As many have said, it depends on why you shop, whether or not you have another job, whether or not you consider this a full-time job, etc.
I shop when my other businesses (I'm self-employed in two other fields) are slow or when I and my family want a meal that's mostly paid for. Or when I see a highly bonused shop that I can do and make as much or more than I can at my other work. So I shop part time, and sitting at home for two hours isn't lost money. I can work at my other businesses, take care of my kids' affairs, take care of personal or business bookkeeping, read a book, take a nap. All worthwhile activities and not lost opportunity.
Because I have other income, I rarely do any shops at base pay (except some restaurant shops that don't normally get bonused). I did plenty of them when I started out, and they were a great learning experience. But, fortunately, I can wait for the "right" shop to come along. I try to make enough to pay my car payment every month. Having a "number" in mind makes it easier to decide what shops to do and which to skip.
What makes me sad is when people take shops that, once overhead and other self-employment costs are factored in, pay less than minimum wage. Don't get me wrong: I've done a couple of shops that were so much unexpected work that I made $5/hour! I get it that people's circumstances are all different, but, personally, I'd rather get a "regular" hourly job than mystery shop for less than minimum wage. But I know that many people would never want to work for someone else, regardless of pay.
I learn something new every day, but not everyday!
I've learned to never trust spell-check or my phone's auto-fill feature.
Edited 2 time(s). Last edit at 07/29/2018 11:52AM by BirdyC.