I have worked for Market Force (Shop N Check) since 1999. They have partially deactivated me three times. I haven't seen a real bonus on their job board in years. Even shops in airports are rarely bonused with a few exceptions. I can only see as far back as five or eight years on my account, but I do only $200- $1500 a year for them. My theory has been that if you can keep your fees under $600 and not get a 1099, they will keep you on. In the past once you got close to $600, you couldn't see any jobs until the next year.

@SoCalMama wrote:

My theory has been that if you can keep your fees under $600 and not get a 1099, they will keep you on.

Now there's a theory I have never heard before. I'll have to think about that one for a bit.

At some point a warning would pop up saying the shop being self assigned would put the shopper over $600 in fees and trigger a 1099. It then asked if the shopper wanted to continue assigning the shop. Since it didn't matter to me I assigned it anyway and have no idea what might have happened if I had declined. SoCalMama may be on to something. In all these years I've only earned over $600 with them twice. All the other years have been anywhere from $0 to $300.

I've been with them several years and I've never cracked $600. Also, I know for a fact I've made more than three errors.

I'm the one who once mentioned the three errors rule and had it straight from their help desk. They had taken away my ability to self-assign. At the time they were a little more forthcoming than now because they told me what the errors were and one of them was actually theirs. They had it down I had violated the 4 shop maximum in place at the time. It was correct I had performed 7 shops, the problem was they allowed 4 on site and 6 telephone shops. I had 1 onsite and 6 phone shops. They were professional about it all, apologized and immediately reinstated me.

@SoCalMama wrote:

I have worked for Market Force (Shop N Check) since 1999. They have partially deactivated me three times. I haven't seen a real bonus on their job board in years. Even shops in airports are rarely bonused with a few exceptions. I can only see as far back as five or eight years on my account, but I do only $200- $1500 a year for them. My theory has been that if you can keep your fees under $600 and not get a 1099, they will keep you on. In the past once you got close to $600, you couldn't see any jobs until the next year.

That theory is not totally true, in my case.... I have earned over $600++ yearly for almost 5 years now. I have not been kicked to the roadside... (yet). And, as far as diminished shops, there were as many shops, as there ever were.... Now, if you move to a smaller area, it seems there are less shops than the big city...(this is true)...

As I said in a previous post I do not think that MF wants high volume shoppers. What I mean by high volume are the shoppers who constantly make over whatever their magic system of deactivation figures out.

@SunnyDays2 wrote:

@SoCalMama wrote:

I have worked for Market Force (Shop N Check) since 1999. They have partially deactivated me three times. I haven't seen a real bonus on their job board in years. Even shops in airports are rarely bonused with a few exceptions. I can only see as far back as five or eight years on my account, but I do only $200- $1500 a year for them. My theory has been that if you can keep your fees under $600 and not get a 1099, they will keep you on. In the past once you got close to $600, you couldn't see any jobs until the next year.

That theory is not totally true, in my case.... I have earned over $600++ yearly for almost 5 years now. I have not been kicked to the roadside... (yet). And, as far as diminished shops, there were as many shops, as there ever were.... Now, if you move to a smaller area, it seems there are less shops than the big city...(this is true)...

Do you mean over $600 in fees or $600 total? I can see I year where I made $1500, but $590 in fees (because I recall some inside secret about $600, and I took no more shops that year).

I still see a ton of shops for them still, just no bonuses. I had to reduce my search area to 20 miles because there were too many shops at 30 & 50 miles.

BTW, I shopped the wrong restaurant for them the other day and even entered the entire report. I was pretty impressed with myself (not). They apologized over and over for not being able to accept it. I guess it wasn't a big deal to them, since I assigned a half dozen airport shops after that? Basically, I think that I proved to them that I am not professional. LOL

In my defense, there are some brands that have 3 names (example: Safeway, Vons, Pavilions), so that was what I had told myself, it was just their other brand. The food was great, so no loss. $7 and a half hour of my day. Sigh.

Awwww.

As someone who used to work for Market Force (and left with no grudges), let me tell you a little more. I have also done some shops for them (after I left) as well as with other MSCs.

First, for those of you that feel like they just "get rid" of shoppers for no reason, that could not be farther from the truth. MF has strict agreements with its customers (like their fast-food client) that not only require precision and accuracy but also a lot of mystery shoppers on the bench. Quality is essential for the customers, but quantity is crucial for MF. There is no reason why MF would purposefully get rid of good mystery shoppers.

Second, there are analytics done behind the scene of results, the sole purpose of which is to not only spot mistakes but biases that could jeopardize quality results. For example, if a person did 30 shops and generated high scores on all of them, this would trigger a flag if the remaining population generated high scores on only 70% of them. Again, quality is of crucial significance. There are other analytical metrics as well that can identify perhaps unknown hidden biases.

Mystery shopping is a competitive business, and the number of competitors is huge. It is a difficult business to run, as you have to deal with everything like unreliable shoppers, very demanding customers, low profit margins, etc. The strength of Market Force over its competitors is its shear size, but that can also be a double-edged sword. As many have experienced in this forum topic, one of the disadvantages of a low margin business is the ability to have well trained shopper support that can efficiently and effectively answer questions for shoppers, including why some get disqualified from further shops.

Finally, remember that mystery shopping is fairly low paying and low skilled work. With this comes mystery shoppers that do not provide the same quality and concern of others, and upwards of 80% of them will complete a shop and never do another one again. It is the 5% that consistently perform quality work and shop after shop that are the most valued by these types of companies.

@teriraia wrote:

I don't think Marketforce wants shoppers to make large paychecks on a consistent basis. It may have something to do with taxes or part-time employees, I am not really sure. I have noticed an increase in high volume workers being deactivated after making large paychecks for a period of months.

I can assure you that this is not true at all. The only difference between a high volume shopper and low volume shopper is that high volume shoppers (generally over $600 in shopping income) will require the processing of a 1099 at the end of a calendar year. That process is standard and doesn't require more than a few cents per shopper to mail the 1099 and report it electronically to the IRS.

As I stated earlier, the 5% of mystery shoppers that actually perform quality shops at high quantity are more desired than others.

MF is one of my favorites!

@EUROTEX wrote:

Finally, remember that mystery shopping is fairly low paying and low skilled work.

I am not sure what you tried to convey is how this came across. I find the required skill level is far from low. I do believe that the majority of the complaints I see are because the skill level required is much higher than most people could anticipate.

Just for the simple fast food shops that take about 20 minutes to perform and 30 minutes to report:
One has to follow instructions. One has to remember a lot of things to check for. One has to overcome their personal preferences for paying, ordering, and evaluating. One has to remember names, descriptions, and more. One has to time events and remember what was stated to them by multiple people. One has to think fast on their feet. One has to be very honest at all times.

My guess is they said exactly what they meant. The post was made by a former employee of the MSC who feels the only skill necessary is breathing. Naturally that attitude along with a deep distrust of shoppers would permeate every level of the organization.

@EUROTEX wrote:

and upwards of 80% of them will complete a shop and never do another one again

Wow. I suspected a lot of new shoppers quit after one or two shops but 80%? maybe that explains all the drive-by newbies who come here to make one post slamming a company and are never heard from again.

That's true and all, but mystery shopping is not exactly on a level with architects, engineers, doctors, lawyers, etc. That was his point and he was correct.

EVERY job requires following instructions, and you're kidding yourself if you feel following shop directions requires a great deal of skill relative to many other careers. Its not an insult to you or me or the rest of the shoppers. Mystery shopping takes discipline and a certain level of skills. But certainly not a high level of skills. We're not designing skyscrapers, doing medical research or flying jets...we're checking cleanliness, reading a name tag and timing how long it takes to get a cheeseburger. Huge difference in skill levels.

In the hierarchy of skill sets then lawyers and architects don't compare to doctors either. And despite guidelines to be followed, a successful mystery shopping business takes much more than an entry level job with a supervisor micro managing your every move. There is a reason we often recommend new shoppers to MF, they are as basic as you can get so if you want to judge the whole industry on the types of shops/reports they offer it could give the impression shoppers need no skills.

Roxy, you are both right and wrong. Like anything else, this can be done poorly by the incompetent. I agree the skill set is different from that required of a physician or a mathematician but just as an incompetent physician or mathematician can perform poorly and do harm, so can we.

The big difference in requirements for jobs is not intelligence or comprehension skills but rather it is the ease of entry and cost of entry into that line of work. In this line of work we are blessed with ease of entry and a low cost of entry. Therefore, many who are actually unsuited may try it out because not much has to be ventured to take a shot at it.

A low level of communication skills or organizational ability or the failure to develop an effective skill set will result in failure. The determination to persist and develop the required skill set for the job and the business model to manage the results is what sets the successful apart here the same as anywhere else.

Sure we are not doing open heart surgery but for those who do this as a business and not a hobby, it is a great deal of work in its own regard. Comparing marketing to law or medicine is far reaching. Many of us who do this for profit do all the accounting, tax filing, booking, shopping.. I could go on forever. It all requires skills across many fields of which those who do this job right often have many years of experience in multiple sectors. Our hobby/job/business when done right requires people with a variety of skill sets. The amount of garbage reports I saw when I was a Scheduler was unbelievably shocking. It seems like anyone can do MS if the MSCs standards are low but the difference between being a low paid and high paid self-contractor is in the details.

Absolutely, and there is more than one way to be a high paid contractor. One way is to specialize in the higher paying jobs including video, and the other is to become highly skilled at doing a large number of lower paying shops. Some of the lower paying shops, such as banks and convenience stores, lend themselves neatly to highly organized shopping methods. Anyone can spend the day doing three or four low to average pay shops. Regardless of the choice the shopper makes, it takes a pro to knock out the numbers day after day and keep up with the reports.

I suppose it is probably true that it doesn't take a lot of skill, knowledge, or aptitude to do "a" mystery shop. But it takes a lot of skill, knowledge, aptitude to say nothing of determination, a willingness to learn from one's mistakes, to eat crow now and then, to suffer a non-paid shop with grace, and let's throw in the organizational skills, understanding of the tax aspects, accounting skills.... to actually make money mystery shopping. Doing one shop is not the same thing as making a real economic profit by mystery shopping on a regular basis.

so ... one or two shops, entry level skills can get you through it. To do several hundred or thousand shops ... not for the faint-hearted or incompetent by any means.

Maybe that's what the MF rep meant with the "breathing" comment. Yes, almost anyone can get through their first bank or FF shop if they can read and understand English and not a whole lot else is really needed.

But getting through the more complex, higher-paying shops or planning the routes to do a lot of "little" shops in a day is a whole different animal. If you can't make it with MF shops, I doubt you'll make it through more complex shops from more demanding MSCs.

It all depends on the choices you have. Some decide this is a career and some do it to fill out their Plexus, Amway, or Ebay sales. For some it is a fun side business and others it is another part of their "portfolio." For me it is fun since I am retired. For others there is some sort of ego gratification that they do not get in their personal lives. Those are the ones that post the most skeptical and criticizing comments on this forum. Who cares? MF serves a purpose, enjoy it while you can! Love MF!

@ShoppingBee wrote:

For others there is some sort of ego gratification that they do not get in their personal lives.

ZOMG He figured me out!

Just my two cents worth, I don't think it has anything to do with the $600 or 1099. I did over that in one month, lucky me because I'm in a rural area and don't have a lot of competition (yet) :-) MF is still one of my favorites and I know I'm not perfect but I appreciate their putting up with me!!

I have completed over 700 assignments for Market Force. Every year, I receive a 1099, always making over the $600.00 "limit." I have been coached by Market Force several times, but never dropped. Hope to continue working for this company. I do understand the high pressure the schedulers and the company face everyday. Mystery Shopping is a highly competitive business as is mystery shoppers. If I fail to complete assignments as required by Mystery Shopping company clients (the especially tough one is the major fast food hamburger chain with its "to the second" timing rules,) I can be expected to be reprimanded for it, just as if I were in an office environment and did not complete assignments as dictated by supervisor. Yes, I am an Independent Contractor, and my income depends on completing jobs to specs.

As to the skills requirements issue. I worked in corporate American for 35 years. In an office environment, I had access to assistance, when needed. Computer problems--pick up phone and call I.T. Questions--pick up phone and call someone with knowledge in the area. Needed help with excel, word, power point--there was someone to help me work thru the issues and provide knowledge. I am now doing Mystery Shopping on a full time basis. I miss the ability to call for help. Skill level? Takes more going independent than it did working in a team environment.

MS requires a LOT of skill! Much more than a car salesman, or a retail clerk, or even a waitress. You need to know how to use a computer and a printer, and scan. You need to be a photographer and know how to upload pictures. You need to know how to count change (in case you get the wrong change) and write cogent and grammatically correct reports. These reports must also be objective and detailed and convey pictures. You need to be able to work without supervision. You need strong observation and memory skills. You need to have some acting skills, and have the ability to "think on your feet". You have to have planning, scheduling, and math skills. You must know how to drive and have a license. You need to have reading and comprehension skills. You need to know, in some cases, how to act professionally and converse.
Of course, you have to not be nervous talking to strangers and lying at the same time.. LOW skill level?? That's truly a joke from someone who needs a paradigm shift.

That's not nice running down janitors and some of them are really on top of the game. I have a janitor story which I think is a great story. I know you don't want to hear my janitor story, Bill, so stop reading right now. Anybody else who's interested, carry on.

When I was younger I was a competitive archer and I was interested in what went on at the tournaments and how the better archers thought and shot. One of my favorites was a blue collar guy who had started out as a janitor at one of several Dallas area community colleges and eventually worked his way up to be the top man in charge of janitorial and maintenance at the colleges. Bobby was kind of rough around the edges and he had a tad of a temper but he applied himself.

Eventually, he become the national champion, as in No. 1 archer in the USA. He carried this title more than once.
The first year he won on a national level, he was interviewed by a local television station and of course I made a special effort to be tuned in for the broadcast.

The interviewer: How did you become the national champion?

Bobby (in his exact words): I wanted to be the best there was, and I worked at it til I done it.

So, you see, there are some superior janitors.

Crickettt, GREAT list of skills! I need to figure out a way to add all of it to my resume without divulging *where* I got my experience :-)

@Crickettt wrote:

MS requires a LOT of skill! Much more than a car salesman, or a retail clerk, or even a waitress. You need to know how to use a computer and a printer, and scan. You need to be a photographer and know how to upload pictures. You need to know how to count change (in case you get the wrong change) and write cogent and grammatically correct reports. These reports must also be objective and detailed and convey pictures. You need to be able to work without supervision. You need strong observation and memory skills. You need to have some acting skills, and have the ability to "think on your feet". You have to have planning, scheduling, and math skills. You must know how to drive and have a license. You need to have reading and comprehension skills. You need to know, in some cases, how to act professionally and converse.
Of course, you have to not be nervous talking to strangers and lying at the same time.. LOW skill level?? That's truly a joke from someone who needs a paradigm shift.

@shopmyst wrote:

I would rather work for the company who does Chipotle than work for Market Force any day of the year. Market Force tried to purchase this company and they were turned down....That's a good thing.

That's an incredibly scary thought. Kudos to the small MSC for rejecting the hostile takeover.