I've usually been getting $25+ for these shops and more when they're hot or offered by phone. Now these fees are all as low as $12 when offered by phone. The scheduler that called me says they aren't getting approvals anymore for the amounts I usually ask for. Is it just my area or is it really drying up?

Same here on the west coast. I was always getting $30 when I requested it. I bid $30 on Tuesday because it was the last day and I didn’t hear a thing. No phone call, email, nothing. It was at $20 when I put it my request and I was shocked when they didn’t respond at all.

I never get called only see raised prices on line. Problem is a lot of newbies and apparently hard up shoppers take the shops for lower fees. So I assume the company thinks they can low ball and get the shops done. Personally I have no desire to do any 5 Guys- health wise and shop wise. One of the most unhealthy eating places to patronize. YUCK

On Fridays, the fee would be at $15 with MAO turned on. It's now at $13. Yes, it's nice to get $25 and higher, but no other fast food place pays that much, so it really it quite high even at $20. I will take at $20 and higher.

People are taking panda at $7.50 or $8 depending on scenario

Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 08/15/2025 03:58PM by hbbigdaddy.

I got a $22 bid approved this week

Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 08/15/2025 04:35PM by Antipopbritt.

How are you guys bidding on these shops? If its with the same company as before there is no bidding option.

Do they mean “make an offer?” I made an offer for $30 last week and it was accepted.

@ack1 wrote:

How are you guys bidding on these shops? If its with the same company as before there is no bidding option.

Oddly enough, I see a few shops for this weekend where the shop fee is $12 but it's not showing up in the search results as having a changed fee. Usually they make a big deal of changed fees and make it a whopping $1 higher than the usual $9. Anyway, I do one or two a month at the base $9 fee because it's for a location right by work, but otherwise I'm mainly waiting around for ones with significantly higher fees.

I never accept for lower than my previous $25, 40, & 60 fees. Never.

They get taken where I am at base rate. I occasionally get one that pops up after a flake.

I was talking to a scheduler a few weeks ago and was told that 5G has given them a directive about fees. And now when they call me, they don't mention 5G but try to get me to do their other clients.

@eclark3 wrote:

... And now when they call me, they don't mention 5G but try to get me to do their other clients.

*giggles*

You don't see Five Guys prices going down, do you?

Well, I have my own personal directive; don't accept shops for lower fees / reimbursement than in the past.

Don't be foolish and give in. You'll get what you deserve. How hard is this concept to grasp?

@maverick1

Why is $25 your magic number? What mathematical formula did you use to arrive at that golden number?

You will skip a 5g if it's $24? A meal and net profit of $20+ is a win in my book.

looking at locations today (Saturday), they are still sitting at $13 with no MAO option. Its seems like they have decided to see if they can get people to take them at a lower amount. My understanding is the each "period" starts Thursday and runs thru the following wednesday. Ideally they would like to be done by Sunday so they don't scramble to cover the last 3 days of the period. Maybe I am wrong on my understanding of this particular project.

I'm guessing come Monday they will offer the MAO.

Something has to give here. We can already see many fast food places struggling with the most recent earnings releases (Wendy's/Chipotle/etc). 5g needs to focus on costs as well. What if all the $20+ shop fees drive them to reduce or end their MSC program? We've seen other places stop MSC as a way to save money.

I have not found shops on the log that they call about. I say $20 fee, they either say they will make a "notation" of that or say they will call if something else is available. I love those fries but I do not want to go lower than $20.

@hbbigdaddy

It's a simple formula...my past fee. It doesn't go down. Just like the shop prices.

No skin off my back if places stop working with MSCs.

@hbbigdaddy wrote:

@maverick1

Why is $25 your magic number? What mathematical formula did you use to arrive at that golden number?

You will skip a 5g if it's $24? A meal and net profit of $20+ is a win in my book.

looking at locations today (Saturday), they are still sitting at $13 with no MAO option. Its seems like they have decided to see if they can get people to take them at a lower amount. My understanding is the each "period" starts Thursday and runs thru the following wednesday. Ideally they would like to be done by Sunday so they don't scramble to cover the last 3 days of the period. Maybe I am wrong on my understanding of this particular project.

I'm guessing come Monday they will offer the MAO.

Something has to give here. We can already see many fast food places struggling with the most recent earnings releases (Wendy's/Chipotle/etc). 5g needs to focus on costs as well. What if all the $20+ shop fees drive them to reduce or end their MSC program? We've seen other places stop MSC as a way to save money.

@maverick1

Your price is your price and that is fine. I want as much as I can get too, but at the same time, I like the food enough that I do need to eat so if they are going to give me $24 (and my "price was $25") I would be willing to take it.

I agree in not taking them for base of $9. Back in SoCal...most of them come off the board at $9, so bonuses are rare unless someone flakes or did it wrong and they have to repost the shop.

I haven taken some at $18. I do not go below that, but that is my price. I don't have a strict formula. I look more at trends and locations and how hard they are to fill and know what a fair price is. I have a few close to me, so I play the waiting game.

You have told me you like to cook. I don't. I can't be bothered with preparing food and cleanup as well. Rather have someone pay me for something I like to eat and I don't have to do much other than pay attn to a few details.

My only point is/was that if the program goes away...then the collective "we" suffers as we have 1 less option for feeding ourselves with a mystery shop.

It is clear though they are trying to do something about overall costs...whether that is a directive from the client or the MSC itself. Fees for the 5g on a Saturday are higher than $13 and have MAO attached. That is not what I'm seeing here today. I'm guessing they go to $15 tomorrow. Not sure if MAO will be turned on at that point.

Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 08/16/2025 06:54PM by hbbigdaddy.

@hbbigdaddy

When I worked, I never accepted a lower salary either. That's part of my "strict formula" for how I was able to retire early. It's easy, aka ESI; Earn, Save, Invest.

The MSCs and shops may have overall cost issues. So do households. I know how to fish as well as how to cook it.

Apparently I'm different than you, and that's okay. I won't starve. That's MY point.

Side note: You're saying; "Back in SoCal...most of them come off the board at $9..." In the highest cost of living state in the US? Who's taking them? The homeless and illegal aliens?

@hbbigdaddy wrote:

@maverick1

Your price is your price and that is fine. I want as much as I can get too, but at the same time, I like the food enough that I do need to eat so if they are going to give me $24 (and my "price was $25") I would be willing to take it.

I agree in not taking them for base of $9. Back in SoCal...most of them come off the board at $9, so bonuses are rare unless someone flakes or did it wrong and they have to repost the shop.

I haven taken some at $18. I do not go below that, but that is my price. I don't have a strict formula. I look more at trends and locations and how hard they are to fill and know what a fair price is. I have a few close to me, so I play the waiting game.

You have told me you like to cook. I don't. I can't be bothered with preparing food and cleanup as well. Rather have someone pay me for something I like to eat and I don't have to do much other than pay attn to a few details.

My only point is/was that if the program goes away...then the collective "we" suffers as we have 1 less option for feeding ourselves with a mystery shop.

It is clear though they are trying to do something about overall costs...whether that is a directive from the client or the MSC itself. Fees for the 5g on a Saturday are higher than $13 and have MAO attached. That is not what I'm seeing here today. I'm guessing they go to $15 tomorrow. Not sure if MAO will be turned on at that point.

Yeah, i consider this a HOBBY, not employment. So if I see something that interests me (eating out/car wash/casino) and I feel it's a "good (or better)" return on my time, then I am interested. So getting a meal and $18 and higher is enough for me especially when I enjoy it.

Most other fast casual places are not paying nearly as much for their meals (thinking chicken finger place and panda).

I cannot speak for the exact demographic in SoCal that is taking all of the 5g at $9, but it could be the sheer volume of people (shoppers) and the amount of assignments. There are not as many 5g per capita in SoCal as there are in other places. So with more people shopping (the real housewives of OC) and not as many assignments available, it's a race to the bottom in that market.

@ hbbigdaddy

Speaking of another one of your hobbies...EVs, I just read this now...

In 2025, the average 5-year-old car will keep just 54% of its original value, highlighting how some vehicles depreciate once they hit the used market. A new study analyzed the depreciation of 40 popular electric vehicles (EVs) and internal combustion engine (ICE) car models between 2020 and 2025. Here are the ten cars with the highest depreciation percentage over a maximum of five years. (7 out of 10 are EVs):

46.5% Nissan Ariya (EV)

48.1% 2022 F-150 Lightning (EV)

48.3% Audi Q8

48.7% Mercedes EQE sedan (EV)

49.4% Porsche Taycan (EV)

49.9% Toyota Crown

51.2% Volvo XC40 Recharge (EV)

51.9% Nissan Leaf (EV)

52.5% Nissan Juke

57.8% BMW i3 (EV)

Source: NexusMedia

@hbbigdaddy wrote:

Yeah, i consider this a HOBBY, not employment. So if I see something that interests me (eating out/car wash/casino) and I feel it's a "good (or better)" return on my time, then I am interested. So getting a meal and $18 and higher is enough for me especially when I enjoy it.

Most other fast casual places are not paying nearly as much for their meals (thinking chicken finger place and panda).

I cannot speak for the exact demographic in SoCal that is taking all of the 5g at $9, but it could be the sheer volume of people (shoppers) and the amount of assignments. There are not as many 5g per capita in SoCal as there are in other places. So with more people shopping (the real housewives of OC) and not as many assignments available, it's a race to the bottom in that market.

I haven't done them for less than $24 in many years (maybe 2014?), often I will do them for $30 or $35, and have gotten as much as $40 for them a few times. There are 5 locations within a 15 mile radius of me. I haven't seen any of them for over $20 since March. So therefore I have not done any. I think there are some new shoppers around here and they will do them for the base rate because they are getting assigned somehow.

I don't love their fries but the burgers are good. Not going out of my way to do them. I have never eaten there on my own dime, either. There is one about 4 miles from my house but I still won't do it for less than $24. If I had a "regular" job and one was near my work, I would do them for base rate because I need to eat lunch.

@ Maverick... I will take the five guys at base if I want. I am far from homeless. Thank you Lord! Someone might mistakenly think I am rich. I, like everyone else, is free to take or leave any shop. I happen to like five guys every once and a while. It's a free meal, down the street, and I do get a couple of bucks. It's still a profit. I have taken them at base, and up to $30, I am content either way. I would never put anyone down for taking a shop at whatever they think works for them. I see shops everyday I would never do, but others jump on them. To each his own. It's no sweat off my back. I am in SoCal living and loving the SoCal lifestyle. Most people are. I know some people are struggling, but that's the situation everywhere, and has been that way for as long as I can remember. Anyway, you don't have be desperate or "homeless," to take a shop at base.

Sidenote... when I worked, I once accepted a job at a lower salary ( I initially rejected it). Why did I accept? Because there was other compensation to consider. I got a company car for work and personal use. My car insurance was now paid by them. Maintenance and gas was covered. I got a per diem, and a couple of other things I can't remember. Anyway, the point is if I had been so rigid in only accepting a certain salary, I would have missed out on a really fun seven years I worked for that company. Ahhh..... missing those trips to OKC, Dallas, and Houston.

Sheesh, you shoppers are so passionate about Five Guys ... *nom nom*

If 5G offered more than just burgers and fries.... I would be all over them. We have 6 locations in my city and I will not take one for less than $15 shopper pay. For me, its not a "free meal," since I only eat 1-2 of the fries to evaluate taste and texture and the burger only if I purchase as a lettuce wrap (if I happen to stragegically pick up a shop during time that I have not already eaten and am hungry). I have also taken a bite and saved the sandwich for my dog. The bag is dripping with grease and makes my car stink when I take it home. I do enjoy a good Freestyle drink when they have a seasonal zero Sprite or Minute Maid (sparkling peach was very good). I prefer to only pick these up when the pay is $30+ and leave the $9 base pay shops for the shoppers who actually love this place.

GIGI, 5 guys has hot dogs too.. I've never seen anyone order one.. but they are on the menu. They aren't significantly cheaper than a little hamburger though, so really not worth it.

I meant salads, chicken...that sort of variety. I would prefer a bowl or burger wrap over a hot dog.

@Morledzep wrote:

GIGI, 5 guys has hot dogs too.. I've never seen anyone order one.. but they are on the menu. They aren't significantly cheaper than a little hamburger though, so really not worth it.

Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 08/16/2025 10:19PM by gigishopper.

Not everyone shops for the money. Just food for thought.

There’s a Sbarro not far from me with a $30 bonus on it. I’m not available, but if I did take it, I would not necessarily expect that amount in the future. Maybe at one time the Five Guys’ MSC had a practice of offering the highest fee previously paid to the shopper when needed. That no longer appears to be the case.

Honestly, I can't fathom spending that kind of money on hot dogs at Five Guys. I can get two all beef, and pretty tasty hotdogs at Circle K for 1/3 the price, with spicy mustard, that Five Guys doesn't have. At Costco, they used to offer a choice of a smoked sausage or a hot dog with a soda for $1.50. The deal still exists, but sausage is no longer offered, and their condiments got crappy too.

I think Five Guys was supposed to mimic In n Out in the beginning, limited menu, quick service, great value for the money. But that isn't what happened. They don't hold a candle to In n Out, not on their best day.

@1forum1

Whoa! Hold on there. I never said you can't work for free, or nearly free. Or take shops at base. You don't have to justify yourself or the SoCal (cough, cough...progressive infested) lifestyle. Live and shop where you want.

I just indicated that all of that is not for me.

Side note: I have a niece who is an engineer for a biotech firm in LA and a best friend who just retired from a EE position in Silicon Valley. Cali is a great place to visit. Outside of the cities so your car windows don't get smashed, where you don't have to look down to make sure you're not walking in homeless person urine or feces, or witness law permitting shoplifting under $900. I enjoyed the variety of parks all throughout the year. But I said visit. For that it's great! I'd never live there.

@1forum1 wrote:

@ Maverick... I will take the five guys at base if I want. I am far from homeless. Thank you Lord! Someone might mistakenly think I am rich. I, like everyone else, is free to take or leave any shop. I happen to like five guys every once and a while. It's a free meal, down the street, and I do get a couple of bucks. It's still a profit. I have taken them at base, and up to $30, I am content either way. I would never put anyone down for taking a shop at whatever they think works for them. I see shops everyday I would never do, but others jump on them. To each his own. It's no sweat off my back. I am in SoCal living and loving the SoCal lifestyle. Most people are. I know some people are struggling, but that's the situation everywhere, and has been that way for as long as I can remember. Anyway, you don't have be desperate or "homeless," to take a shop at base.

Sidenote... when I worked, I once accepted a job at a lower salary ( I initially rejected it). Why did I accept? Because there was other compensation to consider. I got a company car for work and personal use. My car insurance was now paid by them. Maintenance and gas was covered. I got a per diem, and a couple of other things I can't remember. Anyway, the point is if I had been so rigid in only accepting a certain salary, I would have missed out on a really fun seven years I worked for that company. Ahhh..... missing those trips to OKC, Dallas, and Houston.

Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 08/17/2025 12:33AM by maverick1.

@ Maverick.... you said a LOT more than "it's not for me." Your post is riddled with assertions, and typically, included a slight on people not like you, states not like yours, and ideology different from yours, as if you, and I mean you, are better than whoever and whatever is different from you and your own beliefs. You manage to insert these sentiments seemingly someway in practically everything you post.