Mystery Shopping 101
Q & A
Is Mystery Shopping real?
Yes it is.
Do you really get paid to shop doing mystery shopping?
Yes you do and it’s fun! You need good computer skills because most shops require an online report after the shop is completed.
Are all Mystery Shopping companies real? No. Rule #1 -Never pay a company to sign up to shop for them. Signing up should be free. This will separate the real companies from the fraudulent ones.
What kind of mystery shops have you done? For privacy reasons, I can’t tell you which company shops what store. But I can tell you that I have shopped for Starbucks, Sonic, Williams Sonoma, hotels, resorts, grocery shops, kids haircuts, oil changes and more.
Here is a shopper who has started a blog on mystery shopping. It’s pretty helpful.
I highly recommend that you buy the book Mystery Shopping Made Simple by Dr. Newhouse.
While you wait for the book to arrive, go to the MSPA website and start signing up for companies to work for.
After you read your book and try a shop you can choose to get certified. (However it is not required to shop.) There is a silver and gold level certification. The silver certification is an online exam and costs about $15. (Only take it with the MSPA.) The gold certification is a weekend course. It is through the MSPA as well. Certification can help you get better shops if the mystery shopping company requires a higher certification.
23 Feb 08
the website is for companies to siign up -not individuals.
23 Feb 08
Hi Arleen! The MSPA is for both shoppers (individuals) and companies. It represents both.
Here is how to find companies on the site.
Go to North America. Go to Shoppers. There are some companies that have paid to put an ad on the left in the grey text boxes. You can sign up for those. Go to Member Companies. These companies are members of the MSPA meaning they are legit. You can click on some of their web sites and sign up for as many as you want!
Hope this helps!
24 Feb 08
Thanks for the info.
24 Feb 08
i’ll try it -thanks for the information
25 Feb 08
Cool! I have my first “shop” on Wednesday. I’m excited!! Even more so than a little extra cash… it’s kinda fun to be sneaky.
25 Feb 08
Hey Windy! That’s awesome! Can’t wait to hear how it goes!
25 Feb 08
I have done some secret/mystery shopping and have enjoyed doing so.
25 Feb 08
A few questions for you: If you don’t live in the metroplex, is it still possible to do well with secret shopping? We have a mall close by, but just not the huge department stores and such. We just don’t have access to everything like the metroplex does.
Also, how does it work as far as, do I have to buy something with my own money and then turn in a receipt to get reimbursed later along with a paycheck for the shop? Have you ever had to buy a large ticket item?
25 Feb 08
What is the typical pay for mystery shopping?
25 Feb 08
Hey Melody, It can actually be better if you don’t live in the Metroplex. In rural areas companies need shoppers a little more desperately and may offer a bonus to shop it.
Shops pay from $7-20 on average. If you go to a mall, you can try to set a few up at the same time and then make say $50 in one trip. Some restaurant shops only reimburse you for your meal instead of paying you a fee.
15 May 08
[…] last February after reading about mystery shopping on some of my frugality blogs. I have to credit Bargain Shopper Lady for suggesting I sign up with Market Force (then Shop ‘n Check). They have provided me with […]
26 Jan 09
I believe most shops pay around $10 to $15. I stay away from any shop that pays less than $8. You can read my blog for more great tips for mystery shopping www.atozmysteryshopping.blogspot.com
I love Market Force!
13 Nov 09
[…] called a “Half Price Hook Up” or a “Daily Deal.” You can complete a mystery shop and you will get your meal reimbursed to you. If you don’t want to eat out, you could also […]