There are many factors that explain why MSCs pay so slowly.
First, these are independently-run small businesses that aren't sitting on huge piles of cash; they have to wait until they are paid by their own client before they can in turn pay you.
Second, in order for that to happen, many things have to take place:
-You perform the assignment and submit the report, hopefully on time or there are more delays.
-The editor receives the report and needs time to proofread it.
-The report is sent back to you if there are any errors.
-The editor waits for you to correct those errors and re-submit the report.
-The editor proofreads a second time to make sure it is presentable, and submits it to the client.
-The client reviews the report, and decides if they want to dispute any of the allegations contained therein. It's in their best interest to check and make sure the shopper hasn't made the whole thing up. This is where a large chunk of time can go by: if there are offenses that require disciplinary action, the client needs to make sure the report is right before someone potentially loses his/her job. This might include reviewing videotape of your visit, speaking to any employees involved, or bringing in HR or other exectives if necessary to determine a course of action. The client really needs to take this part seriously in order to not open themselves up to a wrongful termination suit.
-Repeat all of these previous steps multiple times for a "bundle" of reports to be completed by numerous shoppers within a certain timeframe, usually once per month. The client is interested in having as many of their locations shopped within as short a time as possible, and when this contract is completely, or almost completely, fulfilled, we move on to the next step.
-Once everything is finally satisfactory, the client pays the MSC for the completed contract. This payment might take a week or so to clear the bank and show up in the MSC's account.
-The MSC reviews their payroll records to see what is owed and to whom. Not just shoppers, but schedulers, editors, executives, anyone who had a hand in this process.
-Payments are disbursed. Again, this tends to take at least a week to cut the check and have it arrive at your house.
Yes, things can be streamlined a bit if there are fewer reports and everything goes smoothly; if the MSC uses direct deposit, which posts much faster; and so on. But there's much more going on than just reading your report and then mailing a check.
Hope this helps to explain why sometimes it takes six to eight weeks to get your money! It's really not a part of the business that we love, but if you're staying active and submitting shops regularly, eventually you get to where the money is rolling in and the reports are rolling out. Just make sure you're keeping good records on a spreadsheet.
"The future ain't what it used to be." --Yogi Berra