Mystery Shopping for Fun and Profit (Guest Post)

by Cathy Stucker, author of The Mystery Shopper’s Manual

Mystery shopping is not all fun and games, but it is a flexible and enjoyable way to make extra money and get “free” stuff.

Although mystery shopping is work, it has definite advantages over a regular job. Because most mystery shoppers are independent contractors, they choose the assignments they are willing to do and work the hours they choose.

The variety of mystery shopping assignments available means there are jobs that will appeal to anyone. Just about any type of business may be mystery shopped—everything from stores and restaurants to banks and apartments, florists, casinos, hair salons, movie theaters, car dealers, and even doctors and hospitals.

Many people think of mystery shopping as a way of getting paid for your opinions, but these “undercover customers” are more like reporters. They provide answers to a series of objective questions about what the shopper’s experience was during a visit. Questions might include things such as: Were you greeted within 30 seconds? Did the salesperson tell you about the extended warranty? Did the cashier say thank you? Were you given a receipt?

In addition to answering a series of “yes” or “no” questions, the mystery shopper is usually asked to write a few comments or a brief narrative about the visit, giving additional information. For example, if the answer was no, the rest room was not clean, the client will want to know what was wrong.

Although the specifics of what happens on a secret shopping assignment will vary from one job to the next, the basic premise is the same: Mystery shoppers are the eyes and ears of the business owner, making sure that the standards established by the business are maintained at each location.

There are some shops that pay fees of $50, $100 or more, but most fees will be $5 – $20 or so. However, mystery shops requiring a purchase usually include a reimbursement, and the reimbursements can add up quickly. I have been reimbursed for everything from fast food to dry cleaning, salon services, an oil change for my car, cell phones, eyeglasses, groceries, expensive dinners at fine restaurants and much more. Reimbursements and discounts may range from a low of $10 or so to hundreds of dollars or, in some cases, thousands.

If you would like to be a mystery shopper, getting started is simple. Just apply to several legitimate companies and watch for assignments in your area. It can take a little time to get your first jobs, but once you have proven yourself to be reliable, you will see more and better opportunities come your way.

There are scams to watch out for, though. First, never pay to sign up as a mystery shopper. Legitimate companies will not charge you. And never cash a check or money order and wire money to someone you do not know. This is always a scam and mystery shopping companies will not ask you to do this.

You can learn more about becoming a mystery shopper and access a free list of nearly 200 legitimate mystery shopping companies at Cathy Stucker’s blog, http://MysteryShoppersManual.com/. Cathy has been a mystery shopper since 1995, she is the author of The Mystery Shopper’s Manual, and she has personally trained more than 10,000 mystery shoppers. You can make money as a professional mystery shopper, and Cathy can help!