I started mystery shopping as a way to bring in extra income to help pay for my son’s school tuition. At first, I averaged about 2-3 shops per week and now do 40 - 50 per month. I enjoy it but after almost a year of doing this, I feel burnt out. I know I can take a break at any time but I feel guilty doing so because of the extra income. I also work full-time so I try to schedule shops around my regular job hours or on the weekends. I do have the flexibility to schedule shops between 8-5 by working earlier or later at my full-time job. I also try to group shops together so I’m only doing this 2-3 days a week but sometimes it’s like 4-5 days a week (especially bonuses last minute shops). Doing the reports at night or early in the morning can be draining. I feel like I’m good with time management but could always use more tips! I also feel like I’m still a newbie so the reports may take me a little longer than most people. Have you ever felt this way and if so, how did you motivate yourself to keep going? Do you take a break to refill your energy tank? Your advice is appreciated!
Have you ever taken a break from mystery shopping because you felt burnt out?
I am on hiatus. I am doing other things which were neglected when I did too many (for me) assignments. I could not think of any new goals for mystery shops, audits, and merchandising. For now, I am happy. I can always add assignments. Or not.
There is no advice. There are only questions, the answers for which are unique to each shopper. What do you want to do now? How would your life be if you were completing fewer or no assignments? What are financial alternatives to the income from this industry? (Can you cause things to cost less, do other work at other times, etc) Why are you doing this? Do you need to do this? Is there anything else you could do that would be beneficial? What are alternatives to 'keeping going' and 'returning to' this?
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 07/01/2019 04:09AM by Shop-et-al.
There is no advice. There are only questions, the answers for which are unique to each shopper. What do you want to do now? How would your life be if you were completing fewer or no assignments? What are financial alternatives to the income from this industry? (Can you cause things to cost less, do other work at other times, etc) Why are you doing this? Do you need to do this? Is there anything else you could do that would be beneficial? What are alternatives to 'keeping going' and 'returning to' this?
My garden in England is full of eating-out places, for heat waves, warm September evenings, or lunch on a chilly Christmas morning. (Mary Quant)
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 07/01/2019 04:09AM by Shop-et-al.
I have only been doing mystery shopping for two and a half years. I am currently at 1380 shops. If you are doing 40-50 shops a month on top of a full-time job, it is easy to see why you are feeling burned out. I feel burned out sometimes, and I do not work. I do travel often for at least a week at a time, and I find that having a break really helps. I also don't do as many narrative heavy reports anymore. I pick and choose most of my shops based on how easy the shops are to report. I have moved in the direction of shops I can complete on an app before I return home. I also wait for bonuses.
@Shop-et-al Thanks for the advice! I have a few shops scheduled in July... then I think I will limit the number of shops per month.. at least the ones with long narratives.
@Equine24 Good plan! Maybe I need to take the smaller shops that don’t pay as well but the reports are easier to complete. Thanks!
I started doing mystery shopping in 2013 and stopped in 2014 because with school and work it was just too much. I recently just started again in 2018, so I took a long 4 year break lol. I needed the money to pay off some debt and now that I'm done with school, I have a little more free time. However, I work full time as well so I have to schedule shops around my regular hours or on the weekend. I have felt the exact same way as you, just because the shop doesn't end when you leave the store. You also have to take time to write the report and sometimes you just don't feel like doing that. When I'm feeling that way, I simply take easier or less shops, look for other ways to supplement my income or simply find a way to cut costs somewhere. Of course you don't have to take easier or less shops forever! Just until you feel up to it again. Wouldn't you rather take a little break than grow to resent mystery shopping? And who knows maybe a little break will help you appreciate it more when you come back to it. Don't feel guilty! Just take less or do easier shops, find other ways to supplement your income that don't require as much time, or cut costs! Whatever works best for you.
I hope this helps
I hope this helps
Take a break.
You deserve it!
You might also want to take a look at shops that pay you for things you really need anyway, like groceries and oil changes. I find those of double benefit, because the reimbursements aren't taxable income, and the reimbursement covers things that I would otherwise have to budget for.
You deserve it!
You might also want to take a look at shops that pay you for things you really need anyway, like groceries and oil changes. I find those of double benefit, because the reimbursements aren't taxable income, and the reimbursement covers things that I would otherwise have to budget for.
I have only felt burnt out when I have taken on too many shops at once because I did not realize the time involved. There is a learning curve, and I think part of it is learning how much you can do without feeling burnt out.
I definitely feel you! I work full time and my husband is a disabled veteran and I’m his caregiver. Mystery shopping on top of this is sometimes just too much for me and I feel myself getting burned out. For me I will give myself a week off when I start to feel overwhelmed and that does the trick. I’ll start to miss it by the end of the week and I’m back at it. Try a few things and see what helps you..
Sometimes I'll take the first week of the month off to recover. It really helps and it gives me something to look forward to during the hectic last week when I'm often running as fast as I can.
It's very important to take care of yourself.
It's very important to take care of yourself.
Ditto! I'm wrapping up a crazy couple weeks with one more 700 mile route on Monday and Tuesday. I'm planning to take a week or so to recover, but I know by next weekend I'll be looking around for shops again. It's habit~forming. Like geocaching for money.
@jtrinidad2002, you are burning the candle at both ends! You deserve a break!
I've been shopping since 2005 or 2006, don't remember.
I used to do 5 to 10 a week.
(2009)Then I went back to school for my master's degree. The first year of school, I maintained the 5 to 10 a week, and then I just had to let it go. I didn't shop for all of 2011 and not for most of 2010
In 2011, I graduated, and I started to pick up more shops again. But then I got pregnant with my 4th and decided to homeschool my older 3. I stopped shopping for 5 years or so, til my older 3 were old enough to watch the youngest while I ran an errand or two or while husb and I did a date night (shopped date night; shopped grocery stores)
In 2016, we planned a blow out trip to Disney. I shopped the several months prior for spending money and then stopped once we got home from the trip
In 2018, another trip. Again, shopped several months prior and stopped once home, but only for a month or two
In 2019, another trip. I shopped before the trip, ON the trip, and haven't stopped/ want to pick up more and make it bigger
I've been shopping since 2005 or 2006, don't remember.
I used to do 5 to 10 a week.
(2009)Then I went back to school for my master's degree. The first year of school, I maintained the 5 to 10 a week, and then I just had to let it go. I didn't shop for all of 2011 and not for most of 2010
In 2011, I graduated, and I started to pick up more shops again. But then I got pregnant with my 4th and decided to homeschool my older 3. I stopped shopping for 5 years or so, til my older 3 were old enough to watch the youngest while I ran an errand or two or while husb and I did a date night (shopped date night; shopped grocery stores)
In 2016, we planned a blow out trip to Disney. I shopped the several months prior for spending money and then stopped once we got home from the trip
In 2018, another trip. Again, shopped several months prior and stopped once home, but only for a month or two
In 2019, another trip. I shopped before the trip, ON the trip, and haven't stopped/ want to pick up more and make it bigger
If you’re not shopping as your main source of income, absolutely take a break. Except for big bonus shops.
I shop full time when I am between government. When I work my day job, I shop a select few places.
People shop for different reasons. If you need to take a break, do it.
People shop for different reasons. If you need to take a break, do it.
"I told myself to quit you; but I don't listen to drunks." -Chris Stapleton
I take breaks of from 2 weeks to a month to travel. The best ones have been low cost trans-Atlantic cruises, followed by a week to 10 days somewhere interesting, like Barcelona. Then low cost flight home.
A few days ago, I heard an expert being interviewed about burn out. She said, among other things, that just living with a constant, never-ending to-do list is probably a good indication of incipient burn out. That really got me started planning my next break.
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 07/01/2019 12:34PM by walesmaven.
A few days ago, I heard an expert being interviewed about burn out. She said, among other things, that just living with a constant, never-ending to-do list is probably a good indication of incipient burn out. That really got me started planning my next break.
Based in MD, near DC
Shopping from the Carolinas to New York
Have video cam; will travel
Poor customer service? Don't get mad; get video.
Shopping from the Carolinas to New York
Have video cam; will travel
Poor customer service? Don't get mad; get video.
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 07/01/2019 12:34PM by walesmaven.
I'm on one right now!
Started on June 27 until July 4. Much needed summer vacation in Florida.
Starting July 5, I got a lot awaiting me back home in New England, including the maximum of shops one is allowed to self-assign from Maritz at once (75). Handful with others do. It's like a mid-semester college break knowing you're about to be real busy real soon.
Started on June 27 until July 4. Much needed summer vacation in Florida.
Starting July 5, I got a lot awaiting me back home in New England, including the maximum of shops one is allowed to self-assign from Maritz at once (75). Handful with others do. It's like a mid-semester college break knowing you're about to be real busy real soon.
Yup. I basically took all of May off...
Hard work builds character and homework is good for your soul.
@MFJohnston wrote:
Yup. I basically took all of May off...
How busy do you keep yourself during the summer break?
I work a lot over break- aiming to break $4K in each July and August. This year might be different, though, as I have a major yard project (building a deck) to do and want to spend time with my granddaughter.
Last week was my first full week off and I took two days off, but still broke $2K - mostly due to end-of-June bonuses.
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 07/01/2019 03:52PM by MFJohnston.
Last week was my first full week off and I took two days off, but still broke $2K - mostly due to end-of-June bonuses.
@Niner wrote:
@MFJohnston wrote:
Yup. I basically took all of May off...
How busy do you keep yourself during the summer break?
Hard work builds character and homework is good for your soul.
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 07/01/2019 03:52PM by MFJohnston.
If money is not an issue, my opinion is to not stop shopping; just shop smarter as opposed to harder. Completely ignore assignments that in the past paid $30, but are chopped to $12; only accept the work if it now pays $40.
As a side note: In 2006, I was paid an extra $5 for an optional storefront pic. Last week, I received a solicitation requiring approx. 10 pics, for which I was to be paid zero.
As a side note: In 2006, I was paid an extra $5 for an optional storefront pic. Last week, I received a solicitation requiring approx. 10 pics, for which I was to be paid zero.
I have been MSing for 18 years. I take frequent breaks, but I also change up my routine often. Sometimes I plan a working vacation (a few easy hotels plus enough quickie shops to pay for travel expenses). Sometimes I switch to merchandising for awhile (my current tack). Sometimes I do demos & audits for a bit. By varying what I do I can still keep some income coming in without having to fret over long reports.
YES and YES, burnout this year, and stopped shopping except for my food, groceries and restaurants is all I'm doing now. Looking for a bank to open account when my house is sold, not happy with B/A. I'd say I've cut back 90%, and not missing any of it.
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 07/02/2019 10:04PM by Irene_L.A..
Live consciously....
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 07/02/2019 10:04PM by Irene_L.A..
Life needs balance. Financial concerns and goals may drive mystery shopping, but when it becomes a chore it needs to be re-examined. Goals need re-examination, as do means to the goals. As long as shopping remains fun and exciting, it works very well. When it becomes a chore, it is time to take a break. Goal driven is the best incentive to keep going, whether that is a personal challenge of $ in a time period or covering a one time or limited term expense. But the goals need to be realistic or burn out and hopelessness will come much too fast.
Of course there are two ways to balance the financial equation--earn more or spend less. If you are working full time, when did you last get/ask for a raise? Sometimes, especially for women, the only way to higher wages is to change jobs. All of us can find ways to spend less and mystery shopping through reimbursements can help us do that. Musings over a glass of your favorite potent potable can be very productive in evaluating where you are now, where you want to be in 1 year, 3 years, 5 years and on into your dotage.
Of course there are two ways to balance the financial equation--earn more or spend less. If you are working full time, when did you last get/ask for a raise? Sometimes, especially for women, the only way to higher wages is to change jobs. All of us can find ways to spend less and mystery shopping through reimbursements can help us do that. Musings over a glass of your favorite potent potable can be very productive in evaluating where you are now, where you want to be in 1 year, 3 years, 5 years and on into your dotage.
@Kristylynnr - Great advice!! Yes, you are right. I need to take a break before it becomes a chore and is not fun anymore. I scheduled a few shops for a client that I now regret. Good thing it is 2 weeks from now. I just need to hold my head up high, do them, and say adios to that client.. I think this is where the burnout is coming from.
I've taken a break for other reasons, but not so much due to burn out.
I've also taken specific breaks for certain types of shops, due to not enjoying them. Grocery shops, specifically. But, I always return, b/c they are a sort of "core" shop in my "arsenal."
I've also taken specific breaks for certain types of shops, due to not enjoying them. Grocery shops, specifically. But, I always return, b/c they are a sort of "core" shop in my "arsenal."
@ceasesmith - So true! I do need an oil change and groceries are always needed! Love the Panda shops as a filler too. Food keeps me from being hangry when I’m doing the shops and narratives. Thanks for the tip!
There seems to be some convincing here, as if to persuade that there is no other option besides continuing as a mystery shopper. What is the absolute worst thing that could happen if a mystery shopper became a person formerly known as a mystery shopper? (So far, I have not encountered any drawbacks to this condition. YMMV)
My garden in England is full of eating-out places, for heat waves, warm September evenings, or lunch on a chilly Christmas morning. (Mary Quant)
Longer title?
@Shop-et-al wrote:
What is the absolute worst thing that could happen if a mystery shopper became a person formerly known as a mystery shopper? (So far, I have not encountered any drawbacks to this condition. YMMV)
Kim
Wow that’s amazing!
@MFJohnston wrote:
I work a lot over break- aiming to break $4K in each July and August. This year might be different, though, as I have a major yard project (building a deck) to do and want to spend time with my granddaughter.
Last week was my first full week off and I took two days off, but still broke $2K - mostly due to end-of-June bonuses.
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 07/02/2019 05:36AM by jtrinidad2002.
I have been shopping for about 13 years now. This year I am taking a break. I will keep restaurants, grocery, and bonus shops. My reason is because the banking fees are lower, more work, just not worth it any more. Same as Irene.
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