Can you actually enjoy a Coyle hotel shop?
Yes, I believe Coyle hotel shops can be enjoyable. There is a learning curve, but once you know how to organize and prepare, you can definitely have some down time and enjoy yourself. I've gotten to visit some places I could only dream about because of shopping with Coyle. Plan out each day in advance so you know what you need to get done during your stay.
I enjoy them, even all of the necessary interactions, for the most part.
I don't enjoy the 48 hours after check out though.
I don't enjoy the 48 hours after check out though.
You definitely can, but you either need to go by yourself (if allowed) or go with someone who understands that it's not going to be all fun and roses and you are mainly there to work. My Mom was my best shopping buddy and have done several shops with her for Coyle. Now that she's gone, I have a hard time finding someone I trust enough (or know well enough) to do one of these shops with me. If you're organized and have a plan, you will be fine and you will have time for fun.
Shopping the South Jersey Shore
Yes it’s possible. But it’s much more fun to be the guest.
When I was still green, I did a few fine dining restaurants with them and hoped to work my way up to doing cruises one day. I learned that my writing skills were not at the level they wanted, I understood, so stopped applying. However, there are other companies that do hotels and will give newbies hotels and I've done several of those.
I was just talking with my spouse about the Coyle hotel shops, and the risk and reward of being on the hook for $1,000. We have done hotel shops for other companies, all of which were successful but only had to spend about $500 total (later reimbursed). It took planning and some creativity to get everything on the list checked off, and we did have a good time. My conclusion about these higher end hotel shops is it's a good way to possibly get reimbursed if you can stand to lose that much money. For example, if you wanted to take a weekend or stay part of a vacation in a nice hotel, this is the way to go because you aren't really losing anything. You'd only stand to gain- a free room at a resort style hotel plus the experience of this type of shop can be a real plus!
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 05/05/2019 10:28PM by whtsndbeach.
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 05/05/2019 10:28PM by whtsndbeach.
I am an experienced Hotel shopper.....been doing it for twenty plus years....Coyle is pretty close to the tipping point of "10 foot pole" when it comes to Hotel shops....hard to 'enjoy' the stay when that axe is right over your head..... I ate one hotel shop with them a few years ago, and they were (of course, this is MY opinion only) unrelenting in their refusal to NOT HEAR explanations from me. Live and Learn....I avoid them now.
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 05/06/2019 02:43PM by winemaker.
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 05/06/2019 02:43PM by winemaker.
I wouldn't do them if they couldn't be enjoyed.
I concur with Professional Guest above. The stay often makes it worth the avalanche of work after checking out.
I concur with Professional Guest above. The stay often makes it worth the avalanche of work after checking out.
The point of shopping is not enjoyment. It is profit.
@Rousseau wrote:
The point of shopping is not enjoyment. It is profit.
Well....each person has to form their own relationship with mystery shopping. Yours may be profit. Others may do it for freedom. Mine may be enjoyment.
When I was younger and complained about not liking my job, my mother used to tell me, "That's why they call it work!" In time, I learned that my parent's view of the world was narrow. I now have a job (not MSing) that I love. Yes, it provides me enough money to live, but that's not the primary focus of my job. My focus is to be creative and enjoy my work. The profit is a side effect. MSing is an extension of that.
We all have days where we don't feel like getting out of bed, and even a job you love will have moments that you dread, but if your end goal is simply making money, I think you could probably do that better outside of mystery shopping.
So true!! Even with my highest paying job (sorry if this sounds like bragging) it doesn’t equate to a couple hours of time at my day job. On the other hand, I get to stay at 1-2 five stars resorts each month that recharge my life. A night at those places would cost me about two days worth of work, which I’m too cheap to pay. 
They are actually enjoyable as long as you know what sort of photo you need
However, think twice if you are talking about the was $100 now $65 visits... last year I did some and it took them a month to reverse the payment ($800usd). I made a loss on them due to currency exchange and had to repay the amount as they did not reverse before my credit card cut off date.
However, think twice if you are talking about the was $100 now $65 visits... last year I did some and it took them a month to reverse the payment ($800usd). I made a loss on them due to currency exchange and had to repay the amount as they did not reverse before my credit card cut off date.
I do them sometimes. Once you get details and descriptions, enjoy your meals. Do each section ASAP. When i get home i only have check out sections to do. The reports are long so do a few restaurants first so you know style they want,
I have always been paid.
Make sure, before you leave, that you have done ALL sections.
I have always been paid.
Make sure, before you leave, that you have done ALL sections.
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