I started this without meaning to, so I thought it was interesting enough to qualify for its own thread. I BET you have stories!

Someone from my family always goes with me because I usually schedule 10-20 shops a day the days I go out. For example---I leave tomorrow for four days of MSing. I have 110 shops to do in four days and will be driving about 800-900 miles. I do the shops and my 30 year old son goes along and does the driving while I write the notes for my shops before we get to the next one. I have two sons 30 and 31 and my husband and they take turns going along, which ever one can get away from their jobs. I do two long trips like this a month usually and can make about 1500.00 a trip so then the rest of the month I just take bonus shops or whatever if I get called. It works out good for me. I only have to work about 10 days a month and can run my home business the rest of the month.

That sounds wonderful, but how do you deal with the usually 48 hour deadlines for the submitted reports?

I usually involve my family for some of the restaurant shops and casino shops. I use my families cars to do automotive shops. This gives me the chance toget more shops and helps the family out at the same time.
Mike

I take my hubby to do the restaurants shops, together we take times, names and food quality.
dquiring, how about the shops that are due at midnight?
Enjoy life
Isabel

My wife has gone with on some jewelry shops and of course on all of the restaurant shops. I wish I could get her more involved, but that won't happen until I start making decent money. I'm always looking for help in that area.

Rudymiker-Super Star Member-How do you get signed up for Casino Shops? I haven' had any luck finding them. Could you help me?
Thank you,
SP

My 18 year old grandson goes with me sometimes. he is a shopper too, so I go with him too - - We have a great time!

I live alone, however, when I visit my only daughter in Chicago Mother's Day, I will look up a good restaurant and another where she will benefit, maybe a hair cut and color. We can enjoy being together, and get some goodies on MOM.

My family is supportive of my mystery shopping, for the most part. I resigned from my job 4 years ago right before my daughter was born. I wanted to be a full-time stay-at-home mom. Money has always been tight. Last year, I started mystery shopping after I heard my friends talking about it. I had heard of mystery shopping before and thought that it would be a great idea. I love shopping and I could get work while still caring for my child (What other job allows you to pick and choose your assignments with a kid in tow?!) My other mommy friends were interested until they realized how hard it was to get assignments and write the (sometimes) long, tedious reports.

Anyway, my friends did a couple of shops each and then they were done. But I have (very slowly) started getting more and more assignments. And I try to sign up with one new company a day. However, lately I've been so busy I haven't really had time to do that!

My friends (and sometimes family/husband) have said that I'm wasting my time. They say things like, "It's not worth it. You spend so much time on the reports for practically nothing."

I really enjoy the work, though. I love finding new shops. For me, it's like the perfect job. It's hard explaining that to people though. For the most part, my mom is very supportive and that means the most to me. On the assignments where I cannot bring my child, she always offers to babysit. Also, my mom is the only person that hasn't said, "You're wasting your time."

Does anyone else out there feel like I do? Does anyone else ot there feel like they have to explain to people over and over that it really is work?

I know excatly how you feel. I enjoy this more than anything. My passion is shopping, exploring new things and gourmet food. I do alot of family to high end restaurants where I'd never have the chance to go otherwise. I don't mind driving (wish there were better gas reimbursements) because it gets me out of the house. I have lived in Los Angeles for 30 years, and am discovering the neatest places. Went to Redondo Beach, a charming beach town, sat in a fabulous restaurant, overlooking the water, tough job, but someone's gotta do it...LOL

Keep on doing it and don't listen to you friends, no one knows what is best for you, but you. I Wish I could find a pal to shop with here from time to time.

I have encouraged a friend to do some shops in her area, which work well for her. She is not interested in doing lots of shops but does enjoy the ones I suggested she take a look at.

I really love bank shops because my pre-retirement background was in the financial area. I do some retail, but mostly at places I would tend to shop anyway. I do enough restaurant and fine dining to keep my significant other involved enough that he doesn't moan about my time spent writing reports. And from time to time I fly out to do hotel and resort shops as "budget balancers".

But certainly mystery shopping is not for everybody and the report writing is not all fun and games. When it works for you, however, you will find the jobs needed to keep it going comfortably.

Mystery shopping has the "ying and yang" of life (as my daughter says). When it's good, it's very very good, but when it's bad, it's naughty. Some of the reports make you say "I will never do his #$@&* frigging thing again, but alas, another day comes and it's, oh, this wasn't so bad. I just got back from an easy Jelwery store...that one I told you they wanted you to have an income of $75.000 per year. I wrote them an email stating why I didn't think it fair... blah blah blah. Low and behold, I get an email 1 week later giving me the job....$25.00, 20 minutes, and a pretty easy report. I was driving home and couldn't wait to get on the computer and see what other ones have come in.... The ying and yang of it all....

My husband and one of our sons have gotten prescription eyeglasses out of this. I have, too. At least, now we know which mystery shopping deal for eyeglasses is best. One son went with me to a museum and to two amusements. He also helped me with a customer intercept for an over-the-counter medicine after a baseball game. I convinced my husband to go with me to a real estate assignment. The fact that the conversations had to be recorded got him more interested because he is a techie. He began asking involved questions of the agent and came home saying he had certainly enjoyed himself. Shortly afterward, he went with me for an interview where the spouse had to be present. I've tried other situations where I had to say I wasn't married, and I didn't feel right about that, especially since I was using my real name. Maybe he'll go with me next time I have anything like that. Being a computer professional, my husband has gotten me out of plenty of computer problems, and until I learned to upload, he did it many times. Mostly, though, my family is just as busy as I am. I'd love to have company when it is allowed by the MSing company, but most of the time, it is a lonely endeavor.

Sandra

Sandra, There are many good jobs that come out of this....When married we had our own Real Estate business, my ex being a Commercial Real Estate Appraiser, builder and we did build our own home. One of my first jobs was evaluating a new home development near me. Who better for this job, I did a great job as my knowledge of Real Estate is my history, I know it well, and was taught by the best. I loved that job. and knew I had found my niche. I am not younger than you, I was retired 4 years and needed something to do. My age is 60+ years young. My hobby has always been shopping (Jewish, you know), have a passion for food, especially gourmet dining. This started as a way for me to continue eating out with purpose. I can't afford these kinds of places on my own anymore, having downsized. This industry enabled me to continue enjoying and going to the finest restaurants. I have really worked my way up to being thought of as a "food critic" by one company. I get jobs that don't go on the board...o.k. I'm bragging a little...but it's true. They put these special jobs on my assignment list and I pick, then write a paragragh on why I would be best for this job. I get alot of them, and am really happy about that. Having said all that....this is an alone job for me, as my only daughter lives and works in Chicago after graduating from Northwestern and Loyola, getting her Master's degree. I live in Los Angeles and do manage to visit. Leaving on the 8th to see her. I don't want to outdo you with the novel, so will end. Nice talking to someone that listens.

The "lonely endeavor" part is why many of us keep in touch with other shoppers. If I mention to a friend what I do, the chances are reasonably good that they will mention it to other people who are mutual friends. Because they have family and friends in the area as well, that could quickly limit the anonymous nature of what I do. My sweetie mentioned to his officemate what I was doing and when we went into a store where her son works (not on a shop, thankfully), her kid recognized us and asked my sweetie if we were there to mystery shop. I had never previously met the kid and did not know where my boyfriend's officemate's son worked, so I would not have considered that store "off limits" to do shops, but because of a loose tongue it is now until the kid finds some place else to work.

So, how do you handle the question, "What do you do?"

I have started getting enough assignments that I am not as "available" to my family and friends as I use to be. Now, I have to check my calender daily when family/friends ask to get together for lunch, the afternoon, etc.

A couple of friends know a little about what I do, but others I have kind of beaten around the bush about what I'm really doing. I just know that they are big talkers and even though I live in a fairly large area, word could get out. The last thing I want, is to go into a store and have exactly what happened to Flash happen to me! AGH!

I have found that lots and lots of questions follow telling people what I do. I, of course, don't mind the questions from immediate family members, but as far as the "close but not-so-close friends" (particularly the in-laws, sad - but true), I really wouldn't feel comfortable answering their questions.

Any suggestions for the inevitable, "What exactly are you doing?"

Thanks, in advance! I really enjoy reading all the posts in here. In addition to getting some really great advice, it also helps me feel more connected to the MS community, as well.

Incognito, I answer "what are you doing" by saying I am an evaluator working for various companies, then change the subject. People close to me want more info. I just say I'd rather not talk about it, it gets to complicated. The friends I take out for a nice dinner know, but won't say anything. It boils down to who to trust. I, like you, have to say no to my previous lunch life. I eat out so much for work, I have cut way back on not spending my own $$. Sometimes I feel like I am a prisoner to this job.....that's why these forums are a great way of expressing and sharing jobs and opinions. I hope the day never comes that we are critiqed by our own co-workers....that's when the freedom of speech stops.

I always just say, "I'm doing a little part time consulting these days." If/when they press I just say "It's analytical stuff." They usually leave it alone after that. If they don't I may mention some gobbledygoop about observed statistical research for confidential clients and that allows me to then shut up without appearing too rude. And I even have business cards I printed up on my computer that indicate "Consulting & Analytics" which get dropped in the fishbowls of restaurants, used for Business memberships on buying club shops, etc.

Depends on what our background was....I couldn't say what you've said, and vice versa. Keep it short, no one really wants to know the specifics of your work. Even if you say evaluations and never give out info. about which places, names of companies, etc, your o.k. My friends all know of my love for food and if I say I am a restaurant or hotel evaluator, they still don't know the specifics or that it is tied into mystery shopping.

I don't say anything, because no one except my 18 year old knows I have a part time job. Because of our ethics policy at work, I did have to inform my boss that I had taken on a part time job - and simply told him I am an independent contractor conducting market research. He asked what was that and I told him more computer work than anything. That was it.

In this case, less is more. I know my neighbor starting talking about getting popups about how to get into mystery shopping for only $39.00 for a list of companies....I just said, "I think if you have to pay, it might be a scam". I will be taking her to the next dinner I get, and will talk to her about it, as I know she wants to join. I will recommend her to my favorite company. We don't travel in the same circle, so she's o.k. Common sense is what is needed when talking about msing. Don't be specific, no names of companies, job sites, etc.

In general I won't suggest becoming a mystery shopper to anyone. I have encouraged (unsuccessfully) my sweetie to sign up with a place that does haircuts because they are not shops where I can "take him along" for him to get his hair cut . . . the shopper or a minor child has to have the haircut. I recommended one of my sons become a shopper for a particular company because his then girlfriend was much taken by a particular expensive restaurant. He could do the shop every 90 days, which worked out fine, but now the restaurant and that girlfriend have both vanished and he has no interest in further shops. While I have no qualms about helping new shoppers get started there really is little interest in developing competition in my back yard.

There would be no competion as I have so much more experience. She wants to get her feet wet. If she and her new hubby can go out to dinner now and then, I have no problem... I know it won't last for her, she is a nurse and doesn't have the time to pursue this. When she finds out the $ you make, and the length of time until you collect it, her new job will be over and out. You can lead a horse to water, but you can't make them drink...ooops, I'm not calling her a horse, just a phrase. I don't want letters of oh my g--, what have you said!

Shop 4 U, I didn't know I was writing a novel. The two postings I've written that you've commented on were short article size, if I remember correctly from my free-lancing days; and a short adult-level novel would be 25,000 to 125,000 words. I do go into detail. It must be "genetic"; one of our children tells long, involved tales of true events. Anyway, on to topic. . . . you can tell one of my other interests is teaching.

My brother-in-law is a real estate developer. When he learned I mystery shop, he said he gave his daughter and her husband the task of mystery shopping one of their agents, who was then fired from what they discovered. I did not realize until then how prevalent it is. When I start listing the kinds of businesses that use shoppers, it amazes me.

I wish it was called something other than "mystery shopping", though. There was a post a few months ago about "what do you call your job?". I spent hours considering that. I decided that I would hide behind mercandising, which I also do. My business card lists my business name including the words "Business Services". It says I am an "independent merchandiser" who does "franchise compliance" and "business audits/verifications", as well as a couple of other things left over from my previous business. I am well known in my community, so I felt that I needed more disguise. People aren't used to asking me a question and not getting a full answer. The card also serves the main purpose of letting pertinent people know my email address and cell phone number since I disconnected that big money drain, the home phone.

Sandra

Novels are a good thing...don't have to go to Borders to read these days. We never used mystery shoppers for our developments, largest one 21 houses, this was awhile ago when Real Estate was at it's prime, and we really didn't know a thing about this business. We had 2 brokers working for us and they worked, believe me. I just found out about this industry 1 year ago when I started doing research for home jobs for me. It is good for many and not good for many. This works for me, but still wish pay was higher and reports, mileage and extra's would be included in full pay. I guess they know what the're doing, and feel there will always be another right after you leave. It's not brain surgery, but does require a certain degree of finisee, discretion, grammer, ability to write....so, it's not for dummies. We have our skills. I always think back to those days (Building) and think how easy my life has become, that's a tough gig.

Most of the time my daughter goes with me. She is 17. She wants to be a photographer and I bought her a camera on e-bay. She loves the gas stations, and she is in charge to do the uploading and resizing. Sometimes she even types the reports and calls before submitting, to check over it.
We just started merchandising and she had a blast.
We spent much more time together, and their is no problem, because she is home schooled sinde 4 years.
Monday and Tuesday are her free days. On Friday, we mostly go on longer trips to rural areas. We do 10 to 15 jobs, and most of the time we have a paid lunch.
Every few weeks I invite my husband for dinner, and he is very happy about this.

They both help me a lot, because my eyes are not so great to identify a small handwritten name tag.
We all hate some of the reports, but like someone before said, when it is over and I accept a job again, I say "It really wasn't so bad".

I got the idea from my daughter, who got the idea from a friend, etc., etc. I decided to look into it because I was certain she was getting involved in something that was probably a scam or, at least, looked better on the surface than it was. Well, low and behold, the more I read, the more I realized this was a serious opportunity. I could see you were not going to get rich, but if I was willing to put in the work, gain a good reputation with the schedulers, learn everything I could about the industry, I could add to my retirement income. My husband has not signed up, but I think he would if I took care of the details. I was considering this when I received an email offering me a $60.00 shop to meet with an investment counselor. You needed a second MS (I am assuming your spouse) on this shop. I am new at this, so I was dragging my feet a bit, and the shop went to someone else. No one knows I am doing this except my daughter and my husband. I want to keep it this way, so I have sworn my family to secrecy.
I keep passing what I have learned to my daughter, but she hasn't gotten any closer to getting involved. Perhaps, it is not for her, but it is for me. Interesting how thing go.

My hubby eats the groceries, drinks the coffee, eats the breakfasts, lunches and dinners at restaurants, stays in the hotels, eats the pizza delivered, eats the cinnamon rolls, pretzels, milkshakes and candy from the mall shops.

I do the observations, upload the receipts, write and submit the reports and listen to my hubby snore in his recliner while I do this.

Yeah, he is real involved

PS On my very first restaurant shop almost 4 years ago, I asked him what the name of our waitress was...........He said, "SARA" When she came back to the table, I looked at her nametag and it was "SANDY". Needless to say, I don't ask him to help w/observations any more.

PSS My son and DIL do fine dining restaurants and enjoy it. It allows them to go out to dinner to places that they normally could not afford.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 05/21/2008 12:36AM by bugspost.

I make my husband buy beer when I realize I've been driving around all day without my license! It's OK because they have his ID on file...