How to Make Money as a Mystery Shopper

Mystery Shoppers enjoy free food, goods and services and get paid. Have you ever wondered how you could make money as a Mystery Shopper? Here are step by step directions.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Internet
• Transportation
• Attention to detail
• Notebook/Calender
• Digital camera may be helpful or required

1. 

   Join free Mystery Shoppers forums to network with other Mystery shoppers, get job leads, hints and tips. Two to check out: www.mysteryshop.org/shoppers/forum and http://forum.volition.com/.

2. Research different Mystery Shopping companies. Two excellent sources of legitimate Mystery shopping companies are www.volition.com/mysteryUSA1.html and mysteryshop.org.

3. 

   Mystery shoppers may evaluate meals, movie theaters, restaurants, hotels, bars, golf courses etc. Mystery shopping companies have different specialities. One may do only apartment shops, another may do retail stores. Some do a variety of shops. Get a feel for the types of shops you want to do and see which companies offer those types of shops.

4. 

   Apply to several companies to keep your options open. When you apply, you may be asked to describe a recent shopping or restaurant experience you had. The company will be evaluating basic skills such as how clearly you write, and how well you read and follow directions. They may also ask questions about you. This is to see if you qualify for certain shops. For example, if a shop is for a maternity clothing store, they will want a female shopper in a certain age range.

5. 
   80% of fast food chains are evaluated by a Mystery Shopper monthly.

   Once accepted into a program, you will be offered Mystery Shops with no obligation unless you accept the shop. Some shops will offer free merchandise and services such as a free meal at a fast food restaurant. Others will offer compensation only and some a combination of both. Evaluate carefully if the shop is worth your time and gas money. If purchases are made, in most cases, you will be expected to pay up front and be reimbursed upon completion of the shop. Many times you will have to purchase and then return the items.

6. Under no circumstances should you pay for someone to provide you with a Mystery shopping job. However, if you start Secret shopping and want to learn more and possibly qualify for more shops then you may want to become certified by MSPA (Mystery Shoppers Providers Association) which has a fee. Silver certification by MSPA currently costs $15.00 and Gold $99.00.

7. * There are hundreds of thousands of shoppers registered in Mystery Shopper databases. To get jobs, check your email and Mystery shoppper job boards frequently.

8. 

   * Want to get started right away? Check out the Mystery shopper job leads at www.jobslinger.com/js/exec/sfs/jobboard. Type in your zip and get ready to Mystery shop!

Tips & Warnings

• According to the MSPA (Mystery Shoppers Providers Association, Mystery Shopping goes by a lot of names: Secret Shopping, Spotters, Anonymous Audits, Mystery Customers, Virtual Customers, Employee Evaluations, Telephone Checks and Performance Audits.
• Mystery shopping rarely offers benefits or full time employment.
• A digital camera is helpful and required for some shops.
• Some of the most sought after shops, ie spa visits, resort vacations etc. require hours of paperwork. If you are after a free vacation keep in mind this is a job and your relaxing trip will likely not be very relaxing it will be work.
• If you are paid by a meal and you run over the allotted amount, you will have to pay the rest yourself. Ask yourself if it is worth it, before accepting the job.

Resources

• Mystery Shopper's Manual
• How to Become a Mystery Shopper, The Only Book You'll Ever Need
• Will Work from Home: Earn the Cash--Without the Commute
• 101 Businesses You Can Start With Less Than One Thousand Dollars: For Stay-at-Home Moms & Dads
• My Lil Gold Dress (Earn at Home)

[chocolate00]

on 2/13/2009 Interesting info, I think I might look into doing mystery shopping:)

[chocolate00]

on 2/13/2009 Interesting info, I think I might look into doing mystery shopping:)

[NightowlMama]

on 1/12/2009 i didn't know about that company thanks for the tips

[lildutchgirl56]

on 10/1/2008 Thank you for your article;I was wondering how these work.

[rumblebug]

on 9/30/2008 Mystery Shopping has always been a mystery to me! I'm glad there are legitimate services and employers out there...thank you for the sources and information.