I am not sure where the 169 miles comes from, probably some average between the two cities. But 340 miles (rount trip) at $0.575 = $185.30. Then add 5 hours @ $10 = $50 and 1 hour @ $10 = $10 for a grand total of $245. Your actual mileage may vary, and the time to do the shop and to write it up may be less thna 1/2 hour each. Plus it is the middle of winter in a snowy area. $300 sounds resonable. $250 sounds like the lowest you should accept.

@SunnyDays2 wrote:

@yawarakai wrote:

They called today to see if I would go to Detroit MI I live in Cleveland OH that is six hours round trip as I only get one day off from work at a time. I didn't think they woould go for $300

Well, let's see, that is 169 miles and 2 hours and 40 minutes (x2), so roughly 5 hours driving round-trip. You can go with drive time or miles/or both. For me I would say $50 for drive time (based on $10 an hour)- drive time, $30 for gas, I would say $200-300 sounds like a fair price for your time, fees and bonuses

@myst4au wrote:

I am not sure where the 169 miles comes from, probably some average between the two cities. But 340 miles (rount trip) at $0.575 = $185.30. Then add 5 hours @ $10 = $50 and 1 hour @ $10 = $10 for a grand total of $245. Your actual mileage may vary, and the time to do the shop and to write it up may be less thna 1/2 hour each. Plus it is the middle of winter in a snowy area. $300 sounds resonable. $250 sounds like the lowest you should accept.

@SunnyDays2 wrote:

@yawarakai wrote:

They called today to see if I would go to Detroit MI I live in Cleveland OH that is six hours round trip as I only get one day off from work at a time. I didn't think they woould go for $300

Well, let's see, that is 169 miles and 2 hours and 40 minutes (x2), so roughly 5 hours driving round-trip. You can go with drive time or miles/or both. For me I would say $50 for drive time (based on $10 an hour)- drive time, $30 for gas, I would say $200-300 sounds like a fair price for your time, fees and bonuses

I Mapquested the miles from Detroit to Cleveland and if yawarakai goes by way of the I-75 to I-90, it reads 169 miles

@elcarev68 wrote:

Shop-et-al, margaretabella -
The bonus you can get is based on many factors, but the location's distance from you is not one of them. The MSC doesn't care much where you live, they care about getting the job done. If you are willing to drive 45 miles for a $10 bonus, that's fine by them. If they can, they'd sooner pay someone $9 to drive 2 miles, or $8 to drive 75 miles.
They're trying to get the job done, with certainty, as inexpensively as possible.
You're trying to get as much money as possible. Check the other 100 companies that you're signed up with. What other shops are near that 45 mile $10 bonus shop? What's between here and there? You might be happy for that modest bonus if you can find ten other modest bonuses on this 90 mile route.
And none of those modest bonus-offering MSCs give a rip about how far you're traveling to get it done. Just that you're getting it done.
As you track locations, you'll see ones that linger on the boards. These may be in less accessible locales, places where many shoppers don't want to go, or where there are few or no local shoppers. You'll be able to ask for higher and higher bonuses on an isolated shop the closer to the deadline that a location gets. The MSC will generally start throwing gobs of money at ones that are due tomorrow. Be patient, study the boards, track locations.
Track your own bonus requests as well. If your request is accepted, ask for a little more next time and find out how high the ceiling is. If it's rejected, ask for a little less next time and look for a lower ceiling. Or wait until the day before the deadline and see if your request is accepted then.
Many shoppers set a price per mile or a price needed to leave the house, or whatever. The MSC doesn't care about any of that. They want to pay the lowest price to get the job done, with certainty and correctly. If that lowest price, added to all the other lowest prices on shops that you can do between here and there, is enough for you to travel the distance and put in the hours, then do it, 100% dependably and correctly. And then ask for a little more next time.

Edited to add: There are many excellent threads on this Forum re. bonus requests. Use the search feature to find out lots more.

Thank you. Some of the information about the topic of shop pay has helped me already. The most helpful information concerns integrating life values and work efforts. Since it is not my life goal to live on the edge of uncertainty about what some company might pay for some job and it is beyond tedious to haggle about relatively few dollars, I will continue to do what I am doing. I will continue to schedule shops with known amounts of monetary payment more often than I play a waiting game for potentially available jobs with potentially greater payment. This method allows me to shop occasionally and work more hours at my other employment which has little scheduling flexibility.



Edited 2 time(s). Last edit at 02/22/2015 02:04AM by Shop-et-al.

I never base my bonus request on anything other than how much I think the shop is worth to the MSC. There is one shop I do fairly often, at $65 a shop, because it's in the middle of nowhere. I know this shop is worth $65 so I always ask $65. Some days I'm literally driving 2 miles from the place anyway. Because I'm 2 miles from it anyway does not make it worth less to the MSC so why should I take less?

Good point! There is no mandate that you must or should take less. There is no mandate that you should not want or seek more. There is only a possibility that by waiting you would end up with no assignment and no payment. Is it okay with you if you end up with no job and no payment?

You are the only person who knows if/when you can afford to wait for the potentally greater shop pay.

And this seems to be heart of the issue: We all have different needs for income and apparently, only some of us can afford to wait for later, greater shop payments.

I say, good for those who can name their price and wait for it even if some shops get away from them, and good for those who have to work at the pay rate that secures an assignment and generates a paycheck which arrives in time to satisfy the budget demands.

This is my only source of income. I'm fairly certain if I just took everything off the board at the going rate I would starve to death.

You wouldn't starve but you'd work hard and live cheap. I can work off the board because I live in a paid up house and I have other income. Those two things allow me to be home every night and work when I want to.

@MDavisnowell wrote:

work hard and live cheap

Two things I'm not particularly fond of

You and me2.

@bgriffin wrote:

This is my only source of income. I'm fairly certain if I just took everything off the board at the going rate I would starve to death.

Some people would starve to death if they didn't take some jobs w/ guaranteed rate and date of payment.
```'If the wind will not serve, take to the oars. –Latin Proverb'``` I just came across this again and thought it good for describing where some shoppers are. They're using the oars--hurrah!

Meanwhile, I hope that all shoppers who want or need to increase their shopping revenues will be able to do so soon. There is plenty of information here that can lead to increased shop payments.
*******************************

@bgriffin wrote:

@MDavisnowell wrote:

work hard and live cheap

Two things I'm not particularly fond of

Does it follow that mystery shopping funds your lavish lifestyle?



Edited 2 time(s). Last edit at 02/22/2015 04:35AM by Shop-et-al.

I read these posts on bonusing and wonder if I am missing out. I feel it is so different here in NV where we are employees for companies that fill the shops for the MSCs. I rarely see bonuses and if I see a shop I want, I apply. I get it or I don't. Anyone else from NV that can add their 2 cents worth? I'd love your take on bonuses!

Suzie

@Shop-et-al wrote:

@bgriffin wrote:

@MDavisnowell wrote:

work hard and live cheap

Two things I'm not particularly fond of

Does it follow that mystery shopping funds your lavish lifestyle?

As I said, this is my only income. I wouldn't call my lifestyle lavish but I am spending part of March in Florida, I eat out most meals, I stay in decent hotels, own two cars, and don't really work all that hard. I'm not complaining.

Hi All,
This discussion is one of the BEST one's so far that I've read in here since becoming a member in here, as for me..I'm at a stage in my career that I FRANKLY never thought I'd attain. That is..I turn 66 year's old this month..which allows me to start drawing my full benefit from social security, I'm still working a full time job @ a national home improvement center (I've already been chastized for stating the name of the company) in a perfectly harmless way, and now I've been given the oppurtunity to try something I've thought about doing for quite a while (mystery shopping). I'm SO Blessed !!
David :-)

Good newbie, good, good!

David, you read and pay attention. You listen and take advice without taking personal offense (none is meant by anyone, we just most of us simply want to help each other, although we are all pretty opinionated). You are catching on quickly. I think you'll be successful at mystery shopping and you'll enjoy it. Happy shopping!

@imsuzie2 wrote:

I read these posts on bonusing and wonder if I am missing out. I feel it is so different here in NV where we are employees for companies that fill the shops for the MSCs. I rarely see bonuses and if I see a shop I want, I apply. I get it or I don't. Anyone else from NV that can add their 2 cents worth? I'd love your take on bonuses!

Suzie

Not from NV and no opinion. Just a few questions.


Are empoyee perks/benefits available? Is there seniority or longevity pay? Do you receive merit raises? Are you free to work for as many companies as you choose? Are you allowed to have other employment? Are you allowed to work independently if you travel and shop outside of NV? Is your employer an added layer in the pay chain, and if so, does this affect the amount paid to you (such as temporary employment agencies which receive a larger amount of money than the temporary workers)?

I am very curious about the specifics of mystery shopping in Nevada.



Edited 2 time(s). Last edit at 02/22/2015 05:09PM by Shop-et-al.

All of the questions you are asking can be found somewhere on this forum

@margaretbella wrote:

All of the questions you are asking can be found somewhere on this forum

Thank you. I located two posts which mention mystery shopping in Nevada.

Hi. It's up to you how many miles you are willing to travel for a shop. I typically evaluate the miles versus the pay. If it's not cost effective I won't apply for the shop. Large bonuses
are typically offered when companies are in desperate need, so unless they are, the bonuses may not be that great.

I find this works for me,
0-49 miles $0.75
50-99 $50.00
51-return and back same day $150-200 depending on shop. I usually check other mileage sources because the mileage source may be inaccurate. Everything is negotiable.. Oh and these are round trip dollars, long day shops come in at $275 +fee and usually plus bonus.

Make more money build a route. As soon as you have this scheduled, contact your other schedulers and let them know you have a project.
This base one pays the mileage and because there is going to be additional wear and tear on your vehicle due to mileage negotiate additional mileage dollars on the fringe shops too. Good Luck. Be Safe

I determine if I take something based on if that is a better use of time that what I otherwise would do. If I make $20 for an hour that I would otherwise watch tv, do the shop. If I would value spending time with family over the $20, then I don't do. Plug your own shop rate and time it takes in

MaritxCx has been very good to me over the years and I do try to go a little further for them for the most part but It has to be woth your time. Bank combo shops for instance the time it takes to drive, shop, return and then fill out the online reports it is worth more than $12.50 So don't be afraid to wait until the end of the cycle, Don't be afraid to ask for more. I do wish I would have found this forum when I first started it is great that shoppers share their knowledge and also a little Comic Relief with each other.

One more thing for those that are brand new this shopping isn't usually easy money. It is like the saying "If you knock on the door of opportunnity guess who answers it ( WORK )" lol

Remember We are all somewhere in the future and we look much better than we do right now.

God Bless.

x



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 03/30/2015 12:14AM by MDavisnowell.

You are right there!

MDavisnowell and I have done some of the banks left undone on and requested by a call from the scheduler i work with often for up to 60.00 for a overdraft shop that was left over at end of cycle.

The nice thing I like about working for that MSC is that they have a variety of clients to shop for and I am in a rural area so have to drive a lot pulling them together often make it worth the trip.

I have had zero Issues with that company

bgriffin makes a good point. Set a baseline amount and stick to it, don't crumble. The MSC's I work with know that I won't get it the car for less than $20 (50 mi RT limit) + a $20 fuel surcharge for every 50 mi thereafter. I started this policy 2 years ago when gas was $4.50 gal in SoCal just to survive. Sure, I lost alot of shops, but when they need one done I still get offers.

I think it depends on how much shopper competition is in your area. One particular MSC that primarily does Gold & Pizza shops doesn't have more than 1 or 2 shoppers in my area. They know I don't do Gold, Pizza or audits but I get called all the time for a Gold shop that's 2 blocks away and they pay the $20 bonus so now I'm into gold. One of their pizza shops is 8 mi away and the about 1/2 the time they cave in for the $20 bonus.

I used to do 10-12 shops a week, but only get 3-4 a week since holding to my minimum bonus fee. but some are 90 mi runs to the desert for a company that has 3 stores in Palm Springs/Palm Desert/La Quinta and they pay my $80 surcharge and do all 3 stores the same day at $20 bonus ea. (25-30min per store). Not alot of $ but a whole lot less stress & report time compared to my previous schedule.

$150 bonus? I need to sign on with Maritz! Biggest bonus I ever received in the last 5 years was $100, once. I guess if they really need it done, they pay it.

This Forum Is Great!

You are right on! Austin Mom in you said folks about taking offense. When I first started reading the forum I thought it was great and some seemed a bit over the top - direct but over time the reason was clear as you said

(We just most of us simply want to help each other, although we are all pretty opinionated).

That can be a good quality I think sometimes tempered with tact. Opinionated is part of what we do that can make a good shopper. Our job requires we very to the point in our narratives as well. One of the hardest parts for me was the narratives and sometimes still have an issue with a editor. I was not and am not an English major some of them act like you should have a degree. I do mine in MS word and then copy and paste but that still doesn’t fix all errors it comes down to proof-reads and opinions of the editor.

I just was scored my first 6 and was not happy when the editor filled in her comments of the shop stating the reasons. She contacted me to say that the instructions were not followed. (Which be the way were not included for that particular two part tire shop) I made the corrections as asked and sent it in. I got a scathing letter back from her chastising me for questioning her judgment (She Must Have Been Having Bad Day?). The next day I looked at the previous shops that had been done for the same company, very similar for not the same and nor copied. I got a 10 on them similar in style and structure as they all are. '

'As shoppers we are still human and not perfect but I do the best i can to follow instructions and fulfill obligations.
I am shopping less these days as I Pastor a country church (you do offend people there sometimes as well lol)
and working on building a Real Estate Career so I select the shops that are on my route for the day and ones with bonuses that work for me.

The Great thing about the business is that in the end after the smoke clears you can decide if you want to work for them anymore. We don't have to be mean and we don't have to work for mean people.

I learned a long time ago when it get to a certain point you might even have to fire a client to keep your sanity.

Remember we are all in it together and everything we do touches everything - You Are Somewhere In The Future And You Look Much Better That You Do Right Now!
God bless

The highest bonus I recall getting from them was $450, they were incredibly desperate and apparently needed this field goal to win one for the team or the client would walk. (I got some info afterward from someone there who called me) The $450 was about right too, It involved 5 hours of driving and a wrong turn which landed me in Canada.

@Cettie wrote:

The highest bonus I recall getting from them was $450, they were incredibly desperate and apparently needed this field goal to win one for the team or the client would walk. (I got some info afterward from someone there who called me) The $450 was about right too, It involved 5 hours of driving and a wrong turn which landed me in Canada.

I had a similar situation (making a wrong turn), but I ended up In Iraq.

I posted this info. on another topic but will also post it here. I happen to know that the client sets the limits on what MS will get paid for the shops. The clients also tell the MSC how much is available to give out for bonuses. The supervisor for each team must know how much they can offer as a bonus starting from the beginning when they start offering a bonus to close to the end when the last available shops are due. Schedulers take the bonus request from the MS to the supervisor and the supervisor makes the decision as to whether to accept the offer, make a counter-offer, or to decline. It is not at all fair to blame a scheduler. They do not have the authority to set the bonus amounts. The supervisors must make sure they don't go over the amount set to give out as bonuses or the contract and their job could depend on it. This is why you see $10, $12, $15 bonuses early on. The $150 bonuses are few and far between and are usually given for very hard to place shops more toward the end of the shopping period.

And if the bonus is more than double that amount someone had to pony up out of their own pocket like one scheduler did.

Marlene, someone may be telling the schedulers the client sets all those rates. It doesn't make it true.