Apparently Nevada is the only state where a mystery shopper has to have a work card and be hired by a PI rather than work as an independent contractor, which costs the mystery shopper about $120 to get started, not including annual renewal fees. As a shopper, one must not be a felon and must have fingerprints taken. So, my question is, is there anyone who mystery shops in Nevada? Do you find it worth it for you money-wise? Are there enough shops and do they pay or offer better incentives than other states due to the requirements and fees a shopper must pay to be legal in NV? What kind of shops are offered? Thank you! I used to mystery shops in CA and not too sure whether NV will be worth it.

There are several forum members who do shops in Nevada. I am sure they will chime in.

I am, as I type this, sitting at the Flamingo working on a report. To start, to point out one error in your post. There aren't any annual fees to shop in Nevada that I am aware of. At least I have never paid any. I only paid for my work card and it's good for 5 (??) years. Something like that. Which reminds me I bet mine is expiring soon. Anyway, if it's a good fit for you depends entirely on what type of shops you like and how you prefer to work. I have done 2 trips here in the past 5 weeks and I will not likely make anymore. I got my work card to do a specific project and it was worthwhile for that. Normally I am a video route shopper. It doesn't work very well for me, for several reasons:

1. Video does not pay more here and often pays less. My last trip here I did 4 new home video shops for $70 each. Doing the exact same shop for the exact same end-MSC and exact same client in every other state has always paid $100+.

2. On the other end, my favorite gas station shop that pays $12 in every single other state pays $18 here. The problem is you can't route shop for $18 shops. At least not making a living.

3. Communication is difficult. Most of the schedulers are difficult to reach at best. One took 3 weeks to reply to my request for shops and then got pissed when she wanted to assign me a bunch of shops and I said no because I had filled up my schedule since she never bothered to confirm. The same scheduler got pissed at me this week because she assigned 2 airport shops at the same time she asked me if I could do them. I replied and told her I would do 1 but wasn't available for the 2nd. She ignored the reply and then got pissed when I brought it up again saying I had agreed to do them. Uh no. I did not.

4. Communication is difficult. Not only are the schedulers hard to reach but you can't bypass them. So if you're doing a shop for Big Huge MSC you can't just email Big Huge MSC. You have to email the NV company that handles Big Huge MSC's shops and then they have to email Big Huge MSC and then Big Huge MSC replies to them and then finally you get a reply from the NV company.

5. You are an employee and not an IC and they treat you that way. My last trip, on one of the aforementioned new home shops, I realized very quickly, before he saw me or knew someone was there, that the agent was with a customer. So I left. I had another shop nearby and decided I would go do it and come back after hoping he would be done. Normally the end MSC, who I've worked with before, would have thanked me for being smart. Instead of was chastised because I should have stayed there, texted the scheduler, and awaited further instruction. Which would have completely outed me as the shopper. Because EMPLOYEE.

6. Reports are a pain in the butt. So let's say you're doing a shop for Big Huge MSC. You have to lot into the NV company that handles their NV shops, get specific login information for Big Huge MSC, then go log into Big Huge MSC's site to do the report, come back to the NV site, fill in a quick survey there. It doesn't sound like a lot, but it's annoying and probably adds 3-4 minutes of time per shop. Especially if both are sassie companies. Since you can't be logged in to 2 sassie sites at once you have to log in and out of both. And you can't save the NV passwords because it will overwrite your normal login. And there's no standard. 20 different MSC logins, 20 different usernames and passwords. 3-4 minutes doesn't sound like a lot, but if you do 10 shops in a day you're spending an extra 30 minutes on BS.

7. You have limited competition between MSCs. So if you piss off one company 1/4 of your opportunities are gone. Likewise if you lived here and didn't travel you can't afford to piss one of them off. And they know that. At least with the MSCs I work for the most outside of NV it's a give and take and a balance of power. I do a lot of favors for MSCs because they take care of me and they take care of me because they know I do them some favors and they need route shoppers. There's a balance there. We both know we need each other and we both appreciate each other. In NV the balance of power is horribly unequal.

I have a Nevada work card which is good for five years. There are a couple companies that sponsor shoppers and have a P.I. license. I have worked there, last time being in March of this year.. They used to like CA shoppers, and I liked Vegas, however, find it different today, so do it about twice a year. You should go there often to have it pay off. Nice to have a hotel paid for and enjoy some of the worlds top restaurants. Kim working for Kern Scheduling is a pleasure to work with, she schedule's Vegas shops



Edited 3 time(s). Last edit at 10/18/2019 01:50AM by Irene_L.A..

@bgriffin wrote:

I am, as I type this, sitting at the Flamingo working on a report.

Yuck, I am guessing it was cheap?!

Otherwise, I hope it was a nice trip.

It was comped so yes cheap but I kind of like it. Mostly because I do better at the blackjack tables in what used to be the Margaritaville casino than I do anywhere else in Vegas.

@bgriffin wrote:

It was comped so yes cheap but I kind of like it. Mostly because I do better at the blackjack tables in what used to be the Margaritaville casino than I do anywhere else in Vegas.

Yes, that could make it worthwhile. Take an extra long shower on the way out.

Win big.

I've never had a problem with cleanliness here. Alas I didn't have a lot of time for gambling this week but still managed to be up $250ish on $10 a hand black jack.

I have also never had any issue with cleanliness at the Flamingo. I also love the vehicle-free, walk able area of small shops and restaurants adjacent to it.

The newer" outside mall " built by the Linq hotel across from Flamingo is nice and safe, avoiding the strip is a good thing. L.A.'s famous Cantor's Deli went into the outside mall, but I hear it's already closed. I do not like the resort fee Vegas hotels are now charging and last time I stayed at the Flamingo, I arrived early and they charged me an enormous early checkin fee, never had that anywhere else....not a fan....they also own Starbucks outside of the hotel, and prices are so high, yes they are high everywhere, but not like this, since Flamingo has to get a cut of every cup of coffee sold. Location is good, that's all I can say...but, when you win, it's all good....my favorite win goes to MGM hotel on the easy slots that pay off big.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 10/18/2019 05:38PM by Irene_L.A..

bgriffin, I used to shop fine dining establishments in Las Vegas directly for the big MSC. Now, I have to go through their Nevada scheduler, and it is a pain, as you described. Their scheduler is hard to deal with. She insisted that I am new, so therefore I have to start with small retail shops to prove myself before she can assign me the fine dining shops. She insisted on this, no matter how many times I told her that I had been shopping for 5 years with over 100 successful shops for this big MSC here, in Las Vegas, and in my travels abroad.

Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 10/18/2019 08:20PM by ShopperFun99.

Thanks for all your replies. It kind of sounds more trouble than it's worth, even if I only have to renew every 5 years! I used to do Texas Roadhouse shops and pizza shops in CA and they were easy to do, companies easy to work with, and paid in free yummy food! Does anyone have experience with the Reno area? Wonder if that area has the same "cons" as Vegas.

All of Nevada operates under the same rules and goes through the same few companies for all assignments that are legally available.

@elkejames; All of Nevada is covered by the PILB for shoppers, so Reno will be the same issues and have even fewer shops. Tahoe even less, though there are so few shoppers there, you can usually get a bonus for the bigger shops that show up.

The whole thing kinda became more hassle than it was worth a few years ago for me, so I let my work card expire, but I did a LOT of shops in the years I had it that made having the work card well worth it. If you are living in Nevada and experienced in shopping already, I think it's probably worth it. They always need quality shoppers there....

I live in Vegas and shop part-time. I primarily work with Kern Scheduling (Kim and Shelly), HS Brands (Heather) and QSI (lots of schedulers, but mostly Julie). QSI has lots of shopper support from HR director Alex, who not only offers training classes on specific topics, but is always available to help on an individual basis. Alex sends a monthly newsletter type of email to all, and occasional special outings open to shoppers and usually our friends and family. He always passes on tips. There are other scheduling companies available like “A Closer Look” and “Best Mark,” but I have not shopped with them. Oh, QSI has a closed FB page where we shoppers can ask each other for advise, question Alex or whatever we need or want to say. No trolling! KSS Shelly has a closed FB page for a special project group she has, and we find it helpful and supportive. Shopping in Southern Nevada is special.

Imsuzie2 made the only post so far that is even close to a real picture of shopping in Nevada. The longest comment, by far, on this page is the one that ironically contains the most errors, misconceptions, lack of understanding, and misinformation. However, since I am a full-time shopper living in and shopping in Nevada, i am presently too swamped with MS work to take the time to address each of those misconceptions.

For now, I will instead, take a few moments to answer the OP's initial questions. As has been pointed out, there is no annual fee to shop in Nevada. You need a NV work card for many, if not all legal, employment positions in Nevada. This means that you are probably not going to get a work card if you were a convicted felon. Yes, fingerprints are part of getting a work card, and many companies (not MS companies though) require drug testing. It appears that most of the mystery shopping in NV is done by shoppers living in Las Vegas and Reno. Hence, there is a lot of opportunity for route shopping with travel bonuses within the state. The pay rate is better for almost all written shops here than in other states. Video shops pay about the same.

The same types of shops, and many of the same clients' shops, are offered here as in other states. I do about 10% of my shopping in CA and AZ, but mostly just video because the pay is comparable. There are some other advantages that NV mystery shoppers have too, such as never having to chase payment. And to answer your last question, yes, I have always shopped full-time and could easily keep at least one clone of me busy shopping if cloning humans were feasible and legal. I doubt that you will get response from many shoppers who live in NV, because most of them are probably too busy getting their shops done.

@AZwolfman wrote:

The longest comment, by far, on this page is the one that ironically contains the most errors, misconceptions, lack of understanding, and misinformation.

I would enjoy you pointing out exactly what is inaccurate about my post.

I've been shopping Nevada for about four years now, and I don't see any particular advantage states that don't have the Nevada PILB work card requirement. The shop fees tend to be the same, if not less regardless if its video or not. Communication with schedulers is considerably poor, with a couple of exceptions of really good communication (thank you, Theresa, Leah and Lety of Preferred Investigation).

The shop genres in Nevada are very interesting, to say the least. I've done all kinds, and have been offered some super weird ones. There are fewer Nevada companies that partner with regular MSCs, which are a major disadvantage to shoppers that live outside of Nevada. Case in point to those folks at QSI. Due to their "litigation" over several years, shoppers in certain states couldn't work for them in Nevada despite having a valid Nevada PILB work card. What does this mean? It means that shoppers in about a dozen states couldn't complete work for QSI's MSC clients, which are roughly 12-15 popular companies. Those are 12-15 opportunities that you automatically have to say goodbye to without even looking at what they had to offer based on your current state of residence. It was bummer for me, having been accepted into QSI's program while filling out the necessary paperwork within their Nevada office when Lety was there. Alex M., you guys have truly missed out!

The W-2 withholdings aren't terrible. I automatically factor in between 15-20%. It is what it is. Welcome to Nevada.

Regarding the Flamingo Hotel, I've stayed there both for the IMSC conference in 2015, as well as on two other occasions. Its an older hotel from the golden age of Las Vegas strip origin, yet has undergone renovations over the years. Its clean, yet basic to me when you consider some of its neighbors on Tropicana. Its not the Bellagio, but it is affordable. It sure beats staying at the Super 8 on Koval Lane, yet even that isn't so terrible since the casino that it is attached to (Ellis Island) has really good food at good prices.

In agreeing with OP, the communication with Nevada schedulers is really, really bad. They don't answer emails or telephone calls, and text responses are rare should you have the scheduler's cell #. I honestly don't see how some of these Nevada-based companies make money sometimes.

Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 10/20/2019 02:38PM by Eric in Tampa.

I stand behind everything I said and shopped in Vegas about eight years ago when it was higher in fee's and required less work. There are many small jobs now and the running from hotel to hotel isn't worth the small fee.
I do airport jobs for Heather, have worked for Kim and Laurie, won't work for A Closer Look and am picky about where I stay. My favorite job there was Mandalay Bay and their Ice bar....we all have our own perception of things. I as well would to know what BG wrote that wasn't to your liking....asking for a friend.

Oh, BTW Irene. I honked my horn in your direction while passing by Chavez Ravine en route to San Francisco last week. I didn't experience any power outages, and the Santa Ana winds have since calmed down. I did develop a major sinus infection due to having severe wind blown in my face, particularly in the Palm Desert and Indio areas. I've since recovered.

Eric, I heard your honk...can't believe you drove so far, the winds are gone, hoping it stays that way. What parts of San Francisco were you working in.....that's my hometown.

@Irene_L.A.Initially Fremont, then Burlingame, Mill Valley, and finally Market Street. I eventually had to scoot across the bridge for Oakland, Walnut Creek, and Martinez.

BTW, I'm interested to see what AZWolfman found to be wrong with OP's posts regarding misconceptions? Funny that he says such, yet doesn't back up what exactly he means by misconceptions, misinformation, and lack of understanding.

Considering OP's experience in Nevada, I'd say that AZ Wolfman is just trolling.

Lack of understanding, misconceptions, and misinformation re what OP posted. Care to back that up, please?

quote=AZwolfman]
Imsuzie2 made the only post so far that is even close to a real picture of shopping in Nevada. The longest comment, by far, on this page is the one that ironically contains the most errors, misconceptions, lack of understanding, and misinformation. However, since I am a full-time shopper living in and shopping in Nevada, i am presently too swamped with MS work to take the time to address each of those misconceptions.

For now, I will instead, take a few moments to answer the OP's initial questions. As has been pointed out, there is no annual fee to shop in Nevada. You need a NV work card for many, if not all legal, employment positions in Nevada. This means that you are probably not going to get a work card if you were a convicted felon. Yes, fingerprints are part of getting a work card, and many companies (not MS companies though) require drug testing. It appears that most of the mystery shopping in NV is done by shoppers living in Las Vegas and Reno. Hence, there is a lot of opportunity for route shopping with travel bonuses within the state. The pay rate is better for almost all written shops here than in other states. Video shops pay about the same.

The same types of shops, and many of the same clients' shops, are offered here as in other states. I do about 10% of my shopping in CA and AZ, but mostly just video because the pay is comparable. There are some other advantages that NV mystery shoppers have too, such as never having to chase payment. And to answer your last question, yes, I have always shopped full-time and could easily keep at least one clone of me busy shopping if cloning humans were feasible and legal. I doubt that you will get response from many shoppers who live in NV, because most of them are probably too busy getting their shops done.[/quote]

Eric...my sister lived in Mill Valley, close to Sausalito, and my cousin lives in San Mateo, close to Burlingame
Driving in the city is not the best, but Marin County is a breeze, loved taking the ferry from Sausalito into the city,
hope you had time to enjoy......yep, putting people down and running away. I never had a drug test when getting my work card, fingerprinted, yes.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 10/21/2019 01:20AM by Irene_L.A..

@Irene_L.A. Oh yes. I've only been fingerprinted, and never drug tested for my Nevada PILB. I've heard so much misinformation on what is required to obtain a NV work card- from going to the sheriff's office, to obtaining a PI license, as well as setting up a shell company to prove Nevada residency. Its terrible for those shoppers that desire to work in Nevada, resident or not in receiving every piece of information other than the truthful & accurate type.

This is why I sought out people that I knew that had gone through the Nevada work card process, such as walesmaven & bgriffin first. The IMSC certainly helped as well.

My 1st choice is Steve, he is the most knowledgeable and yes when those just guess and haven't gone through the procedure, they really shouldn't post, as in suggesting working in Vegas for A Closer Look, that one gets me.
Just my opinion, many other's to work for that actually pay.....why go to Vegas and not make $$. I'm having so much in my life, won't be planning a trip till after the holidays. the two you mentioned do havfe their work cards and BG works there there a lot. Personally I don't like the new late nightclub work of which there is a big amount,
don't want to start a job at 11:30 pm.

@Irene_L.A. wrote:

My 1st choice is Steve, he is the most knowledgeable and yes when those just guess and haven't gone through the procedure, they really shouldn't post, as in suggesting working in Vegas for A Closer Look, that one gets me.
Just my opinion, many other's to work for that actually pay.....why go to Vegas and not make $$. I'm having so much in my life, won't be planning a trip till after the holidays. the two you mentioned do havfe their work cards and BG works there there a lot. Personally I don't like the new late nightclub work of which there is a big amount,
don't want to start a job at 11:30 pm.

Fact check: Most of those NV nightclubs I do can begin at 10:30 PM, although there are some that start later. Some are even dayclubs that start around noon. I agree with your statement about working for jobs that pay. Many shoppers, who falsely state that most NV jobs pay less than the same jobs in other states, probably have only sampled a few jobs from the 2 or 3 NV companies that expect you to work for peanuts or less. I will not name company names here, but I do not shop for those two or three companies. I have no definite proof, but I also suspect that Non-NV shoppers applying for shops in NV might be getting the shops that NV residents do not want.

I will, in the future when I have more time, I will back up all my earlier statements regarding this thread. I just don't have time right now, because I need to get back to work. I have been mystery shopping as my sole source of income for more than 10 years, so I do have the experience of thousands of shops. BTW, have you all noticed that only one other NV resident shopper has posted here? Like I suggested, NV resident shoppers are probably too busy shopping to take time out to post here.

I have seen the day pool club shops that pay well, just haven't done any, which doesn't mean I won't. Don't think there are many if any Vegas posters on the forum...a couple come out when peaking of Vegas like you. I enjoyed Vegas work years ago, with all the new hotels and crowds, work more time consuming.

@AZwolfman wrote:

Many shoppers, who falsely state that most NV jobs pay less than the same jobs in other states, probably have only sampled a few jobs from the 2 or 3 NV companies that expect you to work for peanuts or less. I will not name company names here, but I do not shop for those two or three companies. I have no definite proof, but I also suspect that Non-NV shoppers applying for shops in NV might be getting the shops that NV residents do not want.

Perhaps some of us have different expectations. I'm curious what you consider a "good" day's fees would be? For routes I need to get $450-500 in fees per 8 hour day to make it worthwhile. I have no problem doing that outside of Nevada. Luckily in Nevada I can get away with ~$100 less since my expenses are lower (yay casino comps). Yet working an 8 hour day I have yet to make even those lowered expectations in NV.

NoNV has much less shops then Vegas area but you can collect some nice bonuses; Reno is always looking for shoppers. Vegas offers some unique shops. If you are in Vegas and can do short trips to Mesquite, Pahrump, even Boulder, you can get very nice bonuses.