I just got notified a paper check was mailed today for 2 assignments I did for them in July and August. They were submitted on time with report feedback ratings of 10/10. Both were residential assignments involving travel and follow up offering Cirrus rates I was willing to do then, to prove my worth.

They have a hierarchical system in which they require us to do 5 (low paying) assignments in order to be considered for assignments that will pay enough to do more than cover fuel costs, and qualify us for direct deposit payment. They do not do PayPal like the rest of the MSC pros.

I stopped at 2 jobs, because it makes no sense to continue paying to work as they profit from it and further profit from the interest they earn by hanging onto our fees as long as they can as we earn nothing.

I once emailed them to ask about the job rates that are 50% or less of what most other MSCs are offering for the same work. Reply; “Our reports are far simpler to complete.” My (unshared) experience: Yes, compared to EPMS/GH and their partners, but no, not simple enough to pay us nothing after fuel costs for our time, skills, and additional overhead.

Upon receiving that reply, I sent a summary of my expenses compared to the compensation and a screen shot of my report quality score. I asked how they thought good work was being rewarded by making us do 5 assignments that actually cost us to , then wait 2-3 months for the check to be mailed with the risks of theft, loss, delays with delivery, and +/- a week waiting for it to clear from an out if area bank before the funds are accessible. I also asked how that rewards someone with a perfect score and how $15 fees are supposed to encourage the field agents they depend on for the intel their clients pay them for, to continue working for free?

Response: We pay by check to deter fraud.
My reply: “By whom?”

Reply: the payment policy is in the contract.
Do 3 more assignments this way and you’ll be allowed to sign up for direct deposit and access higher paying jobs.

My question: And how long is the wait to be paid that way?
Answer: Same turnaround as a paper check.

I politely declined, deleted my profile, the app, and informed them why.

Reply: Then this matter is concluded.

Ain’t it grand to be respected and appreciated?

Already found far better options.
No regrets.

I find the work they have in my area wonderful. I'm paid via direct deposit and love it.

I've worked for Secret Shopper for years. I still get paid by check and it always comes like clockwork, mailed on the 20th of the month following my shop(s) being approved. Although they have their foibles, and I don't necessarily like that my Classification can go down if I don't work for them as often, it's still been worth it to me.

Everything is outlined in their contract and their prices are made available prior to you accepting the job. I've only completed two jobs with them out of the many years I've been signed up with them. Even though I know I can get direct deposit and higher rates after performing one more job, I still don't accept a low paying job. I will accept another job if I am going the direction of the job. I don't take a loss doing a job just because they offer the job.

Is this the MSC located in Chattanooga, uses Sassie and has a logo of 3 different colored shopping bags?

I wouldn't have deleted my profile. They usually have very low fees in my area, but every now and then, they have a shop worth doing. They used to have a client that made yummy snacks that my kids loved. The fee was low but it was worth the one minute report.

@shopperbob I don't think so. secret shopper has an app and it looks similar to a beach ball with blue being the prominent color, with orange and a sliver of turquoise/green.

Thanks peach. Just as with CX, Secret Shopper can be confusing to me.

Requiring an IC to accept anything below minimum wage is against the law. Offering incentives to accept these terms when there is no guarantee that future higher paying work will materialize sounds like a Ponzi scheme, which also violates labor laws. All of the correspondence should be saved and reported to your state’s Labor Dept. and AG. Tally your hours vs. the pay and if it falls below minimum wage, request that you be paid the difference. Even one pinch might force their hand to change their setup across the board. You’ve spent enough time on it already that this last step should not be much more time consuming. In for a penny, in for a pound.

Duplicate. Sigh…

Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 10/23/2025 03:29PM by Minime.

@Minime Minimum wage laws only apply to employees, not independent contractors. Those that perform assignments found on secretshopper and similar are ICs and not employees. If someone decides to do one of their assignments that pays $10 and it is 30 minutes away from their home, it takes 30 minutes to do the shop, 15 for the report, another 15 to answer their follow ups, and they spent $6 in gas to get there in back, are they supposed to get a bump in pay for their state's minimum wage? It doesn't work that way. By the way, I am all for higher pay for these shopping assignments

MM ~ Check with your state’s labor dept. The rules changed well over a year ago - which I reported on this website before it took effect. People believe what they want to believe and the MSCs count on them not knowing their rights.

Your scenario equates to $10 for an hour of work. That doesn’t meet minimum wage standards in my state!

You don’t get to decide as a worker if you are an employee or an IC, and neither does the MSC. The MSC can state whatever they want on their websites, but the info better be accurate and up to date. They are required to comply with both state and federal laws, and all states are different. The state’s role is to enforce minimum wage standards. They also have rules for worker classifications that are similar to federal rules. Mystery shoppers are not on the list of exempted workers. The federal rules regarding misclassification have flip flopped due to the current administration’s desire to strip us of our rights in favor of companies like Ipshitz, who can pay their lobbyists the big bucks to make it go away. It’s happened twice, once in the first term, and now the second. As I predicted, it was changed again this past May back to lax enforcement when our rights are violated in the form of manipulating employee status and pay standards.

What’s the point of whining about it here and acting like there’s nothing that can be done? Yeah you dropped them after they ripped you off, but it’s no skin off of their back and your inaction only perpetuates the unfair practices that they get away with. They read the MS forums and know what they can get away with. And SB, you can state again that you would quit if you were classified as an employee, but since you are, what’s stopping you? The only thing that isn’t happening is the complaints needed to enforce the regs that would trigger an investigation and punitive damages.

Your state can tell you what you are entitled to and what your classification is. California isn’t letting these shadow companies get away with it anymore. If you live there you should stay on top of the laws for reporting purposes if you have any significant earnings.

[natlawreview.com]

Good info and link Minime.

This is a diverse crowd here hailing from all over.

California has a lot of rules, but getting them enforced is costly…far more than we’re NOT being paid, and no, we’re NOT entitled to any minimum wage as an IC:

[www.dir.ca.gov]

This used to be a nice side gig. Loved the freedom and interesting assignments, and it seemed fairly compensated until recently.

The assignment postings are becoming depressing. Most will barely cover fuel costs of the endeavor much less the time and detail required for the reports,

I won’t pay to work, and that’s what it’s become after the overhead we carry, then wait 60-90 days to be…reimbursed, when I kept up my end of the deal on time?

I’ve seen a lot in my life and fought many battles against corruption and abuse of power. It used to be somewhat covert. Now it’s right out in the open everywhere instead of lurking in the shadows, and it’s rewarded in the billions to those who stand to profit.

I’ve walked away from several companies that didn’t honor a modicum of decency and did everything they could not to pay for the work they solicited.

Laws are the problem. Corporate law specifically, which is a very entailed discussion anyone can research, but in short, its ethics, and profit trumps decency.

If there’s no sense of loyalty to an employee, there’s even less respect for an IC, especially in these times.

I simply won’t give that approach any more of my life. Im very happy to work with respectful companies that value what we do, and that respect and higher standard is returned and multiplied in every completed assignment.

I recall California trying to get Uber and Lyft to reclassify drivers as employees from ICs. The drivers even stated they decided which company to work with and when and sometimes they did assignments for both during the day or the week. It was a clear example of government overreach and having no clue how business runs. That's how Prop 22 came to be and it passed. Uber and Lyft said they would leave the state if they had to reclassify ICs.

How does your state treat assignments like the steak place where you are reimbursed up to a certain amount and you provide a report about the experience? Are you an employee then or an IC? Or any of the burger joints that pay a few bucks and you get a reimbursed meal like the Pentagon Phellows.

What specific rights were violated? Are you considered an employee with any of the MSCs you work with due to the state you are in and thus subject to at least minimum wage?

@SBP wrote:

Good info and link Minime.

This is a diverse crowd here hailing from all over.

California has a lot of rules, but getting them enforced is costly…far more than we’re NOT being paid, and no, we’re NOT entitled to any minimum wage as an IC:

[www.dir.ca.gov]

This used to be a nice side gig. Loved the freedom and interesting assignments, and it seemed fairly compensated until recently.

The assignment postings are becoming depressing. Most will barely cover fuel costs of the endeavor much less the time and detail required for the reports,

I won’t pay to work, and that’s what it’s become after the overhead we carry, then wait 60-90 days to be…reimbursed, when I kept up my end of the deal on time?

I’ve seen a lot in my life and fought many battles against corruption and abuse of power. It used to be somewhat covert. Now it’s right out in the open everywhere instead of lurking in the shadows, and it’s rewarded in the billions to those who stand to profit.

I’ve walked away from several companies that didn’t honor a modicum of decency and did everything they could not to pay for the work they solicited.

Laws are the problem. Corporate law specifically, which is a very entailed discussion anyone can research, but in short, its ethics, and profit trumps decency.

If there’s no sense of loyalty to an employee, there’s even less respect for an IC, especially in these times.

I simply won’t give that approach any more of my life. Im very happy to work with respectful companies that value what we do, and that respect and higher standard is returned and multiplied in every completed assignment.

SPB ~ The link you provided proves my point that you are considered an employee. All employers have to honor minimum wage requirements in every state. You provided no proof to the contrary with the link. I only skimmed through it but it spells out what your rights are if you are willing to accept that, instead of making excuses that filing a complaint with the state is ‘costly.’ What experience do you have with that?

Here’s a link if you need further info. I imagine this firm is fishing around for a class action lawsuit, which would also not cost you a dime.

[parris.com]

An excerpt from your link below explains how you’re getting the shaft by being classified as an IC. So many shoppers are so scared about it changing their tax status that they can’t see the forest for the trees. They’re implacable in their refusal to learn the facts. In that way they get what they deserve. California has it right. They’re always ahead of the curve compared to other states.

Here’s an excerpt from your link.

11 - What difference does it make if a worker is an employee rather than an independent contractor?
California’s wage and hour laws (e.g., minimum wage, overtime, meal periods and rest breaks, etc.), workplace safety laws, unemployment insurance, and retaliation laws protect employees, but not independent contractors. Additionally, employees can go to state agencies such as the Labor Commissioner’s Office to seek enforcement of these laws, whereas independent contractors must resolve their disputes or enforce their rights under their contracts through other means.

I looked at the first link provided and it was to a law magazine I never heard about as I am not in that busines however the article did not seem to address this issue of independent contractors now getting paid minimum wage since 2024. I have never , ever heard of that so perhaps it is in whatever state Minime and others that assert we are employees live in. I for one am not an employee and after reading this forum for many years get the impression that the majority of mystery shoppers are here doing this because they dont want to be an employee. Certainly most of us would probably earn more if we were employees (full time or as many hours as we actually work as a mystery shopper including those big bonuses on three day road trips (72 hours paid if an employee plus expenses) but the point of this endeavor is we can make our own hours, we can choose to work or not work, we can turn down work offered or ask for more.
There have been times in the past when this topic has come up and some shoppers claim their time is not their own and they are directed what to do but the bottom line is they have independently accepted the assignment. Once you have accepted an assignment knowing full well what it entails and having agreed to the terms you then have a contract for that assignment. That does not make you an employee. You yourself chose to agree to that short contract independently. That is the glaring difference between an independent contractor or an employee. When I was an employee if the boss said jump I would have to jump or convince my boss it was a bad idea. As a mystery shopper if the job entails getting there at 7 AM on the dot and I am not interested I simply do not apply for that assignment.
Instead of claiming we are all supposed to get minimum wage in our states please send a link to a government website that states that in clear english...not a link to your favorite (and possibly fake news) site.

As IC’s we also have the ability to end a relationship with a company that posts low paying assignments and waits as long as possible to pay for work performed well and on time, by a form of payment that takes 7-10 more business days to be accessible when most others reward good work and offer a far more efficient experience.

Sandyf~ If you’ve never heard of the National Law Review, why not educate yourself and look it up. It’s probably the oldest, most respected law magazine in the country. Saying you haven’t heard of it, thus it must be fake news, ‘prove it to me’ etc. is such a lame and lazy response. I provided enough info to help you out, but I’m not your servant. Check out the Gov’t sites yourself. All you have to do is ask your state labor dept. what your status is, but you don’t really want to know or educate yourself. Like I’ve told you already - YOU AND THE MSC DON’T GET TO DECIDE. The classification criteria is listed in both links but you can’t discern how it applies or just refuse to accept it. You have zero control over how the shops are run, nor can you do the assignment whenever you want. The work you do is a critical part of their operation that they rely upon to operate their business. That’s NOT the role of an IC. Most of them are hired as consultants or analysts who do SPECIALIZED, INDEPENDENT WORK AND THEIR PAY ISN’T BELOW MINIMUM WAGE. You don’t even understand the purpose of assigning employee status b/c you’re fixed on thinking that it would mean more government oversight, which you don’t want. Trust me, they don’t give a RA about you. Your close mindedness prevents you from even being considered a victim. They won’t waste their time on people who don’t know their worth.

@SBP wrote:

As IC’s we also have the ability to end a relationship with a company that posts low paying assignments and waits as long as possible to pay for work performed well and on time, by a form of payment that takes 7-10 more business days to be accessible when most others reward good work and offer a far more efficient experience.

So can an employee. You’re making it sound like it’s a perk. The situation arose from you being used, so ending that relationship is a given - which anyone can do.

I did not at all say the National Law review is fake news. You totally misread what I said. I said I had not heard of it. And yes, I probably had but since many "fake" places use names extremly similar to real names with a comma , a space, or some other minor change to make it seem like the real place I was not about to check this one out. My time is valuable to me and I do not want to be directed by someone at this point, so directing me to do what you think I should and calling me names because I do not do what you think I should do neither makes me lazy or treating you like a servant but also does not change the fact that my state does not consider me an employee. Yes I read what you have to say but in my state they disagree with you and I disagree with you. And someone disagreeing with you does not make them closed minded. It makes you closed minded to say so.
I did, however , check with my own state which is California, and found there have been no changes in the law here that makes me an employee. So, as I said, at least in my state I am still not an employee, and in my state the definition is not up to interpretation except by those who want to find a reason to claim some thing they want such as higher fees. I would love to have higher fees but not by circumventing the laws.
I gather you do not think there is such a thing as fake news by your reaction... Well I am here to tell you we are in an era of fake news right now. Calling me lazy because I am not inclined to do research you did is , yes , very lame. I did my research but you have in no way proven to me that mystery shoppers are employees or that the rules have changed in my state or maybe your state, to say that we are now able to earn minimum wage. All you have done is reiterated to me your interpretation of the law. And your interpretation serves your needs. Most people have a way of rationalizing that the way they think is right....however you have proven nothing at all to me. I dont expect you to care. Your caps are misplaced. You need to yell at your state if you want a change, not at me.

@Minime wrote:

Sandyf~ If you’ve never heard of the National Law Review, why not educate yourself and look it up. It’s probably the oldest, most respected law magazine in the country. Saying you haven’t heard of it, thus it must be fake news, ‘prove it to me’ etc. is such a lame and lazy response. I provided enough info to help you out, but I’m not your servant. Check out the Gov’t sites yourself. All you have to do is ask your state labor dept. what your status is, but you don’t really want to know or educate yourself. Like I’ve told you already - YOU AND THE MSC DON’T GET TO DECIDE. The classification criteria is listed in both links but you can’t discern how it applies or just refuse to accept it. You have zero control over how the shops are run, nor can you do the assignment whenever you want. The work you do is a critical part of their operation that they rely upon to operate their business. That’s NOT the role of an IC. Most of them are hired as consultants or analysts who do SPECIALIZED, INDEPENDENT WORK AND THEIR PAY ISN’T BELOW MINIMUM WAGE. You don’t even understand the purpose of assigning employee status b/c you’re fixed on thinking that it would mean more government oversight, which you don’t want. Trust me, they don’t give a RA about you. Your close mindedness prevents you from even being considered a victim. They won’t waste their time on people who don’t know their worth.

For years I was signed up but did no shops because none of them seemed worthwhile. This year they've picked up a number of really great clients in my area. One has the highest reimbursement I've ever seen for the particular industry, one has a good fee, and two others are just solid locally owned businesses which I enjoy shopping. And there are still also lots of shops which I would never want to do because of the paltry fees.

The reports are indeed much easier than most other MSC reports. Not only is there essentially no narrative but you don't even have to explain most negative scores. Sometimes I even wonder what value the client is getting, but that's between them and the MSC.

Contrary to the first post in this thread, I did not see any change in the shops that were available or the fees that they paid after I moved up in the shopper rankings. The main advantage is that you can pick up the shop a day before other shoppers. Although there are also self-reschedule privileges with the higher shopping statuses, I never had any issue just emailing the scheduling support for minor date change requests back when I had a lower shopping status.