There's one where you have to pretend to be on parole and needing a drug test and you back out in the bathroom explaining that you know you won't pass to see how they handle it. That one takes a lot of personal information so they can put you in their system...

And there's another where you apply and actually get hired for a warehouse job in order to attend an orientation and evaluate it before backing out on the job. I feel like they could do that one in a way that wouldn't put a black mark on your name in case you actually wanted to work there in the future.

Hotel shops. From what I read here it's 2-3 days of non stop tasks needing narratives to report on. No tax prep shops for me either. Husband the accountant would be upset beyond what any amount of compensation would make it.

Any of those jobs that are intended to lure an employee into doing something that may be a fireable offense.
Just about any of the revealed shops

I'll generally try almost any shop for the right amount of money. But I won't lie anymore, and I won't set up someone for failure that could cost them their job or break the law. There are some car brands I won't shop, some because I hate them, and it's not easy to hide, and some because I can't convince anyone that I have that kind of money.

I'd rather do revealed audits than mystery shops, and I really hate cell phone shops, but I do them now and then so I can see all the new phone models.

I'm not down with the bank complaint shops, either.

I won't take any oil change shops at chains such as Jiffy Lube 'cause I've heard / read way too many horror stories about poorly done work. There's no way in hell a MSC is gonna pay enough to cover damage to my car if a chain oil change place causes damage and refuses to take responsibility.

I refuse the bank complaint shops- people can be fired for no reason which is not right- I also will not do the tax prep shops. I wonder how someone who has mystery shopping income would not be suspected of being a shopper? I do not trust tax firms- use my own CPA who I know is open year round and highly qualified- I also steer away from dining shops where the amount of picture taking and required narrative in the report would make it not fun at all. I did a few where timing and taking photos of food and being sure the photos were good enough made it a miserable experience. I also have been steering away from one company's apartment shops- I did one a couple of years ago and the reports were miserable to write- very detailed with extensive narrative for $45 then waiting a week for a follow up which never came as the complex was designed for younger folks and I suspect the agent knew I would not fit in- trying to find objections that were valid and pretending to really need an apartment in a complex where a senior citizen would not really want to live was not to my liking. Also some low paying phone shops with ridiculous guidelines. Some of the senior living shops which were phone calls- despite giving a pretty good story I often got the impression that they knew I was not really looking for a place for my parents- it was embarrassing when they started asking my parents home address, phone number so that they could look them up to see where they lived in the town- when there wee no such people! One assisted living rep actually called me back and said she looked up the names I gave her and there were no such people and accused me of being a fraud and questioned whey I was calling and wasting her time! The rate sheet shops are on my not wanting to do list as I have been blown off several times after making 3-4 phone calls.

I did a mortgage phone shop- not high paying but not leaving the house in winter was appealing. The mortgage rep did not give his NMLS number which is required by law. He was a bit of a blow hard on the phone. I made the report indicating that the number was not provided and within a day he called my house yelling that he knew I was a shopper. Very nasty messages. Obviously the report was received. He then based on my number and name found my son's number and left him text telling him to have me call him as he wanted to talk to me as he knew what I was up to. He then texted and called my spouses cell several times with messages saying he knew what I was up to. I felt like I was under seize with this man who did not do what he was required to do in terms of federal reporting requirements I had in the past done many such shops but after this for the shop fee I am declining.

I will not do an alcohol delivery shop where the driver is forced to return the item or leave it. Did one once and didn't fully realize the scenario after accepting and won't do another one.

Not at all interested in tax prep shops.

I've seen one - and actually signed up once before backing out - where you have to cheat/lie while taking a test. It required things like hiding notes in your socks, etc. NO thanks! Not interested.

I agree with others that I don't want to lure someone into doing something that will get them fired.

On a related note, I've seen a couple of restaurant shops that require that you don't use your phone to take any notes and then also boldly state that your report must be completely accurate and can result in discipline up to and including firing for the employee. Again, NO thanks!

Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 02/21/2025 04:20PM by olympia tennenbaum.

I refuse to do the "fail a test on purpose, we pay for the exam!" because

A: Knowing my luck I'd guess and accidentally pass
B: I have professional licenses and I do not want my name associated with any additional state exams
C: $50 pay is way too little for the prep, travel, actual job and eval.

Now that's scary...

I am employing what I have learned concerning the business and its definition of a high work:pay ratio.

1-Hotels
2-Casinos
3-Fine dining
4-Cruises
5-Non-water amusement parks
6-Any shop where the result will adversely effect another's life.
7-Most theaters, sporting events and concerts.

My shopping activities are heavily slanted toward #1-Money and #3-Defrayment of travel expenses, BUT, I am always ready for a good water park.

I agree with all the examples above but today I read this subject line in an email. Hoping to see a great bonus I opened it. I know this shop itself is not high paying but with a great bonus like the ones I read about on the forum, well maybe.
"MAXED-OUT BONUS! Signup For This Easy Shop Today!"
So, what is this maxed out bonus? $3!!! I will not do any shop that I know in advance in my big city requires a long wait for service or a drive of 45 minutes each way to some "close by me" 8 mile away shop.. Even with a bonus these "easy" shops and the ones requiring lots of detailed narrative, lots of timings and actual quotes are off my radar. Unless there is a fantastic reimbursement opportunity these all tend to come out at less than half the prevailing minimum wage.

@shopperbob wrote:

My shopping activities are heavily slanted toward #1-Money and #3-Defrayment of travel expenses, BUT, I am always ready for a good water park.

Ha!...so you will go against your own rules when there's a water park involved?

That's basically how I am with fine dining. I know it's probably too much work for the pay, but I love the excitement of a server removing the cover from my entree to reveal something foaming, or smoking, or just beautifully presented. And then having someone else cover the bill.

I think it's safe to say I would never shop another cruise, or anything involving cash integrity in CA.

For 2026 I am also cutting out any shops that have a negative 'overall' health impact. 'Overall' is the key word because I did a wine tasting shop last week that one could argue is not the best for my heart health, but was amazing for my marriage and mental health, so it feels like an overall positive to me. My wife literally looked over at me about 4 glasses of wine in and mouthed the words, "I love this job!"

Ironic epilogue of the wine tasting shop that somewhat relates to Bob's post; Through the former casino shops I used to do, I had credits that allowed me a free night at the casino/resort near the vineyard, so we crashed there to sober up and have a 'free' dinner. That led to me winning some money the next morning and yesterday I received an offer for a free cruise, based on my casino play.

So...because of that one shop, I kinda get a cruise! We also have a 'free' bottle of wine to take to a dinner party tomorrow night. If I fall overboard on the ship, I guess the shop could technically be considered bad for my health at that point.

One where you have to bring 3 guests and order specific things.

Any of the Western Union type shops where you need to share a lot of personnel information. Most of those places where I live are shady at best. Not comfortable inserting a debit card in a machine at one of those places or having them make a copy of my ID.

Steve inquires--...........so you will go against your own rules when there's a water park involved?

Bob replies--Without a moments hesitation. I do not need a hotel, am not a gambler, 3 forks are unimportant to me, avoid amusement parks due to dizziness, am struck with sea sickness(I was in the Naval Air Corps flying on non-carrier based aircraft) and have little interest in modern movies, sports and/or music. In addition, I do not wish to be involved with inflicting misery on anyone.

Finally, I began swimming on a team at the YMCA in 1949, taught the sport through the Red Cross for 16 yrs. and currently log a mile thrice a week, BUT, my true love is 3 meter springboard. Unfortunately, 4+ decades of squatting without wraps, an embarrassing slip of egotism, has affected my knees in the hurdle.

Speaking of cruises, a shopper acquaintence of mine is doing a cruise shop this week. He just reported that he caught the norovirus onboard and is quite ill right now....
so that would be a real downer for me - a cruise where you are not only sick, but also have to write about the whole experience, in order to at least be reimbursed.
I'm kinda picky about cruise lines (can't stand the ones where people are herded like cattle and it's non stop mediocrity every day)....and it sounds like he's on one of those mass appeal cruise lines.
Bless his heart. It's his first cruise shop. I am curious how he feels about it after this week.
Cruise ships seem to be breeding grounds for viruses?

I must be adventurous. I have tried so many things. I like some of the things others don’t like pretending to wire money at the local Bodegas. I don’t mind pretending to complain about nothing in branch at a bank. I’ve done some things I’m neutral on - shopping for cabinets, eating icky food. One local chain had a food item with both al Pastor and pineapple that was intolerable. On the other hand, I’m not going near gas stations, storage units again. I won’t do work that makes me miserable. I haven’t tried the scanning at big stores because I’m worried this is not something the store wants me to do. I’ve pulled it off at a convenience store and an automotive store but anything bigger would be stressful. One thing I don’t want to try is alcohol compliance. I would stress out about them doing what they need to. I agree on failing a test on purpose. I’m not sure I could or would want to. That’s my reputation! One of my top talents is passing tests on any topic.

It's more what few shops I will do: car shops (there have not been many of these recently), dining, oil changes at a dealer, and random jobs that pay well (high end watch shops). I won't do a shop where I don't fit the demographic or where I am lying.

@Momtreal wrote:

I refuse to do the "fail a test on purpose, we pay for the exam!" because

A: Knowing my luck I'd guess and accidentally pass
B: I have professional licenses and I do not want my name associated with any additional state exams
C: $50 pay is way too little for the prep, travel, actual job and eval.

Yeah, I did these way before I ever had licenses and then now can't do them because I actually have passed the tests they use and I can't retake them or risk losing my credentials.

And yes I probably would have passed had I not gone back and answered a bunch of questions wrong on purpose.

I will not do the 224 item scan at the warehouse store shop. Did it once and said never again.

Al pastor and pineapple go together almost all the time here on local taco trucks. Does it not elsewhere?

Dealer oil changes are hit or miss. I did several at a continually disappointing dealership on Flatbush Ave. Three ++ hours was normal. Appt means they are guaranteed to perform the job that day. Not necessarily at that hour. The last time I knew I had a radiator leak. Figured it would come up in the vehicle check because there was no fluid in the overflow. Not only didn’t they do any vehicle maintenance check, they failed to put the oil back into the car. I put in water and air in one tire I had deflated a short way down the road. My next stop the same day after errands was to a new mechanic I started to use. He immediately heard the ticking of the engine and told me I have a very serious oil leak. I told him I just did the oil change shop. He put in two or three quarts and told me to check it daily. No leak. Meanwhile I drove about 30 miles with little to no oil that day. I declined to complete the report so I could complain without implicating the MS company. After much interaction with them over the poor service all they did was refund me the oil at $20.00. They insisted I received the labor. What a joke. I asked to speak to the manager. It turned out the site was under brand new ownership that week. I was introduced to the new owner. He couldn’t be more apologetic and reached into his pocket to refund me the service which cost me $80 at the time. That Service Advisor who refused to return any call is now the Service Dept Manager though. Another dealership said I needed brakes… in 12/23. My mechanic said recently in Jan ‘25 I am getting closer and maybe to do it this spring or so at next oil change. I drive a lot, about 15k/yr. And then there is Garden City. Great! Fabulous! They gave me a small list of significant problems I am aware of. Really attentive and engaging. The way it is supposed to be at a dealership. I said it might be time for a new vehicle. They agreed it could be a good consideration. No pressure. They didn’t even refer me to their Sales Dept which was across the hall. Seriously though, the information on the vehicle condition was completely correct, very specific and valuable to me. I would definitely return to service or buy a vehicle there.

@rargirl wrote:

... One thing I don’t want to try is alcohol compliance. I would stress out about them doing what they need to...

I actually like them! Because, if they mess up something with me, the repercussions are most likely additional training. If they mess up and it's the authorities running a sting? Much more serious for them! I want them to learn and succeed. I've had the same delivery driver twice for the same scenario and she did everything correctly the second time after making a mistake the first time. They didn't fire her, she just learned something.

@olympia tennenbaum wrote:

Al pastor and pineapple go together almost all the time here on local taco trucks. Does it not elsewhere?

There was a thread from a few months back where I mistakenly agreed to the fast food al pastor taco. Big mistake!

Outside of the fact that I somehow botched the shop, it's absolutely nothing like the ones you get from a truck here. It was inedible. I ironically had to drive by 3 great taco trucks and the famous chilaquiles place on Sunset to get there...serious gringo move.

I see adult entertainment shops in my area all the time that pay a lot. Not gonna do that for any amount, although I did do a few Hooters years ago when the MS pickings were slim. The food was great and I actually enjoyed it.

@olympia tennenbaum wrote:

Al pastor and pineapple go together almost all the time here on local taco trucks. Does it not elsewhere?

No, it;s just where you are, lol.

@emm2131 wrote:

Dealer oil changes are hit or miss. I did several at a continually disappointing dealership on Flatbush Ave. Three ++ hours was normal. Appt means they are guaranteed to perform the job that day. Not necessarily at that hour. The last time I knew I had a radiator leak. Figured it would come up in the vehicle check because there was no fluid in the overflow. Not only didn’t they do any vehicle maintenance check, they failed to put the oil back into the car. I put in water and air in one tire I had deflated a short way down the road. My next stop the same day after errands was to a new mechanic I started to use. He immediately heard the ticking of the engine and told me I have a very serious oil leak. I told him I just did the oil change shop. He put in two or three quarts and told me to check it daily. No leak. Meanwhile I drove about 30 miles with little to no oil that day. I declined to complete the report so I could complain without implicating the MS company. After much interaction with them over the poor service all they did was refund me the oil at $20.00. They insisted I received the labor. What a joke. I asked to speak to the manager. It turned out the site was under brand new ownership that week. I was introduced to the new owner. He couldn’t be more apologetic and reached into his pocket to refund me the service which cost me $80 at the time. That Service Advisor who refused to return any call is now the Service Dept Manager though. Another dealership said I needed brakes… in 12/23. My mechanic said recently in Jan ‘25 I am getting closer and maybe to do it this spring or so at next oil change. I drive a lot, about 15k/yr. And then there is Garden City. Great! Fabulous! They gave me a small list of significant problems I am aware of. Really attentive and engaging. The way it is supposed to be at a dealership. I said it might be time for a new vehicle. They agreed it could be a good consideration. No pressure. They didn’t even refer me to their Sales Dept which was across the hall. Seriously though, the information on the vehicle condition was completely correct, very specific and valuable to me. I would definitely return to service or buy a vehicle there.

Which deslership in Garden City did you go to that you recommend? I go to a Lexus dealer in PA and have had no luck with local dealers in NY. The Toyota dealer near me is full of unconscionable criminals.

Oh super, I have a dealer oil change scheduled. At least I have an older vehicle. Perhaps they will get the oil change done with some expediency hoping to win a lot more business from all those maintenance items they're going to recommend.