I say it depends on the variables of location and the capacities of those recommended/mentored. Last year, at the age of 75, I was mentored by a long-time shopper who visited me from HI (I am in SoCal, so no competition) My friend did not fill me in on the intricacies, however, she did pass along MSC recommendations and I signed up with them all.
Now, less than a year later, I have completed 117 shops for 25 companies (not much for you pros out there, but remember, I am 76 next week, lol) and I have learned soooo much along the way. Oh, and, btw, my MIT MBA friend says my efforts have been financially worthwhile, whatever that means.
1. I love the required interactions with people.
2. Timing is often everything for the higher fees. And it doesn't hurt to tell the scheduler that you are capable to do a job that you've not done before for that company.
3. My niece took up the MS idea and went right to it on her own, she lives 2500 miles away and just finished her MBA at Northwestern University, fluent in four languages, no slouch.
4. I live in a rural, remote area and shops are limited. I initially was inspired to turn on friends in the area to this work but I quickly realized that most people do not have the skills, nor the patience for mystery shopping and reporting. Also, I decided to not recommend others because of the limited work in my area. I do happen to know of another shopper in my area because of the communication breach of a scheduler.
Thanks, forum members for all the helpful information and experiences that you pass on!