Shop This!

The ad:

"This is a Mystery Shopper assignment for a national trade publication that covers the children’s clothing industry. It is a one-time, unpaid assignment. It would require you to take your kids shopping to a variety of stores in or around your town and write about the shopping experience. The story should be about 2,400, including a little intro about your town and the shopping area you’ve picked. While there is a solid format for the story, there is room to let your writing style show as well as reveal a peek at your family’s personality. You will have ~3 weeks to complete the assignment."

Big brass ones. This is another unpaid gig. Now I ask you, why would I go shopping, with kids no less, to write a 2,400 word piece for free? Pay should be doubled when the words "kids" and "shopping" are included in the job description.

What really bothers me is how this person doesn’t even consider the writer. How will the benefit me or my career? What do I get from it? Why should I write for you?