shopperpro

You’re scanning through a mystery shopping job board - say Jobslinger - and you see all of these interesting looking assignments, but which to choose? What does it mean when it says special expense limit? Here’s the breakdown:

Shopper’s fee - what you will earn for the job period. If you complete the assignment, complete it on time, and follow the instructions/guidelines this is what you will earn.

Shop expense/reimbursement - there is a purchase required for this assignment. The amount varies wildly with each assignment so pay attention to this. If your reimbursement is for 4 and you end up spending 6 you’ll get 4 back upon a successful completion of the assignment. If you end up spending 3 you’ll get back 3. This is not a way to pad your shopper fee by under spending your reimbursement. Also please pay attention to your purchase/order requirements. If you are supposed to get a large soda, get the large soda. Not following your purchase requirements can disqualify your shop and then you’ve just wasted your time, gas, and money for whatever it is you just bought.

Special expense/reimbursement - this can be for different things. A special expense might be a tip you are required to leave. If so, please pay attention to the standard. I have done dining assignments where it was stated in the instructions that I was required to specifically tip only 15% or 20% no matter how good/bad the service was. This can also be for a theater type shop. The main reimbursement will cover the admittance fee and the special reimbursement is for a required purchase at the snack bar or something else.

Bonus fee - this is in addition to the shopper’s pay. Shops usually don’t have bonuses tagged onto them until around the end of the month. Bonuses are usually offered for shops in out of the way places that scheduler’s have difficulty getting enough shoppers to cover, or an assignment that is VERY close to being due and the shopper assigned to it bailed out on for whatever reason. A word of caution here - bonused jobs will likely need to be done very quickly so do not take them if you don’t have time until next week. Also if you are going to accept a job, just accept the job. Don’t wait specifically until there is a bonus offered for it. Although legal, it does border on the shady and will not get you noticed in a good way.

One final note - I am seeing more fine dining assignments that are no longer reimbursed. Generally if you take an assignment at a restaurant you are reimbursed for your, and usually a guest’s, meal as well as a tip. Pay close attention to the assignment compensation here as I am seeing some of these assignments that are now reimbursed by only giving the shopper gift cards for the amounts to the establishments. While this is not such a horrible thing I know that I, personally, would just rather have the cash back. I am actually considering one in particular as it’s a lunch shop, and the guidelines state that you have to order an entree or an appetizer. Hmm…An appetizer would probably make my expenditure 13 or so including a drink and tip. The gift card reimbursement is for 40 so that’s a nice dent in an evening out. Just be aware - if it works for you - go for it! If not pass it by - there are plenty of other jobs out there.