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What is the coolest job you have done as a ms?

June 05, 2015 06:35PM
Such a cool topic, mainly because I love what I do and don't sound as though I'm bragging or boring others who don't mystery shop.
I've done so many cool shops since I started out seven years ago. I was given an airport badge to get through security and shop every single store, cafe, and bar in two terminals. My husband laughed because I did a ton of Christmas shopping at the airport that year! I've also done a two night stay at a water park resort hotel which we could never have afforded on our own. Took six people to dinner once at a super nice steakhouse and several times have taken four. I enjoy nights when it is just my husband and me as well at these restaurants. Stayed in some excellent hotels. All while earning reward points towards more free nights.
I wish I could make a living off of this but instead, I use mystery shopping to enhance our lifestyle. Recently, I've put together some amazing charm bracelets from two different jewelry lines that I'm excited to give my daughter once she's older. I could go on and on...
Thanks for asking, thanks for reading!

Doing what I can to enhance the life of my family! I LOVE what I do smiling smiley
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June 05, 2015 06:47PM
About 3 years ago after struggling thru the learning process of Mystery shopping with tons and tons of emails from scheduling companies I stubbled on a letter from a private investigator who contracts ppl to catch businesses pirating Pay Pre-View. I have now performed over 15 for him making Great Money. I have watched many of the Fights and MMA matches.
This job is fun because Im just another patron having a beet and earning hundreds of dollars.
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June 05, 2015 06:52PM
I once received roundtrip airline tickets for recording an interaction with a travel agent. I really enjoy the timeshare resort shops, listen to the pitch, get the gifts ($100 Visa card one time), type the report and stay for 3-7 nights. My husband did a lot of phone shops where he wore a really ugly plaid button up shirt with a camera in the button. he traveled all over the state, they paid quite a bit per shop, reimbursed for hotel, rental car, and food. Pretty sweet deal.
I love mystery shopping, just wish I lived in a more urban area where there were more shops.
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June 05, 2015 06:58PM
Best was an eyeglass shop where I had to get Transitions lenses. I had to mail in the glasses to Transitions so they could evaluate them, then they would mail them back for me to keep. The glasses and frames came to about $350. I was fully reimbursed and got a fee. A few weeks later I got a letter saying that Transitions was keeping the glasses because the shop had put in knock-off lenses. With the letter was a check for $350 for my trouble!

I also love to do casino shops, but there are few in my area.

NOTE: I'm not on the forum every day. If someone comments on my post, I might not reply right away. I've been a shopper since 1991. I've never done any work for a MS company in any other capacity.
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June 05, 2015 07:20PM
I like the quick bank jobs. I've only been shopping 5 months and do a lot of fast foods. I find the bank jobs more slimming and more lucrative. I got a call a few days ago for a resort the other day (never done one) but had to turn it down because of a family emergency. Look forward to trying them soon though. I've done bank jobs for different MSC's, gas stations, retirement homes, had my carpet cleaned, pet invisible fences, massages, grocery stores and income tax and retail audits. I'm trying to find my niche. I find them all fun because they are a new experience. Who said you can't start a new career at 69? I love it.
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June 05, 2015 07:23PM
My recent favorite was an upscale women's clothing shop with a hefty bonus. I got to sip champagne, chat with my personal shopper and (of course) be told everything looked beautiful when I tried it on. probably the easiest $100+ I ever made. Last year I was chosen for a once in a lifetime week-long Cayman trip with airfare, lodging, scuba diving, jewelry reimbursement, the works. At the last second I was unable to go. Biggest regret of my mystery shopping career. That shop was my white whale!!
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June 05, 2015 08:09PM
Many (fifteen) years ago with a MSP that is no longer in business... Disneyland and the Disneyland Hotel.
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June 05, 2015 11:00PM
The 'coolest' job I have done as a mystery shopper was to attend an auction at Christies. That was fun!
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June 05, 2015 11:26PM
The funnest shops were the golf courses, and the observation deck of 350 Fifth Ave in NYC. The 86th floor and the 102nd. The most profitable was a cell phone shop , took 10 minutes and paid $175.00.
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June 06, 2015 12:17AM
My coolest job, which I have done four times, is one in which I and a partner sit at the entrance to two different parking lots that are filling with cars before a major league sports game. Our job is simply to count the cars and turn our numbers in after about 5 hours, when the gates to the parking lots are closed. For this each of us is paid $100.
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June 06, 2015 12:31AM
I enjoyed being fitted for a bra that fit me perfectly. I am a VERY well-endowed woman, and wear a 42DD bra on a small frame. I have always had trouble finding a bra that fit me well, and when I came across a shop that involved being fit for a bra by experts, it was a match made in heaven.

You can't be modest to take on this shop. You take off your top and bra and expose "the girls" to a stranger. But it was kind of like seeing a boob doctor, or that's how I chose to view it. The lady who worked with me was considerably younger than me, but that didn't bother me. She was really nice and it was obviously knowledgeable about her craft. I am normally not an underwire bra wearer, but she convinced me to allow her to try fitting me for one and giving it a try. The bra we settled on was wonderful! It fitted me beautifully, cradled "the girls" in total comfort and was, by far, the best bra I had ever worn. It cost $100, way more than any bra I had ever bought. I was given $50 toward the purchase, so that was good.

So that's my story. I have others--wonderful meals at really nice restaurants, vet visits for my beloved dogs, cans of high end paint.

I really love mystery shopping!

Robinv
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June 06, 2015 12:37AM
Robin I love the bra fit shop. I try to shop it once a year when possible. It is one of the coolest jobs I do.

Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 06/06/2015 12:42AM by Pooch5210.
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June 06, 2015 01:31AM
I have a few faves. A timeshare shop that gave two nights at a 2 bedroom resort plus paid over $100. The report took exactly 20 minutes. A second is an upscale regional steakhouse where you can take three friends for a delish four course meal, with almost $400 in reimbursement. I also like some of the kids entertainment outings that are usually easy to complete.
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June 06, 2015 06:21AM
The one casino shop by me is a LOT of work, but I won $250 on the slots there once in the first ten minutes I was there.

There's a different casino near me but they make you pay them back your winnings. That would piss me off too much.

I did enjoy peeing in a cup, but I wouldn't call that "glamorous", lol.
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June 06, 2015 12:24PM
What mystery shopping company has hotel shops?
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June 06, 2015 01:38PM
My fav was for iSecret Shop. All I had to do was walk in this store, say I was buying a gift for a friend and the clerk had to suggest a certain product. Then I could say I was a street shopper for xyz and you win a prize from xyz company. She was thrilled. I went back a month later and asked what she won, $100 gift card! I love making people happy!
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June 06, 2015 01:41PM
I did a shop for iSecret Shops. I had to go into a gift shop, request help with a present for a friend. The clerk was to suggest a certain product first, which she did. I could then tell her I was a street shopper for xyz company and she won a prize. She was thrilled. I went back a month later and asked her what she got, $100 gift card! This was the best shop ever! And I got paid to do it!!!
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June 06, 2015 01:49PM
I did a shop for a company where I went into a gift store asked for help with a gift for a friend. The clerk had to mention a certain company before any other company. When she did I was able to tell her she had won a prize from this company. She was thrilled, as was I. I went back a month later and she had won a $100 gift card!!! It was an easy shop with great rewards! Loved getting paid to make someone happy!
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June 06, 2015 01:49PM
okay so I'm a little ditzy!!
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June 06, 2015 02:00PM
Given how this job was done seven years ago, (and I haven't heard from the client in that long) I assume my NDA is no long in play.

I was doing quality assurance sales checks for Coca Cola. Where I was sent into a local six flags amusement park, told where to buy coke (along with food), and see how the staff sold it. If they did a good job, give them a prizesmiling smiley

Not a bad way to earn some extra cash in the summer.smiling smiley
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June 06, 2015 03:07PM
I've done those for another company, so much fun! I felt like Santa. Forgot about those smiling smiley

Doing what I can to enhance the life of my family! I LOVE what I do smiling smiley
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June 08, 2015 04:33AM
I love my bar audit shops for a Brewhouse. Fun to get a free delicious lunch, cocktail and enjoy good company. Can never complain about it!

Also the high end hotel shops are outstanding and I love doing them as well as fine dining shops.

Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 06/08/2015 04:35AM by norcalcop.
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June 08, 2015 01:34PM
Well chocolate shops are wonderful, but I have sworn off of them as I'm supposed to be losing weight.

I also enjoy golf shops. I'm reimbursed for a round of golf, a small pro-shop purchase, lunch for two in the dining room, and beverages from the beverage cart that comes around. I even get paid somewhere between $30 and $45 depending on if the shop is bonused for 5 hours of fun!

One of the most unusual shops I have done was to pose as a potential client who was interested in plastic surgery around my eyes. I even found out from the surgeon that I have Stage 1 Rosacea! Here I thought I just had ruddy cheeks.
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June 08, 2015 02:46PM
I just started MSing recently, too, and love it!! Mostly restaurants, though, thanks to my desire to open one someday. But I've seen/heard about so many fascinating shop jobs that have piqued my interest (particularly the ones that expose discrimination against customers). It kind of gets me wondering why this sort of thing isn't utilized more often to study the social impact of business or government practices, or whether security services are truly secure, or something. And I'm still waiting for a real superfly undercover gig -- the kind I would dub "007-lite." winking smiley
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June 09, 2015 05:43AM
@lauraric wrote:

I have had so many amazing experiences since I began mystery shopping 10 years ago. I had dinner in a revolving restaurant at dusk in Canada. I was able to see the Panama Canal during a hotel shop in Panama. I got a HELOC at prime minus .25 as a result of a bank shop. I've seen cities in Canada, Nicaragua, Honduras, El Salvadore, Santo Domingo and Guatamala that I never would have seen otherwise. I've traveled the US and stayed in 4+ star hotels and resorts. I've HAD to get massages at spas, rent chairs on white sandy beaches, and order decadent desserts. I am so thankful for this job. I've also met some really wonderful people at conferences. The perks just keep on coming!

So well said. Though I cannot say I loved my experience in Nicaragua (or Honduras, or Santo Domingo - though I love El Salvadore, and you didn't mention my favorite - Columbia!) I treasure the fact that I have seen and done so much that I NEVER would have done otherwise.
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June 09, 2015 11:40AM
@robinv wrote:

I enjoyed being fitted for a bra that fit me perfectly. I am a VERY well-endowed woman, and wear a 42DD bra on a small frame. I have always had trouble finding a bra that fit me well, and when I came across a shop that involved being fit for a bra by experts, it was a match made in heaven.

You can't be modest to take on this shop. You take off your top and bra and expose "the girls" to a stranger. But it was kind of like seeing a boob doctor, or that's how I chose to view it. The lady who worked with me was considerably younger than me, but that didn't bother me. She was really nice and it was obviously knowledgeable about her craft. I am normally not an underwire bra wearer, but she convinced me to allow her to try fitting me for one and giving it a try. The bra we settled on was wonderful! It fitted me beautifully, cradled "the girls" in total comfort and was, by far, the best bra I had ever worn. It cost $100, way more than any bra I had ever bought. I was given $50 toward the purchase, so that was good.

So that's my story. I have others--wonderful meals at really nice restaurants, vet visits for my beloved dogs, cans of high end paint.

I really love mystery shopping!

Robinv

I actually did a bra fitting assignment for a merchandising company. I was the "fitter" I had to measure the ladies and I saw a lot of "chests" that day! smiling smiley lol. But the customers did not seem that uncomfortable and I got relaxed about doing it.... They did not remove their bras however, I measured them on the floor, or if they preferred, in the fitting room. (for those wondering, I am female) Can you imagine a male trying to get this assignment? NOT!
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June 09, 2015 01:26PM
@SunnyDays2 wrote:

I measured them on the floor

That seems horribly uncomfortable.
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June 10, 2015 01:46AM
@OldDog wrote:

Given how this job was done seven years ago, (and I haven't heard from the client in that long) I assume my NDA is no long in play.

I was doing quality assurance sales checks for Coca Cola. Where I was sent into a local six flags amusement park, told where to buy coke (along with food), and see how the staff sold it. If they did a good job, give them a prizesmiling smiley

Not a bad way to earn some extra cash in the summer.smiling smiley

These shops are still out there!! I did it twice last summer and I saw them on the job board a few days ago!

ShopperShel

MSPA Gold Certified
Undercover Essentials Video Certified


Have video equipment, will travel!
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June 11, 2015 07:58PM
Hello, Cettie

I love reading your tag line every time you post! I am compiling a list of most unusual shops for the Mystery Shopping Magazine and your "goat racer" and "dead body locater" definitely fit the bill! Would you be willing to discuss the particulars about these two with me? I have to have the article in by Sunday so I'm a little short on time but would love to include you. You can e-mail me at writermagic@hotmail.com or PM me on Facebook for my phone number. Look forward to hearing from you!
(Sorry - just realized that I could PM you on the forum by clicking on your name. Live and learn!)

Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 06/11/2015 08:04PM by writermagic.
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June 11, 2015 08:46PM
My favorite type of ms are the reward ones.

One MSC had a round of Mexican fast food. I scheduled two on consecutive days. Apparently the manager at the second location must have seen me at the first location because as soon as he saw me in line, he hovered near a register. Once I was next in line, he immediately opened up and invited me over. Because he successfully met the shop's criteria, he got the rewards as both the cashier and manager on duty. Not bad for $150 for 5 minutes of his time.
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