1) I wonder why we have so many unregistered guests??? Is there a reason I'm overlooking, that would cause someone to not want to register?

2) Why do new members or unregistered guests ask "What should I do to get started"? when the second topic on the front page of the forum page is "How to Get Started as a Mystery Shopper"? Do they not realize that a forum is (and has been for centuries) a place where discussions are held and not a place where someone is going to write you a handbook?
There's so much info in this forum, you could go for days and still not have read it all.

3) Do members really send answers to questions, directly to a persons email address if they've listed it?

4) What other MS forums are there besides Volition's?

5) I hesitate to name companies that I wouldn't wish on anybody. Is this the safest policy? Am I being too fearful?

6) I see some horrible examples of spelling, grammar, punctuation and capitalization, mixed in with some very nicely written posts. My heart just
shrivels up and aches for these people. If they complete a narrative in a report
the way they write their posts, they're never going to make it in the MSing world.
What's the right thing to do - say something to them about the problem, or keep my mouth shut? I guess it really should be - keep my fingers from moving on the keyboard!

Questions keep popping into my head as I read postings on this forum, but apparently some of them have taken a leave of absence for the time being!

1) some people like to just lurk and read and never post on forums and that is why they never register.

2)I don't know why they don't go to the threads to read about how to get started in MSing.

3) I have contacted shoppers directly through their email and offered advice and suggestions.

4)yes, there are other forums for msing.

MSFreedom [www.msfreedom.org]

Mystery Shop Resources [p073.ezboard.com]

Informed Shopper Insights(not very active site) [www.informedshopperinsights.com]

MSPA forum [www.mysteryshop.org]


5)I don't know what you mean about naming companies....feedback from shoppers on your experiences is always welcome.

6)When members post on forum, some are more relaxed and don't get all concerned about correct punctuation/grammar/etc. I doubt that they would be shopping long if they submitted reports like that. I use words like cuz,info,etc. when posting on forums but would never use them in reports.

Edited 2 time(s). Last edit at 01/01/2008 02:13PM by bugspost.

Yeah bugspost!
Thanks for giving me the names of some other forums. I'm finding that I like reading and writing posts a whole lot more than watching TV!
For 5) There are some companies, as well as some people within companies, with whom I have had some rather nasty confrontations. With all but 2 of those companies, after days and days of back and forth emailing and calling, apologies were made and I still work for them. As far as the people within companies - the problem has either been solved with them or if they are the scheduler or co-ordinator for a client, I still do work for the company, but I won't do jobs if they are involved.
I wouldn't feel very comfortable sharing one of those people's names and I'm scared to warn y'all about the bad points of the companies themselves, because A. I still work for them and B. I don't know who reads this forum.

Well, granted...........I don't think I would post names of schedulers, etc. that I had a problem with...........might share that via email w/ other shoppers but not on a forum. Now, I gladly will name ms employees that I had a good experience with.

As far as companies............well, posting problems w/ late or no payments....again,.....it depends and you are right.......you never know who reads the forums and IF you are still working for them.......might not be a good idea.

Hey, Sandilynn to add to your question number 2 as to how to start mystery shopping, I wonder why anyone would think I would turn my information over to them-duh-this is how I earn a living. These same people would never walk into the bank and ask the teller to go home and let them work the rest of the day and collect her/his salary. I would also think that a person smart enough to get this far could do the rest. Its called research, research, research. A word of advice to those asking this question. If that is too much for you, then you might as well trot on down to the employment office or temp. agency tomorrow morning because you will never make it at this. Also, I agree with you on the grammar, though I've probably committed a major sin in this post alone.

Well, I gladly help out newbies w/information. I don't see it as taking my job as there are plenty of shops to go around. I think most just starting out appreciate someone to talk to.........not just read everything about msing. It helps to connect w/real people than just research, research,research. After giving newbies resources, etc...........they do the research.........decide if they want to pursue and I must say........not one newbie that has contacted me decided NOT to mystery shop.

I remember when I first started, I had to rely on a couple of really nice schedulers to help me as I didn't even discover forums until 6 months into it. So I vowed that when I got good at this, I would help others......now, newbies have someone they can email with questions and concerns.

I converse via email w/many newbies and veterans and give them advice on good companies...good shops, etc. I even have the tag line on other forums (NEWBIE FRIENDLY EMAIL ME ANYTIME) I get about ten NEW shoppers contact me every week. I have a nice standard email w/company names and other advice that I send to them and answer any specific questions they might have.

I let shoppers in my area know when some jobs are posted and guess what?? they do the same for me.

Right on, bugs...that's why we love you! ...and I agree. Most of these new shoppers live and cover areas that are FAR from our area. As a result, they are NOT competition for us. Remember back to when YOU just began shopping. Didn't YOU wish you had some help in getting started?

And as for other forums, I HIGHLY reccommend www.msfreedom.org as bugs said.

VERY friendly and helpful people there.

Also, I have NO problem with identifying any MSC who doesn't live up to the contract that I have with them. If they treated me badly enough to get named, I don't want to do any more shops for them anyway.

Of course, this again is to each his own. All the companies I work with I researched and discovered on my own. This is my income and I don't share it. Now, information about who pays on time and in a timely manner and the such I will gladly share and appreciate the info others pass on and also when a client changes to a difference MS company and someone is looking it I will also help with this, but not my basic info. I also don't have a problem with general questions and help if I can but, in my area there aren't enough jobs for everyone, unless one is talking part time but this is my full time job. If you're from California or Nebraska or any other place far away, I would probably tell you anything including how old I am and how much I weigh, but if you're from NC don't bet the grocery money on it.

I guess I just don't see it as such competition for jobs even with shoppers in my area. There are lots of shops w/rotation limitations and maybe, I am lucky living in an area w/lots of jobs. I share info about shops around here even ones I would consider taking. A local shopper and I take turns doing a mall shop since it is a 60 day rotation..........so she grabs it one month and I do it the next.

I too, spent many hours researching companies, filling out apps,taking tests for shops,etc. but still don't feel sharing and helping newbies is a bad thing. I figure what goes around comes around. My shopper friends have led me to opportunites I would not have known about if I hadn't been connected w/them through the help I gave them at one time or another. For every shop, another shopper might have snagged before me, I prolly got three others from networking w/shoppers. JMO and I agree Ellen to each his/her own but it works for me........sharing info w/shoppers EVEN local ones.

Ellenc, Is there something wrong with Nebraska shoppers. I am from Nebraska, I dont think I would asked for anyones help. Everything a shopper needs to know is on the internet or this forum.

No, bestfr1303, there is absolutely nothing wrong with Nebraska shoppers, nor shoppers from anyplace else. Maybe you misread what I was saying. I was saying that I will share info with people who live far from me-and Nebraska is-but not with locals who will compete directly with me.

no problem. I dont share with locals either, if you do, you giving them your business

I have to agree with bugspost.

We all know that there are "rotation" requirements that must be met before we can be assigned a shop and we all know that there are other shoppers out there to fill them during the months that we can't (if not, it's a moot point and nothing to worry about anyway!).

Instead of "worrying" about "the other guy", why not just work at being the BEST shopper in your area? Most observant and thorough, most willing to "help out" and the best-written, most detailed, accurate and thorough reports. That way, the scheduler will WANT to pick you if you're eligible.

In the meantime, like bugspot said, developing a "relationship" with other shoppers (even in YOUR area) MIGHT result in YOU getting an assignment that you wouldn't otherwise know about because it was through a company that you weren't registered with and the other shopper can't do because of location, scheduling, rotation or other issues.

Like bugspost, I'm here to help...regardless!

I think its a matter of opinion.

When I first started I would loved to have someone share information with me. If someone asks me now how to get started I tell them and wish them luck. When I first started I did not know about forums either and had to test the waters on my own. It was not easy but I sure don't mind making it easier for someone else. I am in a very remote area and have to travel a lot of miles to get shops but if I see shops that I cannot do I have e-mailed someone else I know that I think may be able to do it. Also if it is a shop I can not take because of rotation I am glad to let someone else take it. I know if they take it the months I am not elgible they cannot do it the months I can.

Because of the many friends I have made through helping them w/msing, I have actually received referral money when they have signed up for companies and completed their first shop. The rate has ranged from $10 to $25. Every time I have received a referral bonus, I split it 50/50 w/that shopper.

Also, like you Darlene, I gladly share info w/shoppers about shops around here.
Heck, schedulers have called me and if I couldn't do the shop........I have given email addresses of shoppers that might be able to. All the networking has proven invaluable to me as these shoppers do the same for me. But the primary reason I help out newbies is I remember how alone I felt when I first started. Mystery shopping has got to be one of the most confusing ventures to partake in. MS companies are not consistent in their websites (w/the exception of sassie and prophet) Every company is just different enough to confuse the heck out of a new shopper. It can be very intimidating. And then of course, you have the scam sites that try to get you to PAY to shop. So, I just enjoy being that person you can email w/a dumb question or if you are worried about a MS company being legit.
If I don't know the answers, I try to refer them to someone who does. I have friends in Canada that shop and friends that do merchandising(which I know little to nothing about) and I contact them or hook them up w/the newbie to help them.

Besides all of this, I have made some really great friends in the process

bestfr1303 -

You're right...it IS a matter of opinion...I just happen to be with dquiring, bugspost and MANY others on this one.

Being able to do things OUR way is one of the big reasons we DO mystery shopping. Obviously, we'll just have to "agree to disagree" on this point and do what's right for US as an individual. I doesn't mean we have to agree or disagree on other points. We're ALL here to express our opinions, ideas and experiences.

Nwaz, you are right, we are here to express our opinion, but it looks like some people opinion dont count and then you decide to gang up on other people when they do decide to express their opinions.

...........I feel it is quite interesting to hear everyones' opinion on this. And I believe everyone should just do what they think works for them. I don't expect others to agree w/ my opinion and love how others opinions opens minds and gets you thinking.

bestfr.....it is unfortunate that you believe anyone is ganging up on others because I just don't see it and personally, everyone's opinion counts here to me.

Everybody's opinion counts! This is sounding a bit like a squabble. Do what you think is right and please, stop hashing the point over and over. By my count, it's
3 - bugspost, nwaz and dquiring (at least partially) agreeing everybody should share everything. It's Ellen, bestfr, and I'm adding myself here, so that makes 3
who don't want to share every sliver of info they have..
I think, perhaps, that circumstances have a great deal to do with our opinions. I, like Ellen, live in NC. Even though I live in Charlotte, the area with it's outlying towns, is so huge, the jobs are within a circle with a 50 mile diameter.
I live in the NE part of Charlotte and the jobs near me are few. If I can put a route together, with enough decent paying jobs, I'm willing to drive a fair distance. But there are literally too many shoppers and not enough jobs. If your out MSing and come home and look at your messages, you find that the ones listed while you were gone have already been taken!
I love sharing any info I have with anybody, but it is not in my best interest to
share local jobs, when they're so hard to find.
I never knew about forums of any kind until a month or so ago. If I had known about this forum when I lived in CT, I would have been glad to tell the world about local jobs. CT is a small, heavily populated state and we lived smack in the middle; about 15 minutes from 2 of the largest cities. There were too many jobs and at the end of the month, schedulers were calling and begging for help, offering all kinds of bonuses. It was easy to get a job there and there were 4 companies that I worked with that were self assign! Oh, do I love that!
I hate applying for shops and then waiting, sometimes forever, before you know if
you got the job. I'm OK with the companies that guarantee a response within 24 hours. BUT, I've got a few companies that show you 2 weeks, or even the whole month's schedule; I spend the time to pick out the best routes, say for 6 days; request the jobs for those days and then start the waiting game. I can wait for days, even weeks before I hear from them. There's a company that will notify me that I've been accepted the day before the job, although I applied for it 3 weeks earlier! Grrrr!
Anybody else have this problem?

I just signed up with a msp that only notifies you if the job is yours. It makes it impossible to schedule any jobs in the opposite direction unless I want to drive all over Orange County (and it's a big place). That's one reason I especially like Bestmark. They say 48 hour notification, but I've never had it take more than a day to hear back from them.

I agree that it's a shame that some feel that these posts have become less than amiable. Each person's opinion is valid and is based on individual experience and circumstance. With that said, I would not be doing as well MSing today without the help and encouragement of friends like bugs, nwaz, and dquiring. (Of course none of them shop within several hundred miles of me )

I really think everyone has to do what works the best for them. I do have to make up routes because I have to travel long distances everytime I go out. If I depended on shops within 60 miles of me I would only be able to do about 3-4 shops a month. I try to get as many that I can self-assign as possible and that way I know where I will be going as soon as possible. I do not like to sit and wait for shops. If I have to apply for them by the time they call or e-mail me to say I received the shop I have usually already done that route and I am stuck with maybe one shop 100 miles away. Then I have to start trying to find more shops where the one is I was accepted for. If I do get accepted for one that is a long ways away and I do not get anything else going that direction it is nice to be able to refer someone else in that area if I have to refuse it. That is one reason it is nice to know if there is someone else in the state who is closer then I am to certain areas.

Hey Sandi, I didn't realize you were so near. I used to work for about a week each quarter in Charlotte until the MSC who had the extended stay hotels lost the contract and I can't locate who does it now. Work during the day and free hotel at night-loved it. I agree with you on the scheduling. Those of us who plan routes in order to make this job profitable need to know ahead of time if we have the shop. I line up my paperwork on the credenza by the day and its listed in my planner and mapped out on my laptop ahead of time and I can't hold open a slot for a maybe if I can get a for sure. I wonder if the schedulers realize that in areas like North and South Carolina where there are no truly BIG cities, that the shoppers build a "house of cards" when routing their jobs and of course its always easy to blame the schedulers but I'm sure they don't make the rules. That said, I just love it when the casual dining shops are posted and a note posted with them that says, these jobs will be scheduled by a certain date if possible. Do not email asking when they will be scheduled. If you email about the scheuling you will be removed from the assignment list. Well, Gollee Pete everybody, just send me to the end of the kindergarten line.

This forum is set up as an open forum. You don't have to be registered to read what is here or post. That is a decision of your board administrator--whether consciously made or not. Having shopped for a while, my reaction is that there may be opinions stated on open forums but there is more likelihood of open discussion on the closed, invitation only forums around where there is more assurance that visitors, guests and members are not spying on shoppers. Certainly the open forums are great for newbies to get leads and "how to"s for their basic education. And certainly posting information of the basic MSPs that are likely to have shops "to get your feet wet" in most markets makes sense, but newbies also need to realize that these MSPs with their low fees are suitable for basic training and if they want better fees they need to move on to the niche player MSPs who service their areas. So I am registered with more than 240 MSPs and in 2006 did jobs for about 30 of them and in 2007 did jobs for about 35 of them--in many many cases only 1 job because what looked acceptable up front was not once I actually got to see the requirements and reports and wait for the payment.