It's true, you are right, there are MSC's that can require onerous Shops.
It is also true there are MSC's out there who offer jobs which are an insult, and in the end it is difficult to break even when completing a Shop for the MSC.
I live in an area where there are multiple MSC's who will "pay" you in the following manner:
1.) Base pay to complete the shop is: $0.00
2.) Reimbursement for the completed shop is up to: $5.00
3.) No bonus.
4.) No travel pay.
The Shopper gets a 19 page Guidelines & Questionnaire, but they don't tell the Shopper that narrative is required on each question, whether or not the Shopper's answers are a yes or a no. The client is requiring photos to back up the narrative, inside and outside of the location. The Shopper MUST spend a minimum of 30 minutes at the location. Furthermore, the G & Q states, the Shopper's purchase MUST be a full meal, they can't buy just one small item off the menu. The Shopper arrives at the location only to discover the minimum price for any meal at the Shop is: $9.13. In the end the Shopper is paying these MSC's, and the MSC's client, for the so called privelledge to complete their Shop for them, by this I mean:
YOUR paper and ink.
-plus-
YOUR time spent to get to the Shop location (and back)
-count-
YOUR time to do the shop, (anywhere from 30 minutes to 1-2 hours to fulfill the G & Qs.)
-then-
YOUR time to report the shop, (anywhere from 45 minutes to 4 hours.)
-add-
YOUR gas to get to the shop.
-and-
YOUR gas to get home from the shop.
-lastly-
YOUR $4.13 to purchase the meal.
HOWEVER, these MSC's are telling the Shoppers in their T & C's - the better the rating a Shopper gets with their company, the more and better Shops the Shopper will have as an opportunity in the future.
REALLY!?
Well then, let me just go right out and do your work for you, and pay you - the MSC - for the privilege of doing so. WHAT A JOKE! and these are "big name" MSC's handling huge corporeals! These MSC's and their clients are laughing all the way to the bank!!
I find it offensive and ludicrous, and it demonstrates an utter lack of respect on the part of these MSC's for their Shoppers. It shows their real view of what Mystery Shoppers are worth to them their eyes. If an MSC can't even offer what would work out in the end to be at least the minimum wage per hour for a Shop -
DON'T DO THE SHOP
DON'T SIGN UP FOR IT
DON'T SIGN UP TO DO ANY SHOPS FOR THE MSC.
-or- if you're already signed up with them, cancel and deactivate your account with the MSC.
This is no exaggeration, there are actual Shops like this in my area. BTW, some of the MSC's are connected to other MSC's, so watch out for this also!
Edited 2 time(s). Last edit at 02/10/2018 02:47PM by WendyG10.