How much money can you make being a mystery shopper

Payment is an important aspect of any job search and for mystery shoppers, the subject of van is no different. What can you expect to make as a mystery shopper? How many hours will you work? Should you expect salary or hourly pay? When and how are mystery shoppers paid? Are there benefits? In the following section, we discuss payment and the issues surrounding payment for mystery shoppers in the industry. The amount of money you can make as a mystery shopper greatly depends on the type of mystery shopping job you employ. Most mystery shoppers work part-time for mystery shopping providers who supply workers with assignments based on their availability. There are some instances however where mystery shoppers can be paid on salary or a flat rate depending on the assignment. This is usually the case when mystery shoppers are experienced in the industry, have been working for a period of time for the same company or work for independent companies rather than providers. The difference between making hourly wages and salary as a mystery shopper greatly depends on the relationship between the mzke and the company they work .

MSPA Gold and Silver Shoppers

I have a few friends who have started mystery shopping for extra cash. All in all, it’s a respectable gig for someone with some time, ambition, and a desire to do something different. Having mystery shopped for dozens of companies over the past six years, however, I have some advice to share. These eight tips are vital to making money in this somewhat misunderstood profession. The higher paying shops, however, are usually reserved for those with experience. If you want to earn a reputation for being a dependable shopper, I suggest visiting the MSPA’s website and getting at least a silver status certification. Yes, it costs money. Think of it as a «move to the head of the line» pass for most mystery shopping jobs. Many reputable companies will only schedule certified shoppers for their jobs. Guess what? Mystery shopping requires you to shop in most cases.

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Since they don’t mail you cash up front, it is your responsibility to be able to cover your purchases for the shop. It also takes between 30 and 90 days to get reimbursed. If you can’t spare this money, this may not be the job for you. I loved doing the fine dining shops. The problem was, I had a difficult time remembering all the details I needed to complete the shop. I had to covertly keep tabs on the names of every person I came in contact with, what they were wearing, what they said, what my food tasted like, etc. Needless to say it was work! If you are looking for mystery shopping to be your free meal ticket, understand that there will not be much time for relaxing. While it is true that some shops require little work, others require much, much more. Unlike a typical job, you are not guaranteed payment unless your shop has been performed satisfactorily. If you forget the names of your wait staff, don’t leave the right amount of tip, or accidentally reveal your shopper status, you are putting your reimbursement in danger.

What is Mystery Shopping?

Please enter your name here. There is a fee for MSPA certification. How much does each shop typically pay? You should never pay to mystery shop. If you can do one or two fast food shops in one trip, combined with a retail shop or business verification nearby, you can usually cover expenses. Hotel and cruise shops are only given to the top-tier of shoppers, and they are a lot of hard work. Sign up to mystery shop for The Source here.

The life of a secret shopper is unmasked

However in store shopping or going to a restaurant can take up to 1 to 2 hours. They offer regular mystery shopping, as well as compliance surveys, voice recording audits, and spot checks. When you fill out your shop application, you will probably only be shown shops that are close to your home. Big corporations and companies always need to know what end consumers are thinking about their stores and services that are being offered. You have to work with a reputable company that has a good record of paying on time to the mystery shoppers. Favorite Answer. When try to apply cities only showing outside India. If you are paid via Paypal, you may get one from. This company is a bit different in that it specializes in background checks and audits for tobacco and alcohol sales. This also means you get paid by the job and not by the hour, or make a salary, in case anyone is wondering. This company specializes in amusement and entertainment venues.

Mystery shopping companies

Do you frequently visit your local retailers, enjoy meeting people, and have an eye for detail? You may be qualified to make extra money as a mystery shopper. If you live in the U. Some that require you to purchase alcohol or dine in a location that now drinks will ask that you be 21 or the age for drinking in that particular state.

In addition, each mystery shopping company will have their own sign-up form, and they each ask that you fill in a version of the following:. These questions all help the company decide which shops you may be makke. Not all questions will be applicable for all types of mystery shops. You may also be asked if you are a MSPA gold or silver certified shopper. This certification is optional, but it can help you get more shops.

Currently, to be certified, you need to sign up at the MSPA site, sign up for mtstery test, learn the materials, and pass z exam.

Passing the exam is not difficult, and it can separate you from the hundreds of other competing shoppers in your area. Do not pay extra for any other mystery shopping sopper or certificates in hhow of it helping you get hired. Unfortunately, they are not accepted as credentials by the major companies in the U.

Get gold or silver certified with the MSPA. Each company has their own method for advertising available shops maje for accepting applications.

Some may choose to text shoppers, however, letting them know of shops in the area. Others feature a jobs board with all the available shops to choose.

The JobSlinger job board site is the best way to find out about new shops listed by companies using the very popular SASSIE mystery shop tracking. It lists the available shops from dozens of mystery shopping companies that use the same system for tracking, submitting, and assigning shops.

Fortunately, hundreds of available shops from a variety of industries and companies are on this one job board site. This company specializes in amusement and entertainment venues. Their clients include muuch parks, aquariums, bowling alleys, family entertainment centers, science centers, skating centers, and water parks. In addition, their new shopper application takes just 30 minutes to complete. Start mystery shopping for Amusement Advantage by clicking.

They pay well and represent some of the best companies in the nation. They offer regular mystery shopping, as well as compliance surveys, voice recording audits, and spot checks. You must be 21 to shop, however, and have access to a Paypal account to make extra money with this company. Sign up with Confero to start mystery shopping here! This company is a bit different in that it specializes in background checks and audits for tobacco and alcohol sales.

Shoppers may be required to go into an establishment and see if they get carded for ahopper liquor purchase, for example. Start your application for Coyle Hospitality here!

This company csn best known for its grocery shops, which take around a half hour to conduct plus reporting time. In addition to mystery shops, they also offer rewards and recognition shops. With these, the shoppers go to a restaurant or store, mjstery with an employee and give them a reward on the spot usually cash or a gift card if they do the job correctly! Sign up to mystery shop for The Source. It is very important that you read the directions for any shop that you are assigned immediately after accepting.

Depending on the type of shop, you may have tasks that need completed in the days leading up to your actual assignment. Hotel stays may require you call and make a reservation a week in advance, for example. Restaurant dining shops might want you to call and inquire about the menu prior to dining.

All directions must be followed exactly in order shopped be paid. Shopepr you have any questions, contact your scheduler right how much money can you make being a mystery shopper Today, it is easier than ever to take photos and make notes, as everyone uses their cell phone and smart devices — even while dining.

Make beinh of names, times, and your entire experience. Once your shop is over, head home and complete the shop report the umch requested from the client right monfy. Most maoe, mystery shopping companies only pay for on-time and accurate shops. The report you provide may be used for important decisions at the location you shopped, including promotions and disciplinary actions of employees.

In order to really make extra money, you need to do what is required by the mystery shopping company. Shop rates can vary. You can make extra money, but it will depend on what you are asked to. Here are some examples of shop types and payment that you may be offered:. Additional types of shops include carpet cleaning in your home, senior retirement center visits, apartment hunting, amusement park concession dining, and even cruise ship experiences!

Hotel and cruise shops are only given to the top-tier of shoppers, and they are a lot of hard work. But if you have always wanted a luxury experience, they can be a great way to make it work — and make extra money at mmystery same time! You should never pay to mystery shop. Any company claiming you need to pay a fee to sign up is a scam hos should be avoided. You will, however, have to have money to make money.

Shoppers are paid their fee, plus expense reimbursement only after doing the shop. If you have to buy a meal or stay in a hotel, you have to pay for it yourself and will only be reimbursed after completing a satisfactory shop report. There are no guarantees that mystery shopping will generate a certain amount of revenue each month. There are some tried and true tips for maximizing your earnings and mich effort.

Use these tricks to may more as a mystery shopper:. When you fill out your shop application, you will probably only be shown shops that are close to your home. If you travel for business or leisure, however, you have an increased opportunity to earn. And many metro areas have dozens of shops with the same company available for the same day. So you can stop and do a quick lunch at a fast-food restaurant just blocks away from that dry cleaning shop you need to.

Finish it off with a coffee shop, and stop at a bank shop before returning home. Many areas of the country have a hard time finding shoppers.

Competition for rural or less-populated areas may be higher due to the lack of shops. Conversely, you might find a shortage or available shoppers in these regions. Schedulers will often sweeten the pot and allow you to make extra money by offering a bonus for shops that can be performed last-minute in these high-need places.

Schedulers may shpoper reimburse fuel for shoppers to drive a bit out of their normal shop beingg. Bonuses and fuel reimbursement can more than cah the amount you make on a shop! Remember, however, that because you are considered an independent contractor, any earnings on mystery shopping will be subject to tax.

You may or may not get a at the end of the year reporting your income from each business. If you are tou via Paypal, you may get one from. In any case, you are responsible for snopper your income and expenses and paying applicable taxes at the end of the year. Additionally, tracking your expenses is important.

By seeing how much you mpney on each shop, and keeping track of receipts and invoices, you can make sure you are properly reimbursed and can use them for tax deductions, as. You are your own boss. Mystery shopping should be treated like any small business. Trending Now Week Month.

Getting Started as a Mystery Shopper

Mystery shopping has been a popular way to net some extra how much money can you make being a mystery shopper and perks for decades. The only real qualification is the ability to go shopping ca evaluate how good or bad the experience goes. Unfortunately, this also makes it easy for scam artists to rip off would-be mystery shoppers.

How mystery shopping works

But with a little vigilance, any detail-oriented shipper can pick up a steady side gig evaluating everything from drive-thrus to day spas. Retail and restaurant chains, service providers, and even cruise lines and airlines are among the many kinds of enterprises that pay mystery shoppers to give their services and products a try and evaluate how good they are. Most mystery shopping involves going into a store or a restaurant to make a purchase. Mershimer says some companies use mystery shoppers to check up on the quality of their customer service call centers; others use shoppers with disabilities to see if their stores, restaurants, hotels or other facilities are meeting ADA compliance. She recommends that do some quick research on the company at GlassDoor or the Yoi Business Bureau. Expect to work your way up. Attention to detail is critical. Most companies expect a lot of detail, down to the temperature of the coffee you ordered and exactly how many minutes you waited before being greeted by an employee. The mystery-shopping gigs with the best perks and highest pay get to be picky, and they look to shoppers who are reliable and have lots of experience. This is a common scam circulating now, Mershimer warns. A few days later, the check bounces, and the shopper is on the hook for the entire .