...and it feels good. I got tired of their low paying jobs and silly head games. I waited until I got paid (December 20th) and hit that wonderful "deactivate" button.
I finally de-activated my Intelli-shop account....
I haven't done that, but did stop doing their auto dealerships for $20.00.
I agree, it feels good to take control when treated unfairly.
I agree, it feels good to take control when treated unfairly.
Live consciously....
Uh oh. What's wrong with dealerships? I'm signed up for 2.
I haven't had problems with them...yet. Still waiting to be paid.
Glad you are free from a company you don't enjoy
I haven't had problems with them...yet. Still waiting to be paid.
Glad you are free from a company you don't enjoy
My problem with their dealerships is the incredibly low pay. Test drive shops can easily go over an hour and even up to an hour and a half. That's just onsite. Add the report which seems like it was heavy on narrative and it's just way too much time for the money. Ironically, Bestmark is far from my favorite, but they have some that are in the $14 to $17 range which are super easy.
Equal rights for others does not mean fewer rights for you. It's not pie.
"I prefer someone who burns the flag and then wraps themselves up in the Constitution over someone who burns the Constitution and then wraps themselves up in the flag." -Molly Ivins
Never try to teach a pig to sing. It's a waste of your time and it really annoys the pig.
"I prefer someone who burns the flag and then wraps themselves up in the Constitution over someone who burns the Constitution and then wraps themselves up in the flag." -Molly Ivins
Never try to teach a pig to sing. It's a waste of your time and it really annoys the pig.
LisaSTL Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> My problem with their dealerships is the
> incredibly low pay. Test drive shops can easily go
> over an hour and even up to an hour and a half.
> That's just onsite. Add the report which seems
> like it was heavy on narrative and it's just way
> too much time for the money. Ironically, Bestmark
> is far from my favorite, but they have some that
> are in the $14 to $17 range which are super easy.
OooooooooooooO
LisaSTL:
I think $20 may be reasonable. Most other shops pay between $3 to $10. Sure, many of the other shops also will reimburse you for a purchase. But if you break it all down, that car dealership may be paying you $7 or $8/ hour, but that grocery shop that pay $5 plus $10 reimbursement (overall) is not paying as much plus you have to "loan" some money to the MSC until you get reimbursed. Actually, most of thops we do in the retail or restaurant industry requires the shopper to make purchases and have to wait up to two months or more to get reimbursed. Is it worth the time and effort to complete 10 shops in one week. Wait to be paid $50 plus a reimbursement of up to $100.?
As I said before, I do secret shopping as a "hobby" and I do get to keep my mind active.
I apologize for this post as I got a little carried away.
-------------------------------------------------------
> My problem with their dealerships is the
> incredibly low pay. Test drive shops can easily go
> over an hour and even up to an hour and a half.
> That's just onsite. Add the report which seems
> like it was heavy on narrative and it's just way
> too much time for the money. Ironically, Bestmark
> is far from my favorite, but they have some that
> are in the $14 to $17 range which are super easy.
OooooooooooooO
LisaSTL:
I think $20 may be reasonable. Most other shops pay between $3 to $10. Sure, many of the other shops also will reimburse you for a purchase. But if you break it all down, that car dealership may be paying you $7 or $8/ hour, but that grocery shop that pay $5 plus $10 reimbursement (overall) is not paying as much plus you have to "loan" some money to the MSC until you get reimbursed. Actually, most of thops we do in the retail or restaurant industry requires the shopper to make purchases and have to wait up to two months or more to get reimbursed. Is it worth the time and effort to complete 10 shops in one week. Wait to be paid $50 plus a reimbursement of up to $100.?
As I said before, I do secret shopping as a "hobby" and I do get to keep my mind active.
I apologize for this post as I got a little carried away.
There's the rub, for me this is not a hobby it's a business. I am not retired and don't have a significant and consistent source of other income so it's all about paying the bills. Minimum wage just doesn't cut it. I rarely take a job from a company which takes 2 months or longer to pay and never take one which includes waiting that long for reimbursement. I've been relatively busy the last two months and the lowest paying job I had was one for $20 which took me much less time than an Intellishop car dealer and pays net 30. From what I've seen it seems like this forum has a fairly equal number of hobby shoppers and "full-time" shoppers so the perspective will be different.
Equal rights for others does not mean fewer rights for you. It's not pie.
"I prefer someone who burns the flag and then wraps themselves up in the Constitution over someone who burns the Constitution and then wraps themselves up in the flag." -Molly Ivins
Never try to teach a pig to sing. It's a waste of your time and it really annoys the pig.
"I prefer someone who burns the flag and then wraps themselves up in the Constitution over someone who burns the Constitution and then wraps themselves up in the flag." -Molly Ivins
Never try to teach a pig to sing. It's a waste of your time and it really annoys the pig.
LisaSTL Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> There's the rub, for me this is not a hobby it's a
> business. I am not retired and don't have a
> significant and consistent source of other income
> so it's all about paying the bills. Minimum wage
> just doesn't cut it. I rarely take a job from a
> company which takes 2 months or longer to pay and
> never take one which includes waiting that long
> for reimbursement. I've been relatively busy the
> last two months and the lowest paying job I had
> was one for $20 which took me much less time than
> an Intellishop car dealer and pays net 30. From
> what I've seen it seems like this forum has a
> fairly equal number of hobby shoppers and
> "full-time" shoppers so the perspective will be
> different.
OooOooooooooooooooo
LisaSTL,
I commend you for doing MS as a full timer. I believe it's people like you who keep the pressure up in having MSC's pay more.
Several years ago, when I was unemployed full-time, I turned to Secret Shopping for income. At first reimbursements were okay, but after doing shops at the same chain of drug stores, I had enough toothpaste, toiletries, household supplies to last a year. So, I guess the question is, do shoppers prefer reimbursements or cash?
-------------------------------------------------------
> There's the rub, for me this is not a hobby it's a
> business. I am not retired and don't have a
> significant and consistent source of other income
> so it's all about paying the bills. Minimum wage
> just doesn't cut it. I rarely take a job from a
> company which takes 2 months or longer to pay and
> never take one which includes waiting that long
> for reimbursement. I've been relatively busy the
> last two months and the lowest paying job I had
> was one for $20 which took me much less time than
> an Intellishop car dealer and pays net 30. From
> what I've seen it seems like this forum has a
> fairly equal number of hobby shoppers and
> "full-time" shoppers so the perspective will be
> different.
OooOooooooooooooooo
LisaSTL,
I commend you for doing MS as a full timer. I believe it's people like you who keep the pressure up in having MSC's pay more.
Several years ago, when I was unemployed full-time, I turned to Secret Shopping for income. At first reimbursements were okay, but after doing shops at the same chain of drug stores, I had enough toothpaste, toiletries, household supplies to last a year. So, I guess the question is, do shoppers prefer reimbursements or cash?
Ironically, I first did it for extra spending money 7 or 8 years ago then became unemployed 4 years ago and took it up full-time. As far as keeping up the pressure to increase fees it seems to be a losing battle these days. Some companies have the resources to chew up and spit out enough shoppers that the attitude is take it or leave it as they continue to reduce fees.
I'm sure the answers are going to be all over the board. My preference is cash to reimbursements because most of the heavy reimbursement shops are either for things I don't want to buy from places I don't want to shop or they are for dining at chain restaurants. Since the economy is also hurting many of our locally-owned restaurants I prefer to frequent them. I also don't want to take any activity that provides me some fun and relaxation and turn it into work
I'm sure the answers are going to be all over the board. My preference is cash to reimbursements because most of the heavy reimbursement shops are either for things I don't want to buy from places I don't want to shop or they are for dining at chain restaurants. Since the economy is also hurting many of our locally-owned restaurants I prefer to frequent them. I also don't want to take any activity that provides me some fun and relaxation and turn it into work
Equal rights for others does not mean fewer rights for you. It's not pie.
"I prefer someone who burns the flag and then wraps themselves up in the Constitution over someone who burns the Constitution and then wraps themselves up in the flag." -Molly Ivins
Never try to teach a pig to sing. It's a waste of your time and it really annoys the pig.
"I prefer someone who burns the flag and then wraps themselves up in the Constitution over someone who burns the Constitution and then wraps themselves up in the flag." -Molly Ivins
Never try to teach a pig to sing. It's a waste of your time and it really annoys the pig.
I previously reported I would not take a Intelli-shop vehicle salesman or electronic salesman evaluation as both required that the shopper get a business card and the shopper was not allowed to ask questions.
I was recently told a shopper could now ask follow up questions that would show interest in the feature mentioned by the salesperson if a salesperson mentioned a feature first. I was further told we could ask for the business card up front so the shopper can have something to write down and remember the features and other information.
There was never anything wrong with getting a free oil change. The dealer must give a written bill and a receipt that I paid or I will not pay. If I have to wait for my reimbursement, at least I have the oil change. I do not mind waiting until Intelli-shops makes it free.
I was recently told a shopper could now ask follow up questions that would show interest in the feature mentioned by the salesperson if a salesperson mentioned a feature first. I was further told we could ask for the business card up front so the shopper can have something to write down and remember the features and other information.
There was never anything wrong with getting a free oil change. The dealer must give a written bill and a receipt that I paid or I will not pay. If I have to wait for my reimbursement, at least I have the oil change. I do not mind waiting until Intelli-shops makes it free.
Piled Hip Deep, PHD Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> I previously reported I would not take a
> Intelli-shop vehicle salesman or electronic
> salesman evaluation as both required that the
> shopper get a business card and the shopper was
> not allowed to ask questions.
>
> I was recently told a shopper could now ask follow
> up questions that would show interest in the
> feature mentioned by the salesperson if a
> salesperson mentioned a feature first. I was
> further told we could ask for the business card up
> front so the shopper can have something to write
> down and remember the features and other
> information.
>
> There was never anything wrong with getting a free
> oil change. The dealer must give a written bill
> and a receipt that I paid or I will not pay. If I
> have to wait for my reimbursement, at least I have
> the oil change. I do not mind waiting until
> Intelli-shops makes it free.
Well I think that the point is not to lead with questions that will narrow the field so that the salesperson does not have a chance to offer many options. I always ask questions no matter want as that is how I glean information and that is what I would do as a legit potential buyer. Just saying.
-------------------------------------------------------
> I previously reported I would not take a
> Intelli-shop vehicle salesman or electronic
> salesman evaluation as both required that the
> shopper get a business card and the shopper was
> not allowed to ask questions.
>
> I was recently told a shopper could now ask follow
> up questions that would show interest in the
> feature mentioned by the salesperson if a
> salesperson mentioned a feature first. I was
> further told we could ask for the business card up
> front so the shopper can have something to write
> down and remember the features and other
> information.
>
> There was never anything wrong with getting a free
> oil change. The dealer must give a written bill
> and a receipt that I paid or I will not pay. If I
> have to wait for my reimbursement, at least I have
> the oil change. I do not mind waiting until
> Intelli-shops makes it free.
Well I think that the point is not to lead with questions that will narrow the field so that the salesperson does not have a chance to offer many options. I always ask questions no matter want as that is how I glean information and that is what I would do as a legit potential buyer. Just saying.
Am I missing something here? I love Intellishop. If the pay is less, wait for it to go up or ASK for it. I have been shopping with them for years and this year has been the best.
Speaking of companies in general, sometimes for the shops that typically have low pay, if you wait until month's end, the rate will go up. End of the month is my favorite time to shop. Some go up considerably; some only go so far and you have to snatch them up before they're gone! A run of end of month bank jobs for out of the way places can rake in a good sized check! One scheduler has called on me so regularly that I have had to turn some down for fear that my MS cover be blown.
D. from Nova Scotia
I did a high end watch shop for them that had a very generous shopper fee. They paid on time and I got a fair shopper score. I was docked 1 point for mispelling a brand name. Oh well, I did make the error.
As I see it....DO NOT sign up for the shops that you feel are too low in pay. My wife and I do many mystery shops and have different ideas of what payment should be.
As I see it....DO NOT sign up for the shops that you feel are too low in pay. My wife and I do many mystery shops and have different ideas of what payment should be.
I prefer to be called a "paid hobbyist" as opposed to a mystery shopper. Some titles can sound so stuffy...
Sean
http:/www.surveymoneyguide.com
Sean
http:/www.surveymoneyguide.com
Sean the Shopper
What's in a name? That which we call a rose by any other name would smell as sweet.
Equal rights for others does not mean fewer rights for you. It's not pie.
"I prefer someone who burns the flag and then wraps themselves up in the Constitution over someone who burns the Constitution and then wraps themselves up in the flag." -Molly Ivins
Never try to teach a pig to sing. It's a waste of your time and it really annoys the pig.
"I prefer someone who burns the flag and then wraps themselves up in the Constitution over someone who burns the Constitution and then wraps themselves up in the flag." -Molly Ivins
Never try to teach a pig to sing. It's a waste of your time and it really annoys the pig.
Sean182 Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> I prefer to be called a "paid hobbyist" as opposed
> to a mystery shopper. Some titles can sound so
> stuffy...
>
>
> Sean
> http:/www.surveymoneyguide.com
Ooooooooooooooooooooooooooo
I like the term "paid hobbyist" for those secret shoppers like myself. I am also a "professional volunteer" as I volunteer for a couple not for profit groups.
-------------------------------------------------------
> I prefer to be called a "paid hobbyist" as opposed
> to a mystery shopper. Some titles can sound so
> stuffy...
>
>
> Sean
> http:/www.surveymoneyguide.com
Ooooooooooooooooooooooooooo
I like the term "paid hobbyist" for those secret shoppers like myself. I am also a "professional volunteer" as I volunteer for a couple not for profit groups.
What should we who do this as a full-time business call ourselves so as not to sound too stuffy......
Equal rights for others does not mean fewer rights for you. It's not pie.
"I prefer someone who burns the flag and then wraps themselves up in the Constitution over someone who burns the Constitution and then wraps themselves up in the flag." -Molly Ivins
Never try to teach a pig to sing. It's a waste of your time and it really annoys the pig.
"I prefer someone who burns the flag and then wraps themselves up in the Constitution over someone who burns the Constitution and then wraps themselves up in the flag." -Molly Ivins
Never try to teach a pig to sing. It's a waste of your time and it really annoys the pig.
I deactivated my account with Intellishop for several months because of the evaluators. After they paid me for something I did, I found a shop that was interesting. so I activated my account. The trick is just be very choosy with the shops.
When I was doing it full time, when asked I just told people I was a consultant. If pressed for details I said I worked with clients to help identify and troubleshoot customer service issues.
LisaSTL Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> What should we who do this as a full-time business
> call ourselves so as not to sound too stuffy......
LisaSTL Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> What should we who do this as a full-time business
> call ourselves so as not to sound too stuffy......
I was pretty sure I posted a reply to this but it seems to have disappeared.
Anyway, I was talking to my son and he suggested that I say I am in the quality control. Many people know that mystery shopping involves customer service so when I am pressed for an answer, I do say quality control to avoid being suspected or spotted as many of my shops involve more than CS anyway.
Back to Intellishop. I have deactivated my account again and have asked them to remove my name from their database. And that's final, after they paid me for the high-end shop I did yesterday.
Anyway, I was talking to my son and he suggested that I say I am in the quality control. Many people know that mystery shopping involves customer service so when I am pressed for an answer, I do say quality control to avoid being suspected or spotted as many of my shops involve more than CS anyway.
Back to Intellishop. I have deactivated my account again and have asked them to remove my name from their database. And that's final, after they paid me for the high-end shop I did yesterday.
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