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Mystery Shopping: Picking Up the Orphans

Another way to make good money mystery shopping is by picking up the orphans. Orphans? Yep. Those are the shops at the end of the month that nobody has done. There are typically two reasons for this. Either someone was going to do it and they dropped it for one reason or another (such as an emergency, or because they’re a flake), or the shop is in an undesirable or remote location. The first is better for you, but it’s more often the second in my area. You’ll see the listed price for the job start to climb as it … Continue reading →

Mystery Shopping: Paying to Shop

The first rule of mystery shopping is Don’t Pay to Shop. But is that rule ever bent? I’ll pass on the fondue restaurant that reimburses you only about half your evening. “But you’re getting a great deal!” No thanks, I’d rather go to Restaurant.com, pay for a coupon, and enjoy the meal without worrying about a report. Paying part of a hotel stay doesn’t make any sense to me either. Using Priceline.com and BiddingForTravel.com together to get the best price will often net you the same price a certain mystery company charges you to stay there. And, again, you can … Continue reading →

Mystery Shopping: How to Get the Highest Pay

I did say that pay isn’t everything. I certainly didn’t mean that pay isn’t anything. Of course everyone wants to maximize their profits. How do you get the best bottom line? The number one way is to bundle shops. That means that you’re not going out for one or two, but for four or five. Shopping companies that let you self-assign are the easiest to do this with. You simply choose those in the same general geographic area. When you’re first starting out, this can be difficult though, especially if there’s a lot of competition in your area. Here is … Continue reading →

The Best Mystery Shopping Companies

So, you’ve read the Mystery Shopping Introduction and How to Get Started segments. You’ve signed up with the two recommended starters, read the materials, and successfully completed a number of shops. Congratulations! Now you’re ready to expand your business base by signing up with more companies. Everyone has their favorites, for various reasons, but these are companies that I personally would recommend. Fast-paying. Often in mystery shopping, you have to wait 45-60 days to be paid. For some people, that’s not an option, especially if you have laid out money up front. With these three companies, I have experienced unusually … Continue reading →

How to Get Started in Mystery Shopping

So, you’ve read the introduction and decided that yes, you’d like to try this! Great! There are a lot of different theories on how to get started, but I’ll tell you what’s worked for me. First, you have to understand that there are thousands of different companies that contract with businesses to mystery shop. They’re not linked; they’re competitors. That means that you have to be signed up with each individual company. Ugh. Filling out the forms and often submitting a short essay can be a huge chore! If you plan to do this full-time, you pretty well have to … Continue reading →

10 Reams of HP paper for only $7 shipped

Weren’t computers supposed to usher in a paperless age? Instead, I find myself with more paperwork than ever. Between printing out instructions and audit forms for mystery shopping, printing extra math problems for the children, and keeping hard copy records, we go through a decent amount of paper every month. That doesn’t even count what the kids are using for schoolwork, artwork, Elisha practicing his origami, or just doodling. I’m constantly picking up papers to toss, file, or send with DH to work. I wonder when, if ever, they’ll discover that Daddy’s special file at work for their drawings is … Continue reading →

$2 Off Quizno’s Subs When You Use Visa

I love the little perks that various credit cards offer. Last year, we got $50 off a two-night hotel stay – I was using Bonus Bucks, so the bill was only $90 anyway. $50 off made it an even better vacation! Every once in awhile, Travelocity will have a $75 off promotion for using your MasterCard. I’m waiting for it to hit this year, and I’ll definitely let you know. For now, this is a nice little coupon. When I’m out mystery shopping, it’s always great to stop in and get something hot, especially when we have the typical Washington … Continue reading →

Your Best Deal of the Year and How to Find This Year’s

What was your best deal from last year and where did you find it? Where do all these good deals come from? Anyone can find them. Of course, it’s probably a lot easier just to check the Deals Blog, but it’s a pretty satisfying feeling to find one yourself, too! I know that I have learned a lot visiting the Deals Forum here on Families.com. There are some pretty savvy savers over there! If you haven’t been there yet, it’s probably the first step. One way I find good deals is that I keep an eye open when I’m shopping. … Continue reading →