I have been completing assignments for about 3 months. I have mixed feelings about this work. I had hoped I could pay some bills with the money I would be making. I live in a somewhat small town with several towns about 20 to 30 miles radius. In the beginning, I took every assignment I could. I completed 18 jobs in one week and I work till 2:30pm for a law firm! I was running ragged and driving like a maniac. It would be great if I could manage to go to several places that are near each other but I don't know how you do that. It seems it is just hit and miss that you get the assignments in the right place at the right time. I have turned down several because it just doesn't pay to drive 40 miles round trip or more for $10.00. And what really erks me! is one of the companies I have done quite a bit for always sound like they are doing you a favor! Very demanding and almost rude if you say no. I am still taking assignments, but I don't know for how much longer. Someone convince this is going to work. By the way, I have received 10's for my assignments so far.

The more companies you sign with.........the more opportunites will be available to you. It takes a while but I used to do lots of solitary shops until I was well enough established that now I am able to bundle shops............I rarely do a solitary shop unless it is on the way home from work. You learn what companies shop at what locations and when they post jobs PLUS you receive a lot of emails for job opportunities. When I grab a grocery shop, I try to find a gas shop, ff shop, retail shop..........anything else in the same area w/same time frame.

It does become quite an art. As far as some of the companies being rude........well, totally unacceptable as far as I am concerned and I just refuse to work for them. There are over 450 legitimate ms companies so believe me, you can be picky. I am signed w/over 170 now although I only regularly work for about 20.

This business is not make a lot of bucks in a short time........you have to build up your opportunites so I guess, you have to like the whole process of msing or you will get too discouraged to continue. I hope you hang in there as it can be rewarding (financially)

Feel free to email me or pm me if you want any feedback on companies....if you do, tell me who you are already signed w/ so I don't give you info you already have.

Good Luck!!

Hi, Noah,
Don't give up yet! You are absolutely correct when you say it doesn't pay to drive 40 miles for 10 dollars. A small, but important part of that, is the fact that the IRS gives you a tax break of $0.485/mile (2006) for gas and wear and tear on your car. That's what THEY figure it costs to run an average car per mile and you know they aren't apt to give away money. To drive 40 miles, they would say it costs you $19.40 - if your saying that's round trip. If it's one way - do the math. $19.40 is almost twice what you would make, so-o-o----
My rule is that I MUST make $1 for every mile I drive (roundtrip) for any MSing trip, of 1 or more shops on any given day.
The golden rule of mystery shopping is APPLY, APPLY, APPLY. Just as bugspost says, the more companies you apply to, the more jobs you'll have available to pick from.
I always try to line up at least 5-6 or more jobs in one area at one time. I have the whole day free and you don't, so you might not be able to cram in that many.
Another benefit of applying and being accepted by a gazillion companies is that if your schedulers are demanding/rude for any reason, or they pay late, you can just kiss them good-bye and move on. I don't mean to burn your bridges, because word travels, just don't sign up for any more of their jobs.
Good Luck!

Thanks for the help. I am going to keep going for awhile. I hope I can hang in here long enough for the "good stuff" to start heading my way.

Look for the good firms....GFK, Mintel, Corporate Research, BestMark...they pay better and pay fast!!