Step1
Step 1: Get hired
As a mystery shopper, you are an independent contractor. This means that you will not get benefits, you are not covered by the company in any way, and you are not “EMPLOYED” by the company. You are free to shop for multiple mystery shopping services.
The best way to get shops is to register with databases online. Go to www.mysteryshop.org for a list of LEGIT mystery shopping companies. You will never be asked to pay anything to do shops! You may be fined if you turn in incomplete work or no longer used if you miss a shop completely, but you will never have to pay to see lists of shops.
Most of these sites will ask for a profile: Home address, Social security (for tax purposes), and phone number; they’ll also ask for personal information like your age, your location, and how many (if any) children you have. Some shops are specific and require children present or require that the shopper be of a certain age.
Step2
Step 2: DO the shop
There are many important steps to take when doing a mystery shop:
Take detailed notes- DISCREETLY! Sometimes, it’s better to call your cell phone and leave a message. Never take notes in a place where you are visible (either to an employee or “the eye in the sky”- the cameras!)
Remember, YOU are the eyes of the client. Obviously, if they’re on site, everyone is doing their jobs to their fullest abilities. But what they want to know is what is happening when they’re not around.
Notice details of the employees you interact with- whether they are wearing a nametag or not, your description should be detailed enough that the supervisor will know who you are talking about (get height, race, sex, hair color and cut, how they’re dressed, and approximate height and build.)
Take notice of the physical surroundings- is there any trash on the ground? If you’re at a restaurant are the tables clean? What about the bathrooms? Are store changing rooms straight? Are the lights functioning properly?
Take note of other customers in the store- how many are there? Are they happy, do they seem upset?
And of course, take note of the staff and any interactions that occur.
Different shops will have different requirements for you to fulfill. They may ask you to make a purchase, have an interaction with a specific person, or present some sort of problem the employee has to overcome. Regardless, always read the instructions CAREFULLY and ask questions BEFORE YOU SHOP!
Step3
Step 3: Write thorough reports.
While most questions ask for a rating from 0-5, they almost always provide lines for an explanation- USE THOSE LINES!
Don’t be biased and never compare this shop to another shop- whether it was a different day, a different location, or a different store altogether. That’s irrelevant. Stay focused on THIS particular shop as though you’ve never been to the shop before and you have no prior knowledge.
Spell check your reports and look for grammatical errors, many companies will fine you for too many errors.
Mystery shoppers get paid or compensated in merchandise for their efforts!
Authority 
