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Hate to Jinx It but I’m Having a Great Year

April 09, 2025 01:35AM
Not sure if it’s just that I’ve gotten “better” at it; that this is now a “must do” instead of a sideline hobby as it was in the past; or that the cosmic tumblers have aligned but I’m doing very well in shopping/merchandising this year. I’m sure you pros out there would chuckle at my income but for me...I’m getting high paying jobs that are the same complexity as they used to be. The Red Button and their new MSC seems like the bonuses kick in faster. The starting pay of $0.00 is rather humorous but they don’t stay there for very long. I have two coming up that are on my route that pay upwards of $30 each. Well worth the cholesterol and truth be told, I need a 20 minute break after driving for so long. The merchandising and the “dont’ call it an audit” audits seem like they are starting out higher than they used to as well. The stuffed animal re-sets are plentiful and super easy if you don’t go to a convenience store. All in all, I’m doing very well.

Is anyone else experiencing this?
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April 09, 2025 02:39AM
I prefer to whine about how the fees are getting lower and other shoppers have taken over most of my regular gigs for less money, but, yeah, I had a great quarter. Not even sure how.
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April 09, 2025 04:30AM
I find it less stressful when I don't actually need the money and am just shopping for extra money.

I am happy that you found your groove this year OP. Much better than the alternative. Everyone has their niche. I don't do merchandising, but my BFF only does it. She hates mystery shops. I will jump on a good retrieval project though.

But, yes, I am doing a lot of lucrative and easy shops right now. I got a call out of the blue to do a set of integrity shops at an event 10 miles from me. They insist that I get a hotel and use my per diem, since the other shoppers are going to have to fly in next time (and it sets the precedent). Between the crazy OT project at work and this gig, I will clear $3,000 in profit in 48 hours. Unheard of!!! (re: the integrity shops, before anyone asks... no, they don't have a job board, you can't apply, and they don't need anyone else. I have worked for this company for over 25 years. They are basically retired, but will do projects when the money is good.)

Then, I will go back to doing Panda, shipping, grocery stores and gas stations at lunch hour and after work. LOL. No stress.
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April 09, 2025 04:30AM
I would say this has been the best one for me, 3rd year shopping. I see less jobs then ever but still making more. I think that means I got better??? Stuffed animal jobs are a big help due to consistenly having stores each month.

Have done many bonused shops and then I did way too many of those dark audits but they are easy money.

Would like some more variety, need some more stuff. Intelli and ipsos have been real quiet and need some new clients!!

Grateful to have done so.well so far
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April 09, 2025 04:40AM
@mystery2me wrote:

I prefer to whine about how the fees are getting lower and other shoppers have taken over most of my regular gigs for less money, but, yeah, I had a great quarter. Not even sure how.
Yeah...same here. I don't feel like I'm being more aggressive or doing much differently...
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April 09, 2025 08:25AM
@metro25782 wrote:

Not sure if it’s just that I’ve gotten “better” at it; that this is now a “must do” instead of a sideline hobby as it was in the past; or that the cosmic tumblers have aligned but I’m doing very well in shopping/merchandising this year. I’m sure you pros out there would chuckle at my income but for me...I’m getting high paying jobs that are the same complexity as they used to be. The Red Button and their new MSC seems like the bonuses kick in faster. The starting pay of $0.00 is rather humorous but they don’t stay there for very long. I have two coming up that are on my route that pay upwards of $30 each. Well worth the cholesterol and truth be told, I need a 20 minute break after driving for so long. The merchandising and the “dont’ call it an audit” audits seem like they are starting out higher than they used to as well. The stuffed animal re-sets are plentiful and super easy if you don’t go to a convenience store. All in all, I’m doing very well.

Is anyone else experiencing this?

Sorry, you just lost all of your shops. winking smiley
Reply
April 09, 2025 08:51AM
@weatherman2111 wrote:

@metro25782 wrote:

Not sure if it’s just that I’ve gotten “better” at it; that this is now a “must do” instead of a sideline hobby as it was in the past; or that the cosmic tumblers have aligned but I’m doing very well in shopping/merchandising this year. I’m sure you pros out there would chuckle at my income but for me...I’m getting high paying jobs that are the same complexity as they used to be. The Red Button and their new MSC seems like the bonuses kick in faster. The starting pay of $0.00 is rather humorous but they don’t stay there for very long. I have two coming up that are on my route that pay upwards of $30 each. Well worth the cholesterol and truth be told, I need a 20 minute break after driving for so long. The merchandising and the “dont’ call it an audit” audits seem like they are starting out higher than they used to as well. The stuffed animal re-sets are plentiful and super easy if you don’t go to a convenience store. All in all, I’m doing very well.

Is anyone else experiencing this?

Sorry, you just lost all of your shops. winking smiley
Doh! Thats what I figured.
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April 09, 2025 06:20PM
Excellent! Glad you are having a good year. My schedule ebbs and flows with the school year, kids activities, etc. Last year, I decided to hold out for bonuses (i'm in a rural area but willing to travel) and more money for less work is my preference. There is a store that I used to do regularly that is no longer shopped (midwestern general store) and wish they would come back, but other than that, I'm good with the work I'm doing.
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April 09, 2025 07:00PM
Bravo.
I've noticed a surge in shopping offers....but my day is still 24 hours only, so until they up the compensation, I am poking along the same.
but good for you!

Life was passing like a hand waving from a train I wanted to be on
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