@risinghorizon wrote:

I've thought about why I mystery shop. It is not so much the money, as I could survive without it. What if I stopped mshopping? No! I cannot even think about it for a minute. I read some people's comments that if they did not need the money, they won't mshop. If I won a million, I don't think I would completely give it up. It's in my blood. People who have not had that experience won't be interested because it is too much work, too much energy involved, etc. There is a way out. Be selective of what you do and who you work for.

The reason some are hesitant to take a leap is because it has not gotten into their blood. They think of all the work involved and the measly compensation as the final fruit of that labour. It is easier to make a speedy retreat. But it is not the best way to map a future.

As ICs, when we want to relax, we can do it, on our own terms. When we want to challenge ourselves, we go ahead and face more hurdles. We are the authors of our destiny. This is just too much for some new recruit to handle. It is the mystery of being an IC. It is hard to stomach for a newbie who is used to being taken care of by the family, the society, the company, the government, etc.

Boy, did this strike a chord. I don't need the money. I'm comfortable. Maybe too comfortable. I have a hard time talking myself into leaving the house. There are people out there! *shudders* Taking on a shop gives me a reason to leave the house. Even if at the last second, that little voice inside me says, "You don't want to go out there. THEY'RE out there. Stay home where it's safe.", I push myself out the door to do the shop because I said that I would. I won't go back on my word. That's sacred. So it gives me that little nudge that I need to get me out there, get me out of my sweats, and maybe even put on a little make-up and try to rejoin the human race for a while.

Today, I got the results of my first shop report. I got a 10/10. It gave me the reassurance I needed to do the next one. Just one. But I went out, and I did it. Didn't really even have the butterflies I had on the first one... well, maybe a little. lol But I came home, and I typed out my report. My husband said wow. All this narrative for a second hand store? Really? I said, "You know me. When you ask me what happened, don't you always complain that I detail everything to death until your eyes glaze over?" He agreed. That's what I do. I told him I LOVE this stuff. I mean, I really LOVE it. I've been bitten, and I'm wondering if there could ever be any turning back now. Doesn't feel like it. This is going to sound stupid, but I think I was made to do this. lol I've got two degrees in Respiratory Therapy, and I've finally found my calling doing mystery shops. lol

Think about it. I don't HAVE to do anything, if I don't want to. I could just stay home, and nobody is going to give me a hard time about it. But if I want to go out and engage with people, I can do that. I have a reason now. And sure, for me, it's a lifestyle thing. It's not about the money. If I do decide to go, we can have a nice bite to eat out. Or like today, I visited an old college professor that was about forty minutes away from my house. When I was finished visiting, just a couple miles down the road was the shop I had agreed to do. The lousy $12? Guess what? It paid for my gas to come and see my professor. And then I had a grand time writing out the report. I actually had a good time writing the stupid report. Oh yes... I believe this job was made for me! Color me happy. I. am. hooked.

At crgproshoppers.com we are proud to say we have been in this business for 25 years and many of our shoppers have been with us for over 8 years! Happily working for a MSC is somewhat like a successful marriage, it's merely a matter of having realistic expectations! we actually trust and rely on our ProShoppers and i feel they do likewise to us. - Don Bode, Founder/President

CRG is an absolutely terrific company. One of the best.

@anniemaria wrote:

I have a family member who is looking for a job she can do around her kids activities so I suggested mystery shopping. Then, she wanted me to do the research for her. I said no and that was a year ago. I have also suggested it to my husband's children whom he helps out with money but so far no takers even when it is pointed out to them that eventually they will be getting no more money.

EVENTUALLY.... i don't think that word means anything to them.

As I ease into semi-hibernation, I think about how this is good for ms outcomes.


Unless there is a specific or target population in which I am scarce, rare or otherwise needed, it is good for me to step aside and let someone else perform certain ms tasks whilst I enjoy the essential pleasures of holidays, winter, year-planning, etc.

I retain my designated projects; others handle the rest.

For some projects, it is good to have a broad cross-section of responses. There is plenty of room in this business for new shoppers and their reported experiences.

@Shop-et-al wrote:

As I ease into semi-hibernation, I think about how this is good for ms outcomes.


Unless there is a specific or target population in which I am scarce, rare or otherwise needed, it is good for me to step aside and let someone else perform certain ms tasks whilst I enjoy the essential pleasures of holidays, winter, year-planning, etc.

I retain my designated projects; others handle the rest.

For some projects, it is good to have a broad cross-section of responses. There is plenty of room in this business for new shoppers and their reported experiences.

semi hibernation, sounds like a good idea

I always semi hibernate in the winter. I am not a fan.

One of my shops yesterday was at a furniture store. The salesman who was waiting on me went into the back room for a minute, and I continued looking at merchandise while he was gone. I overheard two other salesmen behind the sales counter talking. One was saying something to the other along the lines of, "Yeah, but it's all going downhill nowadays. You have to keep your eyes peeled for those mystery shoppers every blessed second of the day." I almost had a stroke right there. lol I kind of turned a little bit to look at them from the corner of my eye to see if they had figured me out, or if it was just a warped coincidence. Nope. I was in the clear. But it did give me a jolt. Then at the end of the shop, the salesman was putting a little thank you gift in a bag for me, and he told me he was giving me his business card. He hadn't handed it to me, so I wasn't sure whether he put it on the counter somewhere and I hadn't seen it, or if it was in the bag. So I asked him, "Did you put your card in the bag?", and the manager whipped his head around to look at me. Uh oh! I thanked the salesman, and got the heck out of there. lmao

I don't like to refer anyone, even my close friends, they flake or screw up and I don't want my reputation or grade to go down. Keep it a mystery!!

Well I am of the opinion that she made more money off of the refertal fees she will make for those companies than what she would have mystery shopping, ( Both FF and the lady who posted on the original blogs) I have not looked but I am guessing that each of those companies has a referral program of $10-15.oo each and no reports to be done. And no shopping either. Cha-ching., Just my thoughts.

Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 10/09/2015 11:07PM by barbpete.

Yeah I almost got recognized during an auto negotiation shop. I was recognized as having been there before but not as a MS. One lady was there who I had evaluated before and she asked me ,"Are you going to buy a car this time?" I showed her a picture of a man I claimed to be engaged to and threw her off. Whew

me too

Exactly. It's not a get rich scheme and requires skills not everyone has. I like this work because it fits in with my other IC work which is a nanny to 11 year old twins whose mother died 2 yrs ago. I love that job but doesn't challenge my intellect enough and with MS, I am challenged to write good narratives and pay attention. I have the best of both worlds and I get paid !!!!

I REALLY appreciate you being so positive about the 'constructive' criticism. Too often on this forum people take offense.

@Kr wrote:

Ouch! [Rubbing butt where it was chewed....]

Thank you for taking the time to point out the errors. I often read this forum on an old iPad and write my posts using the virtual keypad. At work, some of the "kids" laughingly call it fat finger syndrome -- where you go to press one key, but another gets pressed by mistake.

Rest assured that I always type my shopping reports on a regular pc with a REAL keyboard. The report is written in MS Word, and proofed before it is submitted.

I wish you a pleasant weekend.

I was in line at small Post Office, doing a shop there. I have the right kind of face for a MS, totally unremarkable. I did the shop and, as I was leaving, I heard my clerk tell the postmaster that she had just been shopped and was just crushed. My heart stopped and my stomach dropped until she went on to say she recognized that redheaded guy to be a MS. I am a blonde woman. I wore a triumphant little smirk as I went out the door.

There's no reason to take offense if someone is offering you a chance to learn from them, as long as it is constructive criticism. If it isn't constructive, then I would just give them the benefit of the doubt. Perhaps they're just having an off day.

@KathyG wrote:

I REALLY appreciate you being so positive about the 'constructive' criticism. Too often on this forum people take offense.

@Kr wrote:

Ouch! [Rubbing butt where it was chewed....]

Thank you for taking the time to point out the errors. I often read this forum on an old iPad and write my posts using the virtual keypad. At work, some of the "kids" laughingly call it fat finger syndrome -- where you go to press one key, but another gets pressed by mistake.

Rest assured that I always type my shopping reports on a regular pc with a REAL keyboard. The report is written in MS Word, and proofed before it is submitted.

I wish you a pleasant weekend.

Wow! You practically wrote MY story! When I first started and saw the shops for $5.00 plus meal etc. I almost backed out but then I did that first shop!! Like you I have to make myself get out but for a shop, I rarely hesitate anymore and those $5 shops have easily turned to $25 bonus shops. I can pick and choose when I work, what I do, when I take a vacation etc. My only problem is that I need to lay off the rest of the year and I find myself accepting shops because I am hooked!