Has anyone done these shops? I mean, they basically have a shop that SOUNDS similar to other stores, go to three areas, interact with the people working there, buy three small things. Then you download the guidelines, and it's actually, after that, go to every area in the store, interact with every person working, even if you don't buy anything, check the bathroom, walk every aisle looking for more workers, lick the floor (OK, I might have made that last one up). All of this for the amazing total of $13, and that is reimburse only, so if you only spend $6 on food, that is all they will give you.

Is it me, or is this shop a little excessive for the pay??

It is! My shop had a shop fee and reimbursement but I had check every sections, get the names of every employee, even if they just walk past you. My store just added a beer garden which I had to go sit at to see if anyone would pay attention to me. I think I may have came into contact with about 15 people and got the names of 4. That reimbursement fee was nothing! I almost went over that just in the meat section so be careful. I did 1 and I'm done. Never again.

I think I may just cancel it, I don't care if they ding my shopper score. I can easily pick up the "other" grocery chain and get more money for much less work.

I've never done one of these. It looks like 3 mini reports for a mere pittance. Funny, it sounds like a shop for a store chain out here that sounds like "Fart and Smile". Long ago, I saw these shops at $70 reimbursement, but now it's around $12

My reimbursement was $13 and the shop fee was $10. 5 minutes into the shop I wanted to run because I realized that the shop requirements were not realistic and I looked stupid going to each department including the beer den, which had not officially opened at the time because it was something new my store added. I honestly don't know how my shop was accepted but it was. It was a complete nightmare.

This is actually one of my biggest secondary concerns. How is it they expect you to go to each department, not by more then a few dollars worth of items and interact with everyone like you are interested in what they have available. It is a red flag that you are a shopper, you will be found out by the third person you encounter would be my guess.

@a171989 wrote:

My reimbursement was $13 and the shop fee was $10. 5 minutes into the shop I wanted to run because I realized that the shop requirements were not realistic and I looked stupid going to each department including the beer den, which had not officially opened at the time because it was something new my store added. I honestly don't know how my shop was accepted but it was. It was a complete nightmare.

One of the first posts I read after entering this business in 2003 was on Volition; it dealt with the ever decreasing fees. Until there are no longer any shoppers who are desperate for money and/or activity, fees will continue to fall. Folks, that IS business!

I realized in 2007, shopping was not monetarily rewarding for my time, changed my approach and am now quite successful. I only accept those jobs with pay that is acceptable or serves a specific purpose. I am perfectly content to not shop unless the pay is consummate with the work.

I've done these shops a good many times. Last year, in my area, they were paying a fee of $15 with reimbursement of $13. Now this year they are paying a fee of $13 with the same reimbursement of $13. So I don't do them for the base fee anymore, because there IS an awful lot to report on...but I like grocery shops, as long as I'm paid fairly for the time/reporting involved. I did do one of these last week with a $5 bonus attached, and rotation waived, so that was OK, since that made a fee of $18 and reimbursement of $13. After buying the required 3 items, you can buy whatever else you want. You do have to visit just about every dept. But I can think up stuff to ask without feeling pressure to buy anything. Shoot...I asked so many questions about an infusion drink in one dept, the guy gave me a free sample! So that was good. Yeah, it's a lot of work. It's definitely not for everybody.........HOWEVER.......if you can grab onto their Foods To Go jobs......these offer a reimbursement of $40, with a fee of $10. You order your groceries online, making sure to order something from the required 3 depts, and then whatever else you want to order, then set up a time and go pick it up, and report on the process. I LOVE these!! I've got 2 this week. NOW....you have to wait until the middle of the month AFTER the month you do these until the MSC cuts the check to get paid/reimbursed...that's the only down side. But I've never had an issue getting paid. So the shops I'm doing this month in July, I won't receive my check until the 2nd or 3rd week of September. So they're not for everyone, that's for sure. And it IS a lot to remember, until you do a few, and can figure out a way to make a cheat sheet. But these kinds of shops do help a lot with my grocery budget, as long as I'm compensated on what I considered as fair for me (we all have varying degrees of that in our heads!)

ETA: Edited multiple times because it's too hot to think correctly today!!

Edited 5 time(s). Last edit at 07/02/2018 09:30PM by guysmom.

Not for me.