What is your time worth ?
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I will do $5 for a grocery store if the reimbursement is $15 more more and the store isn't far from home and somewhere I go anyway, as long as the report isn't too onerous.
I do the famous 5.00 grocery stores, that's fine, I would be spending my own money, and am used to the idiot questions and not too bad report.
Live consciously....
Does anyone have sympathy for the employees at the places you are shopping? I had a guy show me all of the parts of a really pricy sofa sleeper (fabric types and delivery info). The poor guy was sweating bullets on the sale and then I had to say sorry I will have to check with my husband. Poor guy hoped for a nice sale. Lengthy lengthy detailed report on that one and lots of narraative for 10 plus 10 in reimbursement. Never again. Lesson learned! LOL
All the threads I read on how cheap the companies are, and they are, oh yes they are, the people that watch this forum get involved and go commando on the members here. I would like to comment on how many of the shopping companies toss bones with no meat and, for some odd reason, actually expect us to be appreciative, but I will not be commenting on the jack shop that takes 10 minutes on site, 12 minutes for the report and the travel there and back, if any, plus reading the guidelines for $7 when the cheapest meal here is $8.56. By the time you try and eat the burger and fries it's pretty nasty stuff too. Let us not mention the meal reimbursement plus 5 dollars pay for an hour and a half report plus all the other work. But I will not comment on it. lol
@JerseyGirlShopper..I just did the jack one and didn't mind it..do these shops go quickly where you are? They sit on the boards for 2...sometimes 3
weeks here on the pacific northwest
weeks here on the pacific northwest
Shopping Idaho and Oregon/Idaho border region.
I like the bread they use now, it's higher quality and it's usually fresh. It's just those hockey puck of a burger patty, worse because they leave them in a pan that has moisture, gross. Yes, they sit on the board for a while here also, especially certain locations. I can just about gauge now how far the fee will go up before someone takes it because I was writing down the fee/day/date taken for a month as though it was a stock purchase. lol
My time is worth $300 an hour. But... since I didn’t go to law school, I take what I can get. If the only thing I can find is a $5 shop, I’ll take it as long as I’m getting paid. My goal is to find enough shops that pay decent enough for me to live on, and I don’t need to take too many low paying shops. If the only thing I can find is a $5, that’s my incentive to find other streams of income. But then, I’m not so prideful that I’ll say “it’s not worth my time” and just sit around eating Cheetos and surfing cat videos.
I agree Troy. It all adds up. But shoppers shop for different reasons, and that's why low fee shops are on the boards.
"I told myself to quit you; but I don't listen to drunks." -Chris Stapleton
Troy hit the nail on the head. People like to say how much their time is worth and how much they average per hour. But they never average in the hours sitting at home doing nothing because they feel $10 shops are beneath them. If you make $60 in two hours then sit at home for three hours watching tv, then you made $12/hr not $30/hr.
Roxy1, remember most have day jobs, couldn't survive on MS'ing alone (except the few) that do long tiresome routes. Personally, it's a part time gig for reimbursement as well as supplement of income, but lately it's about food 70% of the time. The greatness of MS'ing is your free to do what you need, pick and choose, I love that,
so for those that prefer doing whatever, and not pushing the shops...good for you, for those that need the work, it's there, the diversity of this is what to look at.....freedom remains, at least in this industry.
so for those that prefer doing whatever, and not pushing the shops...good for you, for those that need the work, it's there, the diversity of this is what to look at.....freedom remains, at least in this industry.
Live consciously....
Brain freeze
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 07/14/2018 03:14PM by Irene_L.A..
Live consciously....
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 07/14/2018 03:14PM by Irene_L.A..
For mystery shopping, if I am planning a route, I need to make $20/hr., and I include travel and reporting times to get to that number. I may be a little flexible depending on the circumstances, but not much. Lunch shops close to my full time job or dinner shops I can take my family, I do make exceptions. Freelance career work, $60/hr.
proudly shopping in the D.
Irene,
I agree. My post was more about those who have the time and desire to use that time to shop, but choose to make nothing because of their pride.
I think a lot of the experienced full-time shoppers do not realize the effect on new folks that some of their posts have. Especially since most of them seem to live in rural areas. All the comments about turning their noses up at low pay, " I don't even turn on the car for less than $xx", and all the bragging about bonuses. It all gives new folks, especially the ones who live in cities, the wrong impressions and wrong goals.
I only shop part-time now so I only do the few types of shops that I find expedient. And, like you, my target is $20/hr.
I agree. My post was more about those who have the time and desire to use that time to shop, but choose to make nothing because of their pride.
I think a lot of the experienced full-time shoppers do not realize the effect on new folks that some of their posts have. Especially since most of them seem to live in rural areas. All the comments about turning their noses up at low pay, " I don't even turn on the car for less than $xx", and all the bragging about bonuses. It all gives new folks, especially the ones who live in cities, the wrong impressions and wrong goals.
I only shop part-time now so I only do the few types of shops that I find expedient. And, like you, my target is $20/hr.
I'm ok with reimbursement + tiny shopper fee jobs. I would not normally spend $60 for lunch, so if I can do that from time to time, and not have too difficult of a report, then YAY! Conversely, I'm also quite ok with only getting paid $7 to take pix of a snack pastry display and upload the pix, at a store I frequent anyway. Funny, I won't do the clown burger shops, though - too much effort.
Roxy, shoppers have to use some common sense. I factor in that I am going to be paying self-employment tax on whatever I make and factor in the gas it's going to take to get there and back. So yeah, there are plenty of days I am not going to drive 20 miles to make $5 unless I have other stuff to do in that area or on the way. Why would I go do a shop that's going to cost me more money than I am going to make?
$1 a minute minimum. That has always been easier for me to calculate than an hourly rate.
I no longer shop full time. I just do resorts, travel, sports, bars, and special projects mostly.
I still do Gas stations, shipping shops and food for before, during or after work.
I dropped most of the shops that were a grind: grocery stores, cheap retail, phone shops, audits, etc.
I’m still pulling in $2-3k a month part time.
I no longer shop full time. I just do resorts, travel, sports, bars, and special projects mostly.
I still do Gas stations, shipping shops and food for before, during or after work.
I dropped most of the shops that were a grind: grocery stores, cheap retail, phone shops, audits, etc.
I’m still pulling in $2-3k a month part time.
Minimum of $15 per hour.
OP mentioned option-to-return shops. Unless I know there's a competitively-priced item at the shop I want or need, I want no part of those shops. I'm paranoid about something stupid happening which will render item unreturnable.
OP mentioned option-to-return shops. Unless I know there's a competitively-priced item at the shop I want or need, I want no part of those shops. I'm paranoid about something stupid happening which will render item unreturnable.
I don't think there are any Russians / And there ain't no Yanks
Just corporate criminals\ / Playin' with tanks
Just corporate criminals\ / Playin' with tanks
Jasflalmat,
I don't disagree with you at all. Everyone needs to understand their costs as well as their lost opportunity costs.
I am speaking from experience. When I first came to the forum, my first impression was that I was doing everything wrong based on the posts I read. Then I realized I didn't need bonuses or high fees here in the city to make good money. I have a business background so I grasped that pretty fast. But others may not.
I don't disagree with you at all. Everyone needs to understand their costs as well as their lost opportunity costs.
I am speaking from experience. When I first came to the forum, my first impression was that I was doing everything wrong based on the posts I read. Then I realized I didn't need bonuses or high fees here in the city to make good money. I have a business background so I grasped that pretty fast. But others may not.
@roxy1 wrote:
Troy hit the nail on the head. People like to say how much their time is worth and how much they average per hour. But they never average in the hours sitting at home doing nothing because they feel $10 shops are beneath them. If you make $60 in two hours then sit at home for three hours watching tv, then you made $12/hr not $30/hr.
I beg to differ. If I'm "sitting at home doing nothing", I am NOT working, thus I don't need to average in the time to come up with average earnings.
However, if I'm scheduling, or worse, working on reports, yes, indeed, I do count that time when figuring what I've "earned" per hour.
And I consider doing the reports more onerous that performing the actual shops.
Roxy, being a senior shopper, I still get amazed at some of the bonus's I hear about...not happening in L.A. or large cities where they have plenty of shoppers. I sometimes wonder if these bonused shoppers have a big imagination, but driving to out of the way places will provide bonus's (I get that). Someone here once wrote they make 50,000 yearly. I'd rather sit at a desk 9 to 5 than go to these rough places, but we all know i'm spoiled.
Bragging about the huge bonus isn't a help to new shoppers, but shows them it is possible, and let's not forget, many of these folks do Video which pays more.
Bragging about the huge bonus isn't a help to new shoppers, but shows them it is possible, and let's not forget, many of these folks do Video which pays more.
Live consciously....
It just depends on the person I guess...I'm still learning..I work full time..so I do this on the weekends..not sure I would do a shop for 5 dollars..but I would for 10....depending on how far the drive is..etc..there is a comic book one I do..during the week...very close to where I live that usually is 10 dollar pay...today was a mattress store I added on last minute for 12..very quick pop in..take photo of bed and have a brief conversation with the rep...also if I'm being honest..I am a bit more choosy with shops now..after I was aware of this forum and had browsed a bit
Shopping Idaho and Oregon/Idaho border region.
I do feel bad sometimes. Some of these people work on commission with sales jobs. so you cost them an opportunity to make money. Most places work on the "up system" so salesperson goes to the bottom of the list when you walk in the door. They may only get 1 or 2 opportunities a day to sell something and make money.@4muppets wrote:
Does anyone have sympathy for the employees at the places you are shopping? I had a guy show me all of the parts of a really pricy sofa sleeper (fabric types and delivery info). The poor guy was sweating bullets on the sale and then I had to say sorry I will have to check with my husband. Poor guy hoped for a nice sale. Lengthy lengthy detailed report on that one and lots of narraative for 10 plus 10 in reimbursement. Never again. Lesson learned! LOL
I do agree about the freedom to choose.. I love that. I own my own business and make really good money. I do this for a little chunk change I probably do 3 shops a week with companies I like. I have not done jack, keep getting begs to do ceasers pizza( gag, I drop that off at a homeless shelter if I do it) It just really blew me away yesterday to do a shop for $15 and I had to purchase something for 20! Cheap cheap cheap!!! I find Mystery Shopping very interesting and sometimes when I want a bite to eat it's great that you can do a quick report and get paid for your meal. I really miss my grocery stores@Irene_L.A. wrote:
Roxy1, remember most have day jobs, couldn't survive on MS'ing alone (except the few) that do long tiresome routes. Personally, it's a part time gig for reimbursement as well as supplement of income, but lately it's about food 70% of the time. The greatness of MS'ing is your free to do what you need, pick and choose, I love that,
so for those that prefer doing whatever, and not pushing the shops...good for you, for those that need the work, it's there, the diversity of this is what to look at.....freedom remains, at least in this industry.
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 07/15/2018 02:18AM by MScat.
Troy, no eating Cheetos and cat videos here. If I had a lot of free time, maybe I would do $5 shops, but owning a couple business's keeps u on ur toes. I'm selective... I made $499 today working 10-4, then dog park. Sorry, ain't gonna do any $5 shop... Now sitting on couch eating blueberries and trail mix. Ready for some nice cannabis. Gotta love California@TroyHawkins wrote:
My time is worth $300 an hour. But... since I didn’t go to law school, I take what I can get. If the only thing I can find is a $5 shop, I’ll take it as long as I’m getting paid. My goal is to find enough shops that pay decent enough for me to live on, and I don’t need to take too many low paying shops. If the only thing I can find is a $5, that’s my incentive to find other streams of income. But then, I’m not so prideful that I’ll say “it’s not worth my time” and just sit around eating Cheetos and surfing cat videos.
I didn’t mean to imply in my last post that there’s no value in down time or relaxing. There certainly is. For me to earn a living as a mystery shopper, I have to bring home a minimum amount each month. Although I can, I’m not comfortable dipping into savings to cover a short month if I can avoid it. I’ll work more and take shops for low pay if that’s what’s necessary to meet my goal. Part of building my business is figuring out how to exceed my goal without working myself to death.
WE had a thriving business when married, I had never heard about MS'ing...I didn't find it until I started looking after retirement/divorce with my ex keeping the Real Estate/development business for 50 years..it was his.
This is great for retiree's, I eat more now than eve. I'm so over FF like Jack's shoe leather....but never say never,
although it's tough with so many new shoppers in my town, I find I'm looking more than ever. I really dislike paying for food.....
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 07/15/2018 02:46AM by Irene_L.A..
This is great for retiree's, I eat more now than eve. I'm so over FF like Jack's shoe leather....but never say never,
although it's tough with so many new shoppers in my town, I find I'm looking more than ever. I really dislike paying for food.....
Live consciously....
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 07/15/2018 02:46AM by Irene_L.A..
when I adopted 2 minpins, that's when down time is at dog park with them. Without them, I had more free time to shop. Life is now crazy busy. They're my kids.@TroyHawkins wrote:
I didn’t mean to imply in my last post that there’s no value in down time or relaxing. There certainly is. For me to earn a living as a mystery shopper, I have to bring home a minimum amount each month. Although I can, I’m not comfortable dipping into savings to cover a short month if I can avoid it. I’ll work more and take shops for low pay if that’s what’s necessary to meet my goal. Part of building my business is figuring out how to exceed my goal without working myself to death.
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