Hold on...they were normally increase the pay in the 2 week of each month if no one picks their shops.

I take any jobs if they are close to my home.

Nope.

I (and what I do) have value. If they don't want to pay "reasonably" for that service, then they can keep their job.

I have expeses to pay (car, computer, internet, ink, paper, office supplies, etc.) I also have to maintain a phone with answering macine or voice mail service. In addition, many companies want you to have a cell phone these days (though, admittedly, not yet a requirement).

All of this adds up and is BEFORE I see a profit from shopping. And, that doesn't count the time that I have to spend preparing for and doing the shop, making all of the required observations and interactions, taking any required pictures (though, again admittedly, a $4 shop doesn't usually REQUIRE any photos, but many of the $5-$6 shops do.), doing the report (usually involving, at least, 1-3 narrative sections), scanning and uploading a receipt and any photos, filing and any follow-up (either on the part of the MSC for clarification/explanation, etc. or myself for payment, etc.).

I don't care WHERE the shop is, it's NOT worth the time and effort for $4!

Like I said, FILLER shops (combined with other higher-paying shops in the SAME area) fot $7-9 - Okay, if you NEED to in order to help cover trip expenses.

$4-$6 (or less in Some cases) - No way in *&!%.

I STILL maintain that those shoppers who take those shops for those fees are the REASON that we're continuing to see a decline in shop fees. Why pay $15 for a shop when you know there are shoppers out there who'll do them for $4?!?

I saw a shop today that had been paying $15 with one MSC all of last year go down to $5 this year with another MSC. SAME requirements, just lower shopper pay. Sad.

I know which one you are refering to....and we are on the same page. We should stick together and refrain from carrying out shops under $10

Yep.

$10 in fees (plus reimbursement for any required purchase) is usually my minimum to even consider a shop. It COULD be more depending on what all they want done.

The only exceptions are if I'm going there anyway (so I might as well get paid for it) OR if it benefits me in some other way...for example, I might do Trendsource's grocery shop (even though the FEE is only $5) because the reimbursement is $9 for a total of $14. I figure, I have to buy groceries anyway and I usually shop at that store, so I consider the shop to be like a $14 rebate (savings) on my groceries.

NOW, if we could just convince other shoppers...

I can give you an example of hoy certain MSC abuse the shoppers.

ACE parking used to pay $15 per visit (plus reimbursement of parking fees) with one MSC. Starting 1/1 they changed to another one and only pay $6 per visit.

This is not very nice...don't you think?

They can keep them.

Yep...I'm with you

Well i say that if you dont like the pay, then dont take them.

yes

Okay by me, too.

Well again to each his own but my take on this subject is that as long as there are shoppers who will work for 4,5 or 6 dollars the prices for jobs will continue to drop. Take for instance the infamous $4.00, two photo shops. If I could do one every 10 minutes, I'd make $24.00 per hour and not a bad take in this area. The problem is I can't do one every 10 minutes even if they're only 1 block apart. First I make the outside purchase and then the restroom and the inside purchase, taking time to get the photos, go back to my car, check my photos, jot a few notes on the paperwork and there goes my 10 minutes at least. Add to that the approx 5 minutes it took to get to the job, another 10(at least) to upload and debrief the job, and maybe 5 to pull up and print the paperwork. At this point I'm down to $8.00 per hr if all goes perfectly and this isn't even subtracting the cost of ink, paper, taxes and internet service not to mention all the expensive equipment we all carry around. Heaven forbid that there should be even a short line at the register or restroom. Then I just be SOL.

"...Heaven forbid that there should be even a short line at the register or restroom. Then I just be SOL."

Ellennc - Too funny! ROFLMAO

I think it is very sad that some people on this forum like to make fun of other people. I am out of here.

OK I missed something. Who made fun of whom?

Ellennc -

I think that bestfr1303 just feels (and I understand how he/she could) that we're "picking on" him/her because other shoppers disagree with his/her point of view and he/she feels like everyone else is teaming up on him/her for those viewpoints.

bestfr1303 -

Assuming that you read this, let me apoligize for everyone here if you feel "teamed up" on. I don't believe that was ANYONE'S intent here. We are ALL just passionate about our individual beliefs. Like I said, as an independent businessperson you are CERTAINLY entitled to do things YOUR way. Not everyone may AGREE with that way, but, you are right, you should NOT be made to feel like a 2nd class person for your way of doing things.

Please don't quit posting here. You, obviously, have experience that could benefit other shoppers if you continue to share it. And, PLEASE, don't feel like anyone is picking on or making fun of you...we're all just expressing OUR opinions here as well.

Certainly, it was not my intent to hurt anyone's feelings, but I was trying to make a point. Let me share a long story. Many years ago my husband was transferred unexpectedly. It was early fall and teaching positions for the year had already been filled. No problem, I signed up on the sub list and waited. I worked with exceptional children so had no problem getting assignments and I also didn't mind taking jobs subbing for the instructional assistant which paid minimum wage. I began to notice that I only got the assistant jobs and even on one occassion I worked with a neighbor when both the teacher and asst. were out. She hated working with exceptional children and made no secret of it, but she subbed for the teacher and I for the asst. at less than half the pay she was getting. I knew I was a good teacher and that I was doing all the right things but I started to feel inferior. Mid year, two positions opened and one was offered to me. I then learned that while I was subbing I was being held open for minimum wage jobs because I would take them and no one else would. The other job was offered to a sub who would never work for the assistant but only worked for full pay. I learned then not to sell myself for less than I am worth. If a scheduler has two jobs open to be done today and one pays $5.00 and one pays 20.00 and she has two available shoppers. Jane Doe, who does excellent work and will take 5.00 jobs and Jayne Dough who also does excellent work but will not do 5.00 jobs, guess who will get the 20.00 job. And if she only has the 20.00 job, Jayne Dough will still get it because Jane Doe needs to be saved in case someone flakes on a 5.00 job. Everyone has to do what works for them but just call me Jayne Dough.

I work as Mystery shopper for company direct. Company pay hourly $11.00 Soon I seat in my car and start drive to my shop I have pay for this. This was very good for me but I have "friend" witch was work in one store and she was report to the manager that I'm mystery shopper. Normaly manager call company. Because company police is if anyone reconized me they have to let me go. I was good mystery shopper that what was sed my scheduler but law of company was that has let me go. Now I look for company look like that. Many of agency rip of the mystery shopper I know that bay afect. The agency has loot of money from company sa Jewel, Sam's club, Walgreen, Patco, university or college.
I write this letter because I read one of this letter and see that person with name bestfr1303 is very sad what some people write.
If any one know the companu witch work direct let me know.

Sorry you were let go by that msp. If you will indicate the general area where you're located, more people might be able to help you out.

I agree...on the other hand, apply to as many Mystery Shopping Companies as you can...there are always open opportunities.

I regularily work for 9-10 with an additional 2-3 that call me on an ocassional basis...

I carry out ~250 shops per month...its a lot of work, but I'm happy and learned a lot on the way.

I figure what other shoppers do is their business. There will always be eager new shoppers in my area to gobble up anything. While during our "off season" shops get bonused nicely, I am in an area that has seasonal visitors, so I just about don't see reasonable pay. I have been very explicit with a couple of schedulers that when I am not offered the shops when the seasonal visitors are around there is little point in my picking up the pieces for them when the seasonal visitors go home. Ka-ching! I make most of my money on the off-season bonuses and the shops that have too high a (reimbursed) purchase requirement for something I want/need anyway that the casual shopper is not willing to fork out.

Mu comet was couple days ago. Look like many people read what I said.
Well I live in Chicago IL suburbs in Weeling IL.
Please let me know if any of you guys work for company like I was work. Company witch pay bay the hour. The thing what this agency offer is realy to funny even if you are to closed to the shop.
Thank you

I agree with shoppers not grabbing the $4 jobs. Give them a week and they will quickly go up. Some that are $4 jobs offer $6 if you take 25 or so of the jobs, there is NO WAY a shopper can make any money when expenses and time are caculated in. Shoppers need to stop and think before grabbing at a job.

And the folks with the infamous $4 shops do bonus them to get rid of them when they are unclaimed. To my surprise, and pleasure, I picked up several at $20 toward the end of the month. The fair price of the job is about $12 with about $3 reimbursement or just a straight $15 and you must make small purchases. Usually they are snatched this time of year at whatever is offere

Guska--

I think the reason you got $11/hour is that you worked for the company directly. You didn't have to share your fee with an MS company. MS is like working for a temp agency. They take part of the fee paid by the client, and you get the rest.

Well I told a certain scheduler that he should offer starbucks to someone who really likes coffee, cause for 6$ and all that secret temperturing is ridiclous. Everyday he sends me 2 emails saying they are still open. No kidding??? huh
Imagine that, check the bathrooms, time the bartista, time the stand in line, case the sweets and order the drink of thier choice? Right right right.........

I usually do not consider a shop unless it is $15.

However, as my day planner fills up, and I know which part of town I will be in, I will pick up a few grocers or gas stations that I am going to pass anyway. There has to be no gas expenditure, and I go with companies I know have reasonably short forms.

I won't take lower than 12hr. I get pissed off when I see elec. shops for 10, then you have to evaluate 2 depts., the cashier and write loong reports. Not enough $$$ for work required. We should all stand up and just say no. I understand when your starting, your so happy to get anything, and learn how to do this, a few are o.k. For those who have been doing this, just say no. Like anything else, be selective....would you date someone just because they asked.
I just did two of these for Bestmark and was promisied a good paying job in March....I got two emails asking again to do these elec. shops. Give me the good one first, then we'll talk. God it feels good to stand up for yourself!!!