I have applied at several sites, but never got an answer - so I can not comment on experience.

I think I am jinxed. Three weeks ago I attempted to complete 4 gas station shops from the same chain. I lost the pictures, so did not get paid for the shops.

Yesterday, I was attempting to perform 4 more shops for the same chain. I completed the first 2 with no problem and while on my way to the third, I had an accident and now my car is messed up. (no one hurt, just the 2 cars) Then to make matters worse, when I got home and started to report the 2 I did complete, I went to unassign myself from the 2 I didn't complete and clicked on the wrong job number, so unassigned myself from one I did complete. I sent a message to try and get it back, but it's been 24 hours and I got no response to that request.

I still want to do mystery shopping, but I don't know if I will be able to bring myself to sign up for this particular chain again, bad luck....lol.

Anyway, I just have to remember my own personal credo:

What doesn't kill you makes you stronger
What does kill you is no longer a problem...
Because you're dead.

I just had another thought. Since I had the accident while on my way to a mystery shop, can I deduct the cost of my deductible on my taxes? ha ha

I'm glad you have a sense of humor over it, Janet. I'd keep trying with that same company, maybe after a little break, because they are unlikely to remember you among the thousands of shoppers. Maybe someone made a little note or they check your history before giving you the assignment, but you can always tell them what you told us. Many of us have learning curves with certain companies' requirements, and accidents of all kinds should be an understandable part of them dealing with us.

Sandra

Thanks Sandra Sue, I am well known for being able to see the humor in situations. I will definitely remain with the company I was doing the shop for, I have completed several other successful shops for them. It just seems this particular gas station chain is the one that is jinxed for me. The funnier part is it happens to also be the one and only chain that I have a gas credit card for and generally buy all my fuel from so that I can include it in my monthly budget instead of having cash available for gas.

I have been mystery shopping since May 2007. And I am signed up with 10 companies so far. And I have not paid a dime for any listing. I have used your listing. My rating is 9/10 with all companies. I have already had companies call me personally to complete a shop for them. I think this is the ultimate compliment.

There are a few things I like about shopping:
1. It takes me places that I have never been before. This is a great advantage. Because when I have to interact with an employee I do not have to pretend.
2. I live in Houston, a large city. This gives me a wide variety of shops to choose from.
3. I learn alot. Because the questions that I ask are questions that I really would like an answer to.

The one thing that I would really like to know more about is the tax advantages. The write offs at the end of the year.

I have gotten many jobs.
I think the pay should be higher because of the gas prices at this time.
I love working for GapBuster.
Some company's are not so good to work for because they take their time answering your questions.
I do not think we should have to wait for a answer.
At gapbuster that never happens. Many times I was a bit confused and sent a email to them,and right away I get a answer.
Some company's...for the money they pay, want you to fill out way to many questions.
Look for companys who value you more.

I have been mystery shopping for a little over a year now and find it very enjoyable. It started out as fast food shops but now I'm also doing retail. Some jobs don't pay very much but others pay really well. I'm not too picky about the jobs I do. I know the more experience I get the better the assignments and pay will be. I'm so happy to be doing this.

i have not had one mystery shopping job everybody wants money. so now i think this is a scam

The mystrey shoppers have omly been given jobs that are out of the area and i feel that there has not been any concideration given to me as to the lack of transportation,plus i have not been given the opportunity to even be on a mystery shop.

Mr. Tim F
One of the most valuable tools a mystery shopper can use is a spell check program. Spelling and grammer errors on shop applications could be one of the reasons you're not being offered any shops.

We really dont know why he is not getting jobs, you know it is possible that maybe they dont have any in his area. You know Joan G, I have been shopping over 3 years and never once have I used the spell check, and none of my shops have been turned down. I make over 1000.00 a month.

Tim, you also have to apply to more then one company, I have applied to over 100 companies and yes some of them will not be in your area. Good Luck

Bestfr1303, you're right. We really don't know why he's not finding jobs. My suggestion was based solely on the number of errors in the post.

You're lucky to be able to spell well naturally. Unfortunately, spell-checking and then proofing (to catch what the check doesn't catch) are a necessity for many. (I should have spell-checked "grammar" I'm sure you would agree that a thorough proof-reading helps to keep us from becoming too familiar with our editors.

Your suggestion to apply to lots of companies is right on the mark, but I still contend that an error-filled application does not make a good first impression in a business where accuracy and professionalism is imperative.

Continued success to you.
Regards,Joan

1. I have been mystery shopping for a couple of months now. I used to mystery shop about 5-6 years ago, and became interested in it again recently.
2. Within the last couple of months I've done close to 2 dozen mystery shops.
3. I am currently registered with 12 different companies.
4. I can't think of any questions that I have. Everyone's websites and CPIs are pretty self-explanatory.
5. Postive Experiences? I am excited about a recent audit that I have been requested to do at a Movie Theater for the new Harry Potter movie!!
6. I personally have had no negative experiences, but I am aware that I need to "pick and choose" my shops. Some may only pay a couple of dollars with a $1 reimbrusement for a purchase for a lot of paperwork. My time is worth much more than that!! I typically choose quick "lunch time" shops that pay fairly well or something that I can do on the weekend that may take more time, but it also pays more. My word of advice....choose your shops wisely...look at all the instructions and paperwork before you commit yourself.

1. How long have you been mystery shopping? I started Mystery Shopping in May of 2007.
2. How many mystery shopping jobs have you done? As of this week I have completed 47 assignments.
3. How many companies have you applied to? I have applied for about 60 jobs.
4. Is there anything you’d like to know that would help you with your mystery shopping? Scheduling was initially an issue but as time has gone by I'm getting a good handle on this. I would like to know a good approach to take with a scheduler in order to ask for a particular job.
5. Any positive experiences you’d like to share? Most all my shops have been enjoyable. I look forward to attaining my Silver Certificate as soon as next week and then go for the Gold in August.
6. Any negative experiences you’d like to warn other mystery shoppers about? When I first started doing shops I began taking assignments for a well know branded company. While they demanded perfection they also required the shopper spend a minimum of $5 to do the shop. They paid a $10 fee. However the $5 purchase is deducted from the $10 fee leaving the shopper with less than $5 to do the shop. After completing the shop it may take 30 to 45 minutes to complete the report online. It didn’t take me long after doing a few shops to realize that it was not worth it for me to take the effort to do the shop, expenses involved for gasoline and use of my car, my time, and use of my computer. The shop was quiet detailed and could involve visiting as many as three different departments in the store. I continue to receive e-mails from them requesting me to apply for their shops. It turned out to be a good learning experience for me. Just because an organization is well known in the public sector doesn’t mean it is worth while to do their shops.

I have had some great experience in my shopping, the paper work can be difficult if you are not motivated enough. I have shopped with this one company and made decent pay. YOUR TAXES CAN BE AFFECTED BY INDEPENDENT CONTRACTOR POSITIONS. If the pay is not worth it, it is better to go out and work on a regular job. EPMS IS A DECENT COMPANY.

I NOTICED THAT AS I HAVE GONE THROUGH THE LETTERS HERE, THAT MOST PEOPLE WILL TELL YOU THEY WORKED 40 OR ETC. BUT DON'T GIVE ANY NAMES OF COMPANIES SO THAT OTHERS CAN BENEFIT FROM THEM. THANK SO MUCH FOR SHARING!

I recently signed up for vindale research, but they asked me for my creditcard # WITH THE FIRST SURVERY. should i have to give out my credit card # to a company i don't know?

I would not give out my credit card number to anyone. I can think of no reason why they would need that if they are for real. I hope you don't have any problems with that.

The few times that I thought that I had a mystery job, zi was unable to answer the qualifying questions! Secondly, most of the jobs are too far! I don't want to have to drive 25 miles for just 7 dollars and MAYBE a small gas incentive. What to do? I'm thinking maybe this is not for me.

First of all. Do not give up. It takes awhile to get established. It is not usually something that starts out strong.The thing is to be able to find the Company or Companies with the most shops in your area. It took me several months to find the ones that work out the best for me. I also like the ones best where I can instantly know if I have been accepted. I don't like to apply for jobs and then have to wait to see. Usually by the time they respond I have already filled my schedule to where ever they want me to go.

IT HAS BEEN GOOD BYT I WOULD LIKE YOU TO SEND THE INFORMATION IN SPANISH PLEASE. ATT.SEIRLEN

I WOULD LIKE YOU TO SEND ME THE INFORMATION IN SPANISH PLEASE MY SON IS THE ONE THAT TELL MY THE INFORMATION ATT.SEIRLEN

!Hola! Seirlen,

?Que informacion? ?Todo?

<translation.com> :-) Buenas suerte.

I started May 15, 2007. I just completed my 26th shop this week. I have done everything between one McDonald's to one Apt shop. butmostly mostly retail. Some of the jobs pay okay, some pay low, but I take some of the low ones, to help me become acquainted with the schedulers and companies and for them, in return to learn more about me. I feel I will get more good ones all in good time. My shops average 12.00 a shop, some more, some less. I have enrolled/registered with approximately 200 overall. There are several that use me a lot and some have never contacted me. I get some from my membership with secret shopper, also.
I did get certified with MSPA on the silver level. That, I believe is important because it helps the companies know you are serious about it. One has to start at the bottom and work up. I know I have some competition in the area I shop, because sometimes the job is advertised one minute and gone the next, but that's okay. I've had about all I can do up to now. Just this week I started doing 2 a day, on occasions.

I have had a great time shopping. I started the end of May and SO for I am pushing close to 1000 plus my free items. I got silver certified and going for the gold in October. I can do between 20-35 shops per month. I also have schedulers calling me as a "preferred shopper". I am still applying to different companies so my list of options are growing. I have had no major problems yet.

I have been doing mystery shopping as a 2nd job for about 2 years. I am registered with over 100 companies, and have done assignments for over 25 of them. I refuse to accept assignments that only pay $3 - $4 as my time is worth more than that. I figure that I must make at least minimum wage or it is not worth leaving the house for it. My highest paying job so far was for $150, and recently did one for $75; but those are rare. If I had a digital camera I could probably make this a full time job, as that is the trend in mystery shopping to send in reports with visual proof to back up your observations, and they pay more than shops without them most times. I try to accept assignments I can complete on the same day in the same area from different companies to maximize my profit.
I have a good reputation for completing my jobs on time with well written reports, so I am on the "A" list with some schedulers, I am asked if I want some assignments before email notifications are sent out to "ALL SHOPPERS". It takes time to get to that point. In the beginning I thought I would never get any assignments as they came very slow, but I just kept looking for and applying to more mystery shopping companies. Also I find it is more likely you will get a job if you check the job boards on the Sassie sites, and not wait for them to send you an invite to assignments. Several companies pay within 2 weeks, but most you will wait to be paid for 4-6 weeks from when you complete a job, so if you are looking for quick cash, this is not the job for that. Well, hope that helps.

All have a great day, happy shopping.

i have not had much luck

I have been shopping since the first of June. So far, I have completed about 80 shops. The majority of the shops have been fast food and cell phone. I have also started doing a lot of merchandising. The two do blend together well. Most of the shops are coming from two companies, but I am registered with ten to twelve others. I have one reset company that is working me four to five days per week. Another is four to five hours weekly. And, I have several monthly service visits I am set up to do. The merchandising assignments are keeping me busy enough that I am having to put the brakes on some of the mystery shopping. I am making excellent money on the merchandising, and it is steady income. The good thing about the fast food shops is that I am getting paid for meals that I would have purchased anyway while out of town on the merchandising assignments. Overall, I am breaking even on the mystery shops, but the free meals are a nice little perk.

I have done two Mystery Shopping jobs and I am a newbe so far they are fine. Those of us who live in a Rural area or semi Rural probably have to apply at a lot of companies. I just sit down and do at least five a day. I do not rememner exactly how many companies I have applied to But it has been a lot and I am going to keep on applying to them until I am satisfied. It was so much fun when I went Shopping I just relaxed and did it and the Schedulers sent me nice notes about my work and that made me feel good. I do not want to do anything else. What I like about it also I take my husband with me sometimes and he enjoys it and he helps me like in remembering names and different things he brings my attention to it without anyone suspecting me because we just act natural. When yu do it you feel like you are telling on someone but actually yu are not because these people that we work for want to make sure that things are going right and what needs correcting because of the way employees meetand customers who come into the Restaurant or into a Department Store because if they have bad employees then they need to know to fix things not necessarily to fire the employee but fix the problems. It is imperative that we do our job just like the want it done and I intend to do just that every chance I am given and I am sure people who have been doing this a long time agree.

It is so much fun so let's all wish each other well and hope we all get Shopping jobs where ever we live. Please remember when you get jobs and they are completed that if was not for the Lord abeling us to get out in our cars and do our jobs for these people we are blessed so those of you who has not received any jobs in your locations just be patient they will come and keep applying every chance yu get.

I have been a mystery shopper for 2 months. I have evaluated 3 apartment complexes. Did a drug testing and a restaurant evaluation.

I am enjoying this type of work. The evaluations are really time consuming , especially the online reporting.

I have signed up with 4 Companies, but would actualy prefer working with just one if I could get enough shops,as each company seems to have a somewhat different system.