I find that there are many shops I took when starting out that I would not dream of taking now. I did one of these shops, bonused to $250, and it was accepted within an hour. Don't feel the need to do ANY at $10

Yes, I completely agree and understand what you are saying. However, my wife and I have much bigger ambitions in this industry.What I mean by this is we do everything. Things priced at $30, as well as the ones at $10 and $5. Do you see what I'm trying to explain? When you suddenly see jobs disappearing from the board all at once. Yes thats us. You're welcome.

I'm admittedly surprised by someone with the level of experience of the OP to be so eager to take on so many low paying jobs, but to each their own. Best of luck to you and your wife OP.

Removed

I'm not sure where any of you are located, but if you are in any major metro city, you should have no problem completing more than 35 assignments a day. Perhaps it's because I stay in major cities and travel extensively. I'm talking about covering around 18 different states on my coast. When I completed 35 assignments a day, it took less than 8 hours, with an hour and a half break (it was extremely hot out).

I also wanted to mention that just because it says I'm a "new participant" doesn't mean I haven't been in this game for almost a decade. You all know that you don't have to sign up to see the comments in any of these forums. Yes, they may limit you, but I've been on these forums for YEARS, observing the negativity that people spew here, instead of trying to come together and discuss strategies. It's a waste of time to participate in it, but I've certainly viewed it, especially when I've felt like the pay for shops has decreased over the years. I go to forums to realize that, hey, I'm right, others are saying similar things, but it stops there. I'm too busy making money and being a full-time route shopper who travels across states with his wife than to sit on here and complain all day.Yes, things are more challenging, pay is lower, and surveys are longer, but bills still need to be paid. So, if you're someone who believes in this industry and has been a shopper for years, don't let these negative comments get you down.

I come on here to see if anyone else is talking about how to overcome some of these challenges and how to strategize better with new shop guidelines and sometimes slower payments. But no, many people on here waste time talking about the negatives when there is still positivity in this industry, from the hardest to the easiest shops. If you're doing 4 to 5 shops an hour, come on, you're making good money.Oh, I'm also blessed to have a partner who fully believes in this as well. I've been a shopper for almost a decade, like I said previously. Take it or leave it, but I make better money as a full-time mystery shopper than she does in a major city hospital with two degrees, and she's also a registered nurse. I make sure my family is well fed.

I truly believe in this industry. These shops are doable. Be bold. Your mortgage bill or landlord will always be bold to tell you that your bill is due or you're behind. I'm not scared to take these photos. I'm not scared of rejection. I've had plenty over the years, but I've had tenfold the acceptances. Like I said, I don't know how you all have grown into the people you are, the bills you have, or the goals you have for your family and kids, but if you're letting a little awkwardness keep you from making these shops a success and getting money fairly quickly, then you should reevaluate your career choices. I've seen people say they don't want to feel awkward putting an item back. Get over yourself and make your money. If not for yourself, do it for your family. Hey, if you don't want the food at the table, myself and my wife will have seconds. I'm rooting for the few of you who are still optimistic about these jobs and other MSC shops. Don't let these negative people deter you from your goals.Anyone else here feeding on the negativity, stay where you are; I will gladly drive to your city and take your shops. Keep rooting for someone's downfall. It says more about you than anything else. I stay shopping. Oh, and by the way, I'm talking about driving over 22 hours to another state and staying for two months for a company to finish shops in a timely manner. I'm no rookie. I have private routes as well. I'm trying to tell you its possible. Some of these locations are open at 7 am and some open at 4pm and stay open until 2am. Typical city life. So your telling me can't do 35 locations in an area like that???? Come on. If your not in a major city, you ever think about driving. Like I said im blessed for where I live and what I made from all this. Those of you that are optimistic still or even new, go for it! ....Enough said, I'm busy shopping.

TL;DR

Wondering how a working hospital nurse has time to ride around in the car for days on end with her spouse.

If you have a partner and in a major city you should have no problem. Maybe partner with a friend, family, etc. Drive time means nothing when some locations are 3 minutes if not in the same plaza or shopping strip. It's possible. Believe it or not. Maybe its harder in rural areas but just open your mind to other areas. Im trying to be positive for others here and let yall know you can do it. Trust me im not pressed for $10 shops. But I have been 1k a day many times to know it is possible if you strategize. Im not saying its easy. Im saying these shop are easy and quickly done before I'm at my next location. Many times they are on the same road. There are even better paying job but if your at a mini-mart / corner store that is very small and there are somwtimes 5 on the same street. You can get a lot done in an hour. I've done shops for WAY better pay but these are just so fast and easy, I'm just trying to keep people open. But either way I'm going to keep doing me. You know you can do 5 $10 shops on the same street in a major city and also do other shops on that sake street for other MSC (not on presto) in that same area IF YOU PLAN AHEAD. Be negative and don't get the shops if you want. If you do, well im happy for you. We can talk about strategies on here but the negativity is boring. Stay blessed.

@sestrahelena wrote:

Wondering how a working hospital nurse has time to ride around in the car for days on end with her spouse.

Exactly.

Of all the things that didn’t happen, this didn’t happen the most.

We both do shop. Im saying she makes better pay than being a registered nurse. She can work when she wants and also be a full time shopper. Even full time nurses have 4 days off a week in the hosptial. Also we can make quicker money together depending on what shops we take on. Im sorry but some of yall need to think. Hey, get a degree is the heath care field then tell me the same. If you've never done healthcare then you dont know the stress. Especially during COVID. If you can make sometimes easy, quick, and better paying money than the stuff you see and have to deal with short staffed then you'll take that. Also they work long shifts so if you can decrease your hours and make better money anyone would take that. Get in the that field then come let me know its easier mystery shopping. Prove me wrong. Please

Are ya educated ?

Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 09/09/2023 09:23PM by Lhtss.com.

@Lhtss.com wrote:

Do you have a nursing degree?

No. My degrees are in Chemistry and Biochemistry (undergraduate) and Biochemistry (graduate.)

I thought you were leaving… ???
Because you’re too, too busy…???

<insert Tombstone .gif of “Bye” here>

I have done these shops, in bulk, in a city by walking a 15 square block area in a day. Yes, good money. But that was before. Before they doubled the amount of required photos. And before all the required narrative of what was said by whom, what was bought, prices of each item. And before double receipts were needed. Some places just don't do that. These additions, coupled with the overall accusatory and negative view the MSC has of shoppers, well, it's gonna take a lot more money for me to deal with all their drama.

Oh wow that just one of the degrees she has as well. Congrats. Maybe get certified in LP, LPQ, LPC, ARM. It helps with creating private routes. If youve never done so many jobs and traveled so extensively that companies reach out to you privately, mail you equipment, bonus travel fees, pay for a hotel, reimburse milage then hey, maybe just open your mind. Since your well educated I wouldn't think that would be so hard. You are well versed in the science field. It can't be that hard to think that there is a more lucrative side of this industry as well. More than these $10 shops. I'm not pressed for $10. Im saying its quick and easy. Especially if there are some people on here that may be new. Maybe give them some hope and strategize with them instead of all this negativity. Yall I'm trying to keep this positive and you will really ban together to be sad and negative rather than ban together and talk about how to strategize, especially with those who have succeeded. Come on yall. Have you never done so many route people reach out for serious contracts, have you ever been offered to have hotels paid in full to stay in states hours away from home, have you never have milage reimbursed for a contract, have you never scheduled multiple companies in the same week, have you never worked 24 hours straight (day and night) for multiple companies to where you are mentally and physically burnt out but you know the money is worth it, have you never done $10 shops for a month until you jext contract start that pays $200 per location? Some od yall on here aren't serious route shoppers and it shows. If you cant even comprehend this as even possible then yea I can see why you are so negative.

Removed

"you will really ban together to be sad and negative rather than ban together"


I think several of us here try to ban together for higher fees by not taking what we consider to be underpaid work. I don't speak for the whole forum, of course.

@Lhtss.com wrote:

Oh wow that just one of the degrees she has as well. Congrats. Maybe get certified in LP, LPQ, LPC, ARM. It helps with creating private routes. If youve never done so many jobs and traveled so extensively that companies reach out to you privately, mail you equipment, bonus travel fees, pay for a hotel, reimburse milage then hey, maybe just open your mind. Since your well educated I wouldn't think that would be so hard. You are well versed in the science field. It can't be that hard to think that there is a more lucrative side of this industry as well. More than these $10 shops. I'm not pressed for $10. Im saying its quick and easy. Especially if there are some people on here that may be new. Maybe give them some hope and strategize with them instead of all this negativity. Yall I'm trying to keep this positive and you will really ban together to be sad and negative rather than ban together and talk about how to strategize, especially with those who have succeeded. Come on yall. Have you never done so many route people reach out for serious contracts, have you ever been offered to have hotels paid in full to stay in states hours away from home, have you never have milage reimbursed for a contract, have you never scheduled multiple companies in the same week, have you never worked 24 hours straight (day and night) for multiple companies to where you are mentally and physically burnt out but you know the money is worth it, have you never done $10 shops for a month until you jext contract start that pays $200 per location? Some od yall on here aren't serious route shoppers and it shows. If you cant even comprehend this as even possible then yea I can see why you are so negative.

@joanna81 wrote:

I think several of us here try to ban together for higher fees by not taking what we consider to be underpaid work. I don't speak for the whole forum, of course.
]

I don't think you speak for everyone but I do believe you speak for the majority.

Taking shops at low pay or only reimbursement keeps fees low IMHO.

And I do take low fees when I'm trying to fill in a route, and I'm sure that ticks off the local shoppers. But those are usually once in a great while, not every month.

haha. remember those drink photo shops? Didn't really understand the point of them. In my area they went up to $75/100 so I found a way!

I've completed some. But i had one rejected a couple weeks ago, and it aggrevated me because person said there is a sign in picture i took that said there is a fee. I looked through the pictures, zoomed in and out, and no where does it say there is a fee for purchases. & i had another one rejected a few weeks before that because there is a sign on the cash register that said "no fees" but they took it differently i guess. I dont do these often. If they paid at least $15, then i may make them into a route. But for just $10 each, i usually do them only because i am down $10 to $20 on the day from what i tell myself i have to make.

I grossed $128,000 mystery shopping last year with an average shop pay of about $50. So, I averaged about seven shops a day last year. At $10 a shop, I would have had to complete about 35 shops a day to make that much money. There's just absolutely no way. I don't even want to begin to consider how miserable and pontless my life would be if I completed 35 shops a day. I don't even know how I can find that many shops, and there's absolutely no way I would be able to get 35 done in one day.

I would much rather do it my way and complete around seven shops a day on average. That gives me vacation time and days off and make sure I'm not working more than 12 hours on a work day. Part of me wonders if this is even real. There is a strong atmosphere of gaslighting schadenfreude in the OP's messages.

Nice! Is 128k just fees or are reimbursements included in that #?
I do this part time and my max is about 7-8 a day as well. Physically and mentally! Lol.

@thunderdeacon wrote:

I grossed $128,000 mystery shopping last year with an average shop pay of about $50. So, I averaged about seven shops a day last year. At $10 a shop, I would have had to complete about 35 shops a day to make that much money. There's just absolutely no way. I don't even want to begin to consider how miserable and pontless my life would be if I completed 35 shops a day. I don't even know how I can find that many shops, and there's absolutely no way I would be able to get 35 done in one day.

I would much rather do it my way and complete around seven shops a day on average. That gives me vacation time and days off and make sure I'm not working more than 12 hours on a work day. Part of me wonders if this is even real. There is a strong atmosphere of gaslighting schadenfreude in the OP's messages.

Wow, I am getting a real education here. I am learning that I have no idea what I am doing! I work my butt off combing through listings and emails and am lucky to scrape together a few hundred in shops a month! I guess all of the real money is on the low down and I don't know the secret handshake? LOL. And the crazy bonuses? I have never come across one! The shops here either get snatched up (often at base ,minutes after a listing is up or an email is sent), or the crappy ones languish for months with no fee increases. $250 for a debit card shop? When, where, WHY? I didn't think the project was about specific shops, but just getting a number of them done?

Anyway, I have been really scouring the threads here the last few weeks to get intel to find more and better jobs but I haven't had much luck. Maybe a lot of it is just regional, maybe I'm too late to the game?

So it is the 10th and the only shop I have left for the month is an $8 web shop tomorrow. Unless...I want to go hit up a commercial welding store and ask them if they have a surcharge. LOLOLOL

It's great to hear about your success in mystery shopping, and it's important to choose a work pace that suits your lifestyle and well-being. Your approach of completing around seven shops a day allows for a better work-life balance and time for yourself. It's essential to prioritize your happiness and not feel pressured by unrealistic expectations. Trust in your own method and enjoy the benefits it brings you.

Removed

Some people are too lazy to work 8 houts.

Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 09/11/2023 10:32AM by NM1962.

It's a common tactic these days--when people are losing an argument--to stop debating the actual merits of the discussion and resort to personal attacks.

Brad, I lived and worked in Chicago for 13 years and had a similar experience....infrequent bonuses and shops snatched up quickly. I have kids, so getting a babysitter for shops wasn't practical. Most of the shops I did were experience or restaurant shops.
I moved outside of the major Chicago area and shops get better bonuses in the more rural areas, so you have to be willing to travel. That said, I don't see a lot of huge bonuses except for a bank or major last minute bonus deadlines. I also just do about a couple hundred in shops a month. I have learned my new area, and I stick to a bottom line that I will work for. If fees don't go up, so be it, another shopper can take it. If I don't account for my overhead on the fees, like taxes and such, and work for less, I'd be better off getting a part time job instead.

{Quote=bradkcrew]
Wow, I am getting a real education here. I am learning that I have no idea what I am doing! I work my butt off combing through listings and emails and am lucky to scrape together a few hundred in shops a month! I guess all of the real money is on the low down and I don't know the secret handshake? LOL. And the crazy bonuses? I have never come across one! The shops here either get snatched up (often at base ,minutes after a listing is up or an email is sent), or the crappy ones languish for months with no fee increases. $250 for a debit card shop? When, where, WHY? I didn't think the project was about specific shops, but just getting a number of them done?

Anyway, I have been really scouring the threads here the last few weeks to get intel to find more and better jobs but I haven't had much luck. Maybe a lot of it is just regional, maybe I'm too late to the game?

So it is the 10th and the only shop I have left for the month is an $8 web shop tomorrow. Unless...I want to go hit up a commercial welding store and ask them if they have a surcharge. LOLOLOL[/quote]

When you say pay is higher than a registered nurse, are you factoring in traveling expenses that reduce the pay?

These gas station shops have never interested me. I don't mystery shop as a career, I just do it as a hobby to have some fun experiences I normally would not do. Although, I did a lot of those McDonald's drive-thru shops last year on Presto at home and while I was traveling during winter break and enjoyed the money I made from those. To me, they were worth it. I understand certain shops may be worth it to different people for different reasons.

Anyway, I don't know what these shops entail exactly, but to me, it would seem doing 35 shops in a day (or 100) would reduce the quality of the shops. It seems inevitable that there would be some mixing up of information between the shops.

haha. part of me wonders if yours is real, 128k???? You must live in a much more populated area than I do! Congrats.

Honestly, I didn't intend to stir up any drama by posting in this forum. I believed it was more of a collective knowledge hub for individuals. I'm here to seek clarification regarding the nursing comment concerning my wife. It's true; we've received contracts from some MCS companies for travel routes that paid over $24,000 per month until the project concluded. Whether you believe it or not, these are facts. We approach this as a career and are fully committed to this industry.

I understand some people's frustration when I take on jobs at lower rates, but I also have reservations about casual mystery shoppers. As a full-time route shopper with eight years of experience, I've learned not to always chase the big payouts. They come when they're meant to, but you can't ignore the smaller opportunities that add up over time. Also, consider this: I've realized that when you sit and wait for them to bonus a job, there are other shoppers waiting as well. So if there are 100 jobs going for $10 each, and then in a week only 7 get done, that should tell you everyone is waiting like bloodhounds for a raise. But if I complete these shops now at their base rate, the only person who benefits is me, rather than waiting for it to go up to $15, with 26 out of 93 jobs remaining. At that point, a bonus won't help any of us. My approach requires massive organization and capital to keep going. In other words, I complete all available assignments while most wait for bonuses. Consistency is key in this field, and we maintain it diligently.

If you're wondering how we manage what we do, it's because we're technologically savvy and leverage technology in ways you might not imagine, especially if you're only doing this for fun or as a hobby. Both in our early 30s, my wife and I each have two working vehicles, which I personally maintain. We've chosen not to have children yet for our own reasons, which grants us more time for this endeavor. We don't just take on the high-paying, enjoyable jobs; we handle the short, less glamorous ones too, which earns us respect with schedulers and owners of these MCS companies.

For those new to this industry or looking to dive deeper, what I'm saying is entirely true.