one day time frame quite some time in advance, on that exact day, no earlier, to satisfy the requirements of the MSC. If chance rained down on me that I did not get there on that exact day, I would have to assume responsibility for the late fees, which were gagging. Other than that, I had a lovely experience. I won't be doing any more, so you're welcome to any that may be available now or later.

I am entirely responsible for taking that shop and can only say that from time to time I have really stupid lapses of judgment. As to the shops that pay the most, usually it will be one that no one else will take. As to the shops that are easiest with reasonable pay, I suggest banks. The downside to those bank shops if that they are not entertaining at all and seem seriously like work.

Are you really a person who's willing to "fudge" the system to get the most in exchange for the least? Who am I to say that won't work for you? It's not something I would recommend if you want to have a good reputation with your companies and in the long run may go hard against you. Perhaps it would be better to consider trying to get the most in exchange for the very best work and the most comprehensive reports.

@ Ishmael ~ You basically "stole" my post. I was thinking that the OP and Michael C are related. If not, they should start dating!

*laura007 Wrote:
> when I read your first post, my immediate
> reaction was: How on earth did a new person get a
> job paying $100. Maybe I misread and need to go
> back and reread.

Yes, it's true. The MSC had to bonus the loan shop. They start at $45, then are bonused to $55, $65, and when they are up against the deadline they hit $100.

*MDavisnowell Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------

> Are you really a person who's willing to "fudge"
> the system to get the most in exchange for the
> least?

I will exchange the least to get the most everytime. The least time for the most money. The least effort for the most return.



*Shop2LiveinFL Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> @ Ishmael ~ You basically "stole" my post. I was
> thinking that the OP and Michael C are related.
> If not, they should start dating!

I read your snitch posting, Shop2LiveinFL, and I can say that I dislike snitches, especially self-righteous snitches, whoever you are.


*******************************************



Edited 3 time(s). Last edit at 05/12/2014 03:42PM by missterryus.

missterryus Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
>
> *Shop2LiveinFL Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> > @ Ishmael ~ You basically "stole" my post. I
> was
> > thinking that the OP and Michael C are related.
>
> > If not, they should start dating!
>
> I read your snitch posting, Shop2LiveinFL, and I
> can say that I dislike snitches, especially
> self-righteous snitches, whoever you are.

*******************************************

You have the right to dislike snitches just like I do. And you have the right to dislike my posts. Feel free to toggle me. I never said that I reported anything. I thought it was just a thought-provoking subject that would get the forum juices flowing. And obviously it has worked since you are referencing it in two different threads.

I'm all for efficiency and organization that lets me do a good job in the shortest possible time. I'm not for "fudging" to get there. Spending time on this is not an efficient use of my time so moving on for now . . .

missterryus Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------

> I read your snitch posting, Shop2LiveinFL, and I
> can say that I dislike snitches, especially
> self-righteous snitches, whoever you are.
>
>
> *******************************************


Considering your previous statement about "fudging" reports, I can understand your dislike of snitches. My personal bête noire is a liar or cheater.

Please don't feed the trolls

@ Phoebe70 ~ Is it indeed a troll? I was thinking more of a PITA. Mmmmm, now I am hungry for Mediterranean food.

Unfortunately even "liking" any post on a Troll thread accomplishes the self serving goal of getting the thread in the "top Liked" and such to increase audience and yes, I am coming to agree that we have been feeding a Troll. Nobody else could be that stupid and self serving.

Please do not "like" this post and lets let this one die its own death.

Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 05/12/2014 05:39PM by Flash.

I know, I know. Y'all are right about not feeding the trolls. I just can't help myself sometimes. I like to poke 'em with a stick and see what kinda of goo runs out.

@ Flash ~ Did you already forget about our most recent troll with the double forum names? He was an ultimate troll.

And the nature of the argumentativeness here makes me suspect this is one-and-same, just not using foul language and incendiary insults to get bounced out still again.