How to Negotiate Higher
Mystery Shopping Fees
Learning how to negotiate higher mystery shopping fees can make a difference in how much money you earn. Not every assignment pays enough to justify the time and effort involved.
When I started mystery shopping, I generally accepted the advertised fees. As I gained experience, I discovered that some assignments offered opportunities to negotiate additional compensation.
That doesn't mean you should negotiate every assignment. Sometimes the payment is reasonable. Other times, the travel distance, reporting requirements, or difficulty finding a shopper may justify asking for more money.
The trick is knowing when to ask and how to approach the scheduler.
Want more help getting started? My book, Take That Job And Mystery Shop It!, walks you through finding assignments, completing shops, writing reports, and avoiding many of the mistakes new shoppers make.
Why Mystery Shopping Fees Are Sometimes Negotiable
Mystery shopping companies work with clients who need assignments completed within specific deadlines.
Some locations are easy to fill. Others are more difficult because they're in remote areas, require specialized equipment, or involve lengthy reports.
Schedulers sometimes have flexibility to offer bonuses when assignments remain unfilled.
For example, a company might advertise a $20 assignment for several weeks without finding someone willing to complete it. As the deadline approaches, the scheduler may become more interested in offering additional compensation.
However, not every scheduler has the authority or budget to increase a fee.
It doesn't hurt to ask politely, provided you're prepared to accept the answer.
How I Negotiated a Higher Mystery Shopping Travel Bonus
I remember receiving a telephone call from a mystery shopping company I had worked with many times. They needed a favor.
They wanted me to travel 58 miles to complete an audit that required taking photographs.
The scheduler offered an additional travel bonus, but I didn't think it was enough to justify the trip. After all, I would be driving 116 miles round trip, not including the time spent completing the assignment.
Instead of immediately turning down the job, I asked whether they could increase the travel bonus.
We went back and forth discussing the payment. Eventually, the scheduler offered another assignment along the same route and added more money to the travel bonus.
That made the trip much more worthwhile.
I learned that you can often work with schedulers, especially when you've established a reputation for being dependable.
However, schedulers have their limits, too. They may have a fixed budget or need approval before offering additional money.
The important thing is to be reasonable. Explain why you're requesting more money and give the scheduler an opportunity to work something out.
Sometimes they can increase the fee. Other times, they might offer additional assignments that make the trip more profitable.
And sometimes, the answer is simply no.
That's when you decide whether the assignment is worth accepting.
How to Ask a Scheduler for More Money
Negotiating doesn't have to be uncomfortable.
Remember that schedulers are trying to complete assignments for their clients. If you're a dependable shopper who can help them meet a deadline, you may have something valuable to offer.
Keep your request professional and reasonable.
Here's an example of what you might write:
Hello, I'm interested in completing the assignment. However, the location requires considerable travel, and the current fee doesn't quite cover my time and expenses. Would you be able to increase the payment to $40? I can complete the assignment by your deadline. Thank you for considering my request.
Notice that the message doesn't demand additional money or criticize the company.
It explains the situation, requests a specific amount, and offers something in return.
Be realistic. Asking $100 for a simple $15 telephone assignment probably won't get you very far.
Build Relationships With Mystery Shopping Schedulers
One advantage of becoming an experienced mystery shopper is developing relationships with schedulers.
If you consistently submit accurate reports, follow instructions, and meet deadlines, schedulers may become more comfortable assigning work to you.
My experience with the 58-mile audit is a good example. The company contacted me because we already had a working relationship.
Being dependable doesn't guarantee higher payments, but it may give you more opportunities to negotiate when schedulers need help.
Respond promptly to messages, communicate problems early, and never promise to complete an assignment you can't finish.
Your reputation is important in this business.
Grouping Assignments Can Increase Your Earnings
Sometimes you can improve your earnings without negotiating a higher fee.
Suppose you find three assignments in the same part of town.
Instead of making three separate trips, you might complete all three during one outing, provided their instructions and scheduling requirements allow it.
That saves time and reduces travel expenses.
You can also ask a scheduler whether additional assignments are available along your route.
That's exactly what happened with my audit assignment. The additional job and increased travel bonus made the trip more attractive.
Just don't accept more assignments than you can reasonably complete.
Know When to Turn Down an Assignment
Sometimes the smartest negotiation is simply declining the job.
If a scheduler can't increase the fee, thank them for considering your request.
There's no reason to become upset or argumentative.
Before accepting an assignment, consider the travel distance, required purchases, number of photographs, report length, and total time involved.
Never assume a bonus has been approved. Get the revised payment confirmed in writing before completing the assignment.
Better Fees Come with Better Decisions
Learning how to negotiate higher mystery shopping fees takes experience, patience, and good judgment.
You won't receive every increase you request. Some assignments have fixed budgets, and other shoppers may accept the advertised fee.
That's part of the business.
But understanding what your time is worth can help you avoid assignments that aren't profitable.
Mystery shopping should provide an opportunity to earn additional income, not leave you wondering why you spent several hours working for so little money.
The bottom line: Be professional, build relationships, understand the assignment requirements, and don't be afraid to ask for reasonable compensation.
Sometimes a few extra dollars—or another assignment along your route—can turn a job you would normally decline into one worth accepting.
About the Author
I'm Mystery Don (Donald J. Servais, Jr.), and I've completed mystery shopping assignments for restaurants, hotels, apartment communities, automobile dealerships, new-home builders, and other businesses.
I created MystShopper.com to share what I've learned from my own experiences, help new shoppers avoid common mistakes, and explain how legitimate mystery shopping really works.
I'm also the author of Take That Job And Mystery Shop It!, which includes beginner-friendly advice, real-world mystery shopping experiences, and a directory of more than 150 mystery shopping companies.
Drawing on my 45-year career in television, I've also written 7 Keys to Success in a Changing Television Industry, a guide for people interested in building a career in television and video.
My goal is simple: honest guidance without the hype.
We're always looking for new faces to visit different places.
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