As I'm shopping more lately, I'm finding the things I really like about it (besides being paid for a job that I do when I'm available and the non traditional nature of the work)

1. I really, really like when MSCs give me a "score." Or feedback of some sort. Conversely I HATE it when I don't know how I did or if they liked the report/job. I've only been denied payment twice in all the years I've done this (honestly, one was not my fault); and so I KNOW I do a good job. (getting first name emails, calls, etc)....but I just like seeing the "score." and/or knowing where improvement is needed

2. I really, really like that I always seem to learn something new from mystery shopping. More often than not, I learn something each time I do a shop...whether that there is a car I'd consider buying that was previously not even on my radar, or that sleep number beds are HUGELY expensive, but completely comfy. I like knowing "where to go" when I need something, as a result of learning about sales/promotions/etc all the time...I like hearing about new products/new ways of doing things, etc.

I like many things, the fact we help business and learn, I love doing retail, but doing less and less. The fact we're our own boss, and can determine how much we need to make, oil changes, food, going out, it's pretty amazing.
I have gotten frugal and don't like to pay on my own...it also makes me more aware of what I spend. Post office jobs allow me to send my daughter little gifts all the time, she'll tell you that's a good thing. Last but not least, I'm busy doing something productive.

I like the flexibility of the "job." I can go visit my kids in faraway states without worrying about taking vacation time and have the added benefit of working while I'm visiting and they're at work. Or taking them out for dinner when they're not. I like that some of the jobs I do when I'm visiting are shops that we don't even have near my home.

I like paying a $30 copay at the doctor's office and picking up a $25 shop across the street.

I'm in it for the goodies. Doing reimbursement + shopper fee assignments enhance my life and save (or make) me money. I rarely take phone shops, apt tours, etc.

Restaurants are my favorite part of MSing. I would not eat out NEARLY as often if I did not get reimbursed, and I am sure my wife enjoys it as well.

Not having a boss is my favorite part. If I hate a particular job I never have to take it again.

Each year is unique. Trying a variety of assignments teaches me about industries, myself, and other people. Some of the most interesting things have happened on the way to and from assignments.

Flexible due dates ! Virtually every MSC that I work with has schedulers who are available, willing, and able, to move shop performance and due dates around as long as the report is in my the monthly or quarterly deadline. It took time and attention from me to develop such relationships, but this means that I can actually reorganize a day, a week, or a month quickly to accommodate adding a new shop to my calendar when the opportunity arises.

@walesmaven

I can't wait to get to that point with schedulers. It's so hard to get 10-15 shops on the same day in the same area so that I can just drive to Denver, Colorado Springs, Fort Collins/Loveland or Cheyenne so that I can make good money and spend the day shopping.

At this point, I feel great to be able to bundle 3-4

Yesterday, a scheduler voluntarily offered a reschedule. This was indescribably lovely and completely appreciated and welcome. I was able to complete the shop, but in a later time frame than I initially planned. Perhaps this belongs in the kudos thread.

Fortunately, in the DC Metro area, I do not need that many shops to make a day profitable. The downside is traffic congestion; second only to LA for delays all over a huge region.

One of the perks for me are reward points. I have them with my sports bar and a few QSRs. I shop several locations of the sports bar frequently, so I get the $10 coupons a few times a year.

I also like the business loss that I take on my taxes.

Getting proof of fraud on a cash integrity shop ! Today I parked at 12:04 PM. My car is a brightly colored Honda. I got a claim check showing entry 2 hours earlier with a gray Nissan. That $20 never went into the till, but his regional manager knew within 2 hours. The manager then has the option to order up a few video shops visits to that location. And, no, shoppers DO NOT get a bonus for discovering evidence of fraud.

I have only cooked once in the past 14 days that my husband has been out of town. The rest of my meals were from shops

Getting my favorite Mediterranean lunch free every Tuesday!

True, but sometimes they let you go back and do the video shop Wales, and that's kind of a bonus from a certain point of view =) Haha.

How you been? Going to be in vegas?

@JASFLALMT wrote:

I have only cooked once in the past 14 days that my husband has been out of town. The rest of my meals were from shops

Hope youre churning a nice restaurant rewards card for all that!

Hi Joe! No, not going to IMSC Vegas. One conference a year is enough for me. And the one in Atlanta was enough adventure for two !

I like the travel. I have serious wanderlust, and long routes let me see places I wouldn't normally travel.

I get my Medi burrito on Mondays at lunch. I eat a quarter of it. I schedule 3 shops a month.

@Mum wrote:

Getting my favorite Mediterranean lunch free every Tuesday!

Pay Day is okay, but I like Hotel/Resort Folio Reversal Day much better.

I like the ability to bring a guest with me on my hotel/resort assignments, for, many times, bucket list-worthy experiences.

I also like beachfront/oceanfront/mountain view rooms/suites, overwater bungalows, minimum 800 thread count cotton sheets, soft thick towels, In Room Dining, paid golf/skiing/scuba/tours, warm, crystal clear ocean water, pristine, sandy beaches (where sometimes you must order a drink, pay in cash, and then order another drink and pay in cash again), pool butlers, villa butlers, private car pick up and drop off from/to the airport, massages (but not necessarily writing about them from reservation to check out), purchasing souvenirs from the lobby gift shop, nice meals (no Eggs Benedict, lobster, filet mignon or martinis) at beautiful restaurants, beautiful drinks at nice bars, . . .

Confession: I don’t mind doing Chinese food at the mall evaluations.

wales, I was going to ask if the employees recognize you as a shopper, but I guess the bad ones are fired.

@walesmaven wrote:

Getting proof of fraud on a cash integrity shop ! Today I parked at 12:04 PM. My car is a brightly colored Honda. I got a claim check showing entry 2 hours earlier with a gray Nissan. That $20 never went into the till, but his regional manager knew within 2 hours. The manager then has the option to order up a few video shops visits to that location. And, no, shoppers DO NOT get a bonus for discovering evidence of fraud.

Honny,
The valet attendants see thousands of customers a month (and hundreds a day) and many, many are ones who go there because they have appointments nearby regularly. They may wonder, but the reports are not seen by the attendants except in VERY rare cases. (If the area or location manager is in on the scheme, for instance. I have not had that happen but I know the the NYC area has had such a nasty development at least once.) And, we have rotation requirements.

It sometimes happens that and attendant say, "Oh, I remember you." I will reply something like, "It's so nice to have this garage so close to my (doctor, lawyer, therapist, adviser, professor's) office. Good to see you again." Also, in the DC Metro area there are so many political refugees who were professionals back in their home countries that we probably have the best, most highly educated and aware bunch of valet attendants in the world. And the best of those WILL remember a lot of their customers, even with a 2 month absence. The shoppers just need to develop their ways of rolling with it. And, I am sorry to say that some of the most blatant fraud incidents have been by attendants that I have shopped 20 or more times in the past 5 years. I HATE it when that happens because some of them have been especially nice on past occasions. (Blatant ticket fraud is sooo easy to spot that it is almost embarrassing.)

Finally, some hotel doormen and/or valets greet me as a returning visitor, but I have also deduced, from things they have said, that most have surmised what brings be back. (And it is not MS or prostitution, thank you !) At two locations they "know" that I am there to interview someone, and want to know which news service I work for. I am "'not at liberty," etc. Only in DC, NYC or LA would that work so smoothly. I did not have to introduce that idea; they decided that is what I do.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 11/02/2018 01:00PM by walesmaven.

Fine dining, displaying and admiring my retail items (especially shoes and boots) whether they be for me or one of my daughters. Making some pocket money so Starbucks latte prices seem less silly. I also appreciate feedback from the editors.

These are all great reasons to love mystery shopping! I concur with all

Double-dipping. It's nice to get paid to have a latte at Peet's while being paid to have my vehicle parked nearby. In a couple of days will get paid to eat at a Halal diner while being paid to park nearby. Later, a bank, while parked nearby. Oh, and there is the airport trick; while being paid to park there, I get paid to take the shuttle to the rental car place and back to the garage. These little logistical tricks are fun to plan and keep the brain limber, lol.

Many things keep me going in this industry, I didn't mention when (like yesterday) doing a restaurant I haven't been to, and really enjoying it...opens me up to yet another new food adventure. I will say in all honesty, I'm getting bored with the large chains, and wish they did more small restaurants like we have in the city.
Being one's own boss is the best, and working from home, give up, retire, to what??

Above all, I love the wide open spaces between farflung locations.

Don't fence me in.....I live a mile from wide open spaces, the 126 back road which has nothing but mountains, farmers, stands with fresh veggies/fruit is a pleasant change from the way my town is growing...nothing to do with shops until you get to Santa Barbara...of course congested makes for lots of shopping, so going there brings a bit of both and variety is the spice of life.