Companies that reimburse for retail purchases?
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The vast majority of retail reimbursements are very small--$1 to $5. Grocery stores tend to reimburse more, though I am in another part of the country so don't know what companies may have shops in your area. Then you get to the reimbursements for services such as oil changes, restaurant meals and hotels where the reimbursements become the major interest of the shop. I understand your disdain for P/R shops. It really is two shops bundled for one fee and rarely is that fee worth one trip--much less two.
It is a common misunderstanding in the general public that we get to purchase all sorts of interesting and valuable goods, get reimbursed, and get to keep the items. You will find that such shops are extremely rare! However, services such as oil changes, minor auto services like tire rotation, some hair car services, massages, can become valuable. I have not paid for an oil change since September 2005! Reimbursements for carry-out and delivered food usually involve pretty short reports. Reimbursed items required so that you can get a proof-of-visit receipt seldom rise above $5 and many are as low as $1. But if you do hundreds of convenience store shops per year you may develop a huge collection of bottles of water, small bags of chips, etc. I used to buy keychains that had glow-in-the-dark fobs and give them away as small favors. Some folks collect lip balm and donate it to shelters. The list is endless! But, it is definitely not largely composed of designer jeans and handbags that you get to keep "for free."
Based in MD, near DC
Shopping from the Carolinas to New York
Have video cam; will travel
Poor customer service? Don't get mad; get video.
Shopping from the Carolinas to New York
Have video cam; will travel
Poor customer service? Don't get mad; get video.
I have done a bunch of restaurant shops and they're my favorite kind of shop, but I've seen the occasional post on this forum about retail shops where the poster actually got to keep the items. I guess I can only hope that one of them will crop up!
@walesmaven wrote:
it is definitely not largely composed of designer jeans and handbags that you get to keep "for free"
I agree with WalesMaven. But they are out there There is one MSC that regularly has designer "shops" that reimburse for purchases, and pays a small fee as well. Granted, jeans run about $300.00 a pair.
Professional Guest-- any chance you might be willing to share the name of that MSC with me since no client names have been mentioned here?
The company that I am referring to is not on the "Official List of Mystery Shopping Companies" listed below. I've worked for them for over ten years, right after my first "job" of ordering Domino's pizza, as a college kid, to test delivery times. They are a small niche company that has a few luxury retail clients. They do not recruit as most MSCs recruit, and I am unable to name them.
I know there are other MSCs on the list below that also offer "purchase and keep" (and actually make you agree to keep the item purchased and NOT return it) assignments, although I do not know which ones and how much their reimbursements are, unfortunately.
I'm sure that with time you will find them. Good luck in your search.
I know there are other MSCs on the list below that also offer "purchase and keep" (and actually make you agree to keep the item purchased and NOT return it) assignments, although I do not know which ones and how much their reimbursements are, unfortunately.
I'm sure that with time you will find them. Good luck in your search.
I've done a shop recently for Northfork Research at a certain warehouse, and was reimbursed for a purchase up to $5.00. I bought a large roll of duct tape. I do grocery shops for Trendsource....they do several Clients. My grocery Client reimburses $9.00 plus pays a fee of $5.00. I do certain convenience stores for Alta360, and am reimbursed up to $1.75...I get bananas, fruit, crackers, etc there. Sometimes I get to do Goodwill shops with a particular MSC, and am reimbursed up to $10.00 there.....so yes, they are out there. Hope you find some!@bcm2016 wrote:
Does anyone know any companies that have jobs that will actually reimburse for retail purchases? I got an email from International Service Check with some shops like that but sadly I'm not in their target demographic. I'm in the Northeast, if that helps at all.
@guysmom wrote:
I've done a shop recently for Northfork Research at a certain warehouse, and was reimbursed for a purchase up to $5.00. I bought a large roll of duct tape. I do grocery shops for Trendsource....they do several Clients. My grocery Client reimburses $9.00 plus pays a fee of $5.00. I do certain convenience stores for Alta360, and am reimbursed up to $1.75...I get bananas, fruit, crackers, etc there. Sometimes I get to do Goodwill shops with a particular MSC, and am reimbursed up to $10.00 there.....so yes, they are out there. Hope you find some!
I've actually done the Goodwill shops and enjoyed them! Thanks for the recommendations. I'll be sure to check out the companies you've mentioned!
Service Check, different MSP than International Service Check, sometimes has purchase reimbursement shops. I don't shop with them as much since they tend to pay 60+ days later.
aTH power consulting has banks shop------->open a saving/checking/credit card for $100 or more per account. Speak Mandarin Chinese or/ and Spanish and the shop fee is higher. Can't get more retail than that
When there is a purchase involved of course nothing is that simple and glamorous. I am a "luxury shopper and I have shopped without purchases for $5000+ timepieces at two very well known stores. I have also done the shops for high end bags $3k+ with no required purchase. I just have to dress the part. For the shops you desire, you make a non-returnable purchase typically with a heafty amount and be willing to put up that substantial amount of the cash. I have @#$%& but I was only reimbursed $50 but I still had to pay the balance. I also got a cute pair of TOM's wedge boots again a reimbursement of $58 I added $70 more. I got a beautiful $58 scarf honoring Malala. I have a lot less expensive stuff such as a shirt, cute hat and a bracelet. For the more expensive stuff, it takes about 3 months to be reimbursed. I love nice things do it's worth it. I have lots of stuff from the Hardware Store Mr Clean Pads, garbage disposal cleaner, cleansing products, picture hangers and more. I prefer those with no purchase honestly because they are going to make me work for that reimbursement.
I am waiting for the next exciting opportunity!
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