I have been a casual shopper for about a decade now. It used to be that I could regularly line up 5-6 shops a day several times a week, if I wanted to. This was 5-6 years ago. These days, it appears like I can only find a few dozen a month. I was just wondering, do people have the same experience compared to a few years ago? Has the volume of shops gone done in general, or am I just not finding them anymore?

The shops are there. Perhaps the MSC's you most use have lost clients?

I think some of the shops are still there, but I would agree that there are fewer shops in the Malls, banking and restaurant. The pay has gone down not up or has stayed the same for several years. I have been shopping for 12 years. Has anyone noticed the shops at the Airport, the circuits are not with Customer Service Experts any more.

Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 02/12/2019 09:50PM by shopper8.

@shopper8 wrote:

Has anyone noticed the shops at the Airport, the circuits are not with Customer Service Experts any more.

I just got an email for a circuit at my airport today for Feb/March, so they still have them.

For me, it's not the quantity of shops. I see tons. It's the pay that's the issue.

(Only been shopper for 2 years, though.)

Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 02/12/2019 11:12PM by shoptastic.

@shopper8 CSE still has circuit shops at the two largest airport in California. They just sent out an email to badge shoppers.

The variety has gone down even with the larger msc's. Many shops that were favorites gone.

@shop-a-holic wrote:

I have been a casual shopper for about a decade now. It used to be that I could regularly line up 5-6 shops a day several times a week, if I wanted to. This was 5-6 years ago. These days, it appears like I can only find a few dozen a month. I was just wondering, do people have the same experience compared to a few years ago? Has the volume of shops gone done in general, or am I just not finding them anymore?

Try logging onto Presto InstaShops.
There are over 1300 shops within a 20 mile radius of my house.

I've assumed the world of mystery shopping is catching on. More shoppers out there and hence, possibly, flat shopper pay? That said, some shoppers come and go or switch from casual to steady pursuit.

This might be related to where people live or how young/old they are.

Unlike SoCalMama, who can see 1300 shops on Presto map, I can see a handful on my Presto map. The nearest large metropolis is 2-3 hours away from home, but there are many shops there, according to Presto and other resources. Even though many locations have been closed and others are due to close soon, it is possible to find lots and lots of shops there.

No in general the entire quantity is down. receipt surveys took a lot.

@MFJohnston wrote:

The shops are there. Perhaps the MSC's you most use have lost clients?

Thanks everyone for your feedback. It is interesting to hear different people's experiences. In my case, I see a lot of bank shops (which I stay away from, because how many accounts can you keep opening) and a lot of pharmacy alcohol shops which require a specific age group. I used to do lots of grocery, retail and casual food shops which I am not seeing as much anymore these days.

My grocery store shops, which were my staple, are still with the same company but there are way fewer and I can't seem to easily batch 2 or 3 in the same day anymore. My favorite pizza shop went away. I'm finding it more difficult to find jobs that are actually things I need. I did a fun concert shop for no pay but about $200 worth of venue food and the entertainment, and I liked it, but that didn't enhance my finances at all.

I have been mystery shopping since off and on since 2002. There seem to be more shoppers and lower fees. Tests have been added; pictures are required and now gPS verification is needed. One shop is down by $7.00 since 2002. Another company recently reduced its fee by $1.00. Some shops I have become too old for although I still since my opinion is just as valuable as a younger person. One shop actually demanded product knowledge that would be almost the same as the person who was being mystery shopped would need to know. . All of this study for a $10.00 fee!!!

I think maybe there are fewer *good* shops available. The pay for many is abysmal. I'm shopping less, but making more because I quit taking the poor-paying ones, substituting other income-generating activities in the time I would have spent on those.

Each day I get lists of $10 and $12 shops. If they were near each other, maybe. But, there will be one that's 30 minutes away and that's it. You need to string these together to make it worth it.

I took a $30 retail high end store, since we will be near the location today. Otherwise, I would need to drive 60 miles one way for $30. That's crazy.

Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 02/19/2019 06:45PM by Niner.

I will not do anything less than a $30 reimbursement (don't care about a fee) if it is somewhere where I will be. I usually will not drive anywhere i.e. use my gas and expend time. I love the jobs that I can complete during my lunch hour when time permits. I enjoy a nice take out lunch or earning a fun perk/gift for my kids. High end reimbursements? Establishment and dollar wise? I'm there usually if it's $70 and above and something I can use or gift. I am finding less and less shops that I want to do. Love the continuing fine dining and date nights
though. Those we will drive to....less than 12 miles from my house or take convenient mass transportation/cabs.

There are definitely more shops now than a few years ago. There are many more shops available now than even a year ago. I used to get 3 weeks of no shopping at the end of the year. This year, I was writing reports on Christmas Eve, and I got only 2 days off for New Year's. The increase in number of available shops has allowed me to choose more of the higher paying shops while not having time for the cheaper shops. Life is good! Hopefully the trend continues.

I have been shopping since the late 1990's and there are definitely fewer shops and lower pay in my area. When I had a day off, I could go out for the day and perform 4-8 shops, make decent money, eat, get a few free purchases like eye glasses, clothes, etc. I live near a huge mall and could spend a day in and around the mall shopping. Now, I am lucky to do one shop a week in my area. I do think there are more shoppers in my area now, taking shops for low fees, and lots of receipt surveys. Some of the same old shops with the same pay as years ago I am I am just not interested (cell phones, banks). I take the shops with decent fees that are in my area, oil changes, grocery shops, occasional apartments, and dining whose reports won't take me longer than the actual dining experience.

Yes. They probably realized the reports from shoppers are not really helping in some industries. And the economy is booming so they can't afford to fire anyone.

I've made more money every single year I've been doing this and it appears that trend will continue this year. I did a two week route the beginning of February that was supposed to be a 1 week. I had so much work I had to tell companies that I rarely turn down work from that I just simply did not have any more time. I'm going with no.

Now here's an observation about this from a purely part-time mystery shopper. I don't do videos, apartments, fine dining, car test drives or building inspections, in addition to several others that I just am not interested in. I rarely ever do banks, though I might do a credit union once or twice a year. My monthly goal is $200.00/month in fees (not counting reimbursements). This month, WITHOUT EVEN TRYING, I have made $350.00 in fees. The types of jobs that I DO like to do just kept falling in my lap!! So, for a part-timer, I haven't seen a let up yet.

I know there are shops for the taking, however, personally, I got into this to pick and choose and have lost many shops I enjoyed doing and that paid nicely (not talking about huge 300 per shop, just decent pay). Short list:
About face and their fabulous cosmetics shops...all gone
NSS and their fabulous upscale retail...all gone, I made an easy 200.00 doing 8 shops in two malls, enjoyed it.
Ipsos and their 17.00 easy big box, down to $11/12.00
BJ's many normal jobs replaced by having to bring someone 30 yrs. or under, leaves me out. Still do one every 3 months or so, if not picked up by another. BJ's prices have risen considerably.
Restaurants abound for me, as do grocery stores and The Source still a good source as they have tons in my town with no waiting period, and are self assign for me, they pay quickly and driving consists of 4 miles tops of which I go to anyway. I consider this free food for the small report required...example, yesterday I did a grocery along with the coupons the store mails me for items I buy. The bill should have been $48.00, without coupons and with sale and coupons I paid 21.00 and recouped 19.00...I won't argue as I made jumbo shrimp and steak for dinner, and doing two a weekend, get close to 80.00 in food. Those that keep arguing with me over these shops, be my guest.
I stopped doing the phone shop, since one gave me a hard credit check which they shouldn't have done.
JITB, I have done for 14.00, but that one depends on my mood. Enjoy good food, and feel I am now in this for the lift in my enjoyment. We all shop for different reasons, that's the beauty of MS'ing. I went into this long after retiring as fun and a small supplement, plus being able to go out for lunch/dinners with purpose and feel I've saved tons of $$ doing this, everything adds up.
Haven't found my close by oil change in months, other shoppers beat me, that stings....and the beat goes on.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 03/04/2019 04:13PM by Irene_L.A..

@MsJudi wrote:

@shopper8 wrote:

Has anyone noticed the shops at the Airport, the circuits are not with Customer Service Experts any more.

I just got an email for a circuit at my airport today for Feb/March, so they still have them.

Yes they most definitely are. I did a bunch last month, and I still see more of them on my job board this month.