Almost everyone has heard of the term mystery or secret shopper. At first glance, it seems to be a fun and lucrative opportunity, after all who wouldn't want to get free stuff from stores and get paid? If you enter the term “mystery shopper” or “secret shopper” into any Internet search engine, thousands of site links will be retrieved. Advertisements on every site make it sound like a great chance to shop and make tons of money - complete with the blinking "sign up" button. The problem is not finding mystery shop sites; it is identifying the legitimate sites from the scams.
Scam websites for secret shopper programs are everywhere on the Internet. Based on my experience, only about 1 in 10 of those sites are legitimate paying companies that will not steal your information, rip you off, or spam your inbox. First check to see if they are asking for any money. Any request for payment in order to access secret shopper information immediately indicates a scam. A legitimate mystery shop program will never ask you for any money. Sign up is completely free, because they are looking for people to work for them. The next indicator of a possible scam is the lack of the BBB or Better Business Bureau logo on the site. In other words, if you find a site you believe is a legitimate program do research before you sign up. Check for any form of company records through the use of a search engine, and any scams will have a number of complaints against them.
Many mystery shop sites will allow you to preview the opportunities before you sign up. Examine the pay rate that is being offered. Mystery shops usually do not pay a lot of money. Payouts usually range from $5 to $20, with a few exceptions. If a preview is not offered, check to see what kind of money is being offered. Becoming a secret shopper will not make you rich, but it will put a few extra dollars in your pocket. Shopping programs do not provide enough work to replace your full or part time job and do not pay by the hour. Sites that offer huge payouts, and state that you can make hundreds of dollars a day or week indicate a scam.
Once you verify that a company is legitimate, or has given all indications that they are legitimate, it is time to sign up. If they ask for bank account or routing information, do not provide it - this is a sure indication of a scam. A sign up page will usually as you for a personal description, payment information (either check or Paypal), a writing sample, and possibly a social security number. The social security number is required for tax reasons. When signing up for a program, if you get the impression that it is a scam, do not enter your information. Listen to your instincts - they are usually right on the money.
Once you are signed up and your writing sample approved it is time to choose a shop. After you accept, complete, and submit the results of the mystery shop to the site it is time to wait. Check the FAQ for the time frame it will take to receive your payment. Next check the review and rating that was given to your shop. I have had difficulty with some programs and the review process. Sometimes this was due to instructions being too general or website glitches. Communicate with the mystery shop site if you feel there is an issue, such as a dispute in the information that is reported. Watch and see how the problem is handled and resolved. I have withdrawn my application from several companies due to website glitches that have been blamed on me, and resulted in a low evaluation for a shop or possible non-payment. Once you have been paid, and everything has gone smoothly continue to sign up for additional shops as long as you are content with the mystery shop site.
By following these guidelines you too can become a successful mystery shopper. But the most important aspect of the whole experience is enjoying what you are doing. If you don't enjoy being a secret shopper it will show on your reports and reflect in your shopper rating affecting future shop offers. Just remember becoming a mystery shopper will not make you rich, but can give you some free items and a small amount of additional income.
