Looks like my mystery shopping/merchandising days are coming to an end....
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Cease -
I am so sorry to hear that. There are now treatments for some forms of macular degeneration if you catch it early. Not a cure (as far as I know), but it really slows down the progression.
I am so sorry to hear that. There are now treatments for some forms of macular degeneration if you catch it early. Not a cure (as far as I know), but it really slows down the progression.
Shopping Southeast Pennsylvania, Delaware above the canal, and South Jersey since 2008
I'm so sorry. I really enjoy your posts. Don't leave us completely.
Sorry to hear that ceasemith. Prayers going up for you.
I am so sorry to hear this Cease. I enjoy your posts.
Hello Ceasesmith- I am sorry that you are experiencing this health issue. I want to thank you for helping me with your advice and by relating your experiences. I pray that you continue to be blessed and that you prosper in the New Year.
Cease - I've always appreciated your contributions to mystery shopping.
I suppose, in the end, we shall all face a health consequence. It is up to each of us as to how we accept it and maneuver our way through it.
It sounds like you have determined your path.
The very best to you as you continue down your personal road.
I suppose, in the end, we shall all face a health consequence. It is up to each of us as to how we accept it and maneuver our way through it.
It sounds like you have determined your path.
The very best to you as you continue down your personal road.
I am so sorry. I know that is discouraging, but you are clearly being realistic and logically evaluating your current options. I've had to readjust things with my age and health issues as well, but some things have ended up for the better. I sure do wish you all the best going forward.
How many legs does a dog have if you call the tail a leg?
"Four. Calling a tail a leg doesn't make it a leg."
-- Abraham Lincoln
"Four. Calling a tail a leg doesn't make it a leg."
-- Abraham Lincoln
Wishing you the best and please keep in touch here on the forum to let us know how things are going. It might be a blessing in disguise as you might find you are working less and driving much less. Hope your new job works out. From your posts, it seemed like you were working very hard to make ends meet. Best of luck to you.
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The more I learn about people...the more I like my dog..
Mark Twain
The more I learn about people...the more I like my dog..
Mark Twain
Good luck to you in your new endeavor. Even though my mystery shop life is the opposite of yours I read every post of yours I see. You are so fun to read so I am sure the same is apparent in real life and you will be great in your new job. Come back and let us know how things are going and don't forget late spring and summer is around the corner with longer days in case you end up missing mystery shops too much.
You have given us a ray of sunlight as you comment longer and lighter days are ahead. Take care of yourself. You can nail it for customer service at your new job. I will look for your posts when daylight savings arrives.
"Old age isn't so bad when you consider the alternative." - Maurice Chevalier
I enjoyed reading your comments. You were an excellent contribution to this site.
Right!
I hate hearing people say, "I wish I would stop aging." I get it, but every year is a blessing.
I hate hearing people say, "I wish I would stop aging." I get it, but every year is a blessing.
@Rousseau wrote:
"Old age isn't so bad when you consider the alternative." - Maurice Chevalier
"I told myself to quit you; but I don't listen to drunks." -Chris Stapleton
cease, congrats on the new job! I'm sorry about the eyes. Even if you quit shopping, stay with the forum. Your input is valuable and you are loved!
"I told myself to quit you; but I don't listen to drunks." -Chris Stapleton
Hang in there! Of course, the current reality is that pay rates have been increasing for regular employment, but the pay rates for mystery shopping have stayed the same. There's never been a better time to become a regular employee. That said, having regular employment and then accepting only the lowest hanging, highest paying mystery shops can be a good combination. I hope it works out great for you!
I have liquid macular degeneration and have been taking shots in my eye for it. It takes around 8 or 9 before you see a lot better and then you take a shot every 6 months for as long as you decide to do it. My first symptom was when I looked at a door frame it looked wavy and I thought my contacts needed updating but that was not the problem Doctor said 15 years ago there would not have been anything they could do for it. It sounds terrible to get a shot in your eye, but personally, I would rather get that they have them take blood from my arm.
Cease,
Maybe the phone shops and web shops can fill the gaps until we have longer days?
My Best,
Jeff
Maybe the phone shops and web shops can fill the gaps until we have longer days?
My Best,
Jeff
Did the eye doctor do anything to slow down or stop the progress of macular degeneration? There are many advance procedures available now.
So sorry to hear about your eyes, Cease. My mom had macular degeneration, so I "get it" about the driving thing. It's hard enough to drive at night the older you get.... But as they say, when one door closes, another opens. And this new job might be just what you need right now. Maybe when the days get longer you can selectively do a few shops that pay well enough for you to do the drive, but not so far away that you can't get home before dark.
I hope you'll stay with us as a regular; both your insight and your humor are so appreciated!
I hope you'll stay with us as a regular; both your insight and your humor are so appreciated!
I learn something new every day, but not everyday!
I've learned to never trust spell-check or my phone's auto-fill feature.
I've learned to never trust spell-check or my phone's auto-fill feature.
Thanks for everything Cease. Hopefully we really still do see you around!
Thanks for the suggestions, but my tech expertise isn't up to most web shops, and I quite literally stink at phone shops (a couple years ago, in a time of utter desperation, I gave it a good, honest try -- 100 hours or so. I earned a whole $35. The scheduler finally got so disgusted with me she removed the rest of the shops. I don't blame her; I really sucked at it.)
@jgardn02 wrote:
Cease,
Maybe the phone shops and web shops can fill the gaps until we have longer days?
My Best,
Jeff
Good luck with your new job. I agree with Sandyf. Your interpersonal skills will shine through. I love it when the CSRs, cashiers, etc. are nice.
Cease, maybe you will be mystery shopped in your new job. If course you will be able to quickly ID the shopper!
@ceasesmith: I, too, am doing less because of what the eye doc said. Or, rather why they said it. Too many years of pain and too many nsaids might have had an adverse impact on the backs of my eyes. It is some sort of indirect effect of so much nsiads over time (or something like that). Eye doc said to limit or eliminate nsaids. Since many tasks can be painful, I perform less of some tasks now.
As everyone else said: You are the bomb! You will rock in your new position! I hope that you will find some time for us. You can tell us, from direct customer service experience, some of the other side of the story.
As everyone else said: You are the bomb! You will rock in your new position! I hope that you will find some time for us. You can tell us, from direct customer service experience, some of the other side of the story.
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)
I have enjoyed your posts over the years! Sending you my a hug and good luck in your new job!
Perhaps you could mentor your replacement in the area you shop. Just pick a good one. I think that might be almost as rewarding as doing the shops yourself (less the fees) or perhaps more so.
Otherwise just think of the vacuum created by your semi-retirement and the mega bonuses other shoppers would get.
Finding a true replacement will be difficult as many people I talk to about mystery shopping find it intriguing but don't want to put in the work/effort to make a go of it.
Otherwise just think of the vacuum created by your semi-retirement and the mega bonuses other shoppers would get.
Finding a true replacement will be difficult as many people I talk to about mystery shopping find it intriguing but don't want to put in the work/effort to make a go of it.
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