How to become a mystery shopper

By Angie Nelson

latest version July 13, 2022. Disclosure: We may receive compensation if you sign up or purchase products linked below. Details of offers may vary and you should confirm them with the company before taking action.

Before I started working from home, I used to supplement my income with a little mystery shopping. It was a great way to get free office supplies, a night out at a restaurant, or even a new haircut

When it comes to this line of work, mystery shopping, merchandising and product demoing are often handled by the same company. While these are not necessarily work from home positions, they often provide the flexibility that many are looking for and can be combined quite easily for increased income potential.

What is mystery shopping?

Mystery shopping tasks can vary greatly. It could be as simple as ordering a pizza for delivery to check customer service and delivery times, or you could do a detailed audit of a local store that takes 30 to 60 minutes and involves several aspects. In some cases your identity remains a “mystery”, in other cases you may create your identity as a mystery shopper known before or after your “shop”. As work varies widely, so can pay. If you have to make a purchase, it is usually paid up to a certain amount.

General Requirements for Mystery Shopping:

• Self-motivated
• Attention to detail
• Reliable transportation
• Some stores may require a stop watch; Many mobile phones have this capability
• Internet/email access
• Some companies require certification and/or passing their exams

What is merchandising?

Merchandising work requires you to visit local stores to ensure that your assigned company’s products are properly stocked and displayed. It is usually ongoing work and pays relatively well. Many companies will allow you to make routine visits to several retailers and several companies if they have them available.

Product Demonstrator Jobs

Product demonstrators are usually the type of people you see in stores Handing out samples of new products Or showing you the latest new gadget. These jobs usually pay well, as they are a little more involved.

General requirements for product demoing and merchandising:

• At least 18 years of age
• Email/Internet access
• Reliable transportation
• Staying power up to 6 hours
• Ability to lift 25 to 30 lbs
• Clear communication skills
• Ability to follow written instructions
• Passion for service
• Must be able to pass a criminal background check
• Food handlers permit where required by state or local law

How to be a secret shopper

1. Register with legitimate mystery shopping companies (see list below). Make sure your profile is completely filled with age, location, interests etc.
2. Watch your email for opportunities. I strongly recommend setting up a second email address for these companies to make things easier
3. Read the instructions carefully before accepting the job to make sure you are available on the specified date/time and to understand the job requirements.
4. Complete the task as directed. Don’t miss the deadline. Don’t forget your receipt.
5. Wait for payment.

Mystery shopping tips

I recommend the set up A separate email address Only for your mystery shopping, merchandising and product demo work. There are hundreds of these companies out there. When I did this I found it best to keep incoming emails in a separate account. Also, create a spreadsheet with your username and password.

Remember, in most cases You are an independent contractor. You will be responsible for paying taxes on your earnings. Since you will be traveling for most of this job, mileage may be a deduction you can claim. Talk to your tax preparer about the details.

will do Pay close attention to payment turnaround times If you need money fast. Although some companies have moved to PayPal, you can still wait up to 60 days for payment and reimbursement.

Start slow! It’s tempting to want to pick five jobs on your first day to maximize earnings. However, take the time to learn what each company requires before “bundling”. Some only require a quick survey submission, but other companies require very detailed responses. You may regret it if you catch too many of the latter too soon.

your measurements real Gain before occupying a job. Some jobs pay very well, especially if it’s urgent and they can’t fulfill it. However, if the pay is $7, you have to go 50 miles out of your way, and the total time you spend at the store and fill out the questionnaire is 1.5 hours, I’d consider that a loss.

Beware of scams. Check cashing schemes went to a new level when they hit the mystery shopping scene. Don’t fall for it. While there are shops in the banking industry, no legitimate mystery shopping company will ask you to cash a check and send them the balance from your earnings.

Consider getting certified. The Mystery Shopping Providers Association (MSPA) offers certification courses for a fee. Although not required, some opportunities are only available to those Gold Certified.

List of mystery shopping companies

1. close up view
2. About Face Consulting
3. ACE Mystery Shopping
4. Advisory Group Associates
5. Albatross Global Solutions
6. AMA Enterprises
7. Recreational facilities
8. Ann Michaels & Associates
9. Archon Development Corporation
10. Eth Power Consulting
11. Automotive Insights, LLC
12. Baird Group
13. Bayer International
14. BDS Marketing
15. Bestmark
16. Hello out
17. BMA Mystery Shopping
18. Business valuation services
19. CIMA Insights
20. Circle of Service
21. Cirrus Marketing Intelligence
22. Clear Evaluation LLC
23. The client is smart
24. Coast to Coast Determining Services
25. Confero
26. Consultant for long-term care
27. Consumer impressions
28. Customer Service Analysis
29. consumer@site
30. Corporate Risk Solutions
31. Quail Hospitality Group
32. CRG Mystery Shopping
33. Cross Financial Group
34. Customer Experience Specialist
35. Customer influence
36. Customer perspective
37. Customer service specialist
38. Customer Service Profiles, LLC
39. Devon Hill Associates
40. DSG Associates
41. dynamic advantage
42. Mystery Shopping Alice Partners
43. Executive Solutions Mexico (Latin America)
44. Feedback Plus, Inc.
45. Forum Research, Inc
46. Frontline Focus International
47. GAPbuster Worldwide Pty
48. Gigwalk
49. Goodwin & Associates
50. Grassroots America, Inc
51. Greenhouse Marketing and Communications (Canada)
52. Guest Check, Inc
53. Harland Clark
54. Hope Research Group
55. Hospitality now
56. HS Brands International
57. ICC/Decision Services
58. ICU Associates
59. IMYST, Inc.
60. Insight Twenty20
61. instant-replay
62. Insula Research
63. Integrity Consultants, LLC
64. Intellishop
65. Interaction Marketing
66. IPSOS Mystery Shopping
67. iSecretShop
68. Jancyn Appraisal Shop
69. Kinesis-CEM
70. The LRA is global
71. Market Force Information
72. MassSolutions
73. Matrix Hospitality Management
74. MCG, Management Consultant Group
75. Melinda Brody & Co
76. Mercantile system
77. Mintel International Group
78. Monterey Mystery Shopping
79. mVentix, Inc
80. Mystery Shoppers, Inc
81. Mystic Shopper LLC
82. National Shopping Service
83. New image marketing
84. Northwest Loss Prevention Consultants
85. Norton Norris
86. Opinion, Ltd.
87. Perception techniques
88. Performa Logics Inc
89. Individual to individual quality
90. Top financial strategies
91. Primo Solutions, LLC
92. QSI Specialist
93. Quality evaluation is a mystery to buyers
94. Quest for Best/Quest Companions
95. RDA Associates, Inc
96. Reality check
97. Realty Based Group, Inc
98. Regal Hospitality Group
99. Remington Appraisals LLC
100. Research Intelligence Group
101. Retail Track Mystery Shopping
102. Ritter Associates
103. Sales Quality Research Group
104. Second to none
105. Mystery Shoppers (Sites on Service)
106. Sentry Marketing Group
107. Concept of service evaluation
108. Service Excellence Group
109. Service Metrics Group
110. Service Performance Group
111. Service Research Corporation
112. Service scan evaluation
113. Service with style
114. Shopmetrics, Inc
115. BUYER PRIVACY
116. Shoppers Critic International
117. Buyer’s perspective
118. Shoppers, Inc.
119. Sinclair Customer Metrics
120. SIS International Research
121. Six Star Solutions
122. Spot Check Services, Inc.
123. Statopex, Inc
124. Tech store buyers
125. Texas Shoppers Network, Inc
126. 16 Marketing, LLC
127. shadow agency
128. Thread qualitative research
129. TrendSource
130. uSamp
131. Verify International
132. white clay
133. Winthrop Douglas, Inc
134. Wordsmith Pros, Inc.

How to find mystery shopping jobs near you

Mystery Shopping Providers Association A job bank is available to find mystery shopping opportunities by location.

Finally, if you like the idea of ​​being a mystery shopper without leaving your home to do it, these companies let you do mystery shopping from home.

Other fun ways to earn extra money

Have you participated in mystery shopping, merchandising or product demos? What tips would you add?