Hi all!

I'm brand new to shopping and am probably pretty lost. I signed up with Easy Shift and took my first shift at a grocery store yesterday. Having never done it, I opted for a larger shift because I wasn't sure how comfortable I would be going to my corner convenience store since it seems like it would be more obvious what you're doing in a small setting. (I did end up with one employee-surprising to me that it was only one- ask me what I was doing and tell me I had to talk to the manager.)

In any case, the assignment was just to check for specific products and take pictures of the product or showing that the product was not there and if there was or was not a shelf tag. I had no idea that this would take so long! I had to be somewhere later so I actually had to leave and come back this morning to complete the shift. The assignment said 25 questions but some of them had as many as 50 subparts. All of these items came from I believe only three or four aisles in the store, which again makes it nearly impossible to be inconspicuous.

I recognize that being new probably slowed me down a good bit and will hopefully improve if I continue, but it took me over 2.5 hours to complete this shift. The missing items seemed to be what really slowed me down since I felt like I was checking all of the shelf tags, even where there were other similar products, to make sure I didn't miss it. I also was instructed to take photos of the entire section for those to show no product and no tag. Usually this resulted in me taking about three pictures per missing product, but even with that many I doubt you can really read all of the shelf tags showing that the specific product is missing. I think close to half of the items I was looking for (and nearly as many tags) were missing. Do you all think this is fairly normal? There were also a couple of items where the description matched the shelf tag, the product wasn't there and the UPC did not match, or another combination of mismatching.

Also, do any of you know how my responses are "verified"? When I submitted my shift, I was given the payment amount IF my answers are verified.

Thanks in advance!

I personally hate Easy Shift.

I encountered the same issues you had. A $6 fee for taking 50+ photos of the wine & beer section of a grocery store. Employees were looking at me like I was nuts. It is extremely difficult to remain inconspicuous when there are so many required photos. I no longer do assignments for them. Too much work for too little money. I have better luck with Gigwalk, Mobee and Field Agent.

@VictoriaGautney wrote:

Also, do any of you know how my responses are "verified"? When I submitted my shift, I was given the payment amount IF my answers are verified.
Thanks in advance!

Verified = make sure you have submitted the correct pictures and they are good quality.

Yeah, I would personally stick with the "real" MS companies listed at the bottom of the page on this website.

You stick with them..... many of us make really good money off apps. As long as we are out and about and ZERO paperwork. ZERO. It makes a difference.

oh and REAL>......?????????? have you ever looked who OWNS those apps? You really ARE working for what you say is a REAL company.... they are another door to your REAL companies....

@JASFLALMT wrote:

Yeah, I would personally stick with the "real" MS companies listed at the bottom of the page on this website.

@CANADAMOMMY wrote:

oh and REAL>......?????????? have you ever looked who OWNS those apps? You really ARE working for what you say is a REAL company.... they are another door to your REAL companies....

@JASFLALMT wrote:

Yeah, I would personally stick with the "real" MS companies listed at the bottom of the page on this website.

How do I find out who owns these apps? I'm curious. Also, I've downloaded these apps and have been scared to jump in. Thanks for sharing your experience.

I think you should start Mystery Shopping with smaller type shops first. If I have to take one picture, I usually wouldn't do it for under $20. I agree with others, stick to the list below for shoppers.

Look. I just know that the majority of forum members have reported bad experiences, time consuming and frustrating experiences, low pay, and sometimes no pay. I don't really care what you do, CM.

That sounds like a true nightmare to me. On a positive note it was probably good experience in trying to take pictures covertly. There are usually gas stations that are much easier for newcomers, learning the ropes, and they pay better. I tend to stay away from the audits that demand you take multiple pictures covertly (think menu audits) because they are not cost effective. Check out job slinger to get an idea of the MSC's that have gas stations. Good luck and hang in there.

Good more for me thanks

And for those wanting to know who owns them do them and it shows the owner....
what you do not realize JAS is that the more on the apps the less YOU get on the web sites.... they figured out it is far cheaper to do app ones......

@JASFLALMT wrote:

Look. I just know that the majority of forum members have reported bad experiences, time consuming and frustrating experiences, low pay, and sometimes no pay. I don't really care what you do, CM.

I have used this app for 2 years. Just like MSing you must pick and choose the Shifts. Since Christmas I have completed 3 beer Shifts. It takes me 15 minutes, I only assign them where I am merchandising, after self assigning you have 24 hours to complete, pays $4 plus $0.50 for each additional display, 18-40 pictures and yes/no questions. Before submitting there is a place to add any issues or comments (tight aisle made capturing the picture of ?? hard.)

@CANADAMOMMY wrote:

.... they figured out it is far cheaper to do app ones......

[/quote]

I don't need to take "cheaper" ones. I am as busy as I want to be, CM. I take high paying shops and I make exactly as much money as I want to...more than I need, really, and I turn down shops all of the time. Glad it's working out for you and maybe you will get more "cheaper" jobs to keep you occupied.

Thank you for the input! It does seem like it would be much easier to take all the pics when you're already there merchandising! That's a smart way to go.

@sstazz wrote:

I have used this app for 2 years. Just like MSing you must pick and choose the Shifts. Since Christmas I have completed 3 beer Shifts. It takes me 15 minutes, I only assign them where I am merchandising, after self assigning you have 24 hours to complete, pays $4 plus $0.50 for each additional display, 18-40 pictures and yes/no questions. Before submitting there is a place to add any issues or comments (tight aisle made capturing the picture of ?? hard.)

I haven't given up hope just yet and I don't anticipate this being a major part of my life so I'm shopping around on the apps and seeing what they are like. I did a very easy, one pic gig at a quick serve restaurant yesterday and was basically done by the time I got my food. It was only $1.50 but I needed to buy lunch anyway and it's a two min walk from my office so that's probably the type of thing that's going to work for me. Occasional small gigs at places I'm already visiting or are at least on my way somewhere. I don't mind spending the time when I have it on a longer gig but it just seems fairly difficult to do the million pics stealthily, especially when you spend 30+mins in one aisle. I'm highly indecisive, but even I don't spend that much time picking out shampoo when I'm shopping for myself!

Wow! $20 for only one pic? I'm new but that sounds pretty good and I haven't seen anything that looks like it'd be close to that! ha ha. I'm in a fairly large metro area too so there are quite a few gigs. I'll check out the suggest companies.

@shopper8 wrote:

I think you should start Mystery Shopping with smaller type shops first. If I have to take one picture, I usually wouldn't do it for under $20. I agree with others, stick to the list below for shoppers.

@VictoriaGautney wrote:

Wow! $20 for only one pic? I'm new but that sounds pretty good and I haven't seen anything that looks like it'd be close to that! ha ha. I'm in a fairly large metro area too so there are quite a few gigs. I'll check out the suggest companies.

@shopper8 wrote:

I think you should start Mystery Shopping with smaller type shops first. If I have to take one picture, I usually wouldn't do it for under $20. I agree with others, stick to the list below for shoppers.

I was thinking the same thing. Maybe 80% of my shops have been under $20 in pay. It did take me a while to learn that some pay is too low for the job. At the beginning, I was just happy to get some work.