Discounted clothes for a shop with no pay WHY

January 16, 2024 04:10AM

I got an email for a shop that has a minimum required purchase at a big and tall retailer of $200 where you use a retailmenot coupon code and the MSP provides a reimbursement of $90. They claim that they are interested in seeing if the coupon is accepted. They market it as getting $200 worth of clothes for $90. That isn't really the case though.

You must keep the clothes and you are forbidden from returning them. Not sure how they would know, but these clothes must be really nice to put all of these restrictions and not offer any cash to do the work. It seems that the demo for these clothes is small based on the models on the website.

I don't like this trend. I saw something similar for a chicken restaurant about a year ago, the place known for their breakfast, and other restaurant shops. I don't like to see these MSPs getting away with no cash for a fee jobs. I understand some people's reasoning where it is okay for a nice restaurant where your meal is covered unless you choose to order more food. This joke of a job still makes you spend over $110 net out of pocket to complete the job.

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January 16, 2024 04:14AM

I have done this shop in the past. Since I shop at that retailer anyway, I have no objection to getting more than 50% off. I can even use the discount on both sale and closeout items. Since this is only a test of whether the "coupon" works, the shop is really very easy.

Shopping South Jersey, Southeast Pennsylvania, and Delaware above the canal since 2008

January 16, 2024 06:00AM

If you shop at the store anyway, why wouldn't you want to get a discounted amount off your purchase by testing out a coupon? I personally wouldn't do this one, but have been interested in other retailers.

January 16, 2024 03:52PM

There are two parts. One is the value of the coupon. I could get that outside of the mystery shop. The other is the partial reimbursement. I have to do the mystery shop to get that.

@Mellifluy wrote:

If you shop at the store anyway, why wouldn't you want to get a discounted amount off your purchase by testing out a coupon? I personally wouldn't do this one, but have been interested in other retailers.

Shopping South Jersey, Southeast Pennsylvania, and Delaware above the canal since 2008

Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 01/16/2024 09:51PM by myst4au.

January 16, 2024 06:51PM

I remember seeing some fast food restaurants' paying for just the food. I told people you can get a better deal with their 2 for 1 coupons in the mail and you don't have to file a report.

January 16, 2024 10:29PM

Its a good deal for the right shopper. If I needed to make a purchase in a big and tall shop, I would do it.

January 17, 2024 01:20AM

I’ve done a few of the coupon shops. The last was a sporting goods store. I can’t remember the exact layout but I was in the market for a bike and I think I got an extra $40 off plus the coupon so it worked for me.

Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 01/17/2024 01:31AM by GApeach.

January 17, 2024 01:22AM

I mighty actually be interested in this- my husband is a big and tall guy, and those specialty stores are EXPENSIVE.

January 17, 2024 02:28AM

I totally hear you, Momo. I got the same email, and I considered it for a few seconds since I’m on the cusp of big and tall, but I decided against it since I don’t normally shop there.

I don’t like this trend either, but as several others have pointed out, if it’s a restaurant you frequent, or a store you shop at, it might make sense to take advantage of the shop.

On the other hand, we shouldn’t fall into the trap of doing a shop for a free gift card, coupon, or reimbursement for a purchase (with no shopper pay). There was a home goods shop near me that was offering $30 reimbursement for any purchase at this home goods store. I almost did it, but then talked myself out of it by telling myself that there wasn’t anything I NEEDED, and that I would probably spend MORE than $30 if I went to do the shop.

I always think twice before doing a shop for only a gift card or reimbursement. I haven’t done one yet, but I would do one if it was for the right place. It’s not much different than doing one of the oil change shops for $5 or $10. It’s a good deal when you figure out the actual cash value.

January 17, 2024 03:06AM

Anything could be a good deal if the person taking the shop can use the item or gift card and the savings involved seem like a good deal to them. . Everyone has to figure out what holds value for them. I do not sell on ebay so for me to sell the item later would not be worth my time to figure out how to do that.

January 17, 2024 06:55PM

@MysteryHulk wrote:

There was a home goods shop near me that was offering $30 reimbursement for any purchase at this home goods store. I almost did it, but then talked myself out of it by telling myself that there wasn’t anything I NEEDED, and that I would probably spend MORE than $30 if I went to do the shop.

I don't normally fall into the trap, but if there's value in it for me, I'll do it. I've done two of the home goods shops. The values were 1) fulfilling a Christmas gift that would ultimately be nothing out of pocket and 2) purchasing something that my mother legitimately needed. I made sure to stay under the $30 both times.

It's just like when you do an oil change shop at the godly male relatives car place. The MSC knows that in many areas, the reimbursement amount is not enough to completely cover the cost of an oil change, and they tell you to consider it as a discounted oil change - that's the value offered. Each person has to decide if that value equals or surpasses the time and effort the shop and report would take.

If your path dictates you walk through hell, do it as though you own the place. -unknown

January 17, 2024 10:12PM

@drdoggie00 wrote:

@MysteryHulk wrote:

There was a home goods shop near me that was offering $30 reimbursement for any purchase at this home goods store. I almost did it, but then talked myself out of it by telling myself that there wasn’t anything I NEEDED, and that I would probably spend MORE than $30 if I went to do the shop.
I don't normally fall into the trap, but if there's value in it for me, I'll do it. I've done two of the home goods shops. The values were 1) fulfilling a Christmas gift that would ultimately be nothing out of pocket and 2) purchasing something that my mother legitimately needed. I made sure to stay under the $30 both times.

It's just like when you do an oil change shop at the godly male relatives car place. The MSC knows that in many areas, the reimbursement amount is not enough to completely cover the cost of an oil change, and they tell you to consider it as a discounted oil change - that's the value offered. Each person has to decide if that value equals or surpasses the time and effort the shop and report would take.

I love the “godly male relatives” code.

My last oil change was there and I paid $14.99 because they had a Facebook promo going. I really wanted to see if I could pair it with both the mystery shop they have listed on the Little “I” as well as the Mobil 1 shop they had on the Big “I”.

So it would be a 100% reimbursement-double dip-pike.

January 17, 2024 11:59PM

I have done a bunch of these. I look at it as a discount on something I would be buying anyway.

The report is super easy.

January 18, 2024 12:00AM

The home good store with a $30 reimbursement is pretty generous. The store has lots of little things and you can easily find something under 30 bucks. They have everything from greeting cards all the way up to area rugs and furniture and all things in between.

January 18, 2024 12:07AM

@metro25782 wrote:

I love the “godly male relatives” code.

My last oil change was there and I paid $14.99 because they had a Facebook promo going. I really wanted to see if I could pair it with both the mystery shop they have listed on the Little “I” as well as the Mobil 1 shop they had on the Big “I”.

So it would be a 100% reimbursement-double dip-pike.

I managed to pull off a triple-dip one time at Greatest Bye. It was quite a nerve-wracking experience.

If your path dictates you walk through hell, do it as though you own the place. -unknown

January 18, 2024 12:51AM

The $30 home store reimbursement turned into over $150 expenditure for me, so yes, I fell into the trap. I really do need to put that adorable Eddie Bauer doggie coat on my buddy since it is very cold now and it's not doing him any good hanging in the closet...if I could only get him to go out and stay for a bit...bahaaa..he's an indoor baby for sure. Oh and I returned the couple of containers or $18 fancy popcorn that I decided was a stupid idea..only the mall was flooded and I couldn't get there before Christmas, sooo when I went AFTER Christmas they informed me it was a holiday item and they would only give me 50% of the cost. I made a stink and got the full amount..come on now..it's popcorn..not candy canes. It's an okay store, and I could always find something to buy, but I won't be going out of my way to go there unless it's a shop.

I did do the coupon shop at a great woman's store where I love to shop, but the clothes are pricey. I got a great deal on two sweaters for $18 since they were on clearance plus the coupon offer. I would only do the coupon offer somewhere that I knew I needed or wanted something, otherwise, it's back in the trap.

*****************************************************************************
The more I learn about people...the more I like my dog..

Mark Twain

January 21, 2024 04:10PM

Same! They can get expensive. A discount is worth it. I've done other stores for this type of shop just to get myself a few things to update the wardrobe a little.

@FrugalCat wrote:

I mighty actually be interested in this- my husband is a big and tall guy, and those specialty stores are EXPENSIVE.

January 22, 2024 12:09AM

For the most part, I pass on such. I always look though. I would and have taken such if it was for something that I honestly wanted or needed, or even just a store I loved to shop, in which case, I don't have a lick of trouble finding something I want or need. I am not a reseller, so that aspect would not appeal to me. That said, I hit delete on 99.9% of those things, but once in a blue moon, I will take one.

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

January 22, 2024 02:10AM

I did this type of shop at an office supply store. I got ink cartradges for a good price and the report was very easy to fo.

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Discounted clothes for a shop with no pay WHY

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