Many mystery shoppers have heard about others in this line of work who have turned mystery shopping into a full-time job. These are professionals who have found a way to make enough money over the course of a full-time work week to generate what equates to a living wage. In some areas of the country, it seems almost impossible to find enough assignments to complete to support yourself fully on. For others, the assignments are available, but there just isn’t enough time in the day. This, however, may not stop you from trying to earn as much as you can as a mystery shopper. However, there may be some downsides to overloading yourself with assignments. Here are some points to consider:, s
Fuzzy Details
When you take on too many assignments to complete in a single day, you do run the risk of blurring details on various assignments. There are some strategies and methods you can implement to minimize this possibility, such as taking notes in a secretive way on-site or waiting until you get back to the car to jot down a few notes. However, unless you complete each of your reports immediately after each assignment or you have a stellar memory, you may have some points of fuzziness and confusion when it comes time to sit down and write out your reports.
Out of Time
There are some things that are simply out of your control as a mystery shopper. For instance, things like long lines at a checkout stand, a significant amount of traffic on the roads, and bad weather conditions can really slow you down during the day. If you cram assignments back to back in your work schedule, you do run the risk of not being able to get them all done. This is especially true if your assignments require you to hop in the car and drive from location to location. Leaving a bit of wiggle room between assignments can minimize this risk.
Other Responsibilities
When you take on too many mystery shopping assignments, you run the risk of falling into the trap that workaholics in any field suffer from. In general, your personal life may suffer as you spend too much time working and don’t spend enough time with family and friends. Further, many mystery shoppers do have other work commitments, and you don’t want to be in the position of having to choose between which jobs are more worth your time on a given day. Other mystery shoppers are students, and taking on too many assignments can affect your studies.
Every mystery shopper will have their own threshold where they work the perfect number of hours to keep them busy and provide them with a decent level of income. It is easy to cross this threshold if you are eager to make more money in a given week or month. Yet there are negative aspects to working too much that should be considered. As a mystery shopper, you will do your best work and be happier in the long run when you find that middle ground.
I have made this a little extra business…aside from my model/actress/commercial work…I find that if I take too many shops in a day..the details can get mixed up in my head…descripions…what was said …etc….Three a day is a lot…..more then that is too much….overloading your schedule does not make you a better shopper..remember..Details, details, details…I have found after being a shopper for 11 years..that I can get bonuses easily..and I go for the shops that pay the most..I have earned it….as a veteran Mystery Shopper…Love it! (Your articles are really great…)
It upsets me after 14 years of shopping that many of the pay rates are still the same. Also, companies have not taken into consideration the higher rates of gas. Compensations need to be made.
Mystery shopping is most fun when I have fun. I look at it as a fun side job. I got free sandals yesterday while shopping. I’m not looking for a career in mystery shopping. I do wish there were more oppurtunities for the better paying shops. I guess theres alot of competition out there. First come first serve. I am finding my middle ground after 2 years at it. My advice is to relax and have fun with it.
I am registered with lots of Mystery Shopping Companies, and I travel alot with my other job. I enjoy Mystery shopping alot, so I find places to have lunch or dinner while I am working my other job as a merchandiser. The schedule can get hectic and I have over booked shops on occasion. I find that communication is key to rescheduling the shops.
I covet these words of wisdom here and on the Mystery Shopping Forum. I have learned so much in the short time I have been shopping. I started 2/2012. I have contracted with over 80 companies to date, and with the shop availability, I couldn’t possibly do all that is out there. Lucky for me I guess. Thank you, keeping giving the word that makes us better shoppers. I’ll try to keep having fun. Record, record, record, and then report. M. Monty