Thanks Msilk

I created a spreadsheet on my computer and color-coded them with different colors when they are due, completed, etc. I also attached the guidelines to each one and go back and read it and take down notes of what photos I needed, etc before I do the shop. Once I get paid, I have a "Paid" section on my spreadsheet where I put what date I was paid on. My system is seamless.

If you forget to track mileage while shopping, let Google Maps come to your rescue after the fact.

@Charlie603 wrote:

About the Shopit app, I've found 2. One has a logo with a purple background with the word "list" . The other logo has a white basket. Which one is the one you use? Thanks.

The icon on my phone is green with a blue shopping bag and a watch.

My opening was horrible. I love using emoji's to convey my "Sarcasm" or "trying to be funny" and it all went wrong when my emoji game didn't work.

Omgosh...Brilliant! Thank you!

Wow, i can't believe i never thought of that. Thank you.

I need to think like this. I just received another 8/10, so I emailed and asked what I did wrong. That may be frowned upon, but inquiring minds want to know. I need feedback, not getting feedback hurts my soul. Jk

@Curineia wrote:

I need to think like this. I just received another 8/10, so I emailed and asked what I did wrong. That may be frowned upon, but inquiring minds want to know. I need feedback, not getting feedback hurts my soul. Jk

Some MSCs never give 10s. An 8 is a good score and you'll be paid even if you didn't get a 10.

Thank you. I think I'm just gonna resign myself, that I'm not a perfect as I want to be.

Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 12/06/2021 04:49PM by Curineia.

I've been at this since Aug 2021 and figured out a routine after driving myself crazy (a touch of OCD of not knowing what to really expect). Like many of our colleagues, I figured out system that works for me. As someone else suggested, accept only 1 shop of a given type (ie. 1 big box hardware store audit) to see it it is worth the effort; then sign up for the remaining in the area. The other part of the system is to know what price point is worth the effort; and that holding out until later in the month typically gives you bonus pay.

For tracking, I use a spreadsheet (MSC, merchant, location, brief description, amt, reimbursements, non-reimburse expenses, mileage, expected pay date, actual date paid, amt at risk <purchase or other expenses to be refunded>. I have a color code based on the stage (item not received, return processed pending refund, pending review/approval, future scheduled shop). To be extra OCD, I have pivot tables summarizing the data.

During the shop itself, I finally wised up and take my iPad with me. I'm able to complete the shop in "real time" using my hotspot or coffee shop wifi. I found writing the information down to then type it into the shop a waste of time and I always forgot something.

For example, if you forgot a picture and you can go back & get it easily (unless the editor is reading the pic's meta data to get the timestamp - tip remove the metadata unless the shop specifically calls out that you need to have it visible in the picture, been there done that).

Hi,
I am fairly new and *really* appreciate your point here! In fact, I only take the ones with the guideines listed in advance. I want to be sure of what I'm doing and what's expected, and I don't understand why companies hold out on this information, when it can only support and enhance our execution. I bless the companies that do present the requirements. It makes for much better decision-making about pursuing the opportunity.

I use Excel for my MS financial bookkeeping. Most of my shops are from home, frequently involving phone calls, and I work at a computer. I keep a computer folder for each mystery shopping company that I work for. I keep a separate folder for the various shops inside the company folder. In these individual shop folders, I save any pertinent screen shops, a copy of the guidelines if possible, and a copy of the completed shop if it is available to me. I use MS Word to take notes on the various, which I also file. I use a stack of clip boards for keeping my working notes on the individual shops. The clip boards are especially handy if there are any details I need to keep sorted between active ongoing shops. As I complete each shop, I update any financial details on my Excel spread sheet. Then I file the dated notes from my clipboards in a cardboard folder, which I save as per most MSC IC agreements.