@Mum wrote:
My one rule for dining shops is that the food has to be healthy and the report has to be super short and easy. That brings me down to one shop in maybe a week or two. I have tried a few food shops but didn't do them again since the food was either bad for my waistline or the report was too long. So far, I am only repeating my Mediterranean food shop every Tuesday. I love that I can choose what I put in it and the report takes me less than 10 minutes. All the reimbursement and fees in the world won't be enough to cover the healthcare costs. But that's just my humble opinion.
@wrosie wrote:
@HonnyBrown wrote:
Why wrosie? Not everyone does it for the money. I first started doing it to learn my way around a new city.
I said "a lot" not all.
People I have tried to get interested in MS that make over $50K couldn't be bothered.
@shoptastic wrote:
@dawnhu wrote:
Just to chime in..I do make under 50,000 a year and I agree. I can't recall a time I've ever dined at a restuarant where It cost 200 dollars to dine. I really don't think I could mystery shop that as I would be extremely nervous I wouldn't get reimbursed.
I also do this to make money..trying to get credit cards paid off and save enough money to move next year
So far I've done the Applebee shops..I don't mind reimbursement on that because the food lasts 3 to 5 days
Just a quick suggestion for those of us who shop for money: Perhaps we can set up our "own" thread on this topic? As in, how best can we make money from ms-ing and things/pitfalls to avoid. I feel like restaurants are a major temptation, as they sound very nice (who wouldn't want to enjoy a nice steak or seafood dinner?) and even have "impressive" reimbursements (e.g., $100...$75) - until you realize it's just a reimbursed meal/food, but they also can hurt our long-term income goals.
I still feel that grocery shops are a must-do for those shopping for money. They provide a basic necessity for life and are always available. You don't lose much in time/mileage, because you'd have to shop for them anyways (and spend that same time/money/mileage). Whereas, not everyone has to eat out for a meal - you can eat at home.
Grocery shops
Apartment shops
Bank shops
and easy dining shops that preferably pay (Sonic, Five Guys, Panda Express, Papa John's, etc.)
would be my list of income staples for ms-ing.
edited to add - Also, I'll do phone shops earlier in the month when bonuses are not available for traditional shops and I don't have a good route. That saves me mileage on my car.
I also do a lot of my grocery shops earlier in the month. They never get bonused, so I don't see any advantage to holding out until the 3rd/4th weeks of the month (when other types of shops get bonused). And, they pay quick and I need them for food. I do a lot of phone shops earlier in the month too...much for the same reason. No bonuses to wait for and with a lack of good routes, I prefer to stay home to save on mileage costs.
Then, during weeks 3 and 4, I'll pick up more routes with bonused shops.
@oteixeira wrote:
I get all the "it is not good for your health" posts, but keep in mind a lot of us eat out every once in a while.
@MickeyB wrote:
I make $195k a year at my FT job. I regularly do dining shops for reimbursement only or reimbursement plus $15. The $15 means absolutely NOTHING to me. The reimbursement on a $200 meal is what I am going for.
For me it’s about the challenge and the game. Yes, I can afford a trip or two in first class without MSing, but I cannot afford 20 trips a year in first class at five star hotels... not with my car payment and my mortgage.
I seriously don’t get why this is so controversial people. I don’t need to shop but I like it. I think I’m good at it. I think clients get a service from me. Sometimes I go to Ruth Chris and I pay, sometimes I shop it. What’s the issue with MY choices.
Same situation here, except we now surpass NY in taxation overall.@Niner wrote:
@MickeyB wrote:
I make $195k a year at my FT job. I regularly do dining shops for reimbursement only or reimbursement plus $15. The $15 means absolutely NOTHING to me. The reimbursement on a $200 meal is what I am going for.
For me it’s about the challenge and the game. Yes, I can afford a trip or two in first class without MSing, but I cannot afford 20 trips a year in first class at five star hotels... not with my car payment and my mortgage.
I seriously don’t get why this is so controversial people. I don’t need to shop but I like it. I think I’m good at it. I think clients get a service from me. Sometimes I go to Ruth Chris and I pay, sometimes I shop it. What’s the issue with MY choices.
We are in the same situation. I do not know why people think we don't exist. In NY, where we are, making 200k per year doesn't mean much if your property taxes are 15k/yr and your mortgage is 5k/month, and everything else is expensive.
@HonnyBrown wrote:
This is referring to the folks who do multiple food shops per day.
@oteixeira wrote:
I get all the "it is not good for your health" posts, but keep in mind a lot of us eat out every once in a while.
@snowy22315 wrote:
The thing I worry about with ACL is that some of their shops are very high dollar 85 to 100 that you have to pay upfront, and if your shop isn't accepted, (which has happened) you are out the cash. I don't have that kind of cash lying around unfortunately. I think if they want people to do those shops they need to accept them..any good faith effort should be accepted!