A closer look pays the least of any shopping company in Nevada for work done. I know that some of the other mystery shopping companies were having the board look into it, but I don’t know that they completely followed through with it.@Sandy Shopper wrote:
I'm not sure that's accurate for Nevada. I know the shops can't be reimbursement only, and the shoppers have to be paid at least every two weeks, but I don't think the minimum wage laws apply. I'd like to know more about that.
@SoCalMama wrote:
A closer look pays the least of any shopping company in Nevada for work done. I know that some of the other mystery shopping companies were having the board look into it, but I don’t know that they completely followed through with it.@Sandy Shopper wrote:
I'm not sure that's accurate for Nevada. I know the shops can't be reimbursement only, and the shoppers have to be paid at least every two weeks, but I don't think the minimum wage laws apply. I'd like to know more about that.
If you want such protections, then your state needs to regulate mystery shopping similar to how Nevada does. Without them, you are 100% IC, and therefore set your own hourly wage.@jennifer2016 wrote:
Lets say the minimum wage is $12- 15 per hour in your state or city. The shop pays $10 for a department store shop as an example. The shop could take from 30, 45 or 60 minutes. Then there is admin work to fill out on the shop which could take 15 minutes or longer depending on the questionnaire. Are these companies violating labor laws?
I would say that ACL might possibly be in violation of NV law in this respect, but to ensure they play by the rules like other NV companies would probably require an accusation, filing a formal charge, and some person(s) to dedicate enough time and resource to conduct an investigation to turn up enough proof of the violation. This process may well be already under way. The sad thing that amazes me is that there are enough NV shoppers who perpetuate and endorse the aleged violation by continuing to do these jobs at much, much less than minimum wage.@SoCalMama wrote:
A closer look pays the least of any shopping company in Nevada for work done. I know that some of the other mystery shopping companies were having the board look into it, but I don’t know that they completely followed through with it.@Sandy Shopper wrote:
I'm not sure that's accurate for Nevada. I know the shops can't be reimbursement only, and the shoppers have to be paid at least every two weeks, but I don't think the minimum wage laws apply. I'd like to know more about that.
@Sandy Shopper wrote:
The more I try to find solid info on the Nevada situation, the more confusing it is. I read several articles that state that mystery shoppers in Nevada must be employed under a PI, which would make them an employee. But the vast majority of mystery shopping companies have shoppers sign ICAs, making them independent contractors. Can a shopper be both an employee and an IC at the same time for the same shop? Scratching my head.
@Shop-et-al wrote:
Has anyone ever performed the same shop type as an employee in Nevada and in another state as an IC?
@Sandy Shopper wrote:
The more I try to find solid info on the Nevada situation, the more confusing it is. I read several articles that state that mystery shoppers in Nevada must be employed under a PI, which would make them an employee. But the vast majority of mystery shopping companies have shoppers sign ICAs, making them independent contractors. Can a shopper be both an employee and an IC at the same time for the same shop? Scratching my head.
@Shop-et-al wrote:
Good question! Hmm. Has anyone ever performed the same shop type as an employee in Nevada and in another state as an IC? If so, does this screw up the route payments? Do tell...
@AZwolfman wrote:
I would say that ACL might possibly be in violation of NV law in this respect, but to ensure they play by the rules like other NV companies would probably require an accusation, filing a formal charge, and some person(s) to dedicate enough time and resource to conduct an investigation to turn up enough proof of the violation. This process may well be already under way. The sad thing that amazes me is that there are enough NV shoppers who perpetuate and endorse the aleged violation by continuing to do these jobs at much, much less than minimum wage.@SoCalMama wrote:
A closer look pays the least of any shopping company in Nevada for work done. I know that some of the other mystery shopping companies were having the board look into it, but I don’t know that they completely followed through with it.@Sandy Shopper wrote:
I'm not sure that's accurate for Nevada. I know the shops can't be reimbursement only, and the shoppers have to be paid at least every two weeks, but I don't think the minimum wage laws apply. I'd like to know more about that.
@Sandy Shopper wrote:
The more I try to find solid info on the Nevada situation, the more confusing it is. I read several articles that state that mystery shoppers in Nevada must be employed under a PI, which would make them an employee. But the vast majority of mystery shopping companies have shoppers sign ICAs, making them independent contractors. Can a shopper be both an employee and an IC at the same time for the same shop? Scratching my head.
@SteveSoCal wrote:
Depends on the company. Some give the option of Nevada or the rest of the world...but not both. Others are fine with it since they are outsourcing the shops through the PI companies anyway.
@SteveSoCal wrote:
@SoCalMama wrote:
A closer look pays the least of any shopping company in Nevada for work done. I know that some of the other mystery shopping companies were having the board look into it, but I don’t know that they completely followed through with it.@Sandy Shopper wrote:
I'm not sure that's accurate for Nevada. I know the shops can't be reimbursement only, and the shoppers have to be paid at least every two weeks, but I don't think the minimum wage laws apply. I'd like to know more about that.
It's my understanding that all of the mystery shopping in Nevada bends the rules of hourly pay to have shoppers agree to a pre-set time allotment for any assignment (I.e. if a shop pays $10, they set your pay at $20/hour and just pay you for 30 minutes).
When I worked as an employee shopper in CA would would clock in/out when entering the store, and when submitting reports. That was the only truly fair payment for shopping I have ever experienced...
@AZwolfman wrote:
It is widely known and often expected that a good experienced worker will usually be able to complete the job in less time and, in effect, earn more $$ per hour.
@AZwolfman wrote:
Actually, it is true in any state including Nevada. An good experienced worker can usually complete a job in less time than a novice.
@Sandy Shopper wrote:
The more I try to find solid info on the Nevada situation, the more confusing it is. I read several articles that state that mystery shoppers in Nevada must be employed under a PI, which would make them an employee. But the vast majority of mystery shopping companies have shoppers sign ICAs, making them independent contractors. Can a shopper be both an employee and an IC at the same time for the same shop? Scratching my head.
@sandyf wrote:
how would they figure out how long it takes to do a shop if they paid by the hour?
@SteveSoCal wrote:
@sandyf wrote:
how would they figure out how long it takes to do a shop if they paid by the hour?
I don't think they even attempt to do that. They decide out how much they are willing to pay for the assignment, then simply assign a time value that matches the price point.
There are fine dining shops in NV that pay $15 and minimum wage there is over $8, so how can one possibly start and finish the assignment in under 2 hours for a 3-course meal with bar? Even at $25 the numbers often don't add up.
@AZwolfman wrote:
Yes, the companies I shop for in NV do attempt to figure out how long it takes to do a shop. I have, on occasion, been asked how long it takes me, on average to write the reports on certain shops. The reason given to me was that they wanted to make sure they were paying enough for time spent and to meet minimum wage requirement.