If you’ve been following Aunt B’s Corner, you already know I’m always looking for realistic ways to make a little extra money. This weekend, I’ve got a few assignments lined up that are a little different from the typical mystery shops I usually talk about.

I’ll be heading into department stores to complete merchandising assignments through Customer Impact — for $150 each.

And yes, that’s a flat $150 per assignment, whether it takes me one hour or four.

What Will I Actually Be Doing?

These aren’t your typical mystery shops where you walk into a business, make a purchase, observe the customer service and fill out a report afterward.

For these assignments, I’ll actually be working in the men’s department doing merchandising tasks.

I’ll be doing things like organizing belts and wallets, straightening merchandise and making sure the correct winter signage is displayed.

The assignment requires me to spend at least one hour in the store, but I’m allowed up to four hours to complete everything.

Here’s the part I like:

The pay is $150 regardless of how long it takes.

If I get everything completed correctly in an hour, I’m done — and I still make $150.

If it takes two or three hours, I still make $150.

And if I need the entire four-hour window, the pay is still $150.

Obviously, Aunt B will be trying very hard not to turn organizing belts into a four-hour event. 😂

So What Does That Work Out to Per Hour?

Since the $150 payment is flat, how long the assignment takes makes a pretty big difference.

If I finish in:

• 1 hour: $150/hour
• 2 hours: $75/hour
• 3 hours: $50/hour
• 4 hours: $37.50/hour

That’s before considering drive time and gas, of course.

That’s something I always look at before accepting an assignment. A shop that pays really well might not be nearly as attractive if I’m driving an hour each way to get there.

Mystery Shopping Isn’t Always “Shopping”

This is actually a great example of something I wish more people knew when they’re first getting into mystery shopping and similar side-hustle work.

There are so many different types of assignments available.

Some involve restaurants. Some involve retail stores. Some have you evaluating customer service, taking photos or verifying information. Others, like these, involve actual merchandising work.

That’s one reason I like trying different companies and assignments. It’s not always the same thing over and over again.

And honestly, I’ll take organizing some belts and wallets for $150. 😂

Is It Really Worth $150?

That’s what I’m going to find out.

On paper, I think it sounds pretty darn good.

Even if I need the entire four hours, that works out to $37.50 an hour before travel expenses.

But I’m especially curious about how long the work will actually take.

Can I realistically get everything done in an hour or two?

Are the instructions easy to follow?

Is everything I need actually there when I arrive?

And most importantly…

Would I sign up to do another one?

Because that’s the information you don’t get just from looking at an assignment posting.

I’ll Report Back After the Weekend

I have a few of these assignments lined up, so I’m going to keep track of how long each one actually takes me.

Then I’ll come back and tell you the good, the bad and the “why am I still organizing wallets?” if there is any. 😂

I’ll share how long I actually spent in the stores, what I thought about the work and whether I think the $150 pay was worth it.

That’s really what I want Aunt B’s Corner to be about.

Not just lists of side hustles that supposedly make money.

I want to share the things I’m actually doing, what they really pay, what the work is actually like and whether I’d personally do them again.

So… wish Aunt B luck this weekend.

Hopefully I’ll be back with a very good $150-for-one-hour story to tell. 😂

❤️
Aunt B