Mystery shopping is a flexible and enjoyable way to make money in your spare time.
Yes, you can really get paid to shop. Mystery shopping is easy and fun, and it is a great way to make extra money in your spare time. Most assignments can be completed within a range of days and times, so you have flexibility about when you work. The mystery shopping company will offer assignments that are close to your home, so you can do the shops while you are running other errands.
Most shoppers get started because it is fun. They love to get “free” food and merchandise, and even make a little money while they’re getting this free stuff! If you are interested in working flexible, part-time hours, and getting paid to shop and eat, mystery shopping may be for you. In The Mystery Shopper’s Manual, you’ll learn exactly how to locate mystery shopping companies who need shoppers where you live, and start getting assignments from them. You will get all the information you need to sign up with one or many mystery shopping companies. You can have fun and make money providing a needed and valued service as a mystery shopper.
Sign up for a free online mystery shopper course.
The Need for Mystery Shoppers
Today’s business environment is extremely competitive. Those companies which fail to provide excellent service will not survive. Studies show that a satisfied customer will tell three other people about his experience. A dissatisfied customer will tell ten to twelve people.
Not only do companies face loss of business from poor service, the actions of their employees may even cause them to be sued by customers or fined by the government. With so much at stake, you can provide a service by identifying potential problems which the business owner can correct before they result in a major liability.
What Do Mystery Shoppers Do?
Shops have different objectives. In general, shops are done to find out about the level of service provided to customers. However, mystery shoppers may also be asked to verify that cashiers are properly handling cash, that salespersons are knowledgeable about the merchandise they sell, that the store is safe for shoppers, etc. You may even be asked to shop your client’s competitor, so the client can compare its operation to others.
Mystery shoppers are the eyes and ears of the business owner. You tell him how customers see his business. Most businesses have service standards and rules for safety and security. As a mystery shopper, you tell the business owner whether his employees are living up to the standards and following the rules.
When you do a shop you are seeking answers to questions. Were you greeted when you entered the store? Were the shelves properly stocked? Was the store clean? Did the rest rooms have soap and tissue? Was the salad bar completely stocked with fresh vegetables? How long did it take to be served? Did the salesperson tell you about the available service contract? Did the cashier properly count out your change? After you leave the store, you fill out a form describing what you observed.
How Is the Information Used?
Businesses use the information from your reports to reward good employees, identify training deficiencies, make stores safer for employees and customers, and much more.
Who Uses Mystery Shoppers?
You may think of restaurants or department stores when you think of mystery shopping, but almost any business that deals with the public has a need for mystery shoppers.
Although many times a shopper makes a purchase, other times a shopper may simply evaluate the service or information provided to potential buyers. For example, if you are hired to shop a car dealer you don’t get a free car, but you will be paid for your time in asking questions about the cars and financing options, and writing a report describing your experience.
Examples of businesses currently using mystery shoppers include:
apartment complexes
automobile dealers & auto repair shops
banks & credit unions
convenience stores
department stores
gas stations
grocery stores
hair salons
health clubs
home builders
hotels and motels
movie theaters
restaurants
video rental stores
vision and eyewear providers
Mystery shoppers are also used by the government to check up on the businesses it regulates.
Can You Make Money Doing This? How Much?
A contract mystery shopper could reasonably expect to make $100 or more a month in cash, food and merchandise by doing an average of one shop per week–perhaps a total of two to four hours work over the month. By contracting with five, ten or even more companies, the number of shops and your income will increase.
Some shoppers work for many companies and actually earn their living mystery shopping. While that’s not typical, it certainly is possible. Most shoppers work part time or spare time and earn a few hundred dollars a month. You may receive reimbursement for your expenses, an allowance for purchases (at stores and restaurants), and a fee for completing the report. Your pay will depend on the type of shop, the time required, etc.
Getting Hired
It seems that mystery shopping companies are always looking for shoppers. The business is growing rapidly, and there is a lot of demand for shoppers. Plus, companies can’t send the same people into their client companies month after month–they need new shoppers to serve their existing clients. So you will be able to find jobs.
To learn how to find mystery shopping companies, what they look for, and how you can get paid to shop and eat as a mystery shopper, get your copy of The Mystery Shopper’s Manual. The manual includes a list of more than 100 companies hiring mystery shoppers all over the U.S., Canada and other countries.
Click here to order using our secure order form.
The Mystery Shopper’s Manual is $24.95, plus shipping. (Texas residents, add 8.25% sales tax.)
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