Can I really make money as a mystery shopper?

Dave, I get e-mails about sites promising to get me mystery shopper jobs if I pay them a fee. I love the idea of getting paid to shop, but I don't want to get scammed. Is mystery shopping for real, and should I pay to join one of these sites?

Dave's Answer:

According to Cathy Stucker, author of the quite interesting Mystery Shopper's Manual, mystery shopping is a legitimate way to earn extra income. But you do not have to pay anyone to apply for mystery shopper jobs.

Here's what she told me when I forwarded this question along:

Mystery shoppers are "undercover customers." They are sent to stores, restaurants, banks and many other kinds of businesses to report on the customer experience. Businesses use this information to identify training needs, reward good employees, and even to determine raises and bonuses. As a mystery shopper, you typically work for mystery shopping companies that have been hired by businesses to evaluate their service.

Mystery shopping companies do not charge you to apply. Some people are willing to pay for sites that list available assignments, but you can get free mystery shopper job information directly from the mystery shopping companies that will hire you. The assignments you see listed on the pay sites are often the shops that companies couldn't fill with the shoppers already in their data bases, so they may be low-paying or in remote areas. That means that the job information you get from the mystery shopping companies for free is often better than what you get when you pay a site claiming they will get you mystery shopper jobs.

The best way to get mystery shopper jobs is to apply to several mystery shopping companies. Make your applications complete and professional. For example, DO NOT USE ALL CAPS. You will start getting notices of available assignments. Apply to as many companies as possible to get more opportunities. There is a quick start plan and a list of more than 100 legitimate, free mystery shopping sites in The Mystery Shopper's Manual.

Mystery shopping is not a full-time job for most shoppers. Many people rely on mystery shopping to provide extra income to supplement a salary or retirement income. The most desirable (and highest-paying) assignments go to shoppers who can be counted on to do their shops on time, completely and correctly. Although your first assignments may be for fast food restaurants or similar establishments, when you do a good job you become eligible for more and better mystery shops.

Thanks for debunking some of the mystery shopping scams out there, Cathy, and I do have to say that her book is a really good - and surprisingly inexpensive - resource for people interested in learning more about this space...

Additional resources for people interested in mystery shopping:

Mystery Shopping with Bestmark.com

Categorized: Auctions and Online Shopping (Article 6563, Written by Dave Taylor)
Tagged: customer experience, market research, mystery shopping
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Comments

Dear Dave,
I am a student who knits. I read lots of the knitting blogs that are out there and I would like to have something like that. So I have been thinking of getting a domain name. Kind of like a place to call home. I looked at Domain.com. Do you think the smallest plan would be good for me? Will they let you upgrade if you fill it up? How many pictures would it take to fill up all the space? It would be fun to get it decorated over time, have lots of pics, a family area and eventually down the line, offer something for sale. I dont like ads at all so blogger sites are not for me. What do you think I should do?
smiles,
pink

Posted by: pink at September 20, 2006 1:05 PM

I have been a mystery shopper for over one year and I love it. Sadly, the industry has some scams that prey upon people. Read, be informed!

Posted by: Miguel R. at December 15, 2006 7:38 PM

Hello Dave! I offer tow free resources for mystery shopping.
1) my Shopper database at www.privateeyesonline.net and
2) my advocacy forum at www.msfreedom.org

Please mention for the sake of others when you have time. :)

Posted by: L Sampson at May 26, 2008 9:20 PM

i would love to get more money for my family>

Posted by: jessica mowery at December 12, 2008 1:39 PM

I have to agree with you Miguel R., the industry scams are becoming a major turn off. I've been mystery shopping for a little while now, and always make sure to research any potential mystery shopping company before giving out my personal info. It would be nice to see more articles like this one out there.

Posted by: Asha Kamau at January 8, 2009 10:29 PM

Great article. It's nice to know that I don't have to use pay sites for shopping assignments, and can go directly to the mystery shopping companies' websites. I am new to this, and will probably get the mystery shoppers manual.

Posted by: andrew at January 15, 2009 7:43 PM

I would like to know some sites that are legit. I am new to the mystery shopping and i need to know how to get started. I have a part time job but i would love to make some more money. I have looked at some sites but they all want money. I need ones that are free and real

Posted by: Jennifer at June 8, 2009 4:23 PM

Great Q&A Dave as many people are interested in getting into secret shopping. Your post will help them out with that.

Posted by: Kat at December 12, 2010 10:44 AM

I JUST RECEIVED TWO POSTAL MONEY ORDER FOR $925.00
THAT ARRIVED FROM UPS THIS MORNING. BY LOOKING AT IT OF COURSE IT LOOKED LEGIT TO ME. WITH THE AMOUNT SENT I'M THINKING THEY WANT ME TO LOOK AT CAR DEALERSHIP AS A MYSTERY SHOPPER. LOW AND BEHOLD I DIDN'T GET THAT FAR, I TOOK THE MONEY ORDER TO THE POSTAL SERVICE RIGHT AWAY SHE INFORMED ME IT WAS COUNTERFEIT. I STOOD WAITING FOR THE POLICE OR SOMEONE TO INFORM ME WHAT TO DO NEXT. THE MAIL CLERK JUST GAVE ME A COPY OF THE MONEY ORDER AND THAT WAS IT. I'M JUST GLAD I DIDN'T PLACE THESE MONEY ORDERS INTO MY ACCOUNT.

Posted by: ANN at January 28, 2011 10:20 AM

I'm really interested in becoming a mystery shopper but I have no clue where to go to apply. There are just so many places that trick you and I don't want to make a mistake does anyone know any place I can go to get the real thing?

Posted by: Jenni at June 30, 2011 1:04 PM

I have something to say, now that you mention it, but ...

I do have a lot to say, and questions of my own for that matter, but first I'd like to say thank you for all your efforts on this Web site by buying you a cup of coffee!

I do have a comment, now that you mention it!