I'm looking for a job for a close friend, and was wondering if anybody knew anything about Secret Shoppers. I saw it mentioned in the other thread and thought I'd ask you guys. I've seen places online where you can sign up, and heard about it on the radio where they actually give you money to go shop.

I remember from working for GAP, Inc. that we had secret shoppers sent all the time from GAP, Inc. and figured it'd be similar.

Anybody have feedback, ideas, comments, or concerns?

 

your intersted in a job that pays you to shop...

you are such a female...
lmao.gif


jk

Seems like a pretty kool job.. i say go for it.

 

I don't know if you'd call it a "job" I thought they just gave you enough cash for what you were purchasing, your payment is you get it for free.

I have some friends that do it and they get free meals once a month to places like applebees.

 

As a former waiter I could identify shoppers within a minute of greeting them. They were always the worst customers to have, and never left a decent tip, rarely over 10%, which sucks for a $50+ check when I'm getting paid $2.20 an hour and they're taking up a table. And they were the kind of people that normally wouldn't eat at an upscale restaurant, so they always took their time.

There would always be two at a table, each would get an appetizer, entree and a drink, and they would each make an unusual request, or return something. Steaks would get returned a lot, because they weren't done enough or were too done, even though they were always perfect and exactly what they ordered. Part of the shopper evaluation I presume. At that point I would just send the manager over and let him deal with it.

Enjoy your free food if you do it, but don't screw your waiter over.

 

the best paid secret shoppers I know of are liquor and alcohol secret shoppers.

Of course, you gotta be 21-25 and willing to travel to local city liquor stores (or if you are in Arizona you can just go to your local grocery store and buy your booze wink1.gif ).

They compansate, AND pay.

again, like I said in the other thread:

www.craigslist.com

 

it's for my girlfriend, who is currently disabled with a broken back along with several other health problems and unable to work a normal job. fing02.gif

I won't screw the waiter... I used to be one, and probably will be again soon.
Most seem to be for clothing stores, restaurants, or online. Some seem to focus on one particular area but include pretty much everything. Most seem to pay roughly ~$10/hr plus they give you money for purchases, and sometimes tell you exactly what to purchase (or order at restaurants).

 

did manage SecretShoppers... (BTW, notice, the abbreviation SS wink1.gif )

did it myself.

had it done to me.....

not worth the time imo...

 

10%? I don't follow those rules.

Way I look at it is, YOU took the job there waiting tables making less than MINIMUM wage. It's not my fault you count on tips. if you do extrodinarily well, I'll leave a tip of, let's say, 8 to 12%, if you do average, I'll go to the next 5 or 10 dollar amount.

Don't like it?

Aspire for a real job.

 

aggreed^^

 

Thanks so much for the pep talk Redz. I'll get right on that aspire bit as soon as I finish up my masters this Spring.

I'm not sure whose fault it is that waiters have to count on tips. Personally, I think minimum wage should be law for waiters just like other jobs, and the price of food can simply go up 18%. Then a tip could be an optional reward for good service like it should, and not a requirement. I worked my ass off as a waiter, it looks easy but it's a stressful job, and the fact is that some customers are cheap bastards and never tip, no matter how excellent the service is. Fortunately I worked at a restaurant where most people tipped 15-20%. It was good money, especially when a table ordered a few bottles of wine. But I got burned out after a year and quit.

Customers know waiters need tips to survive. It's expected of you in return for the service. Don't like it? Go to a buffet.