Burgers, chicken and now car wash shops! The reimbursements are not covering the cost of the required purchase. I have been completing car wash shops for quite sometime with a $20 reimbursement. Most of the times, the price is offered at a discount of $16. Today, I noticed the required car wash is $22.

Answer the email with the information you just gave us. Some mystery shopping companies may not know that their clients have raised prices 25% in the last six months. They’re only going to know if you tell them.

I ask for bonuses and tell the schedulers why. Either I get the bonuses or I don't do the shops.

If it’s a decent MSC (IMHO) they will at the very least match the reimbursement to the price of the car wash post taxes.

This post was, for the most part, a vent. I have contacted the scheduler. I scheduled two car wash shops and noticed the price increase when I arrived at the location.

Buzz3 states--Either I get the bonuses or I don't do the shops.

Bob comments--That says it all. Shoppers are self-employed contractors, not entitled employees.

Gigishopper comments: I'm not sure where in my post I was expressing a sense of entitlement. I have been in this game for a long time. I was expressing the "sticker shock" for the price of the car wash. $20 reimbursement has always covered the cost. I did not realize the price increase to $22 until I arrived at the location.

Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 01/15/2023 01:21PM by gigishopper.

I reached out to the company and received an almost immediate response. I will be reimbursed the full amount.

gigishopper, I was merely posting a comment; it was not directed toward either you or any specific person.

My dumbbutt took a 5g shop this week. $25 pay. it involved a shake. I know the $15.45 does not cover the little burger/fries/drink...I was not aware the shake would be nearly $7.

So basically my $25 pay ended up being $20 pay by the end. Not terrible, but I won't do another $25 one if it involves a shake.

The 5g msc really needs to just cover the minimum (little bacon cheeseburger/little fries/small drink). for those than want to order grilled cheese or hot dog, that will be below the price of the burger. Just like the 5G company should also fully reimburse the food at Raising Cane's for a 4 piece combo. I think the fact that this company under-reimburses only infuriates most shoppers, so we try to get over on the bonus side to make up for it. Funny how @mfisherri won't comment on the crappy reimbursement...but has plenty to say about people trying to maximize bonus pay and putting msc programs at risk.

Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 01/16/2023 01:14AM by hbbigdaddy.

They actually raised the reimbursement by about $1, I think, about a year ago. However, prices have risen faster than that small incremental reimbursement amount.

Usually when they require shake, there’s additional reimbursement for it which covers the shake’s price..

The shake reimbursement is $5, and it's $7 for a shake. A burger, fries, and drink is $17.75 by me now. You are down about $5 when ordering vs reimbursement.

Two gas brands that I know of have had a $1 in store reimbursement that has not changed in 20 years.

When I see families go into 5G with small children and each person orders their own complete meal, I always wonder how they are affording it.

Being a six decade self-employed semi-radical proponent of free market economics, when an MSC either lowers fees and/or fails to increase reimbursements, I merely scratch that work from consideration. As an independent contractor, I am not in the least bothered by any company exercising their prerogative to set policies they determine necessary for their success.

@hbbigdaddy wrote:

I think the fact that this company under-reimburses only infuriates most shoppers, so we try to get over on the bonus side to make up for it. Funny how @mfisherri won't comment on the crappy reimbursement...but has plenty to say about people trying to maximize bonus pay and putting msc programs at risk.

I agree. I think some shoppers are now asking for a high fee to do these shops because not only do we need to make up for the lack of full reimbursement but we're ticked off that they don't raise it when 5G raises prices. So we want to compensate ourselves for the "aggravation factor." Shoppers may feel undervalued, especially since, in order to get a burger they have to go out of pocket. Or, if they don't want to do that, they have to order something they may not be really crazy about. If the MSC prefers shoppers order a burger, which you can't get now (even a little one) for reimbursement or under, they should compensate accordingly. Or expect to pay high bonuses.

ETA: Not to mention the fact that the base fee doesn't even cover our time in doing the shop. I have a certain $/hour I need to make in order for this side gig to be worth it. By the time you factor in reviewing the guidelines (which I always do in case they've made a change), drive time, time in restaurant, and reporting time, you lose money unless you get a decent bonus.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 01/16/2023 04:46PM by BirdyC.

@BirdyC...i agree with the first paragraph. However, I don't look at my $ per hour when eating FAST CASUAL. I will when doing FINE DINING. Eating is something I have to do and it's "not on the clock." So I am either paying for my food somewhere or buying food at the store and making it myself.

Now I won't commit to doing a shop just for the food unless it's fine dining...but even then, I want some compensation since those are so much more time and narrative intense.

So yes, I will not take a 5G at base pay. But the $ per hour doesn't really come into play for me with this, RC, panda express, etc. I just want to make the most I can doing any shop, but I'm not going to decline a FAST CASUAL dining shop because it doesn't meet a certain $ per hour calculation. I need to eat anyways and I either spend the time/money doing it myself or get paid to do it by someone else.

@hbbigdaddy wrote:

@BirdyC...i agree with the first paragraph. However, I don't look at my $ per hour when eating FAST CASUAL. I will when doing FINE DINING. Eating is something I have to do and it's "not on the clock." So I am either paying for my food somewhere or buying food at the store and making it myself.

Now I won't commit to doing a shop just for the food unless it's fine dining...but even then, I want some compensation since those are so much more time and narrative intense.

So yes, I will not take a 5G at base pay. But the $ per hour doesn't really come into play for me with this, RC, panda express, etc. I just want to make the most I can doing any shop, but I'm not going to decline a FAST CASUAL dining shop because it doesn't meet a certain $ per hour calculation. I need to eat anyways and I either spend the time/money doing it myself or get paid to do it by someone else.

And this right here is why this industry is great. EVERYONE is different, and it's OK!
Personally, my husband & I do drop $300+ on a dinner plus the cost of a babysitter every now and then. We enjoy it! So if I can spend 1-2hrs typing about it after that is a huge savings/ $$ per hour. The time onsite is something I would have done anyway. We do go to 5Guys during softball/ baseball tournaments as we can almost always find one nearby & the quality is better than McDonald's. If I'm already going to spend $75 there and I can get a $20 fee & $15 reimbursement that works for me.

yes, I remember the days of picking up shops near the softball "friendlies" or tournaments my daughter played in.

Not so sure I would do this though....

"We do go to 5Guys during softball/ baseball tournaments as we can almost always find one nearby & the quality is better than McDonald's. If I'm already going to spend $75 there and I can get a $20 fee & $15 reimbursement that works for me"


I'm thinking I'm hitting Chipotle instead and feeding the 4 of us for $30-$35 and no reports instead of spending $75 to get $35 benefit. Now if the shop fee is $25, then I would take the shop and feed others somewhere else.

I do have my own mystery shopping quirk where I do not like to spend my own $$$ at places that will pay me to shop there. The one exception to that is In N Out (great and reasonably priced). So I will never go to 5g on my own $ even though I really like it. I'm glad my wife and kids are not fond of it. It saves me $. I can find something else for them at a fraction of the cost.

Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 01/16/2023 06:11PM by hbbigdaddy.

I will almost always give the msc or schedulers feedback regarding current market conditions for my area. If I get a low offer I'll politely explain that gas prices or whatever have gone up and there isn't much room for profit, etc.
For a short while, Chicago had a sugary beverage tax that would take you over reimbursement for the 5g shops and I believe they adjusted the reimbursement for shops impacted by that tax. My memory could be wrong, but the tax was repealed after public and business outcry.
Feedback is important.

Lol same. Why would I use my own money if I can get it paid for by doing a shop?

@hbbigdaddy wrote:

yes, I remember the days of picking up shops near the softball "friendlies" or tournaments my daughter played in.

Not so sure I would do this though....

"We do go to 5Guys during softball/ baseball tournaments as we can almost always find one nearby & the quality is better than McDonald's. If I'm already going to spend $75 there and I can get a $20 fee & $15 reimbursement that works for me"


I'm thinking I'm hitting Chipotle instead and feeding the 4 of us for $30-$35 and no reports instead of spending $75 to get $35 benefit. Now if the shop fee is $25, then I would take the shop and feed others somewhere else.

I do have my own mystery shopping quirk where I do not like to spend my own $$$ at places that will pay me to shop there. The one exception to that is In N Out (great and reasonably priced). So I will never go to 5g on my own $ even though I really like it. I'm glad my wife and kids are not fond of it. It saves me $. I can find something else for them at a fraction of the cost.

@sestrahelena wrote:

Two gas brands that I know of have had a $1 in store reimbursement that has not changed in 20 years.

(Feeling old LOL) I can remember when $1 covered a 1/2 L of water including tax. Oh wait, that was a mere 2 years ago, now store brand is about $1.50 and name brand about $2.

Duplicate

Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 01/16/2023 08:28PM by tstewart3.

@BirdyC wrote:

Shoppers may feel undervalued, especially since, in order to get a burger they have to go out of pocket.

Feeling undervalued? The way I see it, that would mean the shopper is taking things like this far too personally. The MSC isn't responsible for our emotions. Sure, I like to be acknowledged for a job well done, but really, I choose what shops to do based on pay, amount of work, how far I'd need to go, etc. If I see a shop that pays or reimburses lower than I would like, I don't say to myself, "Wow, I feel so undervalued." No, of course not. I just say to myself, "Oh, too low. Next!" and move on looking for something else. I don't waste my time on shops that pay below the minimum I would expect for the type of shop it is. They're going to offer what they're going to offer. They're going to accept my request for more or not. I know my value. If no one else does, that's their problem.

.

Edited 2 time(s). Last edit at 01/17/2023 12:32AM by shopnyc.

oh @hbbigdaddy - maybe she's analyzing numbers so an argument can be made in your favor...we get it...Prices are going up faster than we can keep up with. I personally visited said burger shop this evening on my own dime...OUCH!

My youngest daughter has a rare genetic disorder. She has to be VERY careful with the #of carbs & sugar per meal. She can have a burger in a lettuce wrap and that will fill her up. I'd have to get 3x steak/ chicken on the bowl and then limit the rice/ beans to less than 1/4th cup. Just easier to get the burger.

[

quote=hbbigdaddy]
yes, I remember the days of picking up shops near the softball "friendlies" or tournaments my daughter played in.

Not so sure I would do this though....

"We do go to 5Guys during softball/ baseball tournaments as we can almost always find one nearby & the quality is better than McDonald's. If I'm already going to spend $75 there and I can get a $20 fee & $15 reimbursement that works for me"


I'm thinking I'm hitting Chipotle instead and feeding the 4 of us for $30-$35 and no reports instead of spending $75 to get $35 benefit. Now if the shop fee is $25, then I would take the shop and feed others somewhere else.

I do have my own mystery shopping quirk where I do not like to spend my own $$$ at places that will pay me to shop there. The one exception to that is In N Out (great and reasonably priced). So I will never go to 5g on my own $ even though I really like it. I'm glad my wife and kids are not fond of it. It saves me $. I can find something else for them at a fraction of the cost.[/quote]

@mfisherri...i appreciate that you post on here and might be trying to get us more reimbursement.

The argument is more that your MSC knows it's not reimbursing the full cost on several projects. 5G/RC/Dave's Hot Chicken are 3 that come to mind. They also start pay at NO fee on several projects hoping newer (or desperate) shoppers take them. Those that know better play the waiting game to maximize the pay.

I think this approach (under-reimburse/$0 pay) creates more animosity than goodwill with shoppers who feel like MSC is trying to take advantage of them rather than being fair with them.

There are many positives with your MSC, but a couple negatives are the reimbursement amounts being less than what is asked for purchase and also NO pay (starting) on the projects.

The national Chinese food chain that you had is now with another industry behemoth and while they under-reimburse too, they pay more to start. I believe it was $9 reimburse/$5 pay with your MSC when you had it. It starts at $8/$8 with the new MSC. I cannot speak for Sonic since I have never done those, but someone who has might be able to tell us what it was with you vs what it is now with them.

@mfisherri wrote:

oh @hbbigdaddy - maybe she's analyzing numbers so an argument can be made in your favor...we get it...Prices are going up faster than we can keep up with. I personally visited said burger shop this evening on my own dime...OUCH!

Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 01/17/2023 04:42AM by hbbigdaddy.

shopnyc states--Feeling undervalued? The way I see it, that would mean the shopper is taking things like this far too personally.

Bob agrees--If one is unable to separate their feelings from business, they will experience frustration. Self-employment is definitely not for everyone; similar to having a job would be torture for me.

Can I just say it cracks me up that @shopperbob always talks about himself in third person??? LOL!

@hbbigdaddy - I wouldn't argue against your feedback and do appreciate the opportunity to receive it. We are working behind the scenes to right the reimbursable challenge so stay tuned - nothing ever moves as fast as we'd like, but it is moving.