Over 4 years ago, I was out of work and looking for ways to make some money from home. I ended up signing up for tons of mystery shopper companies, but never took a single assignment after being approved because the pay was typically less than $10 and often less than $5 per shop. I couldn't even imagine being able to make a profit on that after all the gas I would spend driving around.

I work for myself full time now, and this morning I got a voicemail from someone at "Sinclair Customer Metrics" stating my correct name and asking if I am still interested in being a mystery shopper.

This seems totally bizarre to me 4 years after the fact. Don't they have TONS of people signing up each and every day? Why call me now? Not a single mystery shop company ever called me over the years, even in the days and weeks just after I signed up for them. I can't even remember for sure if I signed up with this company way back when, but it seems likely considering how many I did sign up for.

Anyway, I guess this was a kind of long explanation, but my main question is, is this legit? If so, is it possible to make more money with this these days? I make my own schedule so I could work it in, and it might be a welcome break and change of pace from what I normally do. (which does tend to get quite boring.) I just don't see the point in taking time away from my proven profitable business for $5 mystery shop fees.

Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 01/06/2010 08:58PM by curiousgirl.

Not worth it for $5 but they did not know you do not shop.. For all they knew you shop daily with other companies...

I would say legit but forget about it... Let them know your not interested..

curiousgirl, I'm assuming you didn't speak with them to find out what they needed. Possibly they don't have shoppers in your area, or they're having difficulty booking a shop, thus the call. That could potentially mean a nicely bonused shop. Check into it, you can always say thanks, but no thanks. Yes, Sinclair Customer Metrics is a legitimate MS company.

And Sinclair has some interesting shops. There are two I do in my area, one because it is fun and pays $10 and reimburses $7, another one is actually useful and pays $15 and reimburses $10. I.e. the fees are still mostly the junk you were seeing 4 years ago--and many companies have gotten worse in their pay.

Thanks for the responses. I will probably call the guy back tomorrow and see if he has anything interesting to offer. I work so much on my computer that something that allows me to get out a bit might be worth it even if the pay is somewhat lower than I can make at home.

Just be aware that they too will play games with paying shoppers. I learned that the hard way.

Yes they are a legit company. However, if you do decide to shop for them, makesure you keep checking your receipt status to make sure they got all of your receipts. If they didnt get something, they won't tell you. They'll just use your report and not pay you.

Oh and shop fees aren't that great with most companies. Sinclair does have a grocery one in my area that pays $25 total ($10 of that being reimbursment). I don't mind doing these since I need groceries anyway.

curious girl.. you are absolutely best to stay where you are now. the mystery shop business is a joke as far paying the people that actually do the work and the most important work. We are the point people and the 'eyes' to the corporate office and they have the unmitigated gall to offer 5, 10 or even 15 for a contact and data entry with accurate reporting, are they drinking kool-aide? stay far away from this business until they pay for what you are worth.

a minimum of 25 should be standard for a 20 minute report as this usually ends up being over an hour in total time and the 25 is no more than 19 when deducted properly. are you , or anyone not worth $19 per hour to make the corporate structure more profitable? I think so, but until they do , stay put darling, you need not be curious anymore.

I enjpy working for Sinclair..they have a makeup store that I love, plus I get a free "makeunder". Check them out and see if your interested in what they have in your area...you can always say no. the ball is in your court. Certainly, it's not against any rules to email you if your still registered.

I like Sinclair as they have mall shops and I can just add them on to another shop when I am going. The pay is minimal but I can pick up a new candle or stocking stuffers in the kid store. This is, however, the only company thus far that didn't pay me. Upon returning from one of their shops I had just taken my purchase out of the bag (small, sturdy, handle bag) when my daughter began to vomit. As we were in the living room on the sofa I grabbed the bag and had her use that. Sadly, the receipt was still in there. I tried explaining and I did the report anyway, but I guess no receipt is no receipt. Oh well, saved the couch!

candyj Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
I had
> just taken my purchase out of the bag (small,
> sturdy, handle bag) when my daughter began to
> vomit. As we were in the living room on the sofa
> I grabbed the bag and had her use that. Sadly,
> the receipt was still in there. I tried
> explaining and I did the report anyway, but I
> guess no receipt is no receipt. Oh well, saved the
> couch!

Ewww. Of course we have to submit POVs, and no excuses such as the dog ate it or the child got sick on it will suffice. With no thought of the receipt, I would also have chosen the couch over the shop!

You know, since I really like the stores that Sinclair has, it wasn't even a wasted purchase. I really needed the item I purchased, so not a total loss at all!

I hope I get paid, just started working for them, and of 3 reports to do right now. There site is down and I'm frustrated!!

Reliable company. I just signed up for a grocery shop, fee and reimbursement pays = $25. Working for foods keeps cash in my pocket.

Sinclair is one of my go to msc's. I do a lot of the supermarket shops (I have to eat anyway) for them. Yes, I don't make a ton of money from them, but after doing so many of the same shop, it's really easy for me. I wonder if they didn't get a new scheduler who decided to reach out to you.

I schedule for SCM and we do reach out to all Shoppers in our database even after 4-5 years go by. It could have been when you registered we had very few shops available in your area,but we are always getting new clients and when we do, we want to give everyone the opportunity to shop. Call the scheduler and ask for your account information so you can see what we have for you now. If you are unable to reach that scheduler, please just ask for me and I can assist you.

Gina and Sinclair are awesome and pay like clockwork!

I am a big fan of Sinclair also!