"I'm not trying to be an a$$, but really, if your intention is to be even that smallest bit of serious about mystery shopping, you need to upgrade not only your equipment to be used but also your tech knowledge. Otherwise, you shall continue to experience what you have talked about."
Oh, I didn't take your comments that way at all. I've been mystery shopping about 10 years, and am quite serious about it -- it's my survival. It's difficult. I am totally disabled, and have severe RA which affects mostly my hands, so that using a cell phone is very, very difficult (loss of fine motor skills means I can't TOUCH the little icons for the apps!). Fortunately, I can still type (or, as youngsters call it, "keyboard" ), but not on the phone, as loss of said fine motor skills makes it impossible to hit the correct letters on that tiny keyboard. That being said, I did get a cellphone (iPhone); I'm just unable to use most of the apps; but I did succeed in using Geoverify for the very first time just last week. So, I can and do LEARN, but the physical limitations are real.
That being said, parts of MSing are easy for me -- I write well and easily, and narrative isn't a problem for me. I normally get stellar reviews on narrative. I am considered a "seasoned shopper", and schedulers call me with unusual, difficult assignments (it helps that I live in a rural area with no other shoppers available, LOL!).
My desktop died; it was much, much faster with photos and such. This laptop is really old and "clunky", but I don't have the resources right now for an update. I'm quite comfortable with my digital camera, and have recently succeeded in taking some photos with my cell phone (which I just got last August) and downloaded them to this laptop. And, of course, I don't have the funds for a new desktop.
I generally only do about 20-25 shops a month; that's all I'm physically able to complete.
This was my first gas station route for this company, and I was just astounded at how long each report was taking -- made my pay-per-hour drop noticeably. The shops themselves were simple, and all the people were nice.
As for the age thing, believe me, I know lots of people my age who never learned to send an e-mail or use a cell phone, other than a basic "flip phone" type of thing that only makes and receives calls.
I just can't believe there are shoppers who take these at base rate of $10 plus $1 reimbursement for a "small purchase".
I would love to be able to use "apps" on my cell phone. I could pick up so many quick "filler" shops on routes. I would love to be able to complete reports "on the road", but I actually have to be at home to complete my reports.
Thanks for all the tips and discussion.
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 05/08/2018 09:53AM by ceasesmith.