Personally, I have done hundreds of mystery shops. I've gotten meals, oil changes, car washes, clothes, groceries, eyeglasses, spa treatments, and so many other goods and services for free! My total savings/earnings last year was over $5,000!! I can tell you, it is something I am passionate about. I feel good that I am helping to improve customer service in the stores I shop, as well as highlighting those employees who go above and beyond. My goal is to be as objective as possible, to allow management to see its store through the 'eyes of the customer.'

Some companies are better than others for the amount of effort they expect you to put into a shop versus what they are willing to pay. The great thing is, you can pick and choose which assignments you would like to do! You make your schedule. A side benefit is I can usually bring my kids with me!

Are you going to get rich being a mystery shopper? No. It can help you make a little extra money, and afford you the opportunity to treat yourself and your family.


Mystery Shopping FAQ's
What is Mystery Shopping?

Mystery shopping is a form of market research designed to assess and track the performance of individuals working in customer contact roles, as well as the performance of the businesses in achieving customer satisfaction.

What kinds of businesses use mystery shoppers?
Any business that has customers, including retail stores, restaurants, banks, hotels, hairsalons & spas, home builders, apartment complexes, gas stations, casinos, vehicle dealers, auto service centers, movie theaters, health clubs, amusement parks, optical providers, physicians, etc.

Who can be a Mystery Shopper?

Anyone who is observant and can follow directions can be a Mystery Shopper. It helps if you have flexibility in your schedule. This makes it an ideal opportunity for Stay-at-Home Moms and retirees.

A good mystery shopper must be detail-oriented, very reliable, an excellent multi-tasker, and have the ability to be discrete when needed. It is also important that the mystery shopper prepare before an assignment to assure the objectives of the shopping program are met with accuracy. Using information that is accurate and objective allows the client to receive valuable feedback on its customer service.

Will it cost me anything to get started?

Legitimate companies do not charge an application fee. And there is no need to pay for a list of mystery shopping companies, as you can get that for free (see my fairly comprehensive list of shopping companies). Depending on the assignment, you may or may not be required to use your own money upfront to make a purchase (which is reimbursed) in order to evaluate customer service.

How much money can I make Mystery Shopping?

That all depends on the types of assignments you accept and the companies you choose to work with. Many restaurant shops are reimbursement only, so you get a free meal. To give you an example from my own experience, full-service restaurant shops reimburse anywhere between $17-$70. Some retail shops require you to make a purchase (which you are reimbursed for in part or whole). Others require a return to be made, so there would obviously be no reimbursement. And then others require no purchase at all, so you would just be paid outright. I have done retail shops ranging from $8-$50 (some reimbursement, some paid, some a combination).

Will I be an employee of these companies?

Generally, no. You will be a self-employed independent contractor, and be expected to pay for all your own business related expenses, including taxes. However, this means that you will be able to claim any business expenses as tax deductions (mileage, postage, home office, computer, etc.). Consult a tax professional for details.

What are Merchandising and Auditing?
These are (more often than not) revealed visits to an establishment. Merchandising has to do with Point-of-Sale displays, such as the displays for various brands you see in a store. Audits are an inspection of some element at an establishment to determine if certain standards are being met (e.g., price, signage, etc.). You will be given instructions as to what you will be doing at each location. These types of jobs can be regular or sporadic, and are often paid per hour versus per job.

How can I become a Mystery Shopper?

The first step is to apply to as many shopping companies and scheduling companies as possible!

NOTE: Before you apply to too many companies, I highly recommend getting Roboform (free). This will save all your login information and automatically fill out common fields on application forms.

NOTE: You may also want to get at least Silver Certified (only $15) via The Mystery Shopping Providers Association (MSPA). Although not required, many shopping companies ask for your Certification number on the application and having it when you apply will save you the time of having to go back to enter it later.

NOTE: It is important to keep track of the companies you have applied to, along with usernames, passwords, and log-in sites-- the MS Bible is handy for that ($10). Also, as you go along you will find that many companies ask for similar writing samples and ask similar essay questions. I find it handy to have a Word document with all the writing samples and answers I have submitted, so I can reuse as much as possible. Also, having a list of the zip codes in your surrounding area can be handy.

My suggestion is to first do some searches on Volition and JobSlinger to see who is offering assignments in your state. This will give you a good chance of getting more immediate assignments. Also, sign up with the Scheduling Companies right away, as they often recruit shoppers across the country. Additionally, you may want to give ShadowShopper a try-- you can sign up as a free member and have access to postings and emailed job alerts (sometimes truncated, but you often get enough info to know which company is posting).

What tips do you have for success?
Pick up those “hard-to-fill” assignments to get your foot in the door with a company. These may be shops in out-of-the-way places, or low paying jobs. Look at these as being good training to get comfortable with the process.

Check your email frequently for job offers—many are on a first come, first serve basis. Some shopping companies only post to their internal boards, so be sure to make note of which ones you should check for jobs directly on their website.

Make sure you read the shop directions carefully for each shop, and know your due date. Marking your calendar right away when you are accepted for an assignment will make it easier to manage your time, so you have a big picture of your week. I have a magnetic one on my refrigerator I check each day.

Make sure you know where you are going! To be sure you can find your way, either keep a map handy, print off online directions, or get a GPS unit for your car. I recommend a Garmin GPS, such as this one: