Shopper Pay Policy
Know exactly when and how you'll be paid: PayPal, twice a month, on a clear schedule.
All The Info You Need About Shopper Payments
Reading How A Shop Pays
Shops are posted in one of three different ways:
- Compensation Only: This will show a dollar value amount ('shop fee' or 'payment') for the completed and accepted survey in the posted currency.
- Reimbursement Only: This will be posted with a $0.00 'shop fee' or 'compensation' but will have an amount listed for the maximum reimbursement for the goods or services purchased to complete the shop in exchange for the completed and accepted survey.
- Compensation and Reimbursement: This includes compensation and reimbursement amounts as explained above.
Reading Your Pay Statement
Our pay statements are generated and posted to your profile on the 1st and the 16th of each month. The pay period is based on the date your report is submitted and approved:
| Report submitted and approved | Pay statement posted | Paid on |
|---|---|---|
| 1st to 15th | 16th of the same month | Last day of the same month |
| 16th to end of month | 1st of the next month | 15th of the next month |
If a payment date falls on a weekend or holiday, payment is sent on the next business day.
Examples: A report submitted and approved on May 4th appears on your May 16th pay statement and is paid on May 31st. A report submitted and approved on April 24th appears on your May 1st pay statement and is paid on May 15th.
Pay Policy
Shoppers will be compensated for the posted survey 'fee' and/or the posted 'reimbursement rate' via PayPal after report submission and client approval, following the schedule above. We only send payments through PayPal.
Please note the currency of the payment/reimbursements listed before completing and accepting the assignment.
We will always attempt to reach out to shoppers to correct deficient reports and bring them up to standard for acceptance whenever possible. You will be notified of any potential issues as soon as possible. However, reports cannot be accepted or compensated if they:
- do not have the required supporting documentation
- did not follow instructions (including targets or timeframes)
- are not updated in the noted time frame
- are rejected for lack of, or conflicting, details
- include written content or images that were created, edited, altered or redacted using generative AI
- are rejected by the client
Using generative AI to write report content or to create, edit, alter or redact images, or falsifying any information in a report, is grounds for rejection of the mission and removal from the Shoppers Confidential portal.
Please ensure to follow all instructions and notes in the survey for details and necessary information. The client may also confirm the reported details using their CCTV footage. Conflicting or unsupported details will result in a rejection of your report.
It is the shopper's responsibility to ensure that the PayPal account on file is correct. Payments are issued in bulk and cannot be updated or edited after issuance. Funds can only be sent to Canadian and American accounts (in CAD and USD denominations, respectively). The shopper's PayPal account must accept personal payments. Issues with PayPal and its platform need to be discussed directly with PayPal, as we do not control your account.
Shoppers with an issue or concern with their payment have 60 days from the pay statement date to report it to Shoppers Confidential for investigation or adjustment. Claim issues brought forward beyond the 60 days may not be considered.
Reminder: Shoppers should only have one survey version (either on the website or the app) open at a time. We are not responsible for surveys/reports/attachments that are 'lost' or deleted due to a shopper's technical issue.
Taxes and Tax Forms
All Independent Contractors must keep records of their income and expenses and report their tax information as required by law. If you have questions about this process, contact a local tax professional for assistance.
All Independent Contractors who earn more than $500 CAD in a calendar year will be issued a T4A. You must ensure that the information in your profile is accurate and up to date to create the T4A. If we reach out to you to confirm or update your details and you do not reply or make the required updates, we will still process your T4A and may revoke your privilege to be a registered IC with us. Shoppers in the USA will receive tax documents from PayPal.