Steve, it's great you had money to invest and you did well in the stock market. You and I are elderly and financially independent, but there are lots of shoppers who are not at that point. Most of us who shop are probably not financially secure and we see things from a different perspective. The perspective of a single mother with hungry young children who need diapers and shoes is entirely different from the perspective of an older person who doesn't need money. What looks like a nothing job fee to you is a big box of cereal and a gallon or two of milk for the kids. There are a lot of those involved in mystery shopping who are living on the edge, and I don't think it's appropriate to criticize people for doing what they have to do to get by. It is impossible to refrain from shopping and as a result cause fees to rise because there is always someone who really needs that low paying shop. Let's please not beat up on our fellow shoppers for doing what they need to do to provide for their families. Instead, let's provide encouragement and assistance and hope they can develop their skills and increase their incomes.

Well said Mary.

Exactly, bob! It's all a matter of working smarter, not harder. Lay it out there to these companies, what you need to stay in business. Be clear with them about what your expenses are and why you're asking for what you're asking for and if you can't reach an agreement (negotiation is a great tool to have), then you both move on. The company to find someone who won't do the job so they have to put it back on the board three times before they find someone who can eventually cover it, and you on to other jobs that make sure your business continues to grow.

I am really adamantly cemented to the all-for-one fence. Honestly, like you said, bob. These companies can only do what the market will bear. If we stop "bearing" fees that decrees, proof of purchases that don't pay, shops fees that are a pittance, then there's no one to do the much, much needed work. Negotiation, as I said earlier, becomes all the more necessary (and powerful). But it won't change until enough people to make a difference stand together and make it...


shopperbob Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> It's all about the supply and demand of capitalism
> and I wouldn't have it any other way; I was
> especially drawn to Tech's ingenuity. Rather than
> to bemoan the situation, he improvised and has
> profited. This is why so many non-MSCs start a
> division for shopping. They know there are people
> willing to toil for a pittance, which leaves a
> voluminous profit for them. In addition, they also
> know some folks are will wait several months for
> their meager pay. This is in no manner critical of
> the MSCs, as they're simply taking advantage, as
> they should, of shopper's actions. The situation
> will NEVER change unless/until shoppers understand
> that THIS IS BUSINESS! STOP agreeing to work that
> is grossly under paid because a scheduler begs,
> and/or promises to "remember you in the future."
>
> Since I became, what the owner of one video MSC
> refers to as a "cherry picker," my fees are up and
> my work load is down, but I rarely receive a call
> from schedulers; they must know it's a waste of
> their time. Although I don't actually KNOW this,
> I'm guessing that some MSCs have new schedulers
> compile a "sucker" list to use when the need
> exists.
>
> Just a quick story: In 2007, a man, who was known
> to me, sought my advice concerning a business
> decision. While we were chatting, he shared he had
> made $1000 that morning. I decided to query him as
> to how he had accomplished that feat. He mentioned
> having sold an amount of precious metals, but
> acknowledged his profit was only 10%, which, of
> course, reduced his "made" to $100. After further
> discussion, we factored his gas and rent to move
> the profit to below $60. Finally, since his
> net:gross ratio was so low, it was necessary to
> consider what his inventory investment might have
> earned in another instrument. We finally agreed he
> had earned approx. $42 that morning, after which
> he passed on hearing my advice, and, although
> remaining pleasant toward me, never again sought
> my council.
>
> It's your time, expenses and efforts. You can work
> hard or smart.

Sorry. Ha ving walked in those shoes for many years I also can understand however this business will continue as long as people take those shops. Today $6 the next day $5 the next day $4 and the next day $3.
At that price it doesn't even pay to take the car pout of the driveway.
My rant is for the good of us all..........Even for those in dire straights.

Been there and didn't like it either but even if they don't realize what the results are they still deserve to know the results of their actions as it will have a negative affect in the long term for them.

Steve

jwolpert Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> As others have mentioned this is free market
> capitalism at work(i.e. supply and demand). That
> being said: I understand that everyone's situation
> is different. I am also retired and do not need my
> shoppers income to live on. It just provides some
> extra money and gives me something to do. For that
> reason I can afford to be picky regarding the jobs
> that I take. However, for some people a bunch of
> $5 shops will add up to something substantial that
> would help them support their family better.
> Although I wish that shoppers would not take the
> lower paying jobs I understand why they might feel
> they have to. As the old saying goes: Don't judge
> anyone until you have walked a mile in their
> shoes.

But you are all forgetting that if we stick together, remember those great "grocery" store jobs Irene, that everyone started bidding for until the shops paid nothing? I know that I personally did not take any of them, and I am pretty sure that many of you did the same. And, voila, the small fee to begin with, returned. I write this again knowing that everyone needs to do what they have to, to get by, but, it really irks me that those high end mall shops are back on the boards with the same cheap company, and are all snapped up again this time for less then 50 percent off the pay. It is simple, everyone can make more money, if you are sensible about the jobs that we all know, are less money because either the company underbid the company that previously had them, OR, they are keeping the money. I have walked a mile (thousands) in so many of your shoes, and I am not criticizing or judging. It's just a fact, it's what it is, and while some are low paying because of the economy some are low paying because we are not thinking clearly and are acting desperate.

I agree, Disneygirl.

I know I'm not in the majority that actually _needs_ this job as my only means of support, for us it's a supplement to my husband's income, but I also think that if we stick together and respectfully demand what is viable to help us sustain or grow our businesses, that that can only help those single mothers looking to feed, clothe, and shelter their children. It's a matter of working one shop at $10 that takes an hour to complete or working two shops at $5/each that takes three hours to complete.

We gotta work smarter, not harder. (I'm telling you-- I'm branding this! =DDD)