@rothers27 wrote:
I'm compelled to create this thread, because I've notice a influx of mystery shoppers bragging about how they are making so much money. I think this is misleading for a new shopper, and not accurate. I think new mystery shoppers should understand that any shop they do could be rejected for very small errors. Is it worth it to spend a several hours trying to make 10 bucks and then have it rejected? The companies do not care about you. They just don't. It's very at your own risk. You have to be independent and advocate for yourself, otherwise, you will be blamed and money taken from you. Money being that whole 10 bucks that the MSC refused to pay you because you didn't capture a name. It's not for everyone. Eyes wide open. It's not like the articles you read 10 years ago. The business has changed.
@ceasesmith wrote:
True.
If you can't (or, in some cases, won't) follow the guidelines, chances are very VERY good that your report will be rejected.
Mystery shopping is WORK.
@Niner wrote:
I wrote this in another thread. Last weekend I made $633 in fees and reimbursements for 12 shops. This can be done. I've been doing this for a little over a year, part-time, so pretty new.
@Niner wrote:
I haven't been doing this long, but after doing some $9 phone shops where I waited an hour, and other silly things, I'm a lot more particular about what I'm willing to do. I did those to get some experience. These jobs seem to find me. I don't look at boards, etc. The shop types are pretty varied. As far as negotiating, I'm a lawyer, so I'm a professional negotiator of sorts. We have gotten paid to do all sorts of things. My husband is with me for a lot of these. We do them as we run around on the weekends.
@shoptastic wrote:
@Niner wrote:
I haven't been doing this long, but after doing some $9 phone shops where I waited an hour, and other silly things, I'm a lot more particular about what I'm willing to do. I did those to get some experience. These jobs seem to find me. I don't look at boards, etc. The shop types are pretty varied. As far as negotiating, I'm a lawyer, so I'm a professional negotiator of sorts. We have gotten paid to do all sorts of things. My husband is with me for a lot of these. We do them as we run around on the weekends.
Hmmm. it's possible you have more opportunities in your area than others and/or that your superior work (or, possibly, even background as a lawyer?) could be providing you with more opportunities than some (I'm making this assumption based on things I've seen from veteran posters).
Your point about negotiating does remind me to be better in this area.
I've often just deleted emails with offers rather than trying to negotiate for a better fee/reimb.
@Niner wrote:
I wrote this in another thread. Last weekend I made $633 in fees and reimbursements for 12 shops. This can be done. I've been doing this for a little over a year, part-time, so pretty new.
@Niner wrote:
@shoptastic wrote:
@Niner wrote:
I haven't been doing this long, but after doing some $9 phone shops where I waited an hour, and other silly things, I'm a lot more particular about what I'm willing to do. I did those to get some experience. These jobs seem to find me. I don't look at boards, etc. The shop types are pretty varied. As far as negotiating, I'm a lawyer, so I'm a professional negotiator of sorts. We have gotten paid to do all sorts of things. My husband is with me for a lot of these. We do them as we run around on the weekends.
Hmmm. it's possible you have more opportunities in your area than others and/or that your superior work (or, possibly, even background as a lawyer?) could be providing you with more opportunities than some (I'm making this assumption based on things I've seen from veteran posters).
Your point about negotiating does remind me to be better in this area.
I've often just deleted emails with offers rather than trying to negotiate for a better fee/reimb.
I know I write quality reports and am reliable. That's probably common here though.
@Irene_L.A. wrote:
Location is a huge factor as to how much is paid....cities like mine have tons of shoppers (right SandyF))?
Doing video or routes is the way to go, depending on a bonus in a location with many shoppers, not so good. Rural area's pay more in bonus, so, it's really about location. Having 20 shoppers willing to do a job, why should companies offer a bonus. Coyle, an MSC with great jobs, pay a small fee to drive 60 miles for a lunch and an involved report...which is why I work only in my town these days, as driving the L..A. freeway isn't worth my time.
I am a reliable shopper and this is how I see it.....
@Flash wrote:
I have always viewed folks' comments about how much they were making as an opportunity to do cheerleading. Perhaps others are more prone to jealousy or feeling that folks are lying, but when I score a coup I am happy and want to share my happiness.
@rothers27 wrote:
How does one build a relationship with an MSC? An MSC is not a person. It's like saying that I have a relationship with McDonalds. I think people just need to get real about how oppressive Mystery Shopping is. The business appears, to me, to have super tiny profit margins (hence the super low shopper pay), no training or mentorship, there is no one to even call with a question or problem (that can answer the question). I'm on 5 mystery shopping sites (the ones listed in the top 10). I only do shops that I want to do and to treat someone (massage for the husband, dinner for mom and dad, etc.), and even with my very super low expectations, I constantly find myself disappointed by the lack of professionalism, poor communication, and rudeness of the MSC staff. IMO it's a gross and toxic environment.
@tstewart3 wrote:
@Niner wrote:
I wrote this in another thread. Last weekend I made $633 in fees and reimbursements for 12 shops. This can be done. I've been doing this for a little over a year, part-time, so pretty new.
How much was fees and how much was reimbursements?
@JASFLALMT wrote:
Niner, I thought you were a teacher?
@shoptastic wrote:
@Flash wrote:
I have always viewed folks' comments about how much they were making as an opportunity to do cheerleading. Perhaps others are more prone to jealousy or feeling that folks are lying, but when I score a coup I am happy and want to share my happiness.
To be clear, I wasn't at all asking, Niner, out of disbelief, but rather genuine curiosity. She's always been encouraging towards me, so I know she is not bragging or such.
Sometimes I'm writing on the fly and don't monitor my tone...so just wanted to say that and good job to Niner!
*okay, time for bed now*
@Flash wrote:
I have always viewed folks' comments about how much they were making as an opportunity to do cheerleading. Perhaps others are more prone to jealousy or feeling that folks are lying, but when I score a coup I am happy and want to share my happiness.