This sounds like a Coyle shopper!
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Face. Meet Palm. But I did - Intellishop, Maritz, Bare, Marketforce, SQM. The list goes on.... name a company and at some point they have paid some ICA's airfare to do a shop. In 2006 I did a shop for ACL where they flew me to a major city, paid for four nights hotel (two nights at a really nice place, two nights at a budget place) gave me a "shopping budget" and a "dining budget" and gave me a list of five tourist attractions to visit. I was to do all of these activities and report on it for the tourism bureau.
And this information is helpful how?
I gave companies that someone that reads this forum might actually have a shot at getting into. While LRA full time consulting might not be for everyone, it might be right for someone. And LQA doesn't only hire FT consultants, they have several part time consultants - just because they are not a right fit for you, doesn't mean they might not be right for someone else. As far as CHC goes - while I personally choose not to work with them, I am the guest on many of their assignments, an arrangement that is far superior to me. It is not my place to tell my friends or colleagues who they should or should not work for.
Edited 2 time(s). Last edit at 03/02/2019 04:50AM by MickeyB.
And this information is helpful how?
I gave companies that someone that reads this forum might actually have a shot at getting into. While LRA full time consulting might not be for everyone, it might be right for someone. And LQA doesn't only hire FT consultants, they have several part time consultants - just because they are not a right fit for you, doesn't mean they might not be right for someone else. As far as CHC goes - while I personally choose not to work with them, I am the guest on many of their assignments, an arrangement that is far superior to me. It is not my place to tell my friends or colleagues who they should or should not work for.
Edited 2 time(s). Last edit at 03/02/2019 04:50AM by MickeyB.
@MSF wrote:
Well then a candid and helpful response would be something like the following:
"What the person in the article describes is not widely available. Only a handful of MSCs offer these types of shops. They are not offered on job boards or through better-known MSCs. The only way to get these jobs is.... They do not have an open application process for new shoppers, so it wouldn't be helpful for me to name them. You may have some success by trying the things I mentioned."
Pretty close.
They are offered by very well known MSCs, and the only way the get these jobs is to get a personal call or email inviting you to participate. I can think of ten MSCs that have paid my travel, and probably 8 of them are known by most shoppers.
Those are what we call exceptions. In the course of normal business, ACL offers budget hotel shops to shoppers in the area. SQM reimburses half the cost of an airline ticket. I have never heard of Marketforce flying anyone anywhere, and if they have, those would be rare exceptions. Some of these others might offer a shop once every year or two to evaluate an airline lounge or something similar, with airfare covered but not hotel or meals. Thanks again for providing additional unhelpful information in a failed attempt at proving your point.
@MickeyB wrote:
Face. Meet Palm. But I did - Intellishop, Maritz, Bare, Marketforce, SQM. The list goes on.... name a company and at some point they have paid some ICA's airfare to do a shop. In 2006 I did a shop for ACL where they flew me to a major city, paid for four nights hotel (two nights at a really nice place, two nights at a budget place) gave me a "shopping budget" and a "dining budget" and gave me a list of five tourist attractions to visit. I was to do all of these activities and report on it for the tourism bureau.
And this information is helpful how?
Okay - you win. The lady in this article is lying, and so am I. Mystery shopping is all just fast food and banks. If you are lucky, you might get a high end steakhouse restaurant once in a blue moon, but if you do - prepare to spend like five hours on the report and you won't actually get to order steak - you will have to get chicken. Oh, and you will have to go alone and drink water with your chicken. And you may not get paid.
@MickeyB wrote:
What if I said it was Intellishop, or SQM, or Bare, or Maritz, or Marketforce?
I actually had hotels and travel and great fee paid by all of them, either to do a hotel, or to do another shop and found each shop just by looking at their board! Some companies offer limited time shops to their long term experienced shoppers. Other MS just have hotel evaluations once a year where the corporate office audits all their hotels so you wont see them continuously and someone might have grabbed them before you even had the chance to know it was there. You can see high end hotels (+750 room rate) in popular low paying sassie companies, or small regional companies that might not usually have anything in your area so they do not have any shoppers at that area and would be willing to pay travel expenses for their regular regional shoppers to be sure the shops are completed on time and correctly. It also depends where the hotel is located. If it is in NYC for example, there is no need to pay travel expenses, but for more difficult locations, like Alabama, for example, the MS might be willing to pay. It depends on timing as well. It might not be even for the hotel per se, but for something else. I had travel and hotel paid to fly to Miami, stay in a four star hotel for two nights and I just had to evaluate an employee at the spa for an illegal activity. I flew to the Caribbean multiple times, all expenses paid and fee, just to rent a car at the airport, or make a purchase from a gift shop. Timing never worked for me, but I have seen shops offered with all expense cruise paid so one can shop the shops, or even only one shop, in the ship only. For one of the companies that does airlines, the tickets, when certain destinations are still available are offered for free, not just a discount. Most of these shops I got them from blast emails that went to everybody. Others I got them because I had done multiple of the purchase or gas shops and the MS wanted to make sure that the shop would be done according to the specifications during the end of the eligible period. Especially for airport shops in out of the beaten path exotic destinations, you can only access it during limited time while waiting to depart so the MS company wants to make sure that you had shopped that client many times and you know how to handle all problems if arise. So the pay for your ticket and hotel since you will have to fly the next day to access the airside. I even did the electronic shop audits where I had my travel and hotel expenses paid to fly and do an audit at the end of the month, somewhere in the middle of the country. Another time I had flight/hotel and rental car paid to do the gas stations at a vacation destination (and I know others have done the same location because they have posted here before about it). As for kids, I have done high end hotel shops with my child as a companion since the child was 10 years old, including with Coyle (with their permission and we had fun getting the Playstation suite where there was a side living room with a sofa bed and full playstation and accessories which was actually intended for millennia type trendy people, not for kids) For a few years a hotel chain was evaluating the mobile app, and another time two different chains were evaluating only the welcome to their frequent guests and they were paying expenses to go to remote areas to evaluate the same thing that you do in your home city only for the fee. You just need to have your eyes open, sign up and work for many companies and you never know what will lead to.
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 03/02/2019 05:27AM by KateH.
What if I said it was Intellishop, or SQM, or Bare, or Maritz, or Marketforce?
I actually had hotels and travel and great fee paid by all of them, either to do a hotel, or to do another shop and found each shop just by looking at their board! Some companies offer limited time shops to their long term experienced shoppers. Other MS just have hotel evaluations once a year where the corporate office audits all their hotels so you wont see them continuously and someone might have grabbed them before you even had the chance to know it was there. You can see high end hotels (+750 room rate) in popular low paying sassie companies, or small regional companies that might not usually have anything in your area so they do not have any shoppers at that area and would be willing to pay travel expenses for their regular regional shoppers to be sure the shops are completed on time and correctly. It also depends where the hotel is located. If it is in NYC for example, there is no need to pay travel expenses, but for more difficult locations, like Alabama, for example, the MS might be willing to pay. It depends on timing as well. It might not be even for the hotel per se, but for something else. I had travel and hotel paid to fly to Miami, stay in a four star hotel for two nights and I just had to evaluate an employee at the spa for an illegal activity. I flew to the Caribbean multiple times, all expenses paid and fee, just to rent a car at the airport, or make a purchase from a gift shop. Timing never worked for me, but I have seen shops offered with all expense cruise paid so one can shop the shops, or even only one shop, in the ship only. For one of the companies that does airlines, the tickets, when certain destinations are still available are offered for free, not just a discount. Most of these shops I got them from blast emails that went to everybody. Others I got them because I had done multiple of the purchase or gas shops and the MS wanted to make sure that the shop would be done according to the specifications during the end of the eligible period. Especially for airport shops in out of the beaten path exotic destinations, you can only access it during limited time while waiting to depart so the MS company wants to make sure that you had shopped that client many times and you know how to handle all problems if arise. So the pay for your ticket and hotel since you will have to fly the next day to access the airside. I even did the electronic shop audits where I had my travel and hotel expenses paid to fly and do an audit at the end of the month, somewhere in the middle of the country. Another time I had flight/hotel and rental car paid to do the gas stations at a vacation destination (and I know others have done the same location because they have posted here before about it). As for kids, I have done high end hotel shops with my child as a companion since the child was 10 years old, including with Coyle (with their permission and we had fun getting the Playstation suite where there was a side living room with a sofa bed and full playstation and accessories which was actually intended for millennia type trendy people, not for kids) For a few years a hotel chain was evaluating the mobile app, and another time two different chains were evaluating only the welcome to their frequent guests and they were paying expenses to go to remote areas to evaluate the same thing that you do in your home city only for the fee. You just need to have your eyes open, sign up and work for many companies and you never know what will lead to.
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 03/02/2019 05:27AM by KateH.
So the person featured in the article works FT and has these regular shopping gigs that fully reimburse her for trips to NYC and luxurious overseas destinations. According to you, these opportunities abound. Where can they be found? Through MSCs that offer full-time or part-time shopper jobs. Through exclusive MSCs that only work with a handful of shoppers referred to them. Through a company you consider unethical and say you would never work for again, that primarily offers casino shops. And through the big-boy companies, in very rare situations, when they can't get a local shopper (like that time back in 2006 when ACL came a-knockin' at your door). Most shoppers who are looking for the fully-reimbursed shopping gigs in NYC and abroad are not going to land them because they are not widely available.
@MickeyB wrote:
I gave companies that someone that reads this forum might actually have a shot at getting into. While LRA full time consulting might not be for everyone, it might be right for someone. And LQA doesn't only hire FT consultants, they have several part time consultants - just because they are not a right fit for you, doesn't mean they might not be right for someone else. As far as CHC goes - while I personally choose not to work with them, I am the guest on many of their assignments, an arrangement that is far superior to me. It is not my place to tell my friends or colleagues who they should or should not work for.
I just read the linked article. I totally identify with the person as I had the same experiences and I believe I know most of the companies that do the shops she mentions, ie the ski resort is shopped by the same well known sassie company for years. First they list it at the state and then send blast emails nationally trying to find people as they do the resort town multiple times per year. Timing never worked for me. (I even think I know who the shopper is.) I just have never seen paid travel for NYC because the hotels usually fly off the boards within days, if not hours. But I said the same thing for San Francisco and a desperate MS offered paid travel for a hotel there at a last minute. The company that does the ski trip does only dry cleaning in one state, and snack foods in another, but the ski shops are on the board for everyone. Hotel shops are also on the boards for everyone, in sassie boards where the MS might offer primarily $10 shops and also have the small luxury hotels offered in other states, and the shops are visible to everyone. I shop multiple states regularly and I see different shops and different pay. In one of my "home base" locations they have luxury retail shops that pay $50 or have to buy with full reimbursement a tie for $250 and the client only has 5 shops in the entire USA, or you can go to restaurants where the reimbursement is 300-400 because that's the cost to eat at these restaurants. At one of my other "home base" locations, it has the regular $10 purchase, or $7 mall audit shops, that disappear immediately and the restaurants are primarily TX steakhouse. Another well known MS has a mix of storage, fast food, movies, and high end hotels but not in every state. And yes even Marketforce had high end hotels at some point or another, just as it had a fine dining steakhouse for a year.
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 03/02/2019 05:57AM by KateH.
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 03/02/2019 05:57AM by KateH.
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@MSF
I have only been doing this for three years. However, everything in the article and what both @MickeyB and @SoCalMama say rings very true to me. And, no, I do not know which MSC's offer such opportunities.
I have been called by small MSC's to do larger shops a few times - these are MSC's that do not have job board and do not advertise. They rely on a small group of reliable shoppers with whom they are familiar. When they need more shoppers, they reach out to their contacts in other MSC's and ask for recommendations. They then contact new shoppers independently. They do not want their contact information posted here as they do not want emails from a bunch of shoppers who want to do the shops. Overall, they do not like adding new shoppers to their roles: It means that they have to coach them heavily through their procedures and take the risk that the new shopper is a dud or flake. With the amount of money the shopper must lay out in order to do these shops, that risk is never taken lightly.
As a shopper, I value my contacts with these MSC's as they can be lucrative. I am not keen on sharing those contacts with the world as, it could frustrate the MSC (and make them less likely to recommend me to another) and it could lead to sharing some of these opportunities with more shoppers, taking away from my work. As a teacher, I can totally see how another teacher can take advantage of such opportunities, even while shopping part time. I know that some of the routes I am doing are unusual and that there are relatively few folks who will do them. (Week long trips out-of-state).If I were interested in resorts I would be able to do them, too. (If I were to make the contacts, that is...)
As I have learned about the mystery shopping world, I have read much of what @MickeyB and @SoCalMama wrote. I am yet to find something false in their statements. Over time, I have had experiences that verify much of what they say. When they post about their adventures, I find that my "take" is leaning just how expansive the mystery shopping world actually is and recognizing that there are a lot more opportunities out there that what any one person will ever see. Consider, on a much smaller scale: Did you know that Intellishop has separate arm of their mystery shopping offerings that is just for video shops? These are not advertised online. I bumped into it about six months ago. I was completely taken by surprise. JMRidgeway does, too. (I actively video shop, so I am more likely than most to find such things.)
From a different perspective, why is it so hard to believe that such travel opportunities exist. Consider: Sandals Resorts spends millions advertising their resorts on television. Millions. I do not know if they are a client. However, would it be hard to believe? Their whole thing is offering incredible all-inclusive experiences at resorts all over the world. The customer experience is *everything* to their business. Relative to their advertising, the cost of sending a few shoppers to each of their resorts periodically is negligible. A few thousand dollars is nothing to them - if it ensures that their resorts are offering the level of experience they advertise. They know if they want good feedback (whether positive or negative), they are going to need to fly somebody out to wherever and pay for that person to check out every aspect of the resort. Knowing that mystery shopping is real, it would be foolish of them NOT to have their resorts shopped. Again, I have no idea if they are one of the clients alluded to here. They just happen to be the one resort company I can name.
So, if I wanted to be offered such a shop, what would I do? First, I would register with MSC's that do offer hotels and other hospitality shops. I would then make a point of doing those shops - especially when I found myself traveling. I would *always* turn in outstanding reports, on time - if not early. I would be extremely responsive to questions. I would be friendly in my contacts with schedulers and MSC owners and might even mention that I hoped to do such a shop some day - at least when it came up on conversation. I would seek out other groups on social media where shoppers and MSC reps gather. I would go to conferences and rub elbows with MSC owners. I am certain, that if I were to do this for two or three years, I would find myself with new opportunities.
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 03/02/2019 03:21PM by MFJohnston.
I have only been doing this for three years. However, everything in the article and what both @MickeyB and @SoCalMama say rings very true to me. And, no, I do not know which MSC's offer such opportunities.
I have been called by small MSC's to do larger shops a few times - these are MSC's that do not have job board and do not advertise. They rely on a small group of reliable shoppers with whom they are familiar. When they need more shoppers, they reach out to their contacts in other MSC's and ask for recommendations. They then contact new shoppers independently. They do not want their contact information posted here as they do not want emails from a bunch of shoppers who want to do the shops. Overall, they do not like adding new shoppers to their roles: It means that they have to coach them heavily through their procedures and take the risk that the new shopper is a dud or flake. With the amount of money the shopper must lay out in order to do these shops, that risk is never taken lightly.
As a shopper, I value my contacts with these MSC's as they can be lucrative. I am not keen on sharing those contacts with the world as, it could frustrate the MSC (and make them less likely to recommend me to another) and it could lead to sharing some of these opportunities with more shoppers, taking away from my work. As a teacher, I can totally see how another teacher can take advantage of such opportunities, even while shopping part time. I know that some of the routes I am doing are unusual and that there are relatively few folks who will do them. (Week long trips out-of-state).If I were interested in resorts I would be able to do them, too. (If I were to make the contacts, that is...)
As I have learned about the mystery shopping world, I have read much of what @MickeyB and @SoCalMama wrote. I am yet to find something false in their statements. Over time, I have had experiences that verify much of what they say. When they post about their adventures, I find that my "take" is leaning just how expansive the mystery shopping world actually is and recognizing that there are a lot more opportunities out there that what any one person will ever see. Consider, on a much smaller scale: Did you know that Intellishop has separate arm of their mystery shopping offerings that is just for video shops? These are not advertised online. I bumped into it about six months ago. I was completely taken by surprise. JMRidgeway does, too. (I actively video shop, so I am more likely than most to find such things.)
From a different perspective, why is it so hard to believe that such travel opportunities exist. Consider: Sandals Resorts spends millions advertising their resorts on television. Millions. I do not know if they are a client. However, would it be hard to believe? Their whole thing is offering incredible all-inclusive experiences at resorts all over the world. The customer experience is *everything* to their business. Relative to their advertising, the cost of sending a few shoppers to each of their resorts periodically is negligible. A few thousand dollars is nothing to them - if it ensures that their resorts are offering the level of experience they advertise. They know if they want good feedback (whether positive or negative), they are going to need to fly somebody out to wherever and pay for that person to check out every aspect of the resort. Knowing that mystery shopping is real, it would be foolish of them NOT to have their resorts shopped. Again, I have no idea if they are one of the clients alluded to here. They just happen to be the one resort company I can name.
So, if I wanted to be offered such a shop, what would I do? First, I would register with MSC's that do offer hotels and other hospitality shops. I would then make a point of doing those shops - especially when I found myself traveling. I would *always* turn in outstanding reports, on time - if not early. I would be extremely responsive to questions. I would be friendly in my contacts with schedulers and MSC owners and might even mention that I hoped to do such a shop some day - at least when it came up on conversation. I would seek out other groups on social media where shoppers and MSC reps gather. I would go to conferences and rub elbows with MSC owners. I am certain, that if I were to do this for two or three years, I would find myself with new opportunities.
Hard work builds character and homework is good for your soul.
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 03/02/2019 03:21PM by MFJohnston.
Wow, this thread blew up overnight. Like I said, I believe it all to be true, but I also feel like it is more a who you know kind of thing. I bet being really good at networking and stuff helps get these jobs, and I stink at that. I have been doing MSing for 15 years, even though I just found this board, and have always had great shopper ratings, but never been called out of the blue by some random new company to join a secret group of super shoppers. I should mention, that does not make me mad or bitter, I am just stating a fact.
Oh well, like I said, I enjoy cruising without reports, I know Coyle does one brand of ships, but I almost wonder if that would ruin my experience. Anyone who has had these great experiences, hats off to you, and enjoy, just remember it is the exception to this industry, not the norm. I think the article should include a statement like that, because it glamorizes an industry where 99% of the folks don't even do local hotels or nice restaurants.
Oh well, like I said, I enjoy cruising without reports, I know Coyle does one brand of ships, but I almost wonder if that would ruin my experience. Anyone who has had these great experiences, hats off to you, and enjoy, just remember it is the exception to this industry, not the norm. I think the article should include a statement like that, because it glamorizes an industry where 99% of the folks don't even do local hotels or nice restaurants.
Orlando - lightly shopping NC
@MFJohnston wrote:
So, if I wanted to be offered such a shop, what would I do? First, I would register with MSC's that do offer hotels and other hospitality shops. I would then make a point of doing those shops - especially when I found myself traveling. I would *always* turn in outstanding reports, on time - if not early. I would be extremely responsive to questions. I would be friendly in my contacts with schedulers and MSC owners and might even mention that I hoped to do such a shop some day - at least when it came up on conversation. I would seek out other groups on social media where shoppers and MSC reps gather. I would go to conferences and rub elbows with MSC owners. I am certain, that if I were to do this for two or three years, I would find myself with new opportunities.
I think this last paragraph speaks volumes about what I was saying in my comment. How did you know who the owner was and could email them? You didn't cold email the owner, that would be considered rude to most of them, especially not to tell them you would really like to do a special shop someday. The answer is in the later paragraph. You went to the conference, you schmoozed with the owners, you networked. Most shoppers don't do this, and that is what I was trying to get across.
I am not picking on you, or saying you did something bad. I am saying networking and who you know is 90% of how this works. More power to you, but most people in this industry don't have the time/money to attend a conference, and when they do, the chance of meeting the owner when 2000 (I am guessing this number as I have never attended a conference) other fine folks are trying to do the same seems like a spin on a roulette wheel chance of sticking in their mind when they go back to work. My guess is once you are in with one it plants the seed and your reputation spreads between them (I am sure the owners talk and know each other, as that is how it works in most industries).
So in summary, good on you, and the others who have garnered these opportunities. I still say the article should have a disclaimer that this is the exception and not the norm of what mystery shopping is. God Bless! (Can you put in a good word for me)
Orlando - lightly shopping NC
The person in the interview is definitely a Coyle shopper, because when I read it, I precisely knew each location she mentioned, including the restaurant in Paris...because I too have been to all of those places. My guest for that dinner in Paris remarked to me just the other day how much that trip impacted her life in positive ways, and reminded me of why I sometimes put up with the hassle of MSing.
@MickeyB; I think the article resonates with both you and me because while the shopper sounds like an amalgam of both of us combined in some ways, it also demonstrates that there's a certain type of person who succeeds at those types of assignments...and we all have certain characteristics in common.
I have said this many times on this forum before but will repeat again; Each person has to find their own way with MSing, and what works for them. Nobody handed me a magic key that gave me great travel assignments or fully paid vacations. I struggled to find them and make the budgets fit. I've written articles published in MSM that demonstrated the complexity of that, so readers here can either take the comments we leave as incentive to strive for better assignments, or they can define their own relationship with MSing that doesn't include travel. It doesn't really matter to me either way, but it is offensive when you lash out a decent people who are just putting their honest $.02 into the mix.
While this is often a solitary and isolating business, and this forum may seem like anonymous BS to some, I have made some good and true friends through it. MickeyB being one of them. I can think if quite a few times where I was ready to hang up my MS hat and her kind words talked me off the ledge. We've both had out struggles with the hassles this job brings, but I think both of our lives are also undoubtedly better for it in the end.
I've learned that the 'lifestyle' part of that type of MSing isn't necessarily about the travel amounts you receive, or how particularly posh a certain hotel or meal is. It's about what you make of the experience. For me, giving an experiences like that dinner in Paris to someone who could never afford it, or just sharing that roll of TP that we stole from the hotel (while trapped in a sweltering hot airport that doesn't supply TP) is the lifestyle I look forward to each day.
@MickeyB; I think the article resonates with both you and me because while the shopper sounds like an amalgam of both of us combined in some ways, it also demonstrates that there's a certain type of person who succeeds at those types of assignments...and we all have certain characteristics in common.
I have said this many times on this forum before but will repeat again; Each person has to find their own way with MSing, and what works for them. Nobody handed me a magic key that gave me great travel assignments or fully paid vacations. I struggled to find them and make the budgets fit. I've written articles published in MSM that demonstrated the complexity of that, so readers here can either take the comments we leave as incentive to strive for better assignments, or they can define their own relationship with MSing that doesn't include travel. It doesn't really matter to me either way, but it is offensive when you lash out a decent people who are just putting their honest $.02 into the mix.
While this is often a solitary and isolating business, and this forum may seem like anonymous BS to some, I have made some good and true friends through it. MickeyB being one of them. I can think if quite a few times where I was ready to hang up my MS hat and her kind words talked me off the ledge. We've both had out struggles with the hassles this job brings, but I think both of our lives are also undoubtedly better for it in the end.
I've learned that the 'lifestyle' part of that type of MSing isn't necessarily about the travel amounts you receive, or how particularly posh a certain hotel or meal is. It's about what you make of the experience. For me, giving an experiences like that dinner in Paris to someone who could never afford it, or just sharing that roll of TP that we stole from the hotel (while trapped in a sweltering hot airport that doesn't supply TP) is the lifestyle I look forward to each day.
Not being an @ss at all. Just not keen on someone saying, "Okay, I'll bite, here are some places you can try," when the person knew that none of them are viable and one is even on their ten-foot pole list. Also not keen on said person portraying the well-known burger shop MSC, the MSC that doesn't pay a fee, and others as great sources of these opportunities when they clearly are not.
@JASFLALMT wrote:
MSF, no need to be an arse.
@oteixeira
A couple of responses:
* How do I know who the owners are, etc.? With smaller companies, it is common for the owner (or president or CEO, etc.) to be one of the folks who communicates directly with shoppers. When I get emails from an MSC, I always read the signature line. MSC owners pretty much always identify themselves there.
* Most shoppers don't have the money to attend conferences. I totally agree. Most shoppers cannot afford to fly across the country, put themselves up on a hotel and pay $150 to attend a conference. That is exactly why MSC's who want shoppers for this sort of experience might look for new shoppers at conferences. The shopper might have to put down thousands of dollars up front in order to do the shop. Shoppers at conferences are more likely to be able to do that. At the least, they are folks willing to spend a good chunk of money to further their mystery shopping experiences, knowledge, etc.
To be clear: I have *never* attended an mystery shopping conference. I do not think that you have to do so in order to find such experiences as described above. I do think that it is one more way to get to know folks. I do agree that getting such opportunities is about "who you know.' However, I also believe that, as individuals, we have the ability to get to know the right people. Three years ago, I did not know anybody that had anything to do with mystery shopping. All the contacts I have built have been through doing good work on every shop, responding professionally when called and emailed, and paying attention to what more experienced shoppers on this forum have said... I believe that some of my best contacts have come by way of a scheduler who appreciated the work I did for her. She passed my name to an MSC owner who was in dire need of some video shops done in my neck of the woods. I did them - and did a nice job. That owner passed;my name onto a couple of others, etc. I recently had a new offer that really tempted me: Despite having never been to a conference or being a member of any "special' groups, I was asked to speak at a conference. Had I wanted to do this full time, I would have taken the offer as it would have put me in a position to meet all sorts of folks, etc. I believe that the reason I was invited to speak is two-fold: I do very good video work and I have used social media to build routes that have been great for me financially, but have also really been good for the MSC's whose needs I have been able to fill.
My point is: You don't have to have resources to build a good reputation in the MSing community. You just need do great work, be very reliable, act professionally, and, at times, take the initiative to make things happen for yourself.
A couple of responses:
* How do I know who the owners are, etc.? With smaller companies, it is common for the owner (or president or CEO, etc.) to be one of the folks who communicates directly with shoppers. When I get emails from an MSC, I always read the signature line. MSC owners pretty much always identify themselves there.
* Most shoppers don't have the money to attend conferences. I totally agree. Most shoppers cannot afford to fly across the country, put themselves up on a hotel and pay $150 to attend a conference. That is exactly why MSC's who want shoppers for this sort of experience might look for new shoppers at conferences. The shopper might have to put down thousands of dollars up front in order to do the shop. Shoppers at conferences are more likely to be able to do that. At the least, they are folks willing to spend a good chunk of money to further their mystery shopping experiences, knowledge, etc.
To be clear: I have *never* attended an mystery shopping conference. I do not think that you have to do so in order to find such experiences as described above. I do think that it is one more way to get to know folks. I do agree that getting such opportunities is about "who you know.' However, I also believe that, as individuals, we have the ability to get to know the right people. Three years ago, I did not know anybody that had anything to do with mystery shopping. All the contacts I have built have been through doing good work on every shop, responding professionally when called and emailed, and paying attention to what more experienced shoppers on this forum have said... I believe that some of my best contacts have come by way of a scheduler who appreciated the work I did for her. She passed my name to an MSC owner who was in dire need of some video shops done in my neck of the woods. I did them - and did a nice job. That owner passed;my name onto a couple of others, etc. I recently had a new offer that really tempted me: Despite having never been to a conference or being a member of any "special' groups, I was asked to speak at a conference. Had I wanted to do this full time, I would have taken the offer as it would have put me in a position to meet all sorts of folks, etc. I believe that the reason I was invited to speak is two-fold: I do very good video work and I have used social media to build routes that have been great for me financially, but have also really been good for the MSC's whose needs I have been able to fill.
My point is: You don't have to have resources to build a good reputation in the MSing community. You just need do great work, be very reliable, act professionally, and, at times, take the initiative to make things happen for yourself.
Hard work builds character and homework is good for your soul.
@MSF wrote:
Not being an @ss at all. Just not keen on someone saying, "Okay, I'll bite, here are some places you can try," when the person knew that none of them are viable and one is even on their ten-foot pole list. Also not keen on said person portraying the well-known burger shop MSC, the MSC that doesn't pay a fee, and others as great sources of these opportunities when they clearly are not.
@JASFLALMT wrote:
MSF, no need to be an arse.
Regardless, you don’t t seem like the type of shopper that they’d want. I base this conclusion on your attitude. I know MickeyB in person, and I also know that she has referred people for these programs. She is genuinely nice, not like me at all.
@SoCalMama, were you referring to the "please" and "thank you" in my response to what I initially thought was a genuine recommendation?
@MickeyB wrote:
@SoCalMama wrote:
@MSF wrote:
@MickeyB, I did say "please" in my initial post. Thanks for tossing out a few names. I had not heard of CHC and LQA.
Nobody wants to work for CHC.
Agreed.
Thank you to both SoCals (Steve and Mama) for the kind words.
And again thanks to the OP for putting up such an interesting article to spur this “spirited” thread.
And again thanks to the OP for putting up such an interesting article to spur this “spirited” thread.
@MSF wrote:
Not being an @ss at all. Just not keen on someone saying, "Okay, I'll bite, here are some places you can try," when the person knew that none of them are viable and one is even on their ten-foot pole list.
Well...you are definitely being unappreciative of advice that's given here IMHO, and perhaps not understanding it's value.
How do you think a particular MSC makes someone's 10-foot pole list? You have to navigate your way through the variety of options to understand which companies are viable for you and which ones are not. There was a time when some MSCs were good stepping stones for me, and times when I later had to broom them from my list of companies I count on. If someone handed me a list of the best companies for me 15 years ago I may not have been in a position to appreciate it. or do good work.
And my path is certainly not the best path for everyone. I would never recommend becoming an editor and/or scheduler for an MSC as a way to get better access to assignments. I was miserable when that was my job, but one of the good things that come from it was brokering the relationships with those who have access to good assignments.
Turn around Steve. You’re peeing into the wind.
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@MFJohnston wrote:
My point is: You don't have to have resources to build a good reputation in the MSing community. You just need do great work, be very reliable, act professionally, and, at times, take the initiative to make things happen for yourself.
Understood, but to make another point. I know I, and I am sure others on here are reliable, act professionally, and are very good working with schedulers. I have to think that part of it may be making things happen for yourself. I am an introvert, so I do not go out of my way to speak to people at the MS companies. But, please, understand, there are a lot of us out here doing very good work, reliably, professionally, and have never treated a scheduler with anything other then the utmost respect, and it has gotten us none of the shops that are spoken of in that article.
Orlando - lightly shopping NC
@oteixeira wrote:
There are a lot of us out here doing very good work, reliably, professionally, and have never treated a scheduler with anything other then the utmost respect, and it has gotten us none of the shops that are spoken of in that article.
Yes; I think one of the most important parts from MFJ's post is:
@MFJohnston wrote:
...at times, take the initiative to make things happen for yourself.
As a general rule in business, those who take initiative, stand out above others and are personable will do better. It's certainly not a requirement to be a shopper, but this is a freelance industry so personality is a component when interacting with schedulers, and even in emails. I have a habit of interjecting levity into otherwise boring situations at times. It probably makes me more memorable. You don't have to necessarily be an extrovert to be noticed in an community where the majority of the interactions are online.
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@SteveSoCal, if I said to someone that there were tons of great internists in town, I would not proceed to name three terrible options, including one that previously had their license suspended for unethical behavior. What would be the point of me giving them bad recommendations? Instead, I would just say that the best internists generally do not accept new patients, unless they are referred by another doctor. A few people essentially did the latter in this thread, which is wonderful, and most appreciated. I do not think the former type of response is wonderful or of value.
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 03/02/2019 10:19PM by MSF.
@SteveSoCal wrote:
Well...you are definitely being unappreciative of advice that's given here IMHO, and perhaps not understanding it's value.
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 03/02/2019 10:19PM by MSF.
Well said.
I am quite introverted as well. However, i recognize that, if I want something, I have to make it happen. Things are not just handed to me. So, I send that extra inquiry about opportunities that interest me. I ask probing questions when in contact with MSC's, etc. Many of my posts on this forum have the general theme of "If you are not happy with what you are getting, do something about it."
I am quite introverted as well. However, i recognize that, if I want something, I have to make it happen. Things are not just handed to me. So, I send that extra inquiry about opportunities that interest me. I ask probing questions when in contact with MSC's, etc. Many of my posts on this forum have the general theme of "If you are not happy with what you are getting, do something about it."
@SteveSoCal wrote:
@oteixeira wrote:
There are a lot of us out here doing very good work, reliably, professionally, and have never treated a scheduler with anything other then the utmost respect, and it has gotten us none of the shops that are spoken of in that article.
Yes; I think one of the most important parts from MFJ's post is:
@MFJohnston wrote:
...at times, take the initiative to make things happen for yourself.
As a general rule in business, those who take initiative, stand out above others and are personable will do better. It's certainly not a requirement to be a shopper, but this is a freelance industry so personality is a component when interacting with schedulers, and even in emails. I have a habit of interjecting levity into otherwise boring situations at times. It probably makes me more memorable. You don't have to necessarily be an extrovert to be noticed in an community where the majority of the interactions are online.
Hard work builds character and homework is good for your soul.
@MSF wrote:
@SteveSoCal, if I said to someone that there were tons of great internists in town, I would not proceed to name three terrible options, including one that previously had their license suspended for unethical behavior. What would be the point of me giving them bad recommendations? Instead, I would just say that the best internists generally do not accept new patients, unless they are referred by another doctor. A few people essentially did the latter in this thread, which is wonderful, and most appreciated. I do not think the former type of response is wonderful or of value.
@SteveSoCal wrote:
Well...you are definitely being unappreciative of advice that's given here IMHO, and perhaps not understanding it's value.
Why are LRA and LQA terrible options? I’ve applied to both. I would consider an offer from LQA to be the utmost compliment and would be thrilled if they would work with me.
CHC never had their license suspended for unethical behavior? Can you please stop making up random stories to suit your own storyline? I get it, you think I’m full of it and just toying with you and making fun of you with my random suggestions. I’ve already apologized for obviously getting under your skin in a way that I certainly did not intend to, but come on making stuff up and calling two reputable companies “terrible” is unecessary and certainly not helpful. Even CHC is a viable option for some - to each their own.
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 03/03/2019 03:37AM by MickeyB.
@MickeyB wrote:
Okay - you win. The lady in this article is lying, and so am I. Mystery shopping is all just fast food and banks. If you are lucky, you might get a high end steakhouse restaurant once in a blue moon, but if you do - prepare to spend like five hours on the report and you won't actually get to order steak - you will have to get chicken. Oh, and you will have to go alone and drink water with your chicken. And you may not get paid.
Fancy steakhouses- check
Five hour reports- check
"Mid-price" option
Can take the husband
I still think $50/hr, which would be $75/hr before taxes, is a fair deal for writing about if someone used a pleasant tone of voice, or smiled.
These fancy vacations still seem mythical at the moment, but I have only been doing this for six months. But, we started at a hamburger shop, moved up to $35/meal places, then $90/meal, and now we have done $350/meal places. I can't even explain how this happened, but it could be similar with trips. Maybe you start with a Motel 6 and end up in Bora Bora in a tiki hut.
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 03/03/2019 03:41AM by Niner.
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@Niner wrote:
I still think $50/hr, which would be $75/hr before taxes, is a fair deal for writing about if someone used a pleasant tone of voice, or smiled.
That's exactly how I feel about it. These days I can't stomach footing the bill myself since I notice all that stauf anyway.
I started with retail around 2003, got a Holiday Inn about 2 years into it. and just got the hut in Bora Bora last year. It's a process...
A couple of years ago Steve wrote an article about how he MSed his way all the way around the world for $6 (or some small dollar amount) of outlay. Do you still have that Steve? I think it is pretty relevant to this discussion here... and it’s a super fun and aspirational read.
@MickeyB wrote:
A couple of years ago Steve wrote an article about how he MSed his way all the way around the world for $6 (or some small dollar amount) of outlay. Do you still have that Steve? I think it is pretty relevant to this discussion here... and it’s a super fun and aspirational read.
That was a great article.
For the OP, maybe these ideas will be faster for you-
[www.thebalanceeveryday.com]
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