Interested in thoughts and insights:

Just got a solicitation email for several CA Chain Grocery store shops (Name starts with an R) from Scrtshppr.cm Locations are spread out over a 100 mile route, and the assignments are intended to - make grocery shopping more fun and rewarding.


For each location we must record entry, exit, checkout line times, pick up a weekly specials fold over, browse, wait 10 mins to be greeted or solicit interaction (must interact with at least 2 employees and remember all names/departments, grooming, description, dress).


We are also to evaluate the entire store inside and out (using a detailed points system) and evaluate/describe entry, all aisles, departments, restrooms (have additional requirements), dining areas, all trash receptacles/note trash levels and locations, parking lot, store exterior, curbs, ext trash levels/locations, etc., specific and overall cleanliness, stock levels, clear signage, including aisle displays/obstructions, missing shelf prices.

We must also purchase something on special to see if it rings up correctly, save receipt as proof and upload image (after writing the assignment # on it), complete an 8 section questionnaire rating all of the above, submit no later than noon next day, and respond to any editing questions within 24 hours… Oh, and you have to have an active account and the app to get the deal pricing, and it’s got to show on your receipt.

…for $15.

There is no reimbursement for your purchase because: ‘you may purchase any item of your choosing, for as little as $1-$2’ (really? at today’s prices?)

There are multiple reasons your shop can be disqualified that pretty much list every contingency of all of the other MSC’s combined. Also make sure you check your email and spam folders every day for editor queries until you’re paid…by direct deposit in 30-60 days depending on your shopper rank (5 levels from new-elite).

Turns out this MSC has many kinds of assignments listed in the jobs forum that require us to buy but won’t reimburse, and gather a lot of info for very low pay. Choice of words, requirements, and payment parameters sound like an MSC mentioned with caution in other threads that may have re-branded.

Edited 2 time(s). Last edit at 06/27/2025 11:47PM by SBP.

Scrtshppr.cm ... this is correct or do I need to buy a vowel?

E’s and o’s are up for bids…

That sounds like Secret Shopper.com. They don't do reimbursements, they pay for the job. It's up to you to decide how profitable you want it to be. They did the same thing with QSR jobs, I did a couple chicken restaurant shops, the pay was $10 and you had to purchase something, but they don't tell you what to purchase, just something from the menu. I don't remember what I bought, I think it was just a wing or one of those little sandwiches on a dinner roll.

I'm probably not incredibly likely to reactivate my account with them, unless our current grocery shops change companies. I was never a fan of Trendsource's version of that shop, I'm not very willing to do something similar again.

Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 06/28/2025 06:42AM by Morledzep.

Sounds like they missed a zero. Hopefully nobody is desperate enough to perform that shop for base pay.

I sure hope this isn't a test shop for a change of company.

This MSC is definitely a company that employs the Arab:camel business model. The problem, as I see it, is even the Arab would not attempt such a load.

In most cases, the base pay for a secret shop is set by the client (the company being evaluated). As a secret shopping company, our role is to coordinate and manage assignments based on their parameters. However, most MSCs often work within a fixed budget that has been pre-approved for each location.

That said, we work hard to keep things transparent and fair from the start, so you’ll always know what’s expected, what it pays, and when payment is issued. We also advocate for added bonuses when shops go unclaimed, require extra effort, or are located in harder-to-reach areas.

In densely populated areas with lots of shoppers and frequent shops, base pay may be lower (like the $15 shop you did). However, in more remote or harder-to-reach locations, you’ll often see added bonuses or higher base pay to help cover travel costs or urgency. We even offer bundled routes that can total $100 or more shops when completed efficiently!

@SecretShopper1 This is unrelated to this thread. For dine-in shops, regarding reimbursement of tip, (where the total amount of the meal, inclusive of tip, falls under the total reimbursement amount), is it a MSC policy not to reimburse tips? Or is this mandated by all clients with dine-in shops?

@SBP wrote:

Interested in thoughts and insights:

Just got a solicitation email for several CA Chain Grocery store shops (Name starts with an R) from Scrtshppr.cm Locations are spread out over a 100 mile route, and the assignments are intended to - make grocery shopping more fun and rewarding.

Oh hell no. Thank you for posting. That sounds like a $7.50/hour job with all that. I had considered it, until I read your details.