We suppose to have Fun. I got in it not for the pay, because it fun and rewarding and you get to choose when and where. Plus, you get paid.

It's fine if you want to have it for a hobby but some of us take it seriously and use it either to supplement our income or for some it IS our only income.

I've been doing MS for 12yrs and I love it. I do them because they are fun. I'm a couponer too so it's like getting a coupon to me

Shopping DisneyLand was the best one ever. I just wish I could find out who has the contract now that NSS doesn't and who has Disney World.
If anyone knows, I would love to find out

I hope you have fun doing this, but that's not part of the program. I'm serious about this and it's not a joyride, a hobby, or a lark. It's all business to me. It's all business to the mystery shopping companies, and it's all business to their clients. It is certainly critical to the employees who get shopped. It's great if you can have fun, but remember how important this is to the people who are being shopped.

MDavisnowell Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> I hope you have fun doing this, but that's not
> part of the program. I'm serious about this and
> it's not a joyride, a hobby, or a lark. It's all
> business to me. It's all business to the mystery
> shopping companies, and it's all business to their
> clients. It is certainly critical to the
> employees who get shopped. It's great if you can
> have fun, but remember how important this is to
> the people who are being shopped.


Excuse me, but it is FUN to me and I take it very serious when I shop. It's not like I walk in with a clown outfit on or smiling from ear to ear...I go by the rules and get my job done. But, I DO enjoy doing them and if I didn't enjoy them, then I wouldn't be doing them. I don't need to do them. I don't need the money. One reason I do them is because I believe in great customer service and knowing that I am helping a company to make their establishment better, is well worth doing these shops. I was a customer service manager for 10yrs and I take pride in great customer service. When a customer is happy, it bring them back and they tell their friends and family and WE as Mystery Shoppers, help make that happen. Just because you are not having fun doing them, doesn't mean anyone can't. If you can't have fun and love what you do, then get the hell out and find another job.

Frugal - Thank you for your kind comments, but I will decide for myself when to get the hell out. I'm so glad you don't need money. That does make you extra special that you don't need to work for money. Most of us could use a little of it coming in from time to time. I'm glad you're having fun, but come on, now, you know that's not part of the program. The program is all business, and the fun is just a little side perk.

I had a lot of fun last week in Benbrook. I was auditing a station which was a "first" location for me, and I didn't know the back roads. There were two ladies behind the cash counter and several men in the store. I said, "I'm going to Weatherford from here. What's the best way?" One lady said, "You go back down 377 to Cresson and hook a right at the light and go north to Weatherford." The other lady said, "No, that's not the best way. I used to work over there and I know. You go the other way up 377 and you take a left on 1187 and go through Aledo to Weatherford." I said, "Well, I was thinking with the rain storm and dark coming on, maybe it would be safer to go up 377 to I-20 and head west. You see, we got three opinions here already." And then a voice behind me said, "No." I turned around and faced a man who looked like he ate nails and spit out the heads for pasttime. He said, "Here's whatcha do." I knew I was about to get the skinny on how to get to Weatherford. He said, "You go out here to this road and go that way. You go past the first road and you turn left on the second road. Don't turn at the first road. That's wrong. Go to the second road and turn on 2871 and it cuts across and throws you out on I-20 and you take I-20 into Weatherford." I did, and he was right. It was a great way. And I thought the conversation finding out was more fun than a bunch of puppies. And I found out there can be a lot of opinions on any simple little thing.

But I didn't go there to have fun. It was extra. I went there to do business. I went there to do a good job, turn in a factual report, and get paid. That's my program. I don't think we can find a mystery shopping company, a client, or a shopped employee who would tell us this is for fun and not business.

Now that's my opinion. We all have one. No need to get in a dustup over it.

Some shops are fun and some are not. But we are here for different reasons.

I started doing it because it was really fun. However, the shops were real commitments and they could not just be for fun anymore. When it comes to the whole package, I want the shop to be productive and something I would like to do again. I want to complete a shop and be satisfied and not feel like a robot just to earn some change.

As far as I am concerned, a shop cannot be just fun. It is still a job to do. And just like any task, it is work and I expect to be compensated for the effort I exerted as per agreement. In short, I have to enjoy being a mystery shopper to be doing it for years. BUT, this is not a cake walk. Although I have other source of income, I am never going to say I don't need the money. I am not a charitable institution. There are so many volunteer works I really do enjoy doing but when I do mystery shopping, I expect to be paid for what I am doing or they might as well call it a "fund-raising" venture. Sometimes a shop which you think is all fun turns to be a ball of trouble. We still survive. I really do enjoy being a mystery shopper. However, I don't need to be one. I just want to be one and a good one at that!

MDavisnowell Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Frugal - Thank you for your kind comments, but I
> will decide for myself when to get the hell out.
> I'm so glad you don't need money. That does make
> you extra special that you don't need to work for
> money. Most of us could use a little of it coming
> in from time to time. I'm glad you're having fun,
> but come on, now, you know that's not part of the
> program. The program is all business, and the fun
> is just a little side perk.
>
> I had a lot of fun last week in Benbrook. I was
> auditing a station which was a "first" location
> for me, and I didn't know the back roads. There
> were two ladies behind the cash counter and
> several men in the store. I said, "I'm going to
> Weatherford from here. What's the best way?" One
> lady said, "You go back down 377 to Cresson and
> hook a right at the light and go north to
> Weatherford." The other lady said, "No, that's
> not the best way. I used to work over there and I
> know. You go the other way up 377 and you take a
> left on 1187 and go through Aledo to Weatherford."
> I said, "Well, I was thinking with the rain storm
> and dark coming on, maybe it would be safer to go
> up 377 to I-20 and head west. You see, we got
> three opinions here already." And then a voice
> behind me said, "No." I turned around and faced a
> man who looked like he ate nails and spit out the
> heads for pasttime. He said, "Here's whatcha do."
> I knew I was about to get the skinny on how to
> get to Weatherford. He said, "You go out here to
> this road and go that way. You go past the first
> road and you turn left on the second road. Don't
> turn at the first road. That's wrong. Go to the
> second road and turn on 2871 and it cuts across
> and throws you out on I-20 and you take I-20 into
> Weatherford." I did, and he was right. It was a
> great way. And I thought the conversation finding
> out was more fun than a bunch of puppies. And I
> found out there can be a lot of opinions on any
> simple little thing.
>
> But I didn't go there to have fun. It was extra.
> I went there to do business. I went there to do a
> good job, turn in a factual report, and get paid.
> That's my program. I don't think we can find a
> mystery shopping company, a client, or a shopped
> employee who would tell us this is for fun and not
> business.
>
> Now that's my opinion. We all have one. No need
> to get in a dustup over it.

First of all that was your prblem with the directions, you got them from females first go around...lol..(yes, I'm female)
Secondly, I apologize, I didn't mean you get the hell out, should have worded that differently. Ok, so take $5.00 off
I meant people in general. I am a coupon extremist, or almost getting there and I come across cashiers at Walmart every time I go shopping that are just flat out rude and I wish so much that I could shop them. I do the survey's but doesn't seem to help at all. Even called the corpporate office, nothing there either. I keep telling everyone that Walmart should hire me just to keep their customer service in line before they lose all of their customers. But oh well, it is what it is.
We do have different opinions of "fun" I guess. It's all good. You have fun the way you want to and I will have fun the I want to. I see on the internet every day for MS:
"Do you love to shop, eat out and have fun with your family?"
"in Chandler with many fun and exciting mystery shopper jobs available daily."
"Sign up today so you can be on your way to extra money and having fun"
Fun is all on how each person interprets fun I guess.

risinghorizon Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Some shops are fun and some are not. But we are
> here for different reasons.
>
> I started doing it because it was really fun.
> However, the shops were real commitments and they
> could not just be for fun anymore. When it comes
> to the whole package, I want the shop to be
> productive and something I would like to do again.
> I want to complete a shop and be satisfied and not
> feel like a robot just to earn some change.
>
> As far as I am concerned, a shop cannot be just
> fun. It is still a job to do. And just like any
> task, it is work and I expect to be compensated
> for the effort I exerted as per agreement. In
> short, I have to enjoy being a mystery shopper to
> be doing it for years. BUT, this is not a cake
> walk. Although I have other source of income, I
> am never going to say I don't need the money. I
> am not a charitable institution. There are so
> many volunteer works I really do enjoy doing but
> when I do mystery shopping, I expect to be paid
> for what I am doing or they might as well call it
> a "fund-raising" venture. Sometimes a shop which
> you think is all fun turns to be a ball of
> trouble. We still survive. I really do enjoy
> being a mystery shopper. However, I don't need to
> be one. I just want to be one and a good one at
> that!

OMG. I never said it was "JUST" for fun. I DO take them serious. I am very big on customer service and that is main reason I do them. Did you not read what I said? And that is fine, you don't have to say you don't need the money, but doesn't mean I nor anyone else can't. I DON'T need the money, but there was a time when I was a single mom with 2 kids and working 2 jobs and I "did" need the money. But I don't now and I do them because I DO enjoy MS. You have to enjoy what you do, or you won't do your best. I am very good at being a MS as well. These past 12yrs of being a MS has been great and I will keep on doing them as long as my mind, body and the MS companies will allow me to.
As far as getting compensated? Would I do them for free? Maybe. I sort of do them for free anyway. Like when I go to Walmart and get those surveys at the end of a transaction and go online to fill them out. That's like doing a MS for them and not getting paid. But I do it because I'm hoping it will help with their rude obnoxious cashiers that tell me right up front they hate coupons. I don't care, I save 60% on ALL of my grocery bills and if that cashier has to bring over a CSR because I have 40+ coupons and ad matches, then so be it. It's their job.
*whew* ok, got off the subject little too far, sorry, but anyway, I think ya'll get what I'm saying. I have FUN yes, But I DO take them SERIOUS and I"m good at MS because I DO take pride in a job well done.

I can understand both points.

I got into Mystery Shopping because I desperately needed the income. DH got laid off, he started Mystery Shopping. I was given a 20% pay cut from my FT job, I started Mystery Shopping longer hours. My FT job has always been 6-7 days a week, every day, all the time for the last 12 years. While it's a "work from home/1099" type job, and the guys are really cool so I can take off and Shop - it's a job. (It's actually also a FUN job, I love my work, been doing it for 11 almost 12 years with this company).

MS'ing is fun - to a point. However, it's also a JOB; and it's a demanding job. You don't get anywhere being a shopper thinking you are going to make quick bucks or go into it with $$ signs in your eyes. Unfortunately, that's what a lot of these 1 Post Newbies think - wish they would continue posting so they can learn it's not as easy as they think it is!

Example: I'm sitting here with 15 reports to finish, and over 100 photos to go through and try and track down SKU numbers online. Reports that were due on Saturday morning. Now, this is not how I wanted to spend my Sunday, my first day "off" in a month. No, I didn't overextend myself, thankfully several of the schedulers knew in advance it would be Sunday before they got the reports. BUT, Newbies don't "get that" there is a quality report to write - not some damn text message "i c u 2day" crap. (It amuses & amazes me how people want to be a shopper but cannot correctly capitalize and write coherent sentences on forums)

r@inyDayZ3 Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> I can understand both points.
>
> I got into Mystery Shopping because I desperately
> needed the income. DH got laid off, he started
> Mystery Shopping. I was given a 20% pay cut from
> my FT job, I started Mystery Shopping longer
> hours. My FT job has always been 6-7 days a week,
> every day, all the time for the last 12 years.
> While it's a "work from home/1099" type job, and
> the guys are really cool so I can take off and
> Shop - it's a job. (It's actually also a FUN job,
> I love my work, been doing it for 11 almost 12
> years with this company).
>
> MS'ing is fun - to a point. However, it's also a
> JOB; and it's a demanding job. You don't get
> anywhere being a shopper thinking you are going to
> make quick bucks or go into it with $$ signs in
> your eyes. Unfortunately, that's what a lot of
> these 1 Post Newbies think - wish they would
> continue posting so they can learn it's not as
> easy as they think it is!
>
> Example: I'm sitting here with 15 reports to
> finish, and over 100 photos to go through and try
> and track down SKU numbers online. Reports that
> were due on Saturday morning. Now, this is not
> how I wanted to spend my Sunday, my first day
> "off" in a month. No, I didn't overextend myself,
> thankfully several of the schedulers knew in
> advance it would be Sunday before they got the
> reports. BUT, Newbies don't "get that" there is a
> quality report to write - not some damn text
> message "i c u 2day" crap. (It amuses & amazes me
> how people want to be a shopper but cannot
> correctly capitalize and write coherent sentences
> on forums)

r@inyDayZ3
Yes, I agree, it's not only FUN, it's a job as well. Just like I have made couponing a job for me. I save so much money doing coupons, but like MS it takes time, energy and it too gets frustrating at times. But it's FUN. I only take on MS shops that I am able to do. I have a sprained ankle, but that did not stop me from doing my MS shops. I have never, in 12yrs gotten one rejected, (knock on wood)have never not shown up to one. I did for the first time this week, in 12yrs, go to a shop outside of the business hours by accident. (guess I'm getting old)
Now, if you are talking about me with not writing coherent sentences on forums, I'm not here to shop and yes, I do the ttys, c u l8r on text msg'ing and online. BUT I would NEVER do that to a shop report. Are you freaking kidding me? I would be tossed to the curb by a MS company. They would laugh me right out of their line and think I'm some flibbertigibbet person.
And I have had MS companies call me and right out ask me if I would like to do a "FUN, easy shop today" what? they said fun? hhhmmm I don't know, or is that IDK?
I'm really sorry about yours and your husband job situation. I really hope the best for both of you. It's not easy these days. Good luck

I've been shopping a number of years. I also did merchandising. Of the two, merchandising was more "fun," but was harder work.
The shopping is leaving me, and jobs I can do or will do are down in quantity and value. I have considered leaving shopping, but want to make a certain amount each month to donate to a charity. Since my needs are down, I can survive shopping with smaller jobs. I used to make $600 or more each month, and that was good. It fell to $200 as my goal during the "recession," and now I'm lucky to do that. I need $150 a month for the charities I wish to support, and that's it.
Fun? Well, the only shops I now find fun at the reward shops where I get to give something to the crew for good service and work. And sometimes there is the "tips" sheet instead, and I don't feel that much fun. Otherwise, it's just a way to get a meal for free.
Shopping, like almost everything else isn't what it used to be.

Why does it really matter why we shop? Some people exercise for fitness, some for weight loss, some for socialization and some because they have nothing better to do. The same is true for mystery shopping. I truely find it to be a fun side job. I also enjoy the pay.

It matters because we all work hard at this and do not want it to be seen as a hobby or a fun sideline. We are all trying to make the point that it is a business and needs to be seen at that. And we all take time to write and act professionally. That is why it matters.

IMHO, it is a business venture and therefore should be treated as one. A regular employment is a job which could be enjoyable and fun. MS could be fun but it's still work. Being an Independent Contractor does not take away the
commitment to honour the work, that is part of the contract. We could have fun doing it but we are not missionaries or volunteers with the mission to better the mystery shopping world without compensation and respect. I for one am not into it because I have nothing better to do. It's possible that some MS companies maybe thinking that we are all here just for fun. That reflects the $2, $3 shops that are being offered and the disrespect some shoppers are experiencing from some companies. But to each his own. Do it for your fun...

I could be doing a Pizza shop for fun, but I still must observe the customer service and write an acceptable report to conform with the requirement of the shop. That is work, no matter how you cut it. Nothing will stop us from having fun while doing the work, but it stops being just a simple recreation/leisure/mealtime. Nothing should stop us from putting fun on anything we do but at the end, there is an obligation we have to meet and guidelines we have to follow...So, it matters a lot as cynb said.

Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 02/27/2012 05:42PM by risinghorizon.

I get your point. I have been MS for over 7 years. I do take it very seriously and I do enjoy it. I also consider it a hobby. If I did not take it seriously and I did not write quality reports, I would not still be offered shops. Just as a shopper who sees this as a business venture wants to be taken seriously and given respect (which I do give you the respect you deserve because I understand how much work is put into this job), I feel like I should be given the respect I deserve and not questioned why I choose this as a "hobby." Our status with the IRS should have no bearing on how we treat each other.

Perhaps you shoppers need the serious definition of "fun". I do take my assignments seriously but I don't have a "heart attack"if all not going well. And I don't have argument or complain unnecessary with the schedulers. In emergency my schedulers work with me. I've been doing this for 7 years because I can use the cash and it still fun to do.

Perhaps the MSCs who advertise this as "having fun with your family" and "get paid to eat and shop" and then expect us to compose ourselves as professionals running a business rather than a hobby need to stop talking out of both sides of their collective mouth. Based on their expectations we should be paid more than we are and that type of advertising denigrates what we do and it makes it sound as if we should be willing to do it for next to nothing and in some cases, nothing. There is a difference between doing something for fun and having fun at something you do. I don't MS for fun, I do it for profit, but I would be lying to say there were not times I have enjoyed some aspects.

BTW, since I started mystery shopping I never, ever fill out the surveys on the backs of receipts, etc. If stores truly want to improve their customer service they will not put on a false show with those free opinions which they rarely if ever act upon. If they want something with value then they should hire mystery shoppers and pay for it. But then again the only way I would shop at Walmart is with a gun to my head

LisaSTL Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> There is a difference between doing
> something for fun and having fun at something you
> do.

That hits home for me, Lisa.

I won't touch an assignment that I don't consider fun, but at the same time it's work, and often hard work. It would be much more fun for me to travel wherever I want and not have to write 100 pages of narrative about it, but it would not be so fun writing the check for that, so I continue to shop....

I'll admit that since retiring from my profession in early 2010 I could get along fine, financially, without Mystery Shopping. The main reason I do it is to keep busy. I won't say I don't do it for the money. The income I derive from shopping is my fun money, my mad money. I do enjoy doing this and generally have fun doing it...although some shops are more fun that others for sure. Remember, money isn't everything, but it's way ahead of whatever is in second place.

Having said this, I want to say that I really admire those that do this for a living. This is tough, competitiveve business, and probably does not have the same level of "fun" compared to us that do it on a more casual basis. I have the luxury of not doing a shop because it's not my bag...those of you that do it for a living (or to augment essential income) don't have that luxury. You have to do shops that you don't like to do, or are not fun. I think this is a worthy occupation, and I tip my hat to those of you that make your living doing this.

Thank you so much. I don't think any of us mean to be disrespectful to each other, but this subject always results in a rousing debate It's not just mystery shopping that attracts a variety of people for a variety of reasons. There are many other occupations, especially part-time jobs, which have some people working because they need the income and others working to occupy their time and stay active. The competitive nature of this business tends to put us more at odds with each other.

Fun is what you make it.