I'll stand by my statements based on the flow of the conversation.

@Irene_L.A. wrote:

I find OP's situation sad and instead of calling OP names, same words in a nicer way may help. MJF, if you gave me that advice in the same way, I'd have to reject it, there are times when the way words are used could be more important that what is said.....I wish OP to learn and improve, of course Op wants to make money, sleeping in a parking lot must be a necessity and he/she will find their way...definitely should be encouraged, education always important, but a teacher speaking to anyone that way, not acceptable and needs a human injection..... good luck.

So are there people who post on this forum for money? Does one person have more than one user name? Like MFJohnston and bgriffin, for example, are they (or he, if it’s one person) paid to call people names? If so, why?

HAHAHAHA.

I am definitely not paid to post here. I wish I were. I post enough to be rich if I were! I'm curious why you would think that I am paid to post here. According to you I am mean (?) and don't provide any positive contribution. What would be someone's (anyone's?) motivation to pay me to post here.

I also do not have more than one user name. I'm fairly certain MFJ does not as well but obviously I have no way of knowing this. I am happy enough posting under my one screen name. As you've already commented, I post A LOT. I'm curious when I would have time to post even more? Also, I post under my real name as does MF I believe. Since I am so mean under my real name what good would a second username be for me? I don't have any other personality flaws to hide!

Have people been paid to post here? Yes. I believe they have. While I am not directly aware of any such dealings it has been insinuated to me that at least one company has paid at least one person to post positively about their company. It was not me.

Have people had more than one user name? Yes. There have been several people who have been "caught" having multiple log ins. I also believe that is actually considered acceptable by the forum owner as there have been cases of a moderator (who is no longer a moderator) informing people publicly and privately about people who do have multiple logins. Since the forum owner was made aware of people having multiple logins and did not do anything about it, it would seem he finds it acceptable.

Look, you may think I'm mean. I'm really not. I'm mostly a nice guy. You asked a question and I answered it. I have always been taught not to ask questions you didn't want the answer to. It appears that is something you have not learned.

No, no, and no. No one posts on this forum for money, the person who posted that was making a very bad joke. I imagine that there might be people who got suspended from the forum and created a new user name because they aren't allowed to post with the old one, but I am certain that neither MFJ or Griff have more than one user name. And both of them are far too busy and mature to do that, and they definitely don't get paid to call people names. People posted here with advice and it was not meant with ill intent. Of that I am certain.

@JASFLALMT wrote:

and mature to do that

Surely you jest. I'm immature enough to do anything!

Well you are immature enough to do most things, but not that. Anyway, I know you are in general a pretty nice guy...I remember after you left the forum for awhile because you couldn't handle the negativity that was going on, and I remember on more than one occasion you defending forum members who were being unjustly attacked. This is not one of those cases.

Now me, I will sling a little mud and engage in name calling sometimes. Griff, you are an Asshat (see how I capitalized that, see how I did that? ):: .

@Bgriffin
If you aren’t mean, then why the comment about taking all the Walmart Bank shops? That seems like a cruel comment.

Since he knew you weren't really doing any Walmart Bank shops, it was a joke and not with ill intent. He can be a rather sarcastic Asshat.

Hmmm...sure came across as very mean, esp given the context

Well I was trying to apologize for taking shops you wanted. I guess I won't next time. :/

Makes no sense.

You complained that a company gave a bunch of shops you applied for to another shopper.
I thought perhaps I had taken the shops you wanted.
I apologized.

I'm not sure what doesn't make sense?

That's because it's nonsense. It's almost time to turn this into a recipe thread.

Griff, I made homemade macaroni and cheese the other night and baked it in the oven with thinly sliced leftover steak and bacon, and then served it with sunny-side up eggs over the top...

Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 05/03/2018 04:39AM by JASFLALMT.

Oh uh. You know I love homemade mac and cheese. I demand the recipe.
I've been making one in the crock pot that's pretty darn yummy as well. Unfortunately I'm the only person here who likes mac and cheese so I don't get to make it as often as I would like. :/

@CAGB33
I am a math teacher and definitely not a poet. I do not believe I called you (or anybody else) a name. Nothing I wrote was with malice. I truly thought that after your initial post, you had come to the conclusion that mystery shopping was not worth the trouble and were on the verge of quitting. I also thought you came on looking for answers and ideas. I shared only what I have learned from my experience. In terms of having learned how to turn a good profit in this industry, I believe I have done well and, as a way to thank those who gave me their advice and wisdom freely, I share as well.

What I will not do is lie to folks in an attempt to make them feel better. I very much believe that giving somebody bad advice because it makes them feel better does them a disservice. I always speak the truth as I see it - and I recognize that sometimes the truth stings

To be clear:
I have only one account. I use my real name. I do not get paid to post here.
I am, however, ugly (as has been established already). Yup, I just looked in a mirror. It is confirmed, yet again.
Despite this, however, I am reasonably certain that I am far better looking that @bgriffin.

But somebody said the other day there is a rumour that I am extremely attractive!

Unfortunately it is only a rumour. :/
Sadly enough you are most likely correct.
And if not. Well. My condolences.

It's a lie to make you feel better.

Probably so!

Oh well. While you are busy tomorrow trying to teach new math to some teenagers I'll be in an aeroplane on my way to Atlanta for some music festivating (and some conferencing) so I am off to bed!

Enjoy your beauty sleep. (We both clearly need more of that.)

I am in a season of my life right now that I have no tolerance for being taken for granted. This comes from something that has nothing to do with mystery shopping or this forum. I am also in a place where I want SOME kind of stability...just some. When the scheduler jilted me (and that’s what he did), for whatever reason, it pushed buttons within me of being used and going back to feelings of great uncertainty in my future. You would have to know my personal circumstances to really understand.

So, was I overly sensitive to the feedback I received here? Most likely, yes. Did I over-react and perhaps misread some comments. Probably. And I am sorry on both accounts. I really am. It’s been a terrible few years for me and I suppose I was /am desperate for something that resembles something different.

Hope that makes some sense.

@CAGB33 wrote:

I am in a season of my life right now that I have no tolerance for being taken for granted. This comes from something that has nothing to do with mystery shopping or this forum. I am also in a place where I want SOME kind of stability...just some. When the scheduler jilted me (and that’s what he did), for whatever reason, it pushed buttons within me of being used and going back to feelings of great uncertainty in my future. You would have to know my personal circumstances to really understand.

So, was I overly sensitive to the feedback I received here? Most likely, yes. Did I over-react and perhaps misread some comments. Probably. And I am sorry on both accounts. I really am. It’s been a terrible few years for me and I suppose I was /am desperate for something that resembles something different.

Hope that makes some sense.

It makes all the sense in the world actually. Sorry that you are going through a rough patch. You never know what other people are going through. I remind myself of this all the time when people seemingly go off the rails.

@CAGB33
It totally makes sense. We all have times that stink. The question is, what are you needing out of mystery shopping to help turn things around? Are you making enough to meet your goals or are you looking to learn? Or both?

Well long route shops with a camper was more for me to just get in my car and “GO.” I wanted to get on the road and just drive, drive, drive — away from everyone and everything. This kind of work allowed me to do it and I was grateful for it. I wasn’t in the mindset of making a lot of money - just enough to pay for the trips and my monthly bills (which are very low right now). Now that this has happened (with this MSC), I am re-thinking everything and wondering what is next for me. Should I keep doing this or start the business I really want to do and just use mystery shopping to help with the transition. After driving 31,000 miles these last 7 months, I’m kinda ready to do much shorter routes and just stay in Texas. So to answer your question - I have no idea, yet...

To both MFJ@CAGB33.....one needs a sensitivity chip and the other needs to toughen up. Life doesn't help the weak, you lose jobs because there are more shoppers out there, move on, no one owes you anything.
This forum helps, but your really not ready for advice, and we don't give out sympathy, wrong place to come to, but sincerely, I wish for you to find yourself. I felt you were hurting, which is why I stuck up for you....developing a sense of humor will help. Good luck!!!!

BGriff....I started the rumour about your being "dashing", take it before I change my mind....kidding aside, I know you from the Sybil days....better now huh?..

Just asking if you keep the receipts when paying bridge tolls since that would help with your business tax deductions and total mileage driven for your shops for the IRS. There is one MSC that reimburses for gas ($5) and a convenience store purchase ($1) which might have shops in your state.

@Irene_L.A.
I’m pretty tough. Ever have a major loss? I mean one of the biggies in life - not just losing a job etc. It colors everything differently. That is where my upset for all of this grows. So your advice is good for normal life. I miss normal life, very badly!