One of the best things about mystery shopping is that you control your income. While the pay on most shops is not spectacular, there are always new shops coming available every day, and the more you work, the more you can earn.
Of course there are hundreds of providers you can sign up to work with, so if you put enough time and effort into this job, you may be able to make a full-time job out of mystery shopping. However, even if you do put in a full 40 hour work week as a mystery shopper, will the pay be sufficient to support your expenses? With the issues in the economy right now, many people’s expenses are increasing much higher than their paychecks are.
So, besides completing more shop assignments, is there another way to make more money as a mystery shopper? Is there a way to make more money without putting in more time?
The answer is a resounding yes!
Ask For More Money! This seems like a simple enough solution, but does it work? Can you simply email your scheduler and say, “I’d like to do this shop for $15 instead of $10”? Well, yes and no. If you put a little brainpower into which shops you’d like to ask for more money on, it’s possible you can make more simply by asking. For instance, on many providers’ shop lists, you will see shops that either have been sitting for awhile untouched by other shoppers, or that are due TOMORROW. Either way, the scheduler is likely getting pretty anxious to get these shops filled. Your chance of increased pay simply by asking for it is pretty high on these shops.
Shops that already pay well or that were just posted recently or are not due for several weeks are a different story. The scheduler will see that another shopper may still request these assignments at the posted pay and will likely hold out for another shopper to complete the shop.
Have Gas, Will Travel. With gas over $4 per gallon in most areas of the country now, shoppers are becoming much choosier on the location of their assignments. Shops you may have taken even six months ago now seem too expensive to complete because of the cost of gas. Because of this, shops located in more suburban or even more rural locations near major metro areas are now getting harder for schedulers to fill. You can use this to your advantage. Ask for a couple extra bucks to top off your tank before you accept a shop assignment. Again, this works much better if the shops have been sitting for awhile, as the scheduler will be more certain that a closer shopper is not available who would do the shop without travel pay.
You can really make this work in your favor by targeting major retail hubs in more remote locations. For instance, there may be a retail outlet mall with hundreds of stores located 40 or 50 miles away from your house. You may be able to schedule 3 or 4 shops at that outlet mall in one day. If the shops are with different providers, it’s possible that you can not only get paid on several shops at one time but you may also be able to get travel pay from several companies for traveling to one location. And don’t forget to write off your mileage on your taxes for an extra bonus!
You can squeeze your shop assignments for a little extra money, but choose wisely on which assignments you ask for more pay on.
fast food shops I will only do at the end of the month, most shops that pay 5-7 dollars will pay you 12 to 40 dollars at the end of the month. after doing a few that they are in a hurry for they will call me with the higher prices ones because they know they can depend on me.
I always plan my shops in a full circle so that I start earning as soon as i leave till when I get home.
If a certain company has maby 10 shops in my circle but will only assign 5 at a time I call the company and tell them I need all 10 to make it worth my time they will usually assign all 10. After they see that you can do them all and correct they have no problem assigning them to you the next time
Because of fuel prices I cut back on mystery shops and do a lot more photo shops
REMEMBER EVERYONE STOP TAKING 5$ SHOPS.
I’ve already stopped doing any shops less then ten dollars. I won’t crank my car for less anymore it’s simply not worth it. I’ve also moved into merchandising more then MS as it’s steady and I have a territory of set stores to do that I get paid every week for doing. That way I can find shops in and around my regular stops to make extra money.
It only makes sense. If you have an assignment you agree to it because of the pay going to you not your tank. Unless you are in the area doing that for yourself then maybe that assignment can go to someone else who lives on the corner.
I need more info about mystery shopping,how to get started and so on.
Thank you.
To Gin:
I have been trying to get into merchandising. What company are you going through? I gave been trying Narms but they never call back.
I needs suggestions.
Thank you in advance
Jeanne Zell
It’s true that the shops will increase when time is close to date.
Even those that have been paying only $1. I just saw for $10. If waiting is ok, then do them.
why do they require you to make picture perfect comments after doing a report
I too, am interested in merchandising! The one company that is good, for those interested in supplementing their largesse, is Certified Field Associates! Their website list tons of opportunities, with many calling for monthly, or bi~weekly servicing. At the time my car died, I was holding more than 40 contracts!! Unfortunately, they didn’t appreciate having to re~schedule so much work, thus I have been … ousted from their list of contractors!! For those interested, it can be a boone to mystery shopping!
Thanks.
How do I find the site for field merchandising? I tried looking up Certified field Associates and couldn’t find anything.
I haven’t done any merchandising assignments, but I receive many offers. Jenny, here is the web address: certifiedfieldassociate.com
Jane, the companies need the reports to be in story form for presentation to their clients. Editors can’t completely re-write the shoppers’ reports – they should only have to do moderate editing. Having the ability to write well is a prerequisite for being a mystery shoppper. That is why many companies insist on a writing sample when you apply. As a mystery shopper you need to be able to verbally paint a picture of your experience from beginning to end in such a way that the reader feels they were there with you.
Could anyone tell me getting mystery shop certification is worth paying for it? I have been working as a mystery shopper for past six month but I never saw the assignments that require the certification. If you think it is worth the money which one do you recommend? I appreciate your input.