The downside of Mystery Shopping & other similar employment

Theater "open checks" are my favorite. For one thing, they pay well. The other reason is because you can watch a movie that you may have been wanting to see for free. I did several open checks close to Christmas time for Fred Claus. I saw that movie so many times that I could recite some lines even now. I can still tell you all about the movie, but I will save you the boring details. Even though LeCount and I have pretty busy schedules, I still try to fit in open checks when I can. When LeCount was working 3 days of 12 hour shifts, it was even easier to fit them in. Now, we can't do that many.
Anyway, the down side of this kind of work is the pay schedule. It is NEVER predictable, and you usually are wondering where your money is long before it makes it into your account. It, also, depends on the kind of work you have done. For example, with the open checks, since you have to mail in your original paperwork to New York, it takes even longer to get paid. They usually pay somewhere between 4 to 6 weeks after you have done the work. On open checks, the counting doesn't start until they receive and process the original paperwork. We did 3 open checks the weekend of 7/11/08 & 7/12/08. I have been waiting for that money to hit, and so far there is NOTHING. I called them today, and they said to give it at least another week before I check on my payment. Good grief!!! We, also, did a check on the 25th of that same month, so I guess I won't be seeing that payment for at least 3 weeks from now. LeCount did a small check last weekend, so that means we may get that money before Christmas!! LOL!!!
It's really not funny. I am grateful to have the opportunity to do those kinds of jobs and bring money into the house, but I would like to see the money REALLY soon. If any of you have seen my money floating around, let me know!!