“We are kicking off a new month and have open shops in your area that need to be completed. These assignments are more than just simple and rewarding. They are important to our clients and your help getting them done matters.
Whether you are looking to earn a little extra, enjoy a paid outing, or just want to try something new, this is your chance to make a quick impact.”


Hey, A Closer Look, sitting in traffic, looking for parking, paying for parking, buying a $15 drink, sitting in traffic again on the way home, and spending over 30 minutes writing a report all for $0 pay is not my idea of creating memories. These kinds of 'job offers' are offensive to shoppers. We are not a charity.

Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 08/04/2025 04:10PM by Plusha.

Type "ACL" in title. Makes it easier to navigate and read

Pluse they are sending such offers that are in 60 miles radius from my home.

How about this one? Sandwich place (changed to protect client name) Called They Need a Hero To Complete Their Mystery Shops

I won't do these sandwich shops for NO pay. I haven't even done one for the $5 or $10 they offer late in the period.

It would be better to say "They need a dummy to work for free." No offense to all the people who take these for $0. You do what you gotta do, but some of us will take paying shops over non-paying shops.

If you truly need the food that bad...i suggest a $1.50 hot dog combo from Costco or Sams is a better use of your time. You can add on with getting free tasters and some exercise by walking the warehouse.

Edited 2 time(s). Last edit at 08/06/2025 08:26PM by hbbigdaddy.

But, but, but ... the sammy is so yummy!!!

The sandwhich is not good, the place sells Pepsi....its a no for me. I have done exactly two of these. I did one that was in walking distance of my house and the other was out of state and I had a hotel shop within walking distance and thought, "why not?"

just got some listings with header "XX Called They Need a Hero To Complete Their Mystery Shops". I picked the closest one and asked $20 bonus. Sceduker refused and asked if I can go. I told that I am not in volunteer position with an hour drive one way.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 08/06/2025 10:38PM by gene.

It may not be for everyone, but I like it

Hero is a code word in the mystery shopping scheduling genre. Generally, when they're looking for a hero, it's a code word. They are really looking for an idiot, moron, sucker, ignoramus, nincompoop, etc. they're looking for someone that will do work because they want to superficially feel important as opposed to actually get paid for it.

Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 08/07/2025 12:25AM by thunderdeacon.

I'm down to be the villain. Call me, Joker

Nobody got the Hero pun? As in wedge, sub, hoagie?

I think you're the only one who might have caught the pun

New York says Hero? Philadelphia says Hoagie? A sub sucker from Montana may state Bureau of Land Management



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 08/07/2025 02:00AM by paniconmon.

The phrase I keep seeing that bugs me for this shop and also the juice one is MAX REIMBURSEMENT. It took me several openings of emails before I realized that MAX meant their original fee and reimbursement was the max they will ever offer.

Memory from an ACL shopper on their deathbed (10 years from now)

Ahh those halcyon days of August, 2025……
I recall being assigned a vital and challenging mission.
One that would have an impact on a ton of people.
It’s clandestine, requiring optimum camo tactics and skill..
I enter a sandwich shop…. slightly short of being sure footed
to blend in with the patronage…

As I stand in an unmoving line I uncover the source
A male patron is ordering every speck of free toppings and condiments they have.
I ponder what will become of this sub monstrosity
Will it feed a family of five? Or will he actually try to wrap his big fat mouth around it?

My attention shifts to the staff.
No conspicuous child labor here.
Several other vital observations are imprinted in my mind.
No need for a notepad with this level of expertise….
After 20 minutes I reach the cashier.

I select no tip. A fatal error which will face blowback in the coming days.
I pull out my wallet. It’s as thin as my Motorola razor phone.
The cashier observes both, with a slight snicker on his face,
Then quickly averts his eyes.
No fond farewell…..which will be duly noted.

As I open the entry door a breeze hotter than a Conair 1000 brushes my face
I observe invisible heat waves billowing from the hood of my late model Chevy Spark
The interior hotter than a Blodgett bakery oven in July..
I opt to sit under the cover of a scrap maple shade tree in the parking lot median.

While consuming my free sandwich I feel whole
Brimming with pride in knowing that my mission is honored, recognized,
Even heroic,
some may say.
My razor phone has a 41% charge. Enough to complete the long form my
Spymaster slipped me. The mystery shopping Gods are on my side.

The wet bread from the fake olive oil sticks to the roof of my mouth.
Being trained for this type of setback
I pull out a plastic spoon I stole away from the establishment
to scrape it off
No sticking a finger in this mouth
Knowing where it’s just been…

I save the spoon for another purpose
It will put to use for dinner
A package of Lipton Instant chicken noodle soup.
It will provide sustenance until the early morn
When I wake up to do it all over again..

A familiar chant echoes in the corner of my mind…

What have I, What have I
What have I done to deserve this?
What have I, what have I
What have I done to deserve this?
What have I,
What have I….

Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 08/08/2025 02:41PM by Minime.

I liked your comment about ACL. I haven't mystery shopped for the last 5 years but I decided to try it again. Can you recommend a few shops that you like doing? I am on the east coast. Jim

I completed my first and last job for ACL approx 10 yrs. ago. I owned a friend a lunch, so chose a sit down pizza parlor at $0+$40. After the tip consumed $8, the tax 7.5% and the required alcoholic drink approx. $5, $21 & change remained for a pizza I valued at $12. Predicated upon the report, the completion of which exceeded an hr., I realized ACL was not for me.

Based solely upon my experience, I would recommend this MSC to any shopper for whom the work:pay ratio is unimportant. I was paid as agreed and did not encounter any unannounced surprises.

@Almanac wrote:

I liked your comment about ACL. I haven't mystery shopped for the last 5 years but I decided to try it again. Can you recommend a few shops that you like doing? I am on the east coast. Jim

What kind of shops do you like, restaurant shops, retail, gas, etc.? Are you asking for MSC recommendations?

I agree. Any shopper/hero needs to consider the client and shop. Crunch the numbers for yourself

I'm my defense, the hotdog machine at our Sam's has been broken for weeks.

@shopperbob

No termination with ACL? You just stopped doing shops for them? You hoping one day they offer something worthwhile? I like it so much better when you have termination stories. :-)

@hbbigdaddy wrote:

How about this one? Sandwich place (changed to protect client name) Called They Need a Hero To Complete Their Mystery Shops

I won't do these sandwich shops for NO pay. I haven't even done one for the $5 or $10 they offer late in the period.

It would be better to say "They need a dummy to work for free." No offense to all the people who take these for $0. You do what you gotta do, but some of us will take paying shops over non-paying shops.

If you truly need the food that bad...i suggest a $1.50 hot dog combo from Costco or Sams is a better use of your time. You can add on with getting free tasters and some exercise by walking the warehouse.

I will do them for the $10 bonus only. There are at least 10 locations within a 15 mile radius, so if I see one with a bonus, I will pick up other shops within a few blocks/miles of the sub shop and get sub fix.
And I hate hot dogs.

You don't have to get a hot dog. There are pizza slices and chicken bakes. The point was, the "free" sandwich at JM is not worth of doing the shop for anyone maximizing their time. I get that some people do routes and want to have a nice break, but this shop is a waste of time for a free sandwich and no pay.

If saving money is key, then you can get a hot dog, pizza slice, etc or even only spend $5 on MCD value meal.

@Jusa at least you are waiting for $10 pay.

Yeah I'd rather pack a lunch from home than spend money on food on a route. But yeah, I won't do reimbursement only for that shop. They do have a high-end pizza place that reimburses $65 with no fee I do every few months.

Daddy, I only terminate when, in my opinion, the MSC deserves that action. With ACL, it is merely an unacceptable work:pay ratio. Unfortunately for me, in today's marketplace most MSCs have a ratio of which I do not have the slightest interest. I do not, though, from a business standpoint, criticize any company for paying as little as possible.

Blame it on the sandwich shop's new owner. The private equity folks must think we're idiots. No siree bob. I'm not taking spy photos of meat slicer and back area to get at best a free sub. With inflation, they need top cough up at least $15 fee in addition to the reimbursement.

Mimine, that story was a work of art!

ACL.... wanted me to do a promo shop for that drive in chain recently. No pay, just reimbursement only. It was for like $6 worth of food. The report had like 6 narrative boxes.

I politely declined the offer after being told there would be no fee.

@sestrahelena wrote:

Mimine, that story was a work of art!

Aww, thanks SH. Just riffing on the originals. Hope ACL liked it too. You know they read our stuff!