mystery shopping assignment

29 Best Places to Find Legitimate Mystery Shopper Jobs

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Mystery shoppers are paid to act like regular, everyday shoppers and provide feedback on their experience with a company. To get started, just sign up with mystery shopping companies in your area, choose your assignments, and start shopping.

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How would you like to get paid to shop with the best mystery shopping companies?

That’s exactly what thousands of people are doing to earn extra money each month.

The companies that pay these “mystery” shoppers need feedback for their business, and they pay mystery shoppers to collect it.

What Is a Mystery Shopper?

A mystery shopper is a person who’s paid to act like a regular, everyday shopper, and then provide feedback on their experience.

Reputable mystery shopping companies give secret shoppers a list of tasks to complete, such as asking specific questions about a product or receiving a service (e.g. an oil change).

After the tasks have been completed, the mystery shopper reports feedback on things like the store’s cleanliness, the employees’ helpfulness, and other details about their experience.

Companies pay secret shoppers for providing this information. In most cases, they also reimburse shoppers for any expenses incurred.

Related: 18 Best Sites for Taking Paid Surveys

How to Become a Secret Shopper (and Find Mystery Shopper Jobs Near You)

Becoming a mystery shopper is simple. All you do is sign up with the best mystery shopping companies in your area, choose your tasks or assignments, and start shopping.

You can sign up with as many mystery shopping services as you like. The more companies you sign up with, the more opportunities you have to make easy money.

One secret shopper worked for 75 companies (at his peak) and made $14,000 in one year just from performing mystery shops on weekends, during his lunch break, and on the way home from work.

29 Best Mystery Shopping Companies to Work For

Need money now and wondering where to find the best mystery shopper jobs nearby? Check out these companies.

1. Ath Power Consulting

Some mystery shopping companies have a wide variety of gigs, while others focus on a certain niche. Ath Power Consulting focuses on the financial and banking industry.

If you complete a mystery shopping gig for the company, you’ll likely have to go into a bank and describe your experience. It also has some jobs that involve going into an airport; these are only available if you already have security clearance.

Ath Power Consulting is a member of the Mystery Shopping Providers Association (MSPA) and is an Elite Member for the fifth consecutive year. Its website says the company offers more than 10,000 mystery shopping jobs a month and has more than 500,000 mystery shoppers registered.

Unlike some other mystery shopping companies, Ath doesn’t pay out right away. It only pays twice a month instead of immediately following a shopping gig.

How it works:

• Sign up to work for Ath.
• Create an account using your email address.
• Fill in your personal information such as your name, address, and demographic details (i.e. race, income, level of education).
• Read its privacy policy.

Related: 11 Best Shopping Apps to Save Money on Everything

BARE hires mystery shoppers to do in-person or over-the-phone customer chat or video visits. The company was given a Shopper’s Choice award from the MSPA in 2019.

This award is voted on by people who complete mystery shopping jobs, and it means BARE was one of their favorite companies to work for.

When you sign up to work for BARE, you’ll be able to list five area codes in which you want to mystery shop in. This is helpful if you work and live in different area codes and want to maximize your earnings.

• Sign up to be a mystery shopper.
• Choose your language.
• Enter your email address.
• Pick your country.
• Enter your demographic information.
• Read the privacy policy and contract.

Related: 50 Ways to Make Money Online for Free

3. Secret Shopper

Secret Shopper is a well-established company that helps clients improve their businesses using mystery shoppers to gather data.

It has been around since 1993 and are very credible with many awards, including the MSPA Elite award for 2018. It’s free to sign up, and you set your own hours.

• Sign up to shop on the company’s website.
• Choose your country.
• Read and agree to its Shopper Basics rules and guidelines.
• Complete the basic certification test that verifies that you read all the rules.
• Fill out your personal information, such as your name, address, date of birth, etc.
• After entering your personal information, you’ll receive your shopper ID and password. Use your ID and password to log in, then view and schedule available shops to complete.

Related: 16 Ways You Can Get Paid to Shop for Others

4. Market Force

At Market Force, you’ll complete mystery shop requests for banks, restaurants, and stores. You’ll provide feedback for things such as cleanliness, product selection, and customer service.

Market Force has been awarded MSPA Shopper’s Choice Award, voted on by real mystery shoppers, four years in a row .

• Create a Shopper Force Account.
• Answer several questions about your criminal background.
• Sign and date the Terms of the Agreement.

5. Pinnacle

Pinnacle has been around for 20 years. It assists financial institutions by helping them improve service and sales quality.

Its secret shoppers work solely with credit unions and banks, making it a great choice for anybody interested in finance. It’s completely free to become a mystery shopper with Pinnacle.

• Click the button that says New Shopper Sign Up .
• Add your basic personal information, including bank account details (so you can get paid).
• Answer demographic questions to help Pinnacle find the best jobs for you.
• Agree to the terms.

6. A Closer Look

A Closer Look has won several awards from the MSPA, including the “Elite Company” award for 2018 and the Shopper’s Choice Award in 2019. It specializes in industries such as restaurants, specialty retail, senior living, hotels, and entertainment.

• Click the red button that says Become a Mystery Shopper .
• Provide a current email address.
• Once your email has been approved, you’ll receive a link to the application page (the link expires within 48 hours).
• You’ll have to fill out personal and demographic information, and write a sample essay with “a minimum of two full paragraphs describing your last casual or fine dining restaurant experience.” This essay will be partially used to determine your eligibility, so try to do a good job on this.
• Submit and wait for a response.

7. Quest for Best

Quest for Best provides mystery shopping opportunities in over 40 states in the US, mostly concentrated in the Midwest and Southwest states. You can see its full map here . Its opportunities include things like eating at a restaurant, bowling, and going to a movie theater.

• Click the Become a Shopper link .
• Read the Independent Contractor agreement.
• Fill out the Online Shopper Profile, including contact and demographic information such as gender, which languages you speak fluently, if you have camera access to do hidden video shops, and if you have airport security clearance.
• If there’s a job in your area, Quest for Best will give you the info for the shop. If not, it’ll store your profile until a shopping opportunity is available for you.

8. IntelliShop

IntelliShop serves an extensive list of over 50 industries, so you’re bound to receive mystery shopping jobs that interest you.

The company also received a 2019 Shoppers’ Choice Award from the MSPA, as chosen by actual mystery shoppers. This means they voted IntelliShop as one of the best mystery shopping companies to work for.

• Click the button that says “Go”   on the Shopper Sign-Up page.
• Enter your email.
• Read the independent contractor agreement.
• Add your basic personal information, including your bank details (so you can get paid).
• Complete the demographic questionnaire.
• Enter your tax information.
• Agree to the terms and contract.

9. Perception Strategies, Inc.

Perception Strategies, Inc. focuses on healthcare mystery shops. The company has performed over 150,00 healthcare mystery shops since 1998.

Its mystery shopping gigs range from calling a doctor’s office to get a quote for a particular service, doing an in-person visit without making an appointment, or completing a full-length visit.

This mystery shopping company focuses on giving healthcare providers the feedback they need to make their patients’ experience the best possible. It has a list of the cities and areas where it needs mystery shoppers the most.

• Visit the Shopper Application .
• Check out the list of immediate openings.
• If your location doesn’t have an immediate opening, you’ll be notified of any that come up once your application is on file.
• Fill out the information in the application such as if you’ve ever had a felony or worked for a healthcare provider, and submit.

10. Sinclair Customer Metrics

Since 1987, Sinclair has helped thousands of businesses improve their overall customer experience. It offers a wide variety of tasks, including video, phone, and in-person mystery shops. Sinclair is a member of the MSPA.

• To sign up with Sinclair , enter your name and email.
• Read the provided Information for Mystery Shoppers document.
• Review and agree to the Independent Contractor agreement.
• Fill out the secure online application.
• Take the Sinclair New Shopper Challenge.
• Take the New Shopper Survey.

11. Ipsos (formerly GfK)

If you live outside the US and are looking to mystery shop internationally, check out Ipsos. Your secret shops will be either in person, by phone, through email, or using web chat.

Ipsos secret shoppers perform mystery shops ranging from gas stations, to banks, to restaurants.

Supported countries include:

• United States
• Czech Republic
• Netherlands
• United Kingdom
• New Zealand
• Sign up here.
• Enter your email, country, and ZIP Code.
• Enter your address, contact information, and gender.
• Fill in more personal details such as height, weight, marital status, occupation, and the type of equipment you have.
• Read its agreement.

Related: DollarSprout’s Ipsos i-Say Review

12. BestMark

BestMark is one of the largest mystery shopper companies and has been around since 1986. It’s a member of the MSPA and offers 10,000-plus mystery shop assignments each month for restaurants, hotels, and resorts. The payment will differ based on the assignment that you choose.

• Click the “Sign Up Now” button on the right-hand side of its become a shopper page .
• Fill in your basic personal information, demographic questions, work history, ethnicity, and create a password.
• Read and agree to the independent contractor agreement, guidelines, and policies.
• Once you submit this information, you’ll be able to see which in-person or phone/web mystery shopping gigs are available.

13. Second to None

Second to None looks for mystery shoppers for a couple of specific jobs. Right now the company is looking for those who are AARP members or willing to talk to insurance brokers and organizations. Check in often to see when it updates its requirements.

• Apply to be a Second to None mystery shopper .
• Fill in your contact information, and create your login.
• Submit your application.

14. ACPVIEW

ACPVIEW, which stands for a customer’s point of view, does mystery shops for retail, grocery stores, casual and fast food dining options, airports, public transportation, retail banking, and government agencies.

• Type in your email address and country.
• Read the Services Agreement and Release.
• Add your contact and demographic information, and sign the privacy policy.

15. AboutFace

AboutFace has been around for 20 years and is a member of the MSPA. It has an A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau and offers mystery shopping jobs in all 50 states. According to the site, it pays 15% more than the industry average, but its rates aren’t clearly stated.

• Sign up to be an AboutFace Mystery Shopper .
• Type in your contact information.
• Read the Independent Contractor Agreement.
• Wait to verify your email.
• Add information such as your PayPal email address, a picture of your driver’s license, a picture of yourself, and answer a few basic questions.

16. Confero

Confero offers mystery shopping opportunities in food service, retail, banking, automotive, healthcare, consumer products, airports, movie theaters, theme parks, and tourist attractions.

• Sign up to be a Confero Mystery Shopper.
• Type in your email address and select your country.
• Read and agree to the Independent Contractor Agreement.
• Fill in your contact and demographic information.
• Choose which area codes you live and work in. This will determine what opportunities you get.

17. Amusement Advantage

Amusement Advantage is a mystery shopping company that pays people to mystery shop at amusement parks, bowling alleys, zoos, museums, aquariums, and other popular attractions. You have to be just as detailed-oriented for these gigs, even though they can be more fun than going to a grocery store.

In some cases, you’re only paid via free admission for the mystery shop assignment and free tickets afterward. You can earn an extra $5 if you fulfill the mystery shop by 10 a.m. the day after your assignment.

You’ll also earn $20 if you refer new mystery shoppers to Amusement Advantage. The downside is that it takes 30 to 45 days to receive payment, which is longer than other companies. Amusement Advantage is a member of the MSPA.

• Sign up to join Amusement Advantage here .
• Create an account.
• Fill in your contact information and birthdate.
• Submit and see which opportunities are available in your state.

18. SeeLevel

Mystery shoppers who complete gigs for SeeLevel will find opportunities within the fast food, retail, financial services, and automotive industries. If you want to get a free meal while you complete a mystery shopping job, then you should sign up with SeeLevel. Payments are sent via PayPal. 

• Register with SeeLevel using your email address.
• Fill in your contact and demographic information including birthday, gender, household income, height, weight, and area codes near where you live and work.
• Read and agree to its privacy policy and Independent Contractor Agreement.
• Submit and wait to hear back.

19. Shopper’s View

Shopper’s View is a founding member of the MSPA and offers mystery shopping opportunities. It offers mystery shopping gigs with food, retail, and even sporting events.

It also offers telephone mystery shopping gigs, which is perfect if you can’t drive or don’t have regular access to a car. Shopper’s View has an A+ rating with the Better Business Bureau.

• Start your Shopper’s view profile.
• Select your language.
• Type in your email address and choose your country.
• Fill in the contact and demographic information.

20. iSecretShop

iSecretShop is available both as a phone app and on a desktop browser. If you use the app, you can usually fill in all the required information so you don’t have to type everything in separately on a computer.

You can choose from in-person shops, web and phone shops, and polls. Look through the job board once you’ve registered to see the list of available opportunities.

iSecretShop pays via PayPal.

• Visit iSecretShop’s site.
• Fill in your contact and demographic information including gender, number of children, and address.
• Read the Terms of Use and Privacy Statement.

RBG, or RealityBasedGroup, is a member of the MSPA. It offers video, written, phone, and online mystery shopping opportunities. Some of its clients include Goodwill, Texas Roadhouse, Cinnabon, and SportsClips.

It says other clients include department stores, bookstores, banks, gyms, and restaurants. There’s a wide variety of gigs available, so you’re more likely to find something you enjoy.

• Register with RBG by filling in your email address and selecting your country.
• Read the privacy policy.

22. Mercantile Systems Inc.

Mercantile Systems Inc. is a member of the MSPA. It offers mystery shopping opportunities including restaurants, hotels, storage facilities, golf courses, retail, healthcare, and financial service providers.

It pays within 45 days of the assignment being completed, which is a little longer than normal. Shoppers have 24 hours to complete the assignment.

• Sign up for Mercantile Systems here.
• Type in your contact and demographic information.
• Sign the Independent Contractor/Shopper Agreement.
• Verify your email address.

Mystery Shopping Jobs by Phone

If in-person shopping isn’t your thing, or if you don’t have time to visit stores, then secret shopping by phone may be a better fit for you.

23. Call Center QA

Call Center QA helps organizations improve the quality and helpfulness of their call centers. This company is a good option if you like chatting on the phone and have excellent reading and writing skills and attention to detail.

You can complete all your calls from home using your landline or mobile phone. It pays $5 per call, and each call and feedback form takes around 15 minutes to complete. You’ll receive payment within seven business days.

• Fill out the application including basic information questions, education, homeownership, if you own or lease a car, and how you heard about the company.
• You must be a resident of the US and be at least 18 years old.
• Click submit. You’ll receive further information after completing the application.

24. ARC Consulting

With ARC, you’re paid via PayPal per mystery phone call. How much work and pay you receive depends on the opportunities it has available at the time.

The application says it’s hiring from select countries and looking for people who speak a variety of languages.

• Complete the online ARC Consulting application .
• Enter your contact details, PayPal payment information, gender, and birthdate.
• Add your login details and submit.

25. Yardi-Matrix

Yardi-Matrix provides a job opportunity for those interested in taking surveys for the commercial real estate industry. If hired, your job will be to call apartment communities pretending to be a renter. The company will provide you with specific questions to ask.

To complete the tasks, you’ll need high-speed internet access and a phone. You’ll be paid $6 per hour with additional pay as follows:

• $0.50 for completed surveys
• $0.30 for surveys with a wrong number
• $0.20 for partially-completed surveys
• $0.07 for surveys with an answering machine or no answer

Users must complete 75 surveys the first week and 100 surveys each following week. You’ll have to call between the hours of 9 a.m. and 6 p.m. in its surveyed time zones.

• Send a copy of your current resume to the Yardi Matrix contact .
• The company will contact you with further details.

26. Observa

Observa is a mystery shopping app available on both iPhone and Android devices. You have to download the app to receive mystery shopping gigs.

It has a 4.3 rating from the App Store and a 4.4 rating from the Google Play Store. Its official app description says that payments are between $4 and $20. Payment is made within 24 hours via PayPal. You can also choose to be paid in Bitcoin.

27. Field Agent

Field Agent is a mystery shopping app where you can get assignments once you create an account. Previous companies and assignments include AutoZone, Amazon Fresh Pickup, Walmart convenience stores, and Dollar General’s new DGX store.

Field Agent has a 4.8 rating on the App Store and a 4.0 rating on the Google Play Store.

According to the app description, jobs pay between $3 and $20. The app will review photos and descriptions and pay out two days after you submit them.

28. Merchandiser

Merchandiser is an app available on both iPhone and Android devices. The app has a 4.3 rating on the App store and a 4.1 rating on the Google Play Store. It’s not exactly a mystery shopping app. The gigs available on Merchandiser are more retail-related, like:

• Restocking shelves
• Putting stickers on items
• Counting inventory
• Setting up promotional displays

Download the app, fill in your information, and wait to get gigs in your area. Shoppers are paid via PayPal, and most gigs take about 15 minutes to do.

29. Gigwalk

Gigwalk is a member of the MSPA, unlike some of the other apps on this list. The app has a 4.6 rating on the App Store and a 3.7 rating on the Google Play Store.

The app pays via PayPal. According to the site, gigs can take between five minutes to several hours and pay between $3 and $100. Not all gigs are mystery-shopping related. They range from taking pictures of a house for insurance purposes to double checking prices at the grocery store.

You can complete assignments straight from the app, so you don’t have to go home and log onto a computer to complete an assignment.

How to Avoid Mystery Shopping Scams

Our list of mystery shopping companies only includes legitimate options. However, not all companies are as high caliber, and some are complete scams. Here’s what to watch out for.

Only choose from a trusted list of mystery shopping companies.

When searching for reputable mystery shopping companies, make sure you sign up for companies recommended by trusted sources.

Check to see if the company is a member of the MSPA. You can find a list of its member companies here . If it’s not on here, check Trustpilot or the Better Business Bureau. If you don’t see any online footprint, then it’s probably not worth doing business with.

Never wire money.

If you’re asked by a mystery shopping company to deposit a check into your personal account, withdraw the amount in cash, and wire it to a third party, don’t do it. The check is fake, and it’s a scam.

The check may look like it’s gone through and the money has appeared in your account, but it hasn’t officially cleared. It can take banks weeks to uncover a fake check.

Once the fake check is discovered, you’ll likely be held responsible for paying back the bank for the amount you deposited and withdrew. Play it safe and never deposit a check from someone you don’t know if you’re going to wire the money back.

Never pay in advance to become a mystery shopper.

All of the mystery shopping companies listed above are completely free to sign up for, and that’s for a reason. If you ever come across a mystery shopping company that asks you to pay money to join, it’s a scam.

Related: 6 Common Work-from-Home Scams to Look Out For

Find Your Ideal Mystery Shopping Niche

Mystery shopping is a fun side hustle because you can often get free food or be reimbursed for buying specific products. If you already work near a mall, shopping plaza, or busy downtown area, then you don’t have to worry about driving around a lot.

Like most side hustle apps and websites, you can sign up with several different mystery shopping companies to maximize your rewards. This also lets you see which have the highest hourly rate and are worth completing.

Because some jobs take longer than others, it can be hard to gauge which companies are better until you’ve had some experience.

Related: 19 Flexible Stay-At-Home Jobs for Moms That Pay Well

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30 Best Mystery Shopper Jobs and How to Get Started

Jenni Sisson, Contributor

• Updated July 25, 2024

Over the past five years, I’ve completed more than 100 mystery shops, earning cash, dinners, gas, groceries, amusement park tickets and more.

In this article, I’ll explain how mystery shopping works and answer some common questions, like how much mystery shopping pays, where to find mystery shopping jobs, and whether you actually need to get “certified” to work in the field.

Here’s what’s included in this guide:

• Where to find mystery shopping jobs : A list of the mystery shopping companies I’ve personally worked for, along with a number of other reputable agencies.
• Mystery shopping basics : Everything you need to know about mystery shopping if you’re a beginner, including what mystery shoppers do, who uses mystery shoppers, and how to prepare for an assignment.
• How to avoid mystery shopping scams : Mystery shopping is 100% legit, but there are some scams and time-wasters out there. Here’s how to make sure you’re working with reputable companies that will actually pay you.
• How you get paid : Mystery shopping agencies use a wide range of payment structures. Here’s what you should expect — including how much you can earn — based on my experience.
• Mystery shopping FAQs : Answers to some of the most common questions people have about Mystery Shopping.

Where to Find Mystery Shopping Jobs

The best way to find mystery shopper jobs is to look at collaborative job boards. SassieShop and Jobslinger are my two favorites.

Multiple secret shopper agencies post jobs on these boards, and they’re updated daily. In fact, you can usually apply for the shop directly from the job board. You can search by zip code or city, and it will pull up a list of shops available. You can sort by how close they are to you, how much they pay, or how recently they were posted.

iSecretShop is another popular job board, which offers both a desktop site as well as an app.

Mystery Shopping Agencies I’ve Worked For

There are dozens of mystery shopping agencies out there, though some are better than others. Here are a few of my favorite companies that I have personally mystery shopped for (in alphabetical order). All are 100% legit, paying companies.

#1. Amusement Advantage

This company is my personal favorite. They focus on amusement locations like zoos, theme parks, aquariums, water parks, and bowling alleys.

As a mom with kids, this has been a terrific way to take my family on a fun outing for free (or almost free).

Most shops allow you to bring children if you have another adult with you — a rarity among secret shopping companies. Of course, unless you go solo, you probably won’t make much profit on these shops. The main benefit is being able to have a great time on someone else’s dime.

#2. Ath Power Consulting

This is one of the best companies when it comes to high-paying jobs. They focus on credit card companies and banks, so you should have good credit that can withstand a hard pull if you plan to go shop for them. However, they pay handsomely for the trouble, with rates as high as $100 per assignment!

These shops are the crème de la crème of mystery shopping, with assignments at high-end hotels and restaurants around the world. 

Want to be reimbursed for a three-night stay in the Caribbean? You’ll need substantial experience as a secret shopper to get accepted for these assignments, and competition is fierce.

However, Coyle does also offer phone shops for reservations at restaurants and hotels that you can do from anywhere, so this is a good way to get your foot in the door. 

Note that when submitting your application to Coyle, you’ll be required to provide two writing samples: one that describes the best customer service experience that you’ve ever had, and one that describes the worst.

#4. Intellishop

Assignments from Intellishop are plentiful and varied. Payment typically ranges between $5 and $20, and they often offer bonuses for shops that are in remote areas or are close to the deadline. This is a good company to sign up for if you want consistent access to a large number of available assignments.

#5. SeeLevelHX

Another big player in the industry, SeeLevelHX offers restaurant and showroom shops for things like power sports and upscale hardware, as well as several other categories. 

Other Mystery Shopping Agencies

There are literally dozens of companies that offer mystery shopping opportunities. Each company has a specific client, customer and geographic focus, so do some research before signing up to make sure the agency offers jobs in your area that you qualify for. 

And remember, there’s no rule that you can only work for one; if you want to stay busy you’ll need to sign up with multiple companies.

Although it is by no means comprehensive, here’s a list of the major players in the mystery shopping world to get you started. 

• AboutFace : Has an A+ rating with the BBB, but shoppers have noted issues with customer service. 
• Ace Mystery Shopping : A small mystery shopping company with a heavy restaurant focus.
• A Closer Look : A legit, long-standing company. There have been some complaints about low or missed pay since a recent change in executive management.
• ACPVIEW : A mystery shopping firm that offers standard shops, as well as call center evaluation shops and public transit shops.
• BestMark : Has an A+ rating with the BBB.
• BVA : A French mystery shopping firm, but with some jobs in the United States. Some American users have noted poor translation of the website and the language barrier of the scheduling staff to be issues.
• Confero : Works with big-name brands like AMC, Capital One, Coca-Cola and Jiffy Lube. A long-standing company with consistent leadership.
• Ipsos (formerly GfK): Offers cell phone, electronics and retail audits.
• Shopper Force : A major market player, Shopper Force (also known as Market Force) offers fast food, dine-in, airport, and gas station shops. Some shops have a “make an offer” button, essentially allowing you to bid on jobs.
• Mercantile Systems : Dine-in restaurant, storage facility and hair salon jobs.
• Perception Strategies : Focuses on shops evaluating healthcare facilities.
• Pinnacle : Focuses on the financial industry.
• RBG : A leader in video mystery shops. They offer other shops in restaurants and banks.
• Second to None : Founding member of the MSPA. A good, well-established company.
• Secret Shopper : Offers a mobile app for assignment reporting. Also offers some international shops.
• Shoppers’ View : A legitimate agency with a variety of shops in many states.
• Sinclair Customer Metrics : Offers gas station, convenience store, grocery, bank and fast food shops. 
• The Shadow Agency : Has a strong presence in the southern United States. They show a national map of their available shops on their Facebook page.
• The Source : Offers traditional mystery shops, as well as a variety of other customer evaluation projects (audits, exit interviews, and shop-alongs).
• Yardi Matrix : Actually hires you as a seasonal W-2 employee to conduct rental surveys. The pay is around minimum wage.

Mystery Shopping Apps

Some mystery shopping agencies have moved to an app-only platform. Using an app provides a streamlined system to accept shops and upload all the information and photos quickly. At the same time, these tend to be the lowest-paying secret shopper jobs available.

• Field Agent : A shopping app that allows you to do small jobs for a few bucks. Has mixed reviews on Yelp and BBB. 
• Gigwalk : Pays you anywhere from $3 to $100 to perform “gigs” at specific stores. Jobs can be a bit spread out if you’re not in a major metropolitan area, but if you live in the right place, it can be one of the best ways to get paid to walk . 
• Shopkick : You’ll earn “Kicks” that can be redeemed for gift cards by going to stores, scanning product bar codes, purchasing select items and submitting receipts. Shopkick is a hybrid of a cash-back app and mystery shopping. Learn more in our Shopkick review .
• Merchandiser by Survey.com: Choose from product reset, merchandising, product demos, and audit tasks to make extra cash.
• Mobee : Similar to Shopkick, Mobee is a shopping app that offers “missions” as well as rewards for online purchases. Redeem points in cash or gift cards.

Mystery Shopping Basics

Most of us try to be at the top of our game when the boss is around. In the retail world, this can make it difficult for business owners and managers to evaluate things like how clean a store is and whether employees are providing great customer service.

As a result, many companies hire mystery shoppers (often referred to as secret shoppers) to provide a boots-on-the-ground evaluation of how their business is doing from a customer’s point of view.

What Do Mystery Shoppers Do?

Mystery shoppers go undercover as a typical customer, secretly evaluating the quality of their experience and reporting back to the company managers (usually via a third party that has been hired to coordinate the mystery shopping assignment). 

A typical mystery shopping task involves visiting a store and looking for specific items, as outlined in the assignment. This could mean making sure that the proper in-store advertisements are in place, that the location has clean restrooms, or that certain products are displayed in a particular fashion.

In the case of restaurants, a common mystery shopping task is ordering a particular item off the menu, and sometimes even asking for it to be prepared according to a specific set of instructions.

The assignment may require the shopper to take photos of their food, the store, signage or all of the above. Additionally, the shopper is usually required to interact with and observe staff members to see if they’re polite, in uniform and helpful.

The shopper is often asked to make a purchase, which is reimbursed by the company. After he or she leaves the store, the shopper fills out a questionnaire, uploads photos and answers questions about the experience.

Who Uses Mystery Shoppers?

All kinds of companies hire mystery shoppers, including hotels, banks, fast-food chains, shoe stores, car dealerships, testing centers, amusement parks and more. If a large corporation has customer-facing involvement, chances are good they’ve employed mystery shoppers at some point.

However, these companies don’t hire mystery shoppers directly; they go through agencies that recruit and vet shoppers, and which handle all the paperwork, payment, training and data entry.

Agencies advertise open mystery shops on their own job boards, as well as collective secret shopper databases like Jobslinger and SassieShop .

How Mystery Shopping Works

To start as a mystery shopper, you’ll need to sign up with an agency that has shops in your geographic area. 

Here comes the tricky part : you will likely need to sign up with multiple agencies to get more than a shop or two. That’s because each agency contracts with only a handful of companies, and if you want to apply for a specific shop, you need to have an account with the agency that offers it. 

This can be a little time consuming on the front end. Each company wants you to fill out an IRS 1099 form and provide your name, address, phone number, PayPal info, etc.

The good news is that once you have an account, you can instantly sign up for shops that the agency offers. You can also opt into email alerts to know when new shops open up in your area. 

Once you receive your first mystery shopping opportunity, you’ll need to confirm your assignment with your shop scheduler. This person will email you about the shop, and you’ll need to click on the link to reply and verify that you’ll actually complete the assignment. You can also contact your scheduler if you have questions or problems meeting the shop requirements.

Note : Some of the bigger companies, such as Shopper Force, have an almost fully-automated process. With these firms, you may not interact with a scheduler.

How to Prepare for a Mystery Shopping Assignment

Before you go on your shopping assignment, make sure to thoroughly review the job description and requirements. Each shop, agency and company has different requirements, and many are extremely specific. 

For example…

• A restaurant may require you to shop during the lunch rush and order a specific menu item. 
• You may only be able to shop on a certain day of the week, or during specific hours. 
• You may have to ask the customer service person a specific question, or time how long you were placed on hold during a phone call. 

Read these instructions very carefully before going on your assignment, as well as the questionnaire you’ll be required to submit at the end. Failure to comply with these requirements can result in the agency docking your pay or rejecting your shop altogether. 

Pro tip : Take notes on your phone to jog your memory later. It will look like you’re texting someone.

Many mystery shopper assignments require you to take pictures. A cell phone camera works fine for this. Save your receipt, as you’ll need to take a picture of that, too. 

And remember: unless you’re specifically told to do so, never reveal that you are a mystery shopper to any employee. Companies rely on your anonymity for an accurate view of the customer’s shopping experience, so be sure to keep any notes or pictures you take out of sight.

How to Avoid Mystery Shopping Scams 

For most people, one of the first questions about mystery shopping is whether or not it’s legit. Getting paid to shop or go out to eat? It sounds a little too good to be true.

To be honest, if my sister hadn’t already had a good experience with mystery shopping, I never would have tried it.

The short answer is “yes,” mystery shopping is totally legit .

However, because the opportunity is so enticing, mystery shopping scams are plentiful. If you see something fishy, check the Federal Trade Commission’s page about mystery shopping scams and review the company’s Better Business Bureau page. 

Beyond that, you should be able to avoid most scams by keeping your eyes open for the following red flags.

Tip #1: Don’t Pay For Access to Mystery Shopper Jobs 

If a website promises a list of shops or access to some database of opportunities, but requires you to pay first, run.

The same goes for those who sell “directories” of mystery shopping companies. Agencies should pay you to become a mystery shopper, not the other way around. 

The bottom line is that if you’re asked to pay for a mystery shopping opportunity, it’s a scam. (You will usually have to pay out of pocket, and then get reimbursed, for the items in your mystery shopping assignments — this is standard practice in the industry.)

Note : We’ve provided a long list of legitimate mystery shopping companies at the end of this article, including those I have personally worked for.

Tip #2: Don’t Pay For Certification When You’re Getting Started

If you search for a phrase like “mystery shopper jobs,” one of the first things you’ll come across is advertisements for “mystery shopping certification” programs. These paid courses promise to help you find and qualify for opportunities. 

One such program is offered by MSPA, the Mystery Shopping Providers Association . MSPA is the trade organization that represents the interests of mystery shopping companies and their employees, and their certification program is legitimate.

However, becoming certified is not required to get started as a mystery shopper .

In fact, I’ve performed hundreds of shops over five years and none of the mystery shopping services I’ve worked for have asked for certification. If an agency requires you to get certified before working as a mystery shopper, you should look for another agency.

With that said, having an MSPA certification may help you qualify for some of the more competitive shopping opportunities. So if you complete a number of shops and decide you enjoy the process, it would not be unreasonable to consider certification later on down the line — though doing so is unnecessary for the vast majority of mystery shoppers.

Tip #3: Don’t Cash a Check or Wire Money

This particular mystery shopping scam is shockingly common. In this scam, you get an unsolicited email from a con artist posing as a reputable company. The scammer will “hire” you, then send you on an “assignment” to a wire transfer shop with Western Union or MoneyGram. 

The scammer will send you a check and ask you to deposit it into your personal account, withdraw the cash, then wire the money to a third party. But it’s a fake check, and although the bank may release the funds, you’ll be the one left responsible when the fraud is inevitably discovered.

Legitimate mystery shopping services will never ask you to do something like this.

Note that legitimate mystery shops for Western Union and banks do exist. I have done a few myself. However, you won’t get random spam emails from a mystery shopping agency you haven’t already registered for.

How Mystery Shoppers Get Paid

One of the great things about mystery shopping is the many forms of payment, with compensation falling into the following categories. 

Payment Type #1: Reimbursement

Most companies ask you to purchase goods or services as part of the assignment. Generally, the mystery shopping company reimburses you for these purchases, though the cash to buy them initially comes out of your own pocket. 

There is a dollar limit on how much you can spend, so the reimbursement isn’t a blank check to buy whatever you want.

That said, you’re often allowed to spend more than the reimbursement amount and just pay the rest on your own. This is especially handy when you’re doing restaurant shops with a friend or a date; the reimbursement may only cover one meal, but the mystery shop makes it buy one, get one free!

Reimbursement is tacked onto your paycheck, so you may not get the money back for a few weeks, depending on the secret shopping agency’s payment policy

Payment Type #2: Shopper’s Fee

This is the money the mystery shopping agency pays you for each assignment you complete. The payment will be clearly set before you agree to take the job. The typical pay for an average secret shop is between $10-$25, though complex jobs may pay much more. 

Agencies typically pay their shoppers via PayPal or direct deposit into a bank account. Often, they only pay once or twice per month. As your payment won’t be processed until after your questionnaire is complete and approved, you may be waiting on your check for a few weeks. 

Payment Type #3: Free Stuff

When you conduct a mystery shop, you generally get to keep whatever food or merchandise you purchase. And who doesn’t like free stuff?!

This is a fabulous perk of mystery shopping and often compensates for shopper’s fees that can be less-than-stellar.

Mystery shopping is a great life hack to get many things you’d buy anyway for free. I’ve gotten oil changes, socks, restaurant meals, groceries, gasoline, gifts, and taken my kids to the zoo — all for free thanks to mystery shopping.

Payment Type #4: Gift Cards

Most mystery shopping companies pay in cash for shopper’s fees, but a few pay via gift card instead. ( Shopkick and Mobee are two examples.) The upside to this is that you can save up the gift card balance for big purchases that don’t fall into your regular budget, such as Christmas gifts and large-ticket items like a new computer.

Payment Type #5: Bonuses

Sometimes, shop schedulers have a hard time filling certain jobs. The assignment might be boring or time-consuming (like getting your taxes done). It might be in a remote location. Or it may be a situation where the original shopper canceled, and now the agency is up against a deadline.

In these cases, agencies sometimes offer special bonuses to entice shoppers to complete the assignment. Bonuses are a nice extra boost to the cash you can earn as a mystery shopper.

Mystery Shopping Job FAQs

As a mystery shopper, you have no control over what jobs are available in your area, how profitable they are, and whether or not you fit the demographics necessary to complete the assignment. Because the dollar-per-hour payout is pretty low, you should not expect to replace your income with a mystery shopping job. Also, keep in mind that you’re always working as an independent contractor, which means you will not have access to any benefits (like health insurance) as a result of this work. So it’s best to think of this as a fun way to make some extra money.

Yes! A mystery shopping job is ideal for students, retirees, stay-at-home parents, or anyone else with a little spare time who wants to make extra cash and get free stuff. The amount you can make will vary based on how much time you put in and your geographic location. Metropolitan areas usually have more shops available.

As noted earlier in the article, the Mystery Shopping Providers Association is the primary professional organization for mystery shopping agencies and their employees. Most MSPA memberships are therefore aimed at professionals in the industry (such as managers, schedulers and salespeople), not independent mystery shoppers. MSPA does offer an independent contractor membership for $30, but the value this provides seems marginal at best. However, you must be a member of MSPA prior to becoming certified.

You don’t need an MSPA certification to get a mystery shopper job. Some high-end shops may give preference to those with MSPA certification, but becoming certified is completely optional and probably not worth the money. Find out more about the costs and coursework to become MSPA certified here . 

This is a common question and the answer is “no,” Walmart does directly hire for secret shopper jobs. However, you may be able to find mystery shopping assignments at Walmart through some of the legit mystery shopping companies I mentioned in this article.

Some Final Thoughts on Mystery Shopping

If you’re looking for a convenient side hustle you can start with little upfront cash, extra time, or specialized knowledge, a mystery shopping job is a good bet. Signing up is easy, and all you need is a smartphone and a PayPal account to get started. 

You’ll never quit your 9-to-5 to become a full-time mystery shopper, but if you factor in the perks of reimbursement, free stuff and shopper fees, it can be a great strategy to make and save a few extra bucks. 

If you’re on a tight budget, mystery shopping can also grant you the occasional guilt-free splurge by allowing you to make money eating out or going to the movies.

With dozens of secret shopping agencies offering shops across the country, chances are there are opportunities in your area. If you could use some extra cash, sign up with the mystery shopping agency near you and get started.

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31 Secret Shopper Apps: Your Guide to Mystery Shopping Income

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Show Summary

31 Secret Shopper Apps Online and Offline :

iSay Summary

• You can earn as much as $50 each month
• Earn $1 for each friend you invite
• Low minimum cash out threshold of $5
• Instant cash out for e-gift cards

Unlike many of the secret shopper platforms we’ve listed, Ipsos is available internationally. In addition to the USA, Ipsos is available in Canada, Chile, Australia, New Zealand, India, and many other European countries. 

Secret shopper jobs can be done in person, through email, by phone or using web chat. Each task offers different rates of pay, depending on the amount of time needed and the complexity of the task. This can range from a dollar upwards.

Ipsos processes payments every second Monday of the month. You’ll receive a bank transfer with your earnings within three to four days.

You can sign up here . You’ll need to provide an email address, your address, contact details and some demographic information. Ipsos uses these details to match you with appropriate tasks. 

Shopkick awards “kicks” when you visit stores, scan bar codes, and scan receipts. You can also earn kicks by linking your credit card and shopping online. This makes it more of a GPT site, but there is still an emphasis on secret shopping.

There is no limit to how much you can earn with Shopkick. Every reward gives a unique number of kicks that help you earn the gift card. In general, it takes 250 kicks to earn $1 in gift cards, which you can redeem from $2.

There is a list of options, including Target, Amazon and PayPal credit. To sign up, download the app and complete the profile questions.

Market Force

Market Force has been a member of the Mystery Shopping Provider’s Association for over a decade and has won multiple Shopper’s Choice awards. This platform offers a variety of secret shopper jobs, from visiting stores to taking in a movie. It has hundreds of thousands of members in the USA and UK.

You can expect to receive a low cash reward of a few dollars or reimbursement for items you buy in store. So, this will not make you rich, but the variety of assignments makes it an interesting side gig. 

You can apply with a few basic details, including your address, so Market Force can match you with jobs in your local area. 

Secret Shopper

As the name suggests, Secret Shopper specializes in secret shopper jobs. The company has been around since 1990 and offers opportunities worldwide, including the USA and many European countries. 

You can sign up through the Secret Shopper website by selecting your country and clicking “sign up to shop”. You will need to read and agree to the rules and guidelines and complete a basic test that verifies you understand all the rules.

Secret Shopper requires some of your personal information including your name, date of birth and address. You’ll then receive a shopper ID and password. You can then explore the list of assignments. The pay for each assignment varies, but it is typically $15 to $25.

Ath Power Consulting

Some secret shopper companies offer a variety of jobs, while others focus on specific niches. Ath Power Consulting has a focus on the finance and baking industry. 

So, working secret shopper jobs for ATH is likely to involve going into a bank and then describing your experience. There are also jobs involving going into airports, but these are only available if you have security clearance. 

ATH is a member of the Mystery Shopping Providers Association, which has been around for 10 years. This organization requires members to adhere to a code of conduct. In fact, ATH has been an Elite Member for consecutive years. 

ATH jobs typically pay $25 to $60, but you won’t receive immediate payment. The company processes payments twice monthly.To sign up for ATH, you’ll need to create an account with your email address and some personal information, including your name, address, and demographic details, such as your income, education level, and race.

BARE offers secret shopper jobs in person, via phone, video or customer chat. This award-winning company offers an average $20 per hour rate. When you sign up, you can list five area codes where you want to work. This will help you work in different area codes near where you live to maximize your earnings. 

You can sign up on the BARE website, by choosing your language and entering a valid email address. You’ll need to supply a few demographic details and confirm you have read the privacy policy before you can begin. 

A Closer Look

A Closer Look has won several awards, including the 2018 “Elite Company” award and the 2019 Shopper’s Choice Award. This company offers secret shopper jobs and opportunities in specialist industries, including senior living, restaurants, entertainment, hotels, and specialty retail. 

Currently there are 200,000 + evaluators assisting hundreds of clients with feedback on their services and customer satisfaction. 

You can sign up here . To receive a link to an application page, you’ll need to provide a valid email address. A Closer Look requires personal and demographic information. However, you will also need to write a sample essay of at least two paragraphs that describes your last fine dining or casual restaurant experience. You need to take your time with this, as it will partially determine your eligibility. 

Once you submit this information, you’ll need to wait for a response. 

Pinnacle assists financial institutions to improve their sales quality and service. The company has been around for over 20 years and their secret shopper jobs are solely in banks and credit unions. This makes it a great choice for anyone who has an interest in finance. 

You can sign up by clicking the New Shopper Sign Up button on the website. You’ll need to provide an email address and supply your basic personal information. This includes your bank account details, so you can receive payments. There are also demographic questions that will help Pinnacle to determine the best secret shopper jobs for you. 

GBW is a global leader in mystery shopping. This company has organized more than 14 million mystery shops for some of the largest brands in the world. As an evaluator, you’ll receive training on how to make enquiries when you visit the designated store. After your visit, you’ll then need to complete an online survey. You’ll be rewarded for your time and effort with cash payments, discounts and reimbursements. 

GBW mystery shopping is available in over 100 countries around the world including the USA. The payments depend on the specific task, but you can expect to earn up to $30 per task. 

To sign up visit the GBW website and complete the online application. 

Sinclair Customer Metrics

Sinclair Customer Metrics has helped thousands of businesses improve their customer experience. The company has been around since 1987 and offers a variety of secret shopper jobs, including phone, in-person, and video mystery shops. 

You can expect to earn an average of $10 per hour. However, the pay varies according to the complexity and time required for the task.

To sign up , you’ll need to provide your name and email address. You must also review and agree to several documents, including the Mystery Shoppers document, the Independent Contractor agreement, and the Sinclair New Shopper Challenge. There is also a secure online application and a New Shopper Survey. 

All of this reading and questions may seem a little long-winded. But, they will ensure Sinclair has sufficient demographic information to match you with appropriate assignments.

BestMark offers 10,000+ secret shopper jobs every month, making it one of the largest mystery shopper companies. The company has been around since 1986 and is a member of MSPA. 

The assignments can involve visiting hotels, resorts, and restaurants. The pay differs according to the assignment, but the average hourly rate is $20. You can choose to receive your payments via direct deposit, PayPal, or gift cards. 

To join the platform , you’ll need to provide your email address, contact details, and some demographic information. You will also need to read and agree to the guidelines, policies, and independent contractor agreement. 

You will then have access to a list of appropriate, available secret shopping gigs in person, by phone, or on the web. 

AboutFace is a member of the MSPA and has been around for over 20 years. The company offers secret shopper tasks across all 50 states. 

According to the company website, AboutFace offers 15% more than the industry averages. Users report that tasks typically pay $25 to $45. You’ll receive your earnings via PayPal.

To sign up , you’ll need to provide your contact details and read the Independent Contractor Agreement. AboutFace will verify your email address and then allow you to add information including your PayPal address, a picture of yourself and a picture of your driver’s license. You’ll also need to answer some basic questions. 

ACPVIEW , or A Customer’s Point of View, organizes secret shopping for various businesses. These include grocery stores, airports, banking, retail shops, casual dining options, and government agencies.

This company has been around for over twenty years and has accumulated secret shopping tasks in over 100,000 stores. As an evaluator, you’ll receive invites to dine at restaurants, visit stores or offices, make phone calls, and do other secret shopping tasks. 

The payment for each task depends on the client and its length. However, you will see what payment is offered before you accept the job. You can expect up to $40 per task. You can start the registration process with your email address.

SeeLevel offers secret shopper jobs in the retail, fast food, automotive and retail industries. These positions offer the potential to earn up to $200 per day and a free meal. Payments are made via PayPal. 

To sign up , you’ll need to provide a valid email address and complete the online form. This includes demographic information such as your gender, birthday, height, weight, household income and the area code where you live. 

You will also need to agree to the Independent Contractor Agreement and the privacy policy. SeeLevel will review your application and contact you if you qualify. 

Amusement Advantage

Amusement Advantage is a secret shopper company where you can earn to visit bowling alleys, museums, amusement parks, aquariums and zoos. 

These can be more fun secret shopper jobs than just visiting a grocery store, but you will need to be more detail oriented. 

Some tasks only offer to refund your admission, but others offer cash incentives. Additionally, there is a $5 bonus on some assignments if you complete the task by 10 am.

You can also boost your earnings by referring friends to the platform. Referrals can earn you $20 each.  

The only downside is it can take up to 45 days to receive your payment. To sign up, you’ll need to go through the registration process online.

Confero offers secret shopper jobs in retail, automotive, banking, healthcare, movie theaters, theme parks and tourist attractions. 

The rewards for each test vary, but you can expect to earn up to $100 per week. Confero pays twice a month, usually on the 10th and 25th. You’ll receive your earnings in your PayPal account, and you’ll also receive reimbursement for anything you needed to spend during your tasks. 

To become a Confero shopper , complete the registration form. You’ll need to provide some demographic information and the area codes where you live and work. 

iSecretShop

iSecretShop is available as a desktop browser or app. It currently has over 1 million members. You can choose in store, web or phone secret shopper jobs. 

Where iSecretShop is a little different from many of the companies and platforms we’ve listed here is that it doesn’t pay you directly. Shoppers receive payment from the Mystery Shopping Providers offering the jobs.

This job board offers opportunities from 1,000 companies. Although each MSP has different payment policies, most pay via PayPal. 

To sign up, you’ll need to complete the online form on the iSecretShop website. This includes demographic information such as your address, gender and family dynamics. 

Shopper’s View

Shopper’s View offers a variety of mystery shopping tests. There are gigs in retail stores, food outlets and even sports events. There are also telephone secret shopper gigs. 

Gigs are normally worth $10 to $40. However, some assignments pay more. In some cases, such as a restaurant visit, the payment may be reimbursement for the cost of a meal for yourself and a guest. 

To register as a Shopper’s View shopper , you need to watch a video on the website. This will guide you through the process and the Independent Contractor Agreement. 

Second to None

Second to None requires secret shoppers for specific jobs. They are currently looking for shoppers who are willing to talk to insurance organizations and brokers or those who are AARP members. However, it is worth periodically checking in to see when they update their requirements. 

The payment for each task varies, but you’ll receive payment once per month. This can take the form of a direct deposit or PayPal payment. However, PayPal payments do attract a $1 fee. To become a mystery shopper , you’ll need to confirm you’ve read through the terms and requirements before filling in the online application form.

RealityBasedGroup (RBG) offers written, video, phone and online secret shopper jobs. RBG clients include department stores, banks, restaurants, gyms and bookstores. 

Many of the tests are enjoyable and you can expect to earn approximately $12 per hour. 

To start the registration process , you’ll need to provide a valid email address. You will also need to provide some demographic information, read and agree to the Independent Contractor Agreement and privacy policy. 

Mercantile Systems Inc.

Mercantile Systems has secret shopper jobs and opportunities in restaurants, golf courses, healthcare, financial services, retail, hotels and even storage facilities. 

After sign up, you’ll see a list of open assignments in your area. You can choose tests that interest you and choose a day you would like to work. You will receive an immediate or email confirmation that Mercantile Systems accept your application. 

The payment for each task varies, but you will see how much each task is worth before you begin. You’ll have 24 hours to complete your assignment and will receive pay within 45 days. To sign up, complete the online form . You’ll need to enter your demographic and contact information. Mercantile Systems also requires you sign the Independent Contractor Agreements and verify your email address.

Intelli-shop

Intellishop has an extensive list of secret shopper jobs across 50 industries, making it easy to find a job that interests you. Additionally, Intellishop holds the 2019 MSPA Shoppers Choice Award, which is chosen by the secret shoppers.

The tasks vary, but you can expect an average pay of $20 per hour. 

To sign up , select your language and enter your email address. Then you’ll be prompted to read and agree to the independent contractor agreement. You’ll need to add some basic personal information and complete the demographic questionnaire. 

This does include providing your bank details and tax information, but this is so you can get paid. 

KSS International

KSS International has been around since 1998. This is not a standard secret shopping company. Instead KSS connects secret shoppers with assignments from other companies. KSS has scheduled over 1 million assignments for 80 mystery shopping companies. 

Typical assignments include retail, banking and alternative financial services. The rates vary according to the MSC, but most pay via PayPal You can expect to earn $8 to $20 per assignment.

To sign up , you’ll need a valid email address and some demographic details so KSS can offer you appropriate tasks. 

GigWalk is an app that offers various gigs. Not all of these are secret shopper jobs. They range from checking prices at a specific grocery store to taking pictures for an insurance company. The tasks can take a few minutes to several hours. You can expect to earn $3 to $100 per gig.

The Gigwalk app is available for Android and iOS devices . You can complete the gigs directly on the app. So there is no need to log on to your computer to finish an assignment. 

When you download the app, you’ll need to follow the prompts to create your account and you can get started.

Merchandiser

Merchandiser is another app platform that relates to retail activities including secret shopping by Survey.com. You may receive an invite to put stickers on items, count inventory or even set up a promotional display. 

The app is available for Android and iOS devices. After you download the app, you’ll need to complete your details and wait for gigs in your area. Most tasks take approximately 15 minutes and you can expect to earn $12 per hour or more. You’ll receive payment via PayPal. 

Field Agent

Field Agent is a secret shopper app. There are assignments for members that include visiting Walmart stores, and other popular retailers. The app is available for iOS and Android devices.

After you download the app and create an account, you can receive assignments. There is the potential to earn $3 to $20 per task. The Field Agent team will review your descriptions and photos. You should expect payment approximately two days after you submit your report. 

Observa is a secret shopper app for Android and iPhone. After downloading the app and setting up your account, you can receive secret shopper jobs.

The app has an excellent rating on both the Google Play Store and App Store. You can expect to receive $4 to $20 per task, depending on the complexity of the job and how much time is necessary. Observa processes payments within 24 hours. You can choose to receive your earnings via PayPal or Bitcoin.

Phone Mystery Shopping

ARC has BBB accreditation and pays members via PayPal for every mystery phone call. The amount you’ll receive depends on the task’s specifics, but you can expect anywhere from $3.50 to $12. 

ARC recruits from multiple countries and you may get priority for jobs if you speak multiple languages. 

To begin working for ARC, you’ll need to complete the online form . This includes questions about your address, date of birth, and other demographics. You will also need to supply your PayPal information, so you can get paid.  

Perception Strategies

Perception Strategies focuses on healthcare secret shopping. Since 1998, the company has performed over 150,000 secret shops, ranging from calling a doctor’s office to a full-length doctor’s visit. 

The phone secret shops typically charge $12 to $17, but in-person tests are more expensive. 

Perception Strategies has vacancies in various states across the U.S. To apply, you’ll need to complete the application . This includes your location and answers to a few basic questions. 

Even if there isn’t an immediate opening in your area, Perception Strategies will keep your information on file. They will notify you in the future if an opportunity arises. 

Yardi Matrix

Yardi Matrix offers secret shopper jobs in the commercial real estate sector. If you’re hired, you will call apartment communities posing as a renter. Yardi Matrix will provide you with the specific questions you should ask. 

To complete the jobs, you will need a phone and high-speed internet access. You can expect to receive $6 per hour, but there are some bonuses. Calls occur from 9am to 6pm in your time zone. You will also need to commit to completing up to 100 surveys per week. 

To register , you must send a copy of your resume. If you qualify, Yardi will contact you with further details. 

Call Center QA

Call Center QA aims to improve the helpfulness and quality of its call centers. This makes it a good option if you enjoy speaking on the phone. You can complete calls from your mobile phone or landline. Feedback forms typically take 15 minutes to complete, and you’ll receive $5 per call. 

To apply, you’ll need to complete a questionnaire containing your contact information and details about yourself, including your education level, age, and secret shopper experience. 

Call Center QA will get back to you if you qualify for a position.

What Is a Mystery Shopper?

Mystery shopping or secret shopping is a flexible task that involves visiting businesses anonymously to check that standards are being met and that customers are being served. This isn’t just about visiting retail stores or shopping for groceries. You may be asked to visit restaurants, take in a movie, or even have your eyes tested. 

The mystery shopping process varies from task to task, but most will supply you with a set of specific instructions that you need to follow before you enter a business or shop.

This could include guidelines for what you need to buy, a list of questions you should ask, details to look for, and whether you need to take photographs. After your visit, you may be required to write a report or fill in a questionnaire. 

You may have questions about whether the store had adequate signage or need to rate the employee interaction.

How Much do Secret Shoppers Make?

The rates of pay for secret shoppers can vary dramatically. Depending on the project requirements, they can earn anything from $1 or $2 to hundreds of dollars. 

Some projects don’t offer a cash payment, but you’ll have a budget to spend in store and be allowed to keep the items as freebies. However, you need to take care about what you spend, as if the brief may specify the total reimbursement. So, if you’re tasked to visit a restaurant, there is no point in ordering a three course gourmet dinner if you’ll only be reimbursed $20.

How to Become a Mystery Shopper?

For a complete beginner, finding mystery shopping jobs can be a little daunting, so it is a good idea to sign up for multiple platforms offering secret shopper jobs mentioned in this article. Although these may not be the highest paying gigs, they can help you develop experience and your skill set.

We’ll explore the best secure shopper jobs both online and offline, to help you to find the ones best suited to your circumstances. 

Avoid Mystery Shopping Scams

How to not get scammed and sign up only with legitimate companies?

Secret shopper jobs can be a great side gig. Unfortunately, this industry also has more than its fair share of scams. So, it is important to avoid any mystery shopping scams.

Of course our list of secret shopper jobs only includes legit options. But, we also want to highlight what to watch out for. 

Only Use a Trusted List of Companies:

When you’re looking for reputable secret shopping companies, ensure you sign up for one recommended by a trustworthy source. Most reputable companies, such as AboutFace and BestMark, are members of the MSPA.

This is a professional industry board that has the primary goals of establishing standards and industry ethics, educating providers and shoppers, improving the industry image and promoting members. 

Over 450 companies worldwide are members of the MSPA, which provides a good benchmark for reputable companies. 

You can also verify the company’s rating on Trustpilot or with the Better Business Bureau. 

Never Wire Them Money:

No reputable secret shopping company will ask you to wire them money. If you’re asked to deposit a check and then wire funds to a third party, don’t do it. This is a classic scam and many scammers use the concept of mystery shopping to try to dupe people. 

Some companies require you to make a purchase to evaluate the shopping experience. However, you’ll be reimbursed for this purchase. Be sure to check the terms and conditions of the platform before you make any purchase.  

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The Mystery Shopping Process in 5 Steps

Paul Bell June 30, 2022

With any good meal, the ingredients and the steps that go into preparing it are integral to the final product. And mystery shopping programs aren’t so different. Much like fine cuisine, it’s a mixture of art and science - a step-by-step methodology that, when executed correctly, enables brands to objectively evaluate particular aspects of your business from the customers' lens.

So what is the mystery shopping process? How does it work when you partner with a professional mystery shopping provider ? Here we’ll look at the 5 key steps so you can, as the saying goes, see how the sausage is made so you’ll know what to expect and what questions to ask when developing your next program.

Act & Repeat

No one out there knows your business better than you do. And no one knows mystery shopping better than your service provider. So the first step of the mystery shopping process calls for some collaboration where your team explicitly discusses the critical assessment areas such as customer service, cleanliness, billings, and refunds, to name a few.

You can also start by asking yourself what the purpose of the mystery shopper program is. How will you use the mystery shopping results? What specific operational and behavioral elements drive your business? This information will then be used by your service provider to design mystery shopping questionnaires that properly measure the points along your customer journey that matter to your brand.

This is the step of the mystery shopping process that people are most familiar with. Professional mystery shoppers are assigned to visit locations in accordance with your program goals to collect high-quality objective data.

Based on the requirements of each assignment, these shoppers will covertly observe and record the specific operations and employee behaviors that have been identified as critical to your company's success. This enables you to assess any touchpoint — onsite, curb-side, online, or virtual - that is important for your brand.

Not to be confused with analysis, the review step of the mystery shopping process is about quality assurance rather than driving insights. One of the most important aspects of an effective and impactful mystery shopping program is reliable and accurate data. That's why a Quality Assurance Team reviews all data collected from the field before being entered into the platform used for analysis. This team should ensure:

• Proper shop procedures were followed
• Correct spellings and grammar in all comments
• Removal of any derogatory comments
• The correct location was evaluated
• There are no contradictions in responses

As a result, you can move on to the analysis stage with the utmost confidence in the data that will form the basis of your insights.

Analysis is a pivotal point in the mystery shopping process. Data doesn't have to come in spreadsheets. Staring at spreadsheets can be boring and make it difficult to connect the dots. That’s why customer experience platforms have been developed to make it easy to visualize CX data in a way that aligns with your business. The best intelligence suite will seamlessly bring together mystery shopping data as well as other key CX metrics to allow for a holistic analysis.

Software like the Intouch Platform is designed to help you grow - making analysis simple so you can take action. It enables you to easily compare results over time, identify high-performing teams by region or location, and highlight trending or priority issues across your locations.

Insights are only as good as the action they drive. An efficient mystery shopping program helps you get the right information, to the right people, at the right time. This means you can hone in on your strengths and overcome any weaknesses in your brand's performance so your teams can do more of what wows your customers.

Remember, the mystery shopping process is an ongoing measurement tool to help you drive continuous improvements to your customer's experience. As consumer expectations and preferences are constantly changing, so should your ways to meet and exceed them. And the only way to get it right is to look at it always through their lens.

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10 Secrets to Conducting Effective Mystery Shopping

As a mystery shopper, your job is to provide constructive feedback to businesses. Feedback on the quality of their customer service, products, and overall customer experience. To conduct an effective mystery shopping evaluation, it’s essential to know what to look for and how to provide valuable feedback. In this blog post, we’ll share insider mystery shopping tips and tricks from experienced mystery shoppers on conducting effective mystery shopping visits or evaluations.

Plan ahead : Before you start your mystery shopping assignment, take the time to plan your visit. Review the instructions carefully. Understand the requirements and make a list of what you need to observe or document. Create a checklist or use a mobile inspection app to ensure you don’t miss anything important.

Be observant : Pay attention to everything. From the moment you enter the business until you leave. Observe the staff’s behavior, their interaction with customers, the cleanliness of the premises, the quality of the products or services, and anything else that is relevant to the evaluation. Don’t be distracted by personal matters or outside noise.

Be discreet: As a mystery shopper, your goal is to blend in with other customers and not draw attention to yourself. Avoid taking notes or using your phone ( openly) , as it may arouse suspicion. Instead, use mental notes or a hidden recording device to document your observations.

Follow the instructions : Make sure you follow the instructions provided by the mystery shopping company you are evaluating. If there are specific questions or tasks to complete, make sure you address them. Failure to follow instructions can result in an incomplete or inaccurate evaluation.

Ask questions: If you are unsure about something or need clarification, don’t hesitate to ask questions. This can help you get a better understanding of the business’s processes, policies, or services. However, be careful not to ask too many questions or appear too curious, as it may raise suspicion.

Act like a real customer: To conduct an effective evaluation, it’s important to act like a real customer. This means engaging in natural conversation, asking relevant questions, and making appropriate purchases or requests. Don’t be too critical or nitpick, as it may bias your evaluation.

Be objective: As a mystery shopper, your feedback should be objective and unbiased. Don’t let personal biases, emotions, or assumptions influence your evaluation. Stick to the facts and provide constructive feedback that can help the business improve.

Provide actionable feedback: When providing mystery shopping feedback, be specific and provide actionable suggestions on how the business can improve. Avoid general or vague feedback that doesn’t offer any value. Use concrete examples and provide specific recommendations that can help the business make meaningful changes.

Be timely: It’s essential to submit your evaluation report on time. Don’t procrastinate or delay submitting your report, as it can affect the quality of your feedback and the payment you receive. Submit your report as soon as possible while ensuring its accuracy and completeness.

Keep learning : Finally, keep learning and improving mystery shopping evaluations and skills. Attend training sessions, read industry publications, and network with other mystery shoppers to gain new insights and knowledge. The more you learn, the better you can become at providing valuable feedback to businesses.

In summary, conducting effective mystery shopping evaluations requires careful planning, attention to detail, and a commitment to providing valuable feedback. By following these insider tips and tricks, you can make the most out of your mystery shopping assignments and help businesses improve customer experience.

In case, you are looking for software that can triple X your speed and work accuracy then try Checker . It is a professional platform that allows conducting mystery shopping like never before. With its user-friendly interface, checklist, and mobile inspection app, hidden recording feature, and timely submission feature, Checker streamlines the mystery shopping process. It also offers training sessions to help you continuously improve your skills.

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Mystery Shopping Methodology

The methodology a mystery shopper uses depends greatly on the type of assignment they have. Some mystery shopping jobs are completed through the use of a simple questionnaire, while other assignments involve the mystery shopper investigating the product or service in much greater detail.

Most methodologies include some way in which customer satisfaction levels can be assessed ranging from hidden video and audio equipment to telephone shops in order to gather information. Telephone shopping entails obtaining information through a phone call to customer service centers, call centers or any venue in which an exchange from the business to the customer occurs over the phone. Other types of methodologies can include online shopping, a system in which the mystery shopper assesses their experience by shopping for items or booking tickets online. Purchase and Return shops are another popular method and involve directly evaluating how a business handles customers by having the mystery shopper return a product for a refund or an exchange.

Discrimination shopping is another mystery shopping method that is commonly employed and is ultimately used to evaluate whether or not the business or product discriminates in any way toward different customer demographics. Event tests are similar to regular mystery shops, which represents a methodology where the mystery shopper attends a conference, cruise or concert to evaluate the experience as a whole. Each type of methodology is different, ultimately used to measure a different aspect of the business. Thus, depending on the goals of the company and the area of their business they are hoping to examine, the methodology used by the mystery shopper will change. The types of practices mentioned: simple shops, questionnaires, telephone shops, online shops, purchase and return shops, discrimination and event tests all represent common methods of mystery shopping that most shoppers will at some point implement.

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Benefits of mystery shopping.

Becoming a mystery shopper has many benefits! Some notable perks include:

• Get paid to visit local businesses and evaluate their customer service, product quality, and the physical appearance of the stores
• As a mystery shopper, you’ll be reimbursed for meals at restaurants, sports games, and other fun events
• Create your own flexible schedule with the opportunity to accept or reject any assignment
• Work from home with telephone mystery shopping
• You’ll be growing and improving your community by helping businesses in your area succeed

Getting Started At Shoppers' View

To get started as a mystery shopper with Shoppers’ View, we’ll supply you with guidelines to complete each shop successfully, and you only need to sign up for the specific assignments that appeal to you. Shoppers are welcome to become members of the mystery shopping industry’s association,  MSPA Americas . Visit their website to learn more about the mystery shopping industry.

We also encourage you to learn more about being an independent contractor by visiting the website of  It’s My Business , an organization dedicated to protecting the rights of America’s 10.3 million independent contractors. Lastly, two popular websites shoppers use to apply for shops are Prestomap , and  Jobslinger .

Refer A Friend

Love mystery shopping for Shoppers’ View? Spread the word! Shoppers’ View will give you $5.00 for each new shopper you refer.

The referred shopper must register with the email address provided on this form and must successfully complete a shop within 60 days of the referral for you to be eligible for the referral reward.

Common Questions About Mystery Shopping

Can i work as a mystery shopper for shoppers' view.

Yes! Shoppers’ View is always looking for dedicated mystery shoppers all around the United States and Canada. If you have a sharp eye for detail, a passion for helping local businesses succeed, and a love for shopping, you can  sign up as a mystery shopper here.

As a mystery shopper, what am I expected to do?

As a mystery shopper, you will visit various businesses and conduct yourself as a typical customer.  You’ll order meals, shop for clothing, etc., as you typically would when shopping—but our client will rely on you to be particularly observant as you do so.  After your visit, you’ll provide detailed information on your experiences, with a particular focus on the level of service you received from staff and the quality of products.  The fact that you are working as a mystery shopper must remain completely confidential.

Am I required to have any particular experience to be a mystery shopper?

No specific experience is required in order to sign up as a mystery shopper. However, certain personal qualities—a talent for observation, strong communication skills, and the ability to meet deadlines—are necessary. Though it’s not required, prior experience in the retail, financial services, hospitality, leasing, or customer service industries will be helpful to you in your role as a mystery shopper.

Do I have to pay to sign up as a mystery shopper at Shoppers’ View?

No, there is no cost to sign up.

Are shops available where I live?

The demand for mystery shopper services in any specific area changes on a regular basis. Once you’re accepted as a mystery shopper, you’ll be able to view shopping programs that are currently available in your area. If no mystery shops are listed as available in your area, it may be that all available shops have been accepted by other shoppers in your area, or there may simply not be any shops available at the moment. We add new clients on a regular basis, so you’ll want to check the listings frequently to see when new shopping assignments become available.

How will I learn of new assignments in my area?

You’ll be notified by email if an assignment becomes available in your area that fits your experience and profile. Shoppers’ View also maintains an online job board.

When I sign up as a mystery shopper, am I applying to become an employee of Shoppers’ View?

No. When you sign up to become a mystery shopper, you are not applying to be an employee of Shoppers’ View. You are an independent contractor with the option to accept or reject individual shopping assignments on a case-by-case basis.

How many hours will I work as a mystery shopper?

That depends on you and your schedule. As an independent contractor, you have the right to accept or reject any assignment you are offered. Generally speaking, mystery shopping is considered a part-time activity, with most shoppers working about 20 hours a month.

How much do you pay for each mystery shopping assignment?

Each shopping assignment has a different payment arrangement. The normal range of payment is $10 – $40, although some assignments pay significantly more. In the case of certain mystery shopper assignments, such as restaurant shops, the payment may be in the form of reimbursement for the cost of your meal and the meal of a guest. The payment for each assignment is clearly explained before you agree to accept it.

If I complete a shop for Shoppers’ View, when will I be paid?

Shops are paid via PayPal. Shops submitted between the 1st and 15th will be paid around the last day of that month. Shops submitted between the 16th and 31st will be paid around the 15th of the following month.

How much can I realistically expect to make overall as a mystery shopper?

The amount of money you earn as a mystery shopper depends on the number and type of shops you are willing to perform. Working part-time, many mystery shoppers earn $200-$300 per week; however, a dedicated, full-time mystery shopper can earn $20,000 or more a year.

Will I be penalized or removed as a mystery shopper if I turn down a shopping assignment?

Absolutely not! Our mystery shopper services depend on shoppers who genuinely enjoy the experience and who feel comfortable and confident during the mystery shop. As an independent contractor, you are not obligated to accept any assignment you’re not interested in.

How long does an average mystery shop take to complete?

In most cases, an individual mystery shop will take no longer than 30 minutes to complete. However, you may be asked to complete several consecutive shops in one day.

Will my mystery shops need to be done by a certain time?

Yes, you’ll be given a specific deadline for each assignment.

Can I also mystery shop or work for other companies?

Yes.  Many of our shoppers work for other mystery shopper services companies on a part-time basis to supplement their income. Having another job or performing mystery shops for another company is perfectly acceptable.

Do I get to keep the items I shopped for?

Generally, yes, although it depends on the assignment. Shopper payments and reimbursements for any given assignment are clearly outlined on our job board. Please review these details before agreeing to complete a shop.

How secure is my personal information?

Shoppers’ View has multiple safeguards in place to prevent personal information from being stolen. You are responsible for maintaining the confidentiality of your Account and are responsible for any activities that occur under your Account. You can change your password at any time. We pay shoppers via PayPal, which ensures a secure transaction and account protection. For more information, please see our  Privacy Policy .

If I’m not full-time employee of Shoppers’ View, do you need my Social Security number?

I have a baby or small children. can i still be a mystery shopper.

This varies by assignment. Some assignments can be conducted with children, but in other cases it may not be appropriate to bring children. Please read the details of each assignment carefully, and contact us if you are unsure about a particular assignment’s requirements.

I have other questions about being a mystery shopper for Shoppers’ View.

If you have any questions that aren’t answered here, please contact us at  [email protected] .

Sign Up For A Mystery Shopping Career

Start helping the companies you love make a difference in their customer experience and get paid at the same time. Sign up to become a mystery shopper today.

Are mystery shopper jobs worth it? What you need to know

Mystery shopping has been a popular way to earn free products and restaurant meals for years. It’s also a flexible gig for single moms who are short on time and energy, since you can pick which opportunities work for you and don’t have to commit to a set schedule. 

The downside is that these are truly gigs — not a career — in which you can pick up $20 or $40 here and there (and sometimes a free meal).

That said, there are plenty of legit mystery shopper jobs — but also a number of secret shopping scams to watch out for. This post breaks down how secret shopping works, how much you can realistically make, and which legitimate companies can connect you with these opportunities.

What is a mystery shopper?

How does mystery shopping work, is mystery shopping legit, types of secret shoppers, how much do mystery shoppers make, how to find mystery shopper jobs.

• A Closer Look
• Ellis Mystery Shopper
• Intellishop
• Market Force
• Secret Shopper
• Second to None

Watch for mystery shopping scams

The 101 on mystery shopping gigs.

A mystery shopper, also known as a secret shopper, ghost shopper, or anonymous shopper, is someone hired by a company, or a market research firm, to evaluate the quality of service in stores, restaurants and other businesses without the employees knowing they are being assessed.

These undercover shoppers perform specific tasks, such as purchasing a product, asking the sales people questions, calling the store or business in advance to see how well the employees communicate, or simply observing the environment. 

Mystery shoppers are typically paid per assignment and may be reimbursed for any products or services they are required to buy to complete the job. Since assignments aren’t consistent and you must apply and get approved for gigs, mystery shopping is a side hustle for most people. This is not career work .

Companies hire secret shoppers to see if their sales or customer service team are complying with government regulations or company policies — or simply providing good service. Mystery shoppers are given assignments, often called “shops,” which include a checklist of items to evaluate — things like cleanliness, employee interactions, product quality, and speed of service.

After completing their assignments, mystery shoppers submit a report detailing their observations, which often include photographic or video evidence.

“One thing I really like about mystery shopping is how many jobs there are on the app to choose from and how you can do them whenever you want since some shops only require you to visit during normal business hours,” says Katie Bateman, who works full-time for a talent agency in the Nashville area.

For the past year, Bateman has also completed mystery shopping jobs a few times per month as a side hustle. 

Yes, mystery shopping is a legitimate practice used by many reputable companies across various industries to improve their business operations. To ensure you are working with a legitimate mystery shopping company, look for certification from the Mystery Shopping Provider's Association 1 (MSPA), a global organization that represents the mystery shopping industry. 

MSPA was founded in 1998 and has more than 150 member companies worldwide. Members are required to adhere to a strict code of ethics, such as treating shoppers with respect, ensuring confidentiality of information, and providing accurate and timely payments for completed assignments.

Mystery shopping isn't one-size-fits-all. Here are several types of secret shopping assignments you might encounter:

• Airline: Evaluate the customer service and overall experience of airlines, from booking tickets to in-flight service.
• Hotel: Stay at hotels to assess accommodations, amenities, and hospitality services.
• Restaurant: Dine in restaurants to evaluate food quality, service, and dining environment.
• Retail: Shop in-store to gauge customer service, store cleanliness, and product availability.
• Online mystery shopping: Assess websites for ease of use, customer service responsiveness, and online shopping experience.
• Telephone mystery shopping from home : Evaluate customer service over the phone, including response times and the quality of assistance.
• Video shopper: This involves wearing a hidden camera with a built-in microphone to capture your experience during your shopping assignment. Instead of writing up a report afterward, you just submit the video and a few notes. Some mystery shopping companies provide the video equipment, while others may require that you have your own, which can be an investment of a few hundred dollars.

How to make money testing products at home

The baseline for some mystery shopper gigs falls between $7 to $20 per assignment for a beginner. This doesn’t include the reimbursement if you need to make a purchase, but does include the report you must write after interacting with the retailer. The amount you can make also depends on the complexity of the job and your experience level as well. 

One Reddit user explained how they found higher compensation with certain restaurants or hotel-related assignments:

What exactly is mystery shopping? Is it that profitable? by in beermoney

Here’s what another Reddit user had to say about getting approved for more opportunities that may pay better rates:

I’ve recently become a mystery shopper. I have a few questions. by u/JanksyNova in beermoney

Sherita Brown, who runs the YouTube Channel GoalDigger , has been doing mystery shopping jobs on and off for several years and says her favorite assignment was being paid $100 for opening a bank account. 

“The pay can vary based on the client’s needs and the requirements, but there’s a lot of variety,” Brown says. “I have done bank shops, restaurant shops, hotel shops, movie shops, a shop at an NFL game, and a shop where I was paid to try on clothes, just to name a few.”

Bateman was paid to secret shop at a soap store in Tennessee and got reimbursed for up to $25 in merchandise. “I just had to answer a few questions about the store and submit my receipt,” she says. 

Bateman says that while some of her shops have only provided reimbursement for compensation, most pay a compensation fee, plus reimbursement for the purchase. $10 to complete an assignment and $20 reimbursement for the purchase is typical in her experience on the Secret Shopper app. 

For meals, she earns up to $40 to $50 for reimbursement and around $15 to $20 for the job fee.

Mystery shoppers are self-employed contractors and not considered employees by most secret shopper companies, which means you’ll be asked to fill out and submit a W-9 form and pay self-employment taxes on whatever you make.

To find mystery shopping opportunities, you’ll need to do some online research and networking since most companies have recruiters or schedulers that help book people for jobs. 

We’ve listed several reputable and well-researched companies below that provide regular opportunities, but you can also find leads and opportunities in Facebook groups such as Mystery Shoppers Unite and Secret Shopping/Shopping, Scheduler and Editor Connect .

Sometimes, secret shopper schedulers share last-minute opportunities, with information about how to apply so you can earn money quickly. You can use these Facebook groups to forge relationships with mystery shopper schedulers and editors because they play a crucial role in the process of assigning tasks to shoppers and reviewing their work.

To get started, you have to sign up with a mystery shopping company and complete your profile so you can view and apply for jobs that interest you. 

Here is a list of 11 reputable companies to get started. All of these companies have either a high Better Business Bureau rating, are registered with the MSPA, or have positive independent reviews and shopper feedback on third-party sites like Trustpilot and Reddit. 

1. AboutFace

AboutFace is a mystery shopping company headquartered in Atlanta. They offer a wide range of assignments, from retail stores to brand audits across the U.S. Once you create an account and add your profile details, you’ll see opportunities within a 50-mile radius of your location. 

This company also offers detailed training and support for new shoppers, making it an excellent choice for beginners. Payments are typically made via PayPal about 30 to 45 days after a completed assignment.

BBB rating: A+ (not accredited)

MSPA registered

2. A Closer Look

A Closer Look specializes in mystery shopping for the hospitality industry, including restaurants, hotels, and resorts. Shoppers can enjoy complimentary meals and stays while providing valuable feedback. The company has been around for the past 25 years and compensates based on the complexity of its assignments.

BBB rating: A+ (accredited since 2019)

3. BestMark

BestMark has been around since 1986 and is one of the largest mystery shopping companies, offering a variety of assignments across various industries. You can sign up for assignments online, via email, or by text. 

Compensation varies by assignment, and you will either be offered a cash payment, reimbursement, or both. Payments are made between the 15th and 20th of the month for shops you successfully completed the previous month.

4. Ellis Mystery Shopper

Ellis Mystery Shopper specializes in evaluating real estate properties, including apartment complexes and rental communities. If you’re interested in the housing market, this company offers unique opportunities to assess property management and tenant experiences since they conduct more than 8,000 apartment mystery shopping jobs per month. 

Payments are processed monthly via direct deposit, with detailed guidelines provided for each assignment.

*Note that there is currently an alert on Ellis’ BBB profile page that says there is currently a scam operation using this business’ name. This is what it says: “If you have received a check in the mail and you are told to deposit the check and wire money, or to get a green dot card and report the numbers back to them, it is a scam.”

Not MSPA registered

5. Intellishop

Intellishop offers a diverse range of assignments, from retail to automotive shops. They provide a user-friendly platform for finding and applying for assignments, with clear instructions and support. 

To get started, you must sign up online or download the app and take a five-minute screening test to demonstrate that you can provide a detailed and well-written evaluation. Payments are made via PayPal on the 20th of each month, and there are frequent opportunities available nationwide.

BBB rating: A+ (accredited since 2001)

iShop focuses on the retail sector, with assignments available at various stores, including clothing, electronics, and grocery markets. They offer a straightforward application process and regular opportunities for shoppers. Payments are also made bi-weekly, which is sooner than other companies, but it’s still not quick if you’re looking for same-day pay jobs or next-day paid work.

BBB rating: A+ (accredited since 2021)

Jancyn offers mystery shopping assignments in several industries, including retail, dining, and health care. The minimum age requirement to sign up is 16, but you may need to be 21 or older for some mystery shopping assignments. 

Assignments are available on the ShopMetrics platform, and you can also earn certifications here to improve your shopper profile since some opportunities require you to earn a certification in specific industries. Jancyn sends payments via PayPal or Venmo.

8. Market Force

Market Force is a leading customer experience management company that works with many big-name brands across various industries. 

Market Force offers mystery shopping assignments in industries such as retail, restaurants, and entertainment, as well as online mystery shopping jobs where you will evaluate a company’s website or mobile app features. They also offer theater mystery shopping opportunities where you will report your experience from buying a ticket and observing the concessions available to rating the quality of the theater itself and the service from staff.

BBB rating: A+ (accredited since 1975)

9. Secret Shopper

Secret Shopper has been in business since 1990 and offers a variety of in-person, online, and phone mystery shopping jobs. This is one of the rare companies that offers secret shopper jobs in other countries, as well. 

Shops range from $15 to several hundred dollars depending on the client, but you must turn your written report in by noon the following day to be eligible for the next payment cycle. Shoppers get paid around the 20th of every month for the previous month’s shop(s) via ACH direct deposit or paper check.

BBB rating: A+ (accredited since 2009)

10. Second to None

Second to None has been around for more than 30 years and offers mystery shopping opportunities in industries such as retail, healthcare, and hospitality. You must be an AARP member to join and this company is also a member of the Mystery Shopping Providers Association (MSPA). 

While there are plenty of legitimate mystery shopping companies to choose from, some scams still exist. The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) warns against signing up with any company that requires you to pay to become a shopper or promises unusually high earnings.

Also: never deposit a check from a company as part of an assignment. This is a common scam where someone sends you a fake check (that has no value) to deposit. Then, when the check doesn’t clear and you spend money from your account, you could overdraft and be responsible for those fees. 

There have also been some instances where scammers have falsely impersonated other legitimate companies or mystery shopping opportunities. For example, Best Mark 2 has a page on its website detailing a scam that people are running using the company’s trademarked name and logo while asking people to deposit a check or wire money.

In 2023, a local news network out of Charlotte, N.C., reported a scam in which someone received an email from Kroger stating they could become a mystery shopper and earn up to $400, which Kroger debunked. It’s important to check the email address for typos or off-brand content and make sure you’re using a legitimate company to sign up for any mystery shopping opportunities.

To avoid scams, check to see if the company has:

• Independent reviews on third-party review sites like Trustpilot
• A rating with the BBB 
• A current membership of the MSPA
• Free sign-up form with no payment requirement to apply for shops

Mystery shopping can be fun and flexible side gig, and you don’t need a degree or experience to get started. Still, it may not be the best fit for everyone, since pay can be low and inconsistent (not to mention most gigs take several weeks to pay out). 

If you have a car and are looking to earn some extra cash for spending money, mystery shopping might be for you. You can also try a side hustle like taking surveys or shopping with cash-back apps . Keep in mind that you may only be reimbursed for your shopping trips instead of getting paid directly, but this could still supplement some of the money you might have spent on food and products. 

Brown recommends choosing a first shopping assignment based on something you already do. 

“Apply for as many shops that interest you, but don’t challenge yourself too hard in the beginning,” she said. “Providing detailed and accurate reporting is crucial so you can get approved for more jobs.

“It helps to be familiar with the shop assignment beforehand so you aren’t overwhelmed with the experience early on.”

• Mystery Shopping Provider's Association. https://www.mspa-americas.org/
• “Beware of Scams That Target Mystery Shoppers and Mystery Shopping Providers,” BestMark. https://www.bestmark.com/become-a-mystery-shopper/scam-alert/

Choncé Maddox

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How to Become a Mystery Shopper: Tips, Benefits, and FAQs

If you’re looking for a fun and flexible way to make some extra money, then becoming a mystery shopper may be the perfect gig for you! Keep reading to learn everything you need to know about how to become a mystery shopper.

What is a mystery shopper?

A mystery shopper, or secret shopper, is someone who is hired by a company to anonymously visit their business and provide feedback about the quality of their service.

A mystery shopper is expected to act like a real customer, and their goal is to provide an honest assessment of the business they are visiting.

Businesses that use mystery shoppers typically want to know whether their brand standards are being met, and if their employees are doing what is expected of them.

What will you have to do?

You will be given specific instructions on what the business wants you to do. For example, they may want you to ask specific questions, try out a new product or service, or they may want you to assess the cleanliness of the store.

Making money as a secret shopper can be very interesting, especially as your shopping trips will involve talking to employees and checking out the business as a whole.

Some of common assignments might include:

• Evaluating product placements and store displays
• Asking staff for product information
• Making purchases and checking prices
• Inquiring about certain things, like a specific item or special offer

As well as reporting on the outcome of your assignment, you may also be asked to provide a detailed written report about your experience - such as the friendliness of the staff and the overall customer experience .

Who can be a mystery shopper?

Almost anyone can become a mystery shopper! If you have some free time and flexibility, then mystery shopping may be a great fit for you.

Most secret shoppers are stay-at-home parents, retirees, students, or people who are looking for a flexible way to earn some extra money.

What qualifications do you need to be a mystery shopper?

There are no formal qualifications required to become a mystery shopper. However, some specialist assignments may require you to have a certain level of expertise. For example, if you’re mystery shopping a financial institution, then it would be beneficial to have some knowledge about banking products and services.

Additionally, most businesses will require you to be at least 18 years old.

What makes a good mystery shopper?

There are a few qualities that make a good mystery shopper.

First of all, you should be observant and detail-oriented. You will need to be able to remember small details and report back on your experience.

Secondly, you should be friendly and outgoing. Mystery shoppers need to be able to interact with employees and customers in a natural way.

Finally, you should be reliable and punctual. Mystery shoppers are often given tight deadlines and need to be able to submit their reports on time.

How much free time do you need to be a mystery shopper?

The amount of free time needed to become a mystery shopper varies depending on the type of assignment.

Some assignments can be completed in an hour or less, while others may take several hours to complete.

You can typically choose which assignments you want to take on, so you can work around your schedule.

When and where can you mystery shop?

This will also depend on the specific assignment. Some mystery shopping assignments can be completed online, while others will require you to visit a physical location.

There is often some flexibility in when you can complete the mystery shopping assignment, but some mystery shops will need to be completed at a specific time or day.

Is it worth being a mystery shopper?

Whether or not being a mystery shopper is worth it depends on your individual circumstances. Like many gig-economy jobs, the freedom and flexibility to choose your own assignments can be a big draw - but it comes at a cost.

If you enjoy shopping and trying out new products, then being a mystery shopper can be a fun way to earn some extra money. However, if you need regular hours and a regular income, then mystery shopping may not be the best fit for you.

What are the benefits of being a mystery shopper?

There are many benefits to being a mystery shopper. For starters, it’s a great way to earn some extra money or try some free meals. Mystery shopping can also be a fun and easy way to explore new places and try out new products.

Additionally, as a professional mystery shopper, you may enjoy having a real impact by providing businesses with the feedback needed to improve their operations.

What are the disadvantages of being a mystery shopper?

Of course, as with any job, there are also some drawbacks to being a mystery shopper.

One of the biggest disadvantages is that work is not guaranteed and you will be competing for jobs with other mystery shoppers.

Mystery shopping can sometimes be repetitive and you may find yourself doing the same tasks over and over again. Especially filling out forms…

Completing paperwork, or online forms, is a significant portion of the job. These can be quite lengthy and tedious, but they must be completed as part of the assignment.

How much money can you make as a mystery shopper?

Most full-time mystery shoppers are self-employed and earnings can vary greatly. One secret shopper reported earning £30,000 – £40,000 per year after signing up to multiple mystery shopping agencies.

Indeed.com reports the average salary for a mystery shopper is £9.55 per hour in United Kingdom . But this should be taken with a grain of salt, as the majority of mystery shopping jobs do not pay hourly but instead give a flat fee for the entire assignment.

How much you can earn as a mystery shopper will depend on a few factors, such as the location, the complexity of the tasks, and the availability of other mystery shoppers.

It’s not uncommon for secret shopping assignments in a big city, like London, to pay significantly less than the same task in a smaller town. This is because there is more competition for mystery shopping jobs in big cities.

The type of secret shopper jobs you take will have a big impact on how much you get paid. The lowest paid jobs are usually digital mystery shopping, where you might test an app or website. These jobs might have the lowest pay, but they’re fast to complete and don’t require any travel.

At the other end of the spectrum are complex in-person assignments, like hotel mystery shopping, usually have the highest payouts. Video mystery shoppers, who use a hidden camera to record their every move while at the store, may earn up to £300 per day .

Can you keep the products you buy?

This will depend on the specific assignment.

In some cases, mystery shoppers are given a budget to spend and are able to keep whatever they purchase. In other cases, the products or services need to be returned after the assignment is completed.

Some experiences, like a meal, spa treatment, or a stay at a hotel cannot be returned and so you will get to keep these for free!

However, unless you’re provided with a budget and travel expenses, it’s important to carefully check the total payment you will receive for your secret shop against what you will need to spend to complete it. If you’re not careful, you could end up losing money on the job.

How to become a mystery shopper?

If you’re interested in becoming a mystery shopper or a mystery diner, the best place to start is by signing up with a mystery shopping company or applying to an agency.

There are many companies that provide mystery shopping services to businesses, so you’ll need to do some research to find the right fit for you.

Once you’ve found a company you’re interested in, you’ll need to apply to be a mystery shopper. The application process will usually involve a grammar test to ensure that you will be able to produce a detailed report, as well as a background check.

After that, you’ll be able to start taking on mystery shopper jobs and earning money!

What are the best mystery shopping agencies?

There are many different mystery shopping agencies out there. Each will have a different focus, so it’s important to find mystery shopping jobs that are the right fit for you.

Some agencies focus on retail stores, while others may focus on providing mystery diners to restaurants or secret guests to hotels. There are even specialist agencies that focus on specific industries, like the automotive industry.

Some of the best mystery shopping agencies include:

ABa : A UK-based mystery shopping and CX agency that focuses on the Retail, Banking/Financial, and Grocery sectors.

Market Force Information : With over 600,000 shoppers globally, Market Force are a key player in the mystery shopping industry. They provide services for a range of industries, including Retail, Automotive, and Leisure/Entertainment.

Ipsos MORI : As the world’s largest provider, Ipsos mystery shopping programs cover almost every industry and region.

Storecheckers UK : An MSPA Elite member and UK-based secret shopping agency that covers Retail, Entertainment, and Casino/Gaming sectors.

Tern : A multi-sector mystery shopping agency that is a great choice for specialist services, like audio and video secret shopping.

Which mystery shopping companies are legitimate?

There are many legitimate mystery shopping companies out there, but there are also many scams. It’s important to do your research to make sure you’re signing up with a legitimate mystery shopping program.

One of the most important things to search for is whether the firm is a registered company, and if they are a member of the Mystery Shopping Professionals Association (MSPA) . The MSPA aims to improve overall quality within the mystery shopping industry and has established an open and transparent operating association with clear governance rules.

The biggest red flag to look out for when applying for mystery shopping jobs is if the company asks you to pay a fee to join their program.

You should never have to pay anything to become a mystery shopper - if a company is asking you to pay a fee, it’s most likely a scam.

How to avoid mystery shopping scams

Shopping is a lot of fun, and it’s even better when you get paid to do it. But, as with anything else, there are unfortunately many scams in the mystery shopping industry.

The best way to avoid these is to follow these simple tips:

• Always read the terms and conditions of each mystery shopping job before accepting it.
• Only sign up with legitimate mystery shopping companies.
• Never pay to join a mystery shopping program, even if it’s said to be for training or certification.
• Never send money by bank or wire transfer as part of an assignment.
• Never deposit a cheque into your account and send the money back.
• Never pay for a list of mystery shopping jobs.

The following sources can help you find more information about mystery shopping scams and how to avoid them:

• The Federal Trade Commission’s publication on Mystery Shopping Scams
• The Mystery Shopping Professionals Association’s page on Scams
• The Identity Theft Resource Center (ITRC) page on ID theft scams

Key takeaways

Mystery shopping is a great way to make money on the side, and there are many legitimate companies that offer these opportunities.

If you’re interested in becoming a mystery shopper, the best place to start is by signing up with a mystery shopping company or applying to an agency.

Be sure to do your research before accepting any assignments, and never pay to join a mystery shopping program - if a company is asking you to pay a fee, it’s most likely a scam.

Finally, always read the terms and conditions of each mystery shopping job before accepting it, and make sure that you’ll get value for your time.

Have you ever been a mystery shopper? Does your business hire mystery shoppers? We want to hear about your experiences.

Co-founder, TRACX

Tom is the co-founder of TRACX, a no-code marketing platform that allows local business owners to collect customer feedback and create engaging marketing campaigns. With over 17 years of experience in entrepreneurship, product development, and marketing for businesses large and small, Tom is currently responsible for developing product and marketing strategies for TRACX.

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October 9, 2024

How Much Do Mystery Shopping Companies Charge?

Discover how mystery shopping companies charge with diverse fee structures. Evaluate costs, quality, and reputation for optimal business enhancement.

by Ashley Shedlock

Content Coordinator at Greenbook

Mystery shopping companies play a crucial role in gathering valuable insights for businesses by employing mystery shoppers to assess and evaluate various aspects of customer experience. Understanding the charges associated with mystery shopping services is essential for both businesses looking to improve their operations and individuals interested in pursuing this type of work.

When exploring how much mystery shopping companies charge, it's important to consider the pricing structure typically employed in this industry. Prices can vary depending on the complexity of the assignments, the number of locations to be visited, and the level of detail required in the reports submitted by mystery shoppers. Additionally, factors such as the reputation and experience of the mystery shopping company can also influence the costs involved.

Mystery Shopping Overview

Mystery shopping, at its core, involves individuals posing as regular customers to assess the quality of service, compliance with company standards, and overall customer experience provided by a business. This feedback is then compiled and analyzed by the mystery shopping company to provide actionable insights to their clients.

The services offered by mystery shopping companies go beyond merely evaluating customer service. They can help businesses identify areas for improvement, measure the effectiveness of their training programs, and gauge customer satisfaction levels. By uncovering strengths and weaknesses in their operations, companies can make informed decisions to enhance their overall performance.

Mystery shoppers, who are the frontline evaluators in this process, play a crucial role in providing accurate and detailed feedback to the mystery shopping companies. They must follow specific guidelines, pay attention to detail, and provide objective assessments of their experiences based on predetermined criteria.

Understanding the charges associated with mystery shopping companies is vital for businesses seeking to enhance customer experience and for individuals interested in becoming mystery shoppers. By recognizing the value that these services provide and the role that mystery shoppers play in the process, businesses can leverage this insightful feedback to improve their operations and foster customer loyalty.

Mystery Shopping Pricing

Mystery shopping companies employ various pricing models like flat fees, percentage of purchase, hourly rates, and custom plans. Flat fees, for example, charge a fixed rate per assignment, ensuring cost predictability for clients but may not always align with actual time and effort needed.

Clients may encounter different pricing models when engaging mystery shopping companies. Percentage-based pricing charges a percentage of the total purchase during the assignment, incentivizing companies to enhance sales and customer experience. Clients must evaluate the percentage to ensure it reflects the value received. Hourly rates, on the other hand, bill based on time spent. This model suits complex projects, but efficiency of shoppers should be considered for cost-effectiveness and transparency in billing.

Customized pricing plans offered by mystery shopping companies allow clients to adapt the pricing to their unique needs. This personalized approach considers project scope, level of detail, and specific deliverables. Clients can negotiate based on value and customization. The pricing models are key in determining service costs and client value. Clients should weigh pros and cons to select a fitting structure that aligns with their budget and customer experience goals.

Cost Components When Hiring Mystery Shopping Services

When looking into the costs of hiring mystery shopping services, it's essential to delve into the breakdown of various cost components to understand the full financial picture. Service charges typically make up the core of the expenses, covering the actual mystery shopping tasks conducted by agents. These charges are crucial as they reflect the value provided by the mystery shopping company in evaluating customer experiences.

Travel expenses are another significant aspect to consider when calculating the overall cost of mystery shopping services. These expenses can vary depending on the locations of the assignments, and they directly impact the total expenditure involved in carrying out the mystery shopper assessments. Understanding how travel expenses contribute to the costs can help in budgeting effectively and planning for any potential fluctuations in pricing.

Report fees are crucial in mystery shopping, covering documentation and reporting by shoppers to provide detailed insights for clients. These fees support informed decision-making by businesses to enhance customer satisfaction. Reputable companies charge core service fees, travel expenses, and additional fees linked to assignment specifics, ensuring transparency and trust. Clarity in pricing fosters fair and transparent client-provider relationships.

Importance of Budgeting for Mystery Shopping Services

When planning for mystery shopping services, understanding the cost charged by mystery shopping companies is key. Prices vary based on project scope, assignment complexity, and report detail needs. Allocate a budget to afford quality insights. Setting a clear budget helps choose a reputable company within financial limits while obtaining valuable customer experience feedback.

Mystery shopping companies may charge a flat fee per assignment or have a pricing model based on locations, shop frequency, and analysis depth. Knowing these structures aids budget planning and provider selection. Beyond basic fees, factor in extra costs like travel, purchase reimbursements, and miscellaneous expenses during the project.

Budget wisely for mystery shopping services to optimize your investment in enhancing customer service. Insights from mystery shopping are crucial for identifying areas of improvement and staying competitive in the market. Strategic budgeting isn't just about costs, but a crucial investment in understanding customer perceptions and fostering business growth. Choose the right partner to gain actionable insights that enhance customer experience and foster long-term loyalty.

Comparing Mystery Shopping Companies

When delving into the world of mystery shopping, understanding how much mystery shopping companies charge is a pivotal step in making informed decisions. One essential aspect to consider is the importance of conducting thorough price comparisons across different companies. By researching various price structures, shoppers can gain a comprehensive understanding of the market rates and ensure they are getting the best deal for their services.

Moreover, in addition to price considerations, evaluating the service quality offered by mystery shopping companies is crucial. Factors to look for in service quality include the professionalism of the company's representatives, the efficiency of their communication, and the level of support provided throughout the mystery shopping process. Opting for a company that excels in service quality can enhance the overall experience and ensure that the shopping assignments are carried out effectively.

Company reputation is crucial in mystery shopping, reflecting credibility and trustworthiness. Opt for reputable companies for confidence, fair compensation, and prompt payments. Value in mystery shopping merges cost and service quality. Competitive pricing is good, but not at the cost of service quality. Balancing cost-effectiveness with service excellence maximizes the partnership's value.

Making informed decisions regarding which mystery shopping company to engage with involves a holistic consideration of price structures, service quality, company reputation, and value for money. By meticulously evaluating these factors and prioritizing excellence in each aspect, shoppers can navigate the mystery shopping landscape with confidence and efficiency.

Tips for Choosing a Mystery Shopping Company

When considering how much mystery shopping companies charge, it's essential to look beyond the surface fees and delve into the overall value they provide. 

Some companies charge a flat rate per assignment, while others use a fee structure based on assignment complexity, industry sector, or task location.

The cost of hiring a mystery shopping company is not just about the money, but also about the quality of service. While a reputable company may have higher fees, they provide detailed reports, valuable insights, and customized recommendations that can greatly help your business.

Mystery shopping companies offer diverse pricing strategies. To find the best deal, obtain quotes from several providers to compare services and costs. This way, you can secure competitive pricing and a tailored package that suits your requirements.

Ensure to investigate hidden fees and extra costs that might emerge during the assignment. Some firms may add charges for travel, lodging, or specific needs, so clarifying these aspects in advance can avoid unexpected expenses later.

Consider the ROI when hiring a mystery shopping company. Their services can reveal inefficiencies, improve customer satisfaction, increase sales, and fuel business growth, outweighing the initial expense.

Choose a mystery shopping company based on value, focusing on quality results and improvements to customer experience and business performance, alongside budget considerations.

Comments are moderated to ensure respect towards the author and to prevent spam or self-promotion. Your comment may be edited, rejected, or approved based on these criteria. By commenting, you accept these terms and take responsibility for your contributions.

Ashley Shedlock

17 articles

The views, opinions, data, and methodologies expressed above are those of the contributor(s) and do not necessarily reflect or represent the official policies, positions, or beliefs of Greenbook.

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The Ultimate Guide to Mystery Shopping in your Organization

table of contents

What’s keeping you from understanding your customer….

is mystery shopping valuable for my industry?

Mystery shopping is the gateway to understanding your customers and delivering a more meaningful customer experience..

For years, mystery shopping has been used by top Fortune 500 companies to get an inside look at how their employees are delivering on their brand promises when interacting with customers. As a result, these companies exceed expectations in customer service and stay ahead of their competition.

Now the big questions — what exactly is mystery shopping? Are mystery shopping programs legitimate? How can mystery shopping help my organization reach its business goals?

We dive into all these questions and more in our all-inclusive guide to mystery shopping.

What is mystery shopping?

What is mystery shopping.

Mystery shopping is the practice of deploying certified consumers across your brand to measure, understand, and improve performance. These trained consumers are known as mystery shoppers, and their objective feedback is crucial in helping you understand how well you’re executing on your key operational standards.

How It Works

Step 1: Mystery shoppers are usually certified with a mystery shopping provider, or an organization like the MSPA, and are equipped with a set of guidelines detailing all the customized requirements and observations as specified during the design phase of a program.

Step 2: Different mystery shoppers are sent to the various locations of your organization, or across other channels such as phone or website, utilizing customized scenarios to match the experience. Once the assignment is completed, mystery shoppers will submit their findings to a mystery shop provider.

Step 3: The data is then dispersed and analyzed across the organization based on hierarchy, and evaluated according to the mystery shopping provider’s guidelines. The goal is to gather a comprehensive and consistent level of data from all locations and channels, which will allow your organization to take immediate action on issues that will lead to impactful changes in your customer experience.

Why is mystery shopping important?

According to a report by Accenture , poor customer service resulted in US companies losing 1.6 trillion dollars. And 52% of these customers have become serial switchers, meaning they were willing to switch brands after a poor customer service experience. Poor customer service has become a major concern for many businesses.

An objective way to identify where poor customer service is happening.

Mystery shopping is important because it allows companies to evaluate their customer service objectively. Customer service is the most critical indicator for companies to leave a positive impression on new customers or reinvigorate current customers.

Get insights from your own employees.

Mystery shoppers provide insight into the information your employees are sharing about your products or services. When a customer enters a store, employees serve as the bridge between the customer and the product or service being provided. Your employees have access to a wealth of information about your product or service that, depending on how it is shared, can have a significant influence on a customer’s purchasing decision and brand loyalty.

For example, an employee may have information about similar products in their store if the customer’s specific desired product is out of stock. They may also have a list of complementary products that would partner well with that specific product. All of this information would position customers further down the buying journey. By implementing a mystery shopping program, you can solidify the knowledge of your employees so they are prepared to provide a superior customer interaction with everyone who enters your store or visits your website.

A better way to monitor employee performance.

Mystery shopping offers an unbiased, outside-in perspective of how your employees operate on a daily basis. In your organization, it may be difficult to pinpoint how well your employees are performing on a daily basis. Additionally, you may not have the means to monitor employee performance across your various locations or channels. The information gathered from research is valuable to leadership and frontline employees because it helps point out areas that need improvement.

Competitive benchmarking: another benefit of mystery shopping

Understanding current and emerging trends in the market can be a major differentiator favoring your brand over the competition.

Competitive benchmarking is a form of mystery shopping that can help capture this data by sending evaluators to measure and observe how your competitors’ locations are operating. Once you collect enough information about the market-at-large, your brand can begin to adjust the customer experience to meet these evolving consumer desires.

Is mystery shopping legitimate?

Not every mystery shopping program is the same and mystery shopper scams do exist . If you’re a person looking for legitimate mystery shopping jobs, you want to be careful. If you want to hire a legitimate mystery shopping vendor, make sure to evaluate them carefully. To determine the effectiveness and integrity of a mystery shopper or mystery shopping program, follow these steps:

Valid mystery shoppers should never have to pay.

One of the most common misconceptions about mystery shopping is that mystery shoppers must pay to complete assignments. This is simply not true. Valid mystery shopping companies always compensate their mystery shoppers. Mystery shopping companies who follow best practices will never ask their shoppers to pay for registering for a mystery shopping program or ask them to wire money. Those are two sure signs of a fraudulent program.

A quality mystery shopping program will not outsource and will provide full data transparency. 

If the company you employ to do mystery shopping is outsourcing a significant percentage of the workload to third-party companies, you may want to avoid that company so your brand does not waste any time or money waiting on third-party vendors during any part of the process. Second To None has created a culture in which virtually all aspects of their mystery shopping programs are accomplished in-house. They employ talented associates and directors across multiple genres and platforms to provide their clients with quick, informative, and clear analysis of all the data that has been collected.

The best mystery shopping programs follow a rigorous quality assurance process.

Another problem that plagues mystery shopping programs is a lack of data integrity. Mystery shopping is a science dependent on crowd-sourced information. In many mystery shopping programs, incentives are offered to shoppers for completing shops on time and correctly. However, as is true among most areas of life, there are people who may feel compelled to take shortcuts or bypass program requirements in order to receive the incentive without accurately completing the shop. In response to this issue, Second To None’s in-house quality assurance team has built-in procedures to ensure that shoppers are upholding all specifications and program standards. Not only does Second To None strive to maintain efficiency and accuracy of the data while building out the guidelines and questionnaires, but they also build and monitor every shopper response received in their Shopper Hub, which was created and is fully managed in-house. This ensures that the data you are receiving is accurate and reliable.

Check with the MSPA (Mystery Shopping Providers Association).

The MSPA has a list of recent fraudulent activity of mystery shopping companies. If you would like to get better insight into the companies who are actually qualified to run mystery shopping programs, you can look here.

Second to None has been a trusted mystery shopping provider for 32 years, with an A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau and an active certification with the MSPA.

The history of mystery shopping: a timeline, the history of mystery shopping: a timeline.

Now you may be wondering, when did mystery shopping begin? For years, mystery shopping has been used across top organizations to gauge customer experience. Here is a brief history of mystery shopping:

Mystery shopping started in the 1940s with work conducted by the research company Wilmark. Wilmark worked with private investigators to evaluate the integrity of organizations. They went to banks and retailers to observe employee behavior and see if they were handling cash transactions truthfully. This sparked the beginning of mystery shopping.

In the 1970s, mystery shopping grew across industries. Approximately 25-35% of all banks with  over $300 million in deposits had used mystery shopping to some extent.

In the banking industry, mystery shopping was primarily used as a benchmark study. Through benchmarking studies, mystery shoppers followed up with organizations every 1-2 years with evaluations. This time frame made it difficult to detect changes in organizational strength, as many changes could be wrongly attributed. The follow-ups conducted by mystery shopping programs would become more frequent as the industry evolved.

The 70s were very important for sales culture. Many companies started taking steps to understand the importance of measuring sales performance. Mystery shopping was a breakthrough method to monitor sales performance across organizations. This provided companies with the correct infrastructure to improve sales and hit their benchmarks.

During the 80s, quality of service became important. This was because of the rise of the internet. As we became more connected, expectations of customer service took a higher standard. Businesses would stop hiring third-party evaluators for their mystery shopping. They turned to market research companies that offered a more data-driven solution. In evaluations of customer service, mystery shopping programs asked questions less centered on emotion and focused on specific actions taken by customer service agents.

For example, this type of question: How did Employee X make you feel during your interaction?

May now be replaced with: Did Employee X hand you a business card and give you his or her contact information for follow-up?

Questions became more specific to measure customer experience more intentionally across organizations. This shift in mindset led to the rise of the specialized mystery shopping program.

And during this decade, Second to None was founded by Jeff Hall. Second to None first launched its mystery shopping program in 1989. Now, they have grown to provide over 400,000 active mystery shoppers across the United States and Canada.

The mystery shopping industry is now worth 1.5 billion dollars. Mystery shopping has expanded into more industries including healthcare, automotive, retail, financial services, restaurants, and e-commerce. Additionally, mystery shopping services have become more specialized. Now they are not only limited to measuring employee interactions, but the entire customer journey that organizations offer.

Second to None offers an impressive set of customer experience solutions in addition to mystery shopping services, all to enhance customer joy. With a broader set of services, mystery shopping, and related methods of measuring customer satisfaction in any type of organization, is expected to continue to grow.

Why should your organization use mystery shopping?

Now the big question, what value can mystery shopping bring to my organization? Is it worth the time and effort of implementing a program and measuring across my business?

This last point is important. 

Most organizations view their success in terms of market share, conversions, and transactions. On the surface, this makes sense. Greater market share and conversions drive competitive advantage and brand loyalty.

However, at Second To None, we understand that your customers are real people who are seeking a brand they can trust and interact with employees who value their business. To many organizations, customers may simply be viewed as data points. When this is true, customers may begin to feel that they are just another metric driving your business. Mystery shopping enables your brand to create a more people-centric customer experience by evaluating the authenticity of the experience you are offering and providing actionable insights that will allow you to elevate the entire customer experience.

We created an entire guide on crafting a human-centered customer experience in your organization, and you can access it here.

Is mystery shopping valuable for my industry?

Mystery shopping is not just for restaurants and retail brands with multiple locations. Your organization, regardless of the industry and number of locations it has, can gain valuable insights by implementing a mystery shopping program.

Consumer Services Mystery Shopping

Service-based businesses such as gyms, for example, can gain an extreme competitive advantage through mystery shopping. Through implementing mystery shopping programs, the experience of gym members can be evaluated within the organizations to ensure all members are receiving a highly valuable experience that retains their loyalty over time.

Retail Mystery Shopping

Large restaurant chains and retail brands have a competitive advantage in mystery shopping programs, as they’re able to access a very large customer base. A significant customer base provides more data to drive insights across diverse customer groups. Additionally, multiple locations in brands help operationalize standards across their various locations. With a consistent customer experience across these locations, customers feel valued and this can convert into impressive results in customer retention across their locations. Major retailers including Under Armour and Whole Foods Market were able to exceed expectations in their customer experience after obtaining valuable and actionable insights gathered through their unique mystery shopping programs. These retailers are a few of the major organizations Second To None has worked with to spread joy across their organizations, and you can find out more about the results here.

Luxury Retail Shopping

Luxury Retail Industry is a space dominated by brands with consistently great reputations. Typically, due to the increased price point of dealing with a luxury brand, your team must handle inflated customer expectations. One negative customer service experience can spiral into hundreds of lost customers. Leadership in these brands must maintain trust by providing exceptional service. Mystery shopping helps luxury brands measure the interactions of employees, and in result create more customer joy.

Healthcare Industry Mystery Shopping

Among the many industries where mystery shopping is necessary, healthcare is at the top. STN works directly with insurance companies to measure sales agent compliance with the marketing regulations, particularly as it relates to Medicare/Medicaid products being sold to seniors age 65+. We mystery shop several types of consumer engagements including public formal sale events, public informal events, private face-to-face appointments, and call centers.

We also specialize in mystery shopping clinical lab organizations for general lab visits to assess employee/patient interaction during a blood/urine specimen collection. We access the greeting, appearance of the site, customer service, and more. We also administer pre-employment drug screen visits, designed to assess employee performance of the drug screen collection process and their adherence to the strict procedure for collecting a urine sample for drug screening as mandated by the federal government. In addition to measuring compliance with drug screen collection requirements, we also measure customer service and cleanliness.

The mystery shopping program for physician offices assess the in-office experience and interior/exterior facility condition. This can include exterior maintenance, interior maintenance, marketing signage, customer service at the front desk, appointment availability, office cleanliness, etc. Phone call mystery shops are also conducted at physician offices to assess customer service, employee knowledge, and appointment availability.

Financial Services Mystery Shopping

Banks, credit unions, and other financial institutions (FIs) implement mystery shopping programs to measure overall customer experience for existing members or customers, as well as new customers opening accounts. In a program for this industry, priority assessments are wait times, banker engagement, service offerings, and whether the consumers feel they are treated as people rather than numbers. Does the customer feel cared for? Is the bank being authentic, as well as offering enough options for the consumers to interact? How is the FI delivering service based on their unique customer preferences? All of these questions can be answered for  financial services, and programs are customized to meet the varied needs of each organization.

Entertainment and Travel Mystery Shopping

The travel and entertainment industry is massive, with many moving parts. Consumers buying from this industry are spending a great deal of money for rental cars, hotel accommodations, flights, and tickets to shows. In programs evaluating this industry, priorities are rental processes, whether employees are offering member discounts, service engagement levels, and whether clients’ specific needs are being met by tailoring the offerings to their desired outcome. Are employees providing solutions in anticipation of certain travel scenarios and budgetary restrictions, and then showing their expertise with the right recommendations? How functional and easy to use is the website when it comes to purchase and confirmations? We’re also evaluating every aspect of the on-site resort experience including the restaurants, customer service, lodging, and in-room food service—every moment is covered from check-in to check-out.

Restaurant Mystery Shopping

Over the past 32 years, we’ve worked with those in Fast Casual Dining, Quick Service + Drive-Thru, Cafes + Coffeehouses, Full Service, Fine Dining, and more. Ultimately, in programs for any of these levels within the restaurant industry we’re evaluating overall experience, greetings, wait times, food presentation, quality of food, overall service, cleanliness, signage, compliant audits, menu items and their presentation, and more. Are restaurant employees offering the right discounts and specials—and verbally promoting them? Is there appropriate signage throughout for the current promotions and safety protocols? We evaluate across various locations to monitor down to location-level details, because the details matter greatly to the customer’s overall experience.

Convenience Store Mystery Shopping

Convenience stores have become grab-n-go destinations—it’s all about making sure the consumer gets in and out quickly, safely, and with low effort. Mystery shopping programs for C-stores evaluate the food selection/ordering process, product quality and availability, compliance for alcohol and tobacco sales, wait times, display presentation, pricing, restrooms, cleanliness, shelving and organization, employee uniforms, and whether counters are staffed and serving to the company standards. Ultimately, every aspect of the fuel station, external appearance, and food service are taken into consideration.

Grocery Industry Mystery Shopping

Every grocery consumer is unique, presenting an enormous challenge to brands working to maintain customer loyalty and share-of-wallet. To truly understand the customer experience across this incredibly diverse group, you need to measure their interactions in a specialized, omnichannel program that includes mystery shops, customer surveys, and store audits. Grocery brands should be working to meet all of today’s consumer expectations for cleanliness, safety, product freshness, maintenance of stock levels, speed of staffed counter service, product pricing, the check-in and check-out process including touchless transactions, a knowledgeable and customer-focused staff, pharmacy assistance, curbside pickup and delivery services, and every other element of the grocery store experience.

How can mystery shopping help growing brands?

Mystery shopping is certainly beneficial to the world’s leading brands, but how about growing brands?

Emerging brands must continue to offer a consistent and authentic customer experience. As your brand expands , it becomes challenging to maintain authenticity and consistency across your network.

Mystery shopping can help growing brands:

7 tips for a successful mystery shopping program in your organization.

If you’re convinced you need a mystery shopping program, you may be wondering how to begin. Starting this program is not as overwhelming as it may seem.

1. Keep your mystery shopping program simple.

When you first implement your mystery shopping program, make it simple. Many brands will try to collect as many insights as possible from each dollar they spend. While it is helpful to gather more data, too much data can create difficulties for the mystery shopper and the organization. Your organization must have clear and actionable goals, so data is used for these purposes.

2. Work with a trusted third-party provider.

A trusted mystery shopping program provides full data transparency and ensures the integrity of their mystery shoppers by using best practices. Follow these guidelines to avoid a mystery shopping program failure .

3. Set goals for your mystery shopping program.

The ideal goal for any mystery shopping program is to deliver an experience that customers remember. Mystery shopping can give enhanced visibility into the customer experience initiatives of an organization, to deliver a memorable experience to customers. This

goal-oriented mystery shopping program should include these following 4 common themes: Employee Evaluations, Benchmarking, Program/Product Evaluation, and Industry Compliance.

4. Have clear measurements.

Your customer service training programs are key indicators of how well you deliver to

your brand promise. Through behavioral and operational standards in training, feedback provided from mystery shopping can enhance the actionability of the resulting data.

5. Interactional touchpoints are important.

Your associates are the most actionable drivers of customer advocacy. It is important that they are demonstrating care and resourcefulness to your customers. Only meeting minimum customer experience expectations will lead to few customers advocating for your brand. Having a strategy that will exceed customer experience expectations and improve business performance patterns is necessary to your mystery shopping program’s success.

6. Rotate scenarios.

Scenarios are an important aspect of program design. However, when the same scenarios are repeatedly used, then employees will become aware of your identity as a mystery shopper. When this piece of information is exposed, your mystery shopping program will be much less effective across the organization. Having this identity of a mystery shopper, kept a mystery, is necessary for your organization to achieve its goals for improved customer experience.

7. Use secret shopping to craft customer journeys and improve CX.

Getting data from your secret shopping program is just the first step. Understanding customer behavior can be the difference between growth or stagnation of brands. Mystery mapping programs can supply key insights to form an understanding of customers. Mystery mapping is the practice of taking data provided by mystery shopping programs to create a larger perspective of customer behavior. These programs are used to capture specific instances of customer behavior. Having mystery mapping programs are instrumental in leading to improvements across your organization’s customer experience.

Get more tips for What Your Mystery Shopping Program Should Look Like .

Can mystery shopping evaluate an omnichannel digital customer experience?

A final important component to improving your organization’s customer experience through mystery shopping is evaluating the customer’s holistic digital experience.

Whether online, by app, or by phone, over the next two years, it’s estimated that 85% of customer interactions with a brand will occur without humans .

✔️  Customers expect a seamless transition between all digital channels in your organization.

✔️  Social distancing has reshaped the way people shop, from curbside service to mobile app orders.

✔️  Yes, online mystery shopping can evaluate brand experiences across all digital touch points: online, in call centers, via text or mobile app, and more.

Mystery shopping is a beneficial and timeless way to improve your organization’s customer experience. Throughout this guide, we’ve tried to dispel any myths or misconceptions about mystery shopping and show how mystery shopping can contribute to your organization’s long-term success.

Ready to get started with your own mystery shopping program? We can help!

Learn more about snapshot.

Snapshot is our mystery shopping program, which has been core to our company since our founding in 1989. Whether in-store, online, on app, or beyond, we uncover the behavioral and operational drivers of the customer experience that are ultimately responsible for improving customer satisfaction and financial business outcomes. We deploy a carefully profiled consumer field force to assess how well you’re executing on your key operational standards. You’ll understand what customers are experiencing each and every day.

Become a mystery shopper with Serve First

Get paid to shop, eat and put fuel in your car.

We need reliable, honest and inquisitive people to act as the eyes and ears of our clients to give feedback on their customer service and sales efforts.

If you’re looking for ways to earn extra income, side hustle or get experience in the customer service industry, sign up for free to become a Serve First Mystery Shopper today.

Get paid to shop, eat, put fuel in your car, and generally go about your day-to-day activities.

Mystery Shopper

The benefits of being a Mystery Shopper

Being a Mystery Shopper offers a wide range of benefits, including:

Get paid to carry out everyday activities

Top up your annual income.

We can all do with a bit of extra cash, especially with the rising living costs. Mystery Shopping allows you to earn an extra income on the side without taking too much time out of your day or going through laborious interviews to take on a second job. Think side hustle, but without the challenges that come with running your own business.

Complete assignments in your own time

Whether you work 9am-5pm, look after a family or are a student studying, you can complete as many or little mystery shops as you want at a time that suits you. Grab a coffee on the go in the morning, put fuel in your car at lunch, or bond with friends over chicken in the evening. No matter where or when, you design your own schedule.

Find Mystery Shopping Opportunities Near You

No experience necessary – just a keen eye for detail and a passion for shopping!

Why Become A Mystery Shopper With Serve First

The ServeFirstCX team has provided our clients, across the UK & Ireland, with tailored consumer insights for over 20 years.  At Retail Eyes, our executive team developed one of the world’s first web-based mystery shop platforms….growing the business to become the most successful in Europe and completing over 25,000 visits a month!

Our team are highly experienced, well-established & trusted by some of the largest companies in the UK. By being part of our shopper community, you’re in safe & experienced hands.

Our commitment to you

Fair shopper fees that reflect the assignment. no zero-fee jobs, supportive shopper admin team. a pledge to communicate clearly and quickly, by phone or email, whatever works for you., variety of mystery shopping jobs. pubs, restaurants, fuel, fashion, fitness, hospitality and more., user and mobile-friendly shopper platform. making things as easy and effortless as possible for you., regular, prompt payments. we won’t keep you hanging on to get your shopper fee or reimbursements – not like other mystery shopper companies..

Frequently Asked Mystery Shopper Questions

What is a mystery shopper, how do i become a mystery shopper, why do businesses have mystery shoppers, do i need a qualification to be a mystery shopper, is mystery shopping a full time job, can you be an online mystery shopper, how much can i earn as a mystery shopper, how do i get paid, are there any costs involved in being a mystery shopper, how do i report my findings after my mystery shopping assignment, what sort of questions will i get asked in my mystery shop report.

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How to Write Effective Mystery Shopping Reports

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Mystery shopping is an essential tool for businesses to assess their customer service, operational standards, and overall performance. By sending mystery shoppers to interact with employees, test services, or assess products, companies gain valuable insights into how their customers are being treated. However, the success of mystery shopping isn’t just about conducting the visit—it’s about how the findings are reported. An effective mystery shopping report transforms these insights into actionable feedback that helps businesses improve.

Writing a compelling mystery shopping report requires more than simply stating what happened during the visit. It involves capturing critical details, offering objective observations, and providing constructive feedback. In this blog, we’ll guide you through the steps to create detailed, informative, and useful mystery shopping reports that deliver value.

1. Understand the Purpose of the Report

Before you start writing, it’s essential to understand the goals of the mystery shopping assignment. Every report is meant to serve a specific purpose. For example, are you assessing customer service? Testing product knowledge? Reviewing store cleanliness? Knowing the focus of the report will guide your observations and help you focus on the most important aspects.

Make sure you also understand the client’s expectations. Some companies might be looking for detailed, paragraph-style feedback, while others may prefer bullet points or scores. Tailor your report structure to meet the client’s needs.

2. Be Objective and Factual

Objectivity is the foundation of an effective mystery shopping report. The role of a mystery shopper is to observe and document, not to provide personal opinions. Avoid making emotional statements or assumptions. Instead, describe the events exactly as they happened.

For example:

• Subjective : “The staff seemed annoyed and unfriendly.”
• Objective : “The staff did not smile or greet me upon entering the store. When asked a question, the cashier responded with brief answers without making eye contact.”

By sticking to facts, your report will be more credible and easier for businesses to act upon.

3. Be Specific with Details

Vague or general observations won’t provide the necessary value to a business. Specific details are critical in painting an accurate picture of the customer experience. Instead of writing “The store was clean,” specify what you observed: “The floors were spotless, products were neatly arranged on shelves, and there were no spills or litter in the aisles.”

Similarly, when it comes to customer service, detail the interactions:

• Who helped you?
• How did they greet you?
• Did they offer assistance without being prompted?
• Did they ask open-ended questions to understand your needs?

Specific examples allow businesses to understand exactly what’s working or what needs improvement.

4. Use the Right Structure

An organised structure ensures that your mystery shopping report is easy to read and interpret. A clear format often includes:

• Introduction : A brief summary of the mystery shopping assignment, the date and time of the visit, and the location.
• Customer Interaction : Detail your interactions with staff members, including their names (if available), how they greeted you, the service you received, and how your questions or concerns were handled.
• Product or Service Review : Describe your experience with the product or service, if applicable. Was it easy to find what you were looking for? Did the product meet your expectations? Was the service quick and efficient?
• Store Environment : Include observations about the store’s cleanliness, layout, and overall atmosphere. Were products neatly displayed? Was the store well-organised?
• Key Observations : Highlight any standout moments—positive or negative—that significantly impacted your experience.
• Suggestions for Improvement : This section should offer constructive feedback for the business. Identify areas where they could improve their service or operations, and provide clear, actionable suggestions.
• Conclusion : Summarise the key findings and the overall impression of the visit. Was the customer service up to standard? Did the store meet expectations?

5. Provide Constructive Feedback

While it’s important to highlight areas of improvement, it’s equally crucial to offer positive feedback where it’s deserved. A well-balanced report that acknowledges strengths alongside weaknesses is more likely to be taken seriously by the business.

When offering constructive feedback, be specific about what needs improvement and why. Avoid vague suggestions like “Improve customer service” and instead provide actionable tips like “The cashier should offer a greeting to each customer when they approach the counter.”

6. Ensure Accuracy

Accuracy is critical in mystery shopping reports. Double-check the details before submitting your report to avoid any mistakes. Make sure that the names, times, and other facts are correct. This might involve reviewing your notes or receipts from the visit. Inaccurate reports can damage the credibility of the mystery shopping process and may result in businesses missing out on important insights.

7. Use Clear, Concise Language

Mystery shopping reports should be easy to read and digest. Use clear, concise language to get your points across. Avoid jargon or overly complex phrasing, and stick to straightforward descriptions. Bullet points or numbered lists can help break up large chunks of text and make the report more accessible.

• Long-winded : “Upon entering the store, I noticed that there was a bit of a delay in receiving help from any of the sales staff, as they were occupied with other customers. It took about five minutes before anyone approached me.”
• Concise : “I waited five minutes before a staff member approached to offer assistance.”

8. Include Supporting Evidence

Where possible, back up your observations with evidence. This could include photos (if allowed), timestamps, or receipts to verify that the mystery shop took place as described. This not only enhances the credibility of your report but also helps businesses verify the data against their internal records.

9. Submit on Time

Finally, ensure that your report is submitted promptly. The sooner a business receives the mystery shopping report, the more relevant the feedback will be. Delayed reports might mean that the context is no longer applicable, reducing the report’s value.

Customer Perceptions: Your Mystery Shopping Experts

At Customer Perceptions, we understand the importance of gathering high-quality insights to improve customer experiences. With years of expertise in conducting mystery shopping programmes, we ensure that businesses get the detailed, actionable feedback they need to enhance performance.

Our expert team of mystery shoppers is trained to write comprehensive, objective reports that provide valuable insights into your customer service, operational standards, and overall experience. Whether you’re looking to assess your staff, monitor compliance, or gain insights into customer satisfaction, Customer Perceptions delivers the data you need to drive improvements.

Ready to take your business to the next level? Contact Customer Perceptions today and let us help you understand your customers better than ever before!

More To Explore

Mystery shopping is an essential tool for businesses to assess their customer service, operational standards, and overall performance. By sending mystery shoppers to interact with

Staying organised as a Mystery Shopper

Mystery shopping is a fascinating way to get involved in evaluating customer service while earning extra income or simply enjoying the thrill of going undercover.

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• How much does mystery shopping pay?
• Mystery Shopping

When it comes to becoming a mystery shopper, most people have two primary questions: How do I get started and how much will I get paid? With regard to earnings, as Linsey Knerl wrote on WiseBread.com, mystery shopping isn’t like working a traditional job. You’re essentially an independent contractor and only get paid for every completed assignment. Also, according to the Mystery Shop Coach website, there are some jobs that only pay reimbursements on required purchases and not a flat rate, as is typically customary on secret shopper jobs .

Needless to say, there is no single answer to the question of how much does mystery shopping pay.

As a general baseline, pay for secret shops generally fall between $7-$20 for those just starting out. Experienced secret shoppers have the ability to earn jobs with higher pay rates and there will be times, depending on how well you perform in general, where mystery shopping companies will offer special assignments and projects.

However, if an assignment isn’t completed correctly, a mystery shopper can put his or her paycheck at risk. Going to the wrong location, failing to interact with the right associate and not evaluating the required details of the shop are all common ways to potentially lose a check. If you forget assignment-related tasks such as leaving the wrong tip amount at a restaurant, or commit the ultimate secret shopping sin, blowing your cover, these things can also keep you from getting paid.

As a second source of income, it is entirely possible for an individual to make an extra $5,000 to $10,000 per year working as a part-time secret shopper . But how much or how little you make is entirely up to you depending on how many assignments you work and how satisfactorily you complete them.

Commonly Asked Questions

How much does mystery shopping typically pay.

Mystery shopping pay varies by assignment, ranging from small reimbursements for meals or products to around $10-$20 for basic jobs. Some specialized assignments can pay more, especially if they require more time or effort.

What factors affect mystery shopping pay?

Factors include the complexity of the assignment, the time commitment, and the type of business being evaluated.

Can mystery shopping provide steady income?

While mystery shopping can offer supplemental income, it’s generally not a full-time job.

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Mystery shop ’til you drop? Not so fast

Who wouldn’t love getting paid to shop and dine at cool places and then review them? Whether you’re a student looking for a summer job or someone wanting to start a side or full-time business, mystery shopping sounds like an exciting option. But while some mystery shopping opportunities are legitimate, many are scams that rob you, not pay you.

Here are a few ways to spot and avoid mystery shopping scams:

• Search the company with the words “review,” “complaint” or “scam.”
• Remember: Honest companies pay you to work for them, not charge you. If the company asks you to pay upfront to get the opportunity , walk away. No real job opportunity, including mystery shopping, involves paying for the job.
• Don’t pay companies for “certifications,” directories or job “guarantees,” all of which are usually worthless. Companies asking you to pay for such things are likely scammers.
• If you’re asked to deposit checks into your bank account and send money back to pay for courses, fees or anything else, stop. This is a fake check scam . When the check bounces, you’ll be out of the money you sent and may have to pay more to the bank.
• Never wire money or buy gift cards for a mystery shopping assignment or any job opportunity. Those are sure signs of a scam.

If you’re looking for legitimate mystery shopping jobs, check out the Mystery Shopping Providers Association for a database of authentic companies. But if you spot any scams, report them to the FTC at ftc.gov/complaint and your state attorney general’s office .

sunshine 78 July 17, 2019 Thank you, so many, many crazy things going on ,trust no one .

Brenda July 17, 2019 I receive a check with a letter saying for to take $500 for myself then go to Walmart buy $100 of what ever I like to which I write a review on. Hey good but this when realize it was a scam. They say go two different Walmart at each one buy two $500 gift cards Then they give phone to text the card information too. I glad I realize it was scam. I know older people would may think this is ok Beleive me check things out I call the place to check the check out it was not real.

In reply to I receive a check with a by Brenda

In reply to Happening to me right now! by No Shopping Today

In reply to Just happened to me about 2 by rman56

In reply to I got one of these last week. by Wendy

cricketlfl July 17, 2019 I was sent fake checks and took them to the local post office. No one sends around 2,000 for a mystery shopper.

Brenda G July 17, 2019 I admit I fell for this not long after I was laid off. I wished I'd done my homework before falling for it. I also wished my bank had notified me an hour sooner then they did. It ended up costing me $1247. I did get about $600 back from a class action lawsuit against MoneyGram.. Now I'm skeptical about anything and everything.

Jeanette Duda July 17, 2019 I was scammed in June of this year & now, not only do I owe my bank (since 1966) $2,300, (they already got $400.00) which was my balance & money to live on for the rest of the month, power, phone, etc. but my account was shut down & I am getting calls 4 times a day. I am 74 years old & thought I was getting a part time job.

In reply to I was scammed in June of this by Jeanette Duda

The US Administration on Aging has a call center and online directory to help older adults find help in their community. There are benefits that help pay for utilties, medication, home repair and other needs. Call 1-800-677-1116 or go to www.ElderCare.ACL.Gov.

smk July 17, 2019 My sister got scammed a few weeks ago - caller said they were calling for a priest she knows (she's very religious and trusting) - and she was supposed to buy iTunes gift cards. Ended up losing $1,500.00 - Police said they haven't had any luck trying to trace who redeems these cards with Apple.

simpleton July 17, 2019 I received a letter with the Publishers Clearing House logo. With it was a check. It told me to call a number so I can verify who I wa so I can claim a prize. They said the check was to cover expenses related to the prize. I called the company on who the check was drawn and they told me it was a scam. They had checks stolen and copies. They wanted me to deposit the check, which of course was fake. Do not fall for this scam. If the prize was real Publishers Clearing House woud send their own check that could be verified

One step ahead… July 17, 2019 Honestly I've been scam many times instead of chasing them i just choose to let go and just think that they need that money more than i do, "saying to myself to learn it as a lesson, know the signs, educate myself to prevent it from happening again" next thing you know they scam you with a different way(thru rent homes), Again me choosing to let it go again even thou i don't because filing a complaint agains this kind of scam cost $400 fee in the court. This last one is the most painful that i can't even imagine how could my government let this kind of scam happen to their own citizens i don't know if some of them are part of it or they just choose not to do anything about it, it hurts me so bad because of using them pretending to be working for them know their victims all information convincing you that they are legit proving they got records, involving all government agencies making you take all of your money in the bank maximize all your credits (not telling you to send it to them) but convincing you to put it in a card as a evidence for the government to prove that its your own money and not part of the accusation thats under your information. Once the government releases signs of a scam in public scammers thinks of a new way, SCAMMERS THINK THEY ARE UNTOUCHABLE, BECAUSE THEY CAN FOOL OUR GOVERNMENT AND OUR GOVERNMENT CAN'T DO ANYTHING ABOUT THEM. while victims being scolded by government agencies about not being careful instead of finding those people and find out whose behind this. Most of the government agencies says the scammer is outside the country there's no way u could track that down! But if u dig into it yah they might but they have people inside our own country.

alannajm February 19, 2020 Just got this email before I read your article. This is, for sure, a scam. They target people who don't know how mystery shopping works. Barbara Cody To: Jul 16 at 2:09 PM Coast to Coast Scheduling Services, Inc. got contracted for a survey from Market Force Information Inc. Shopper pay: $30 Requirements – You are required to purchase Ebay Gift Card($200) at your nearest CVS and Walgreens.At the store you will be required to observe the following; • Were the employees friendly and courteous? • Did you receive prompt service? • Was the merchandise displayed neatly? • Was it easy to use the service? Your report will include pictures of in-store card display,pictures of gift card purchased and receipt,fill out online survey. Total reimbursement-$230 If interested please reply with: Location of interest:(You can self select 3 CVS and 3 Walgreens Stores) Full name Phone number Due Date-26th July 2019 Thanks! Barbara Cody Contracted by Coast to Coast Scheduling Services, Inc. Coast to Coast Scheduling Services, Inc. PO Box 1436 Costa Mesa CA 92628

In reply to Just got this email before I by alannajm

HunnyBe July 18, 2019 I still have the check my scammers sent me hanging on my refrigerator to remind me not to think the best of companies, but to distrust them at first. My scammers actually gave themselves a name similar to a real company, so when I Googled them, they seemed legit. Then I got the instructions to buy gift cards at different Walmarts and I immediately knew it was a scam. I should have Googled the name PLUS the word "scam" to see what came up. I immediately reported this to the federal government, but I forgot about the state. Next time I'll follow up with them as well.

Pixie Dustn't July 19, 2019 I seem to have no problems with scams, but with the companies I have no choice but to deal with. Even though I know they are scamming, they have a way of raising your blood pressure!!! I also do not become curious & wonder why I called my self. I'm laughing so hard, I just split my sides open & I hate sewing!!

RMOREN1 July 19, 2019 ME TOO: Have been a professional mystery shopper for over 15 years and they tried to catch me. Signed up, but when I saw that I had to make my own form, etc. to even do the shop - thought something was up. What a scam! And, I guess the old saying, "If it sounds too good to be true, IT IS!" Thanking God this morning from holding me back from following through. Blessings to all.

Gun4hire July 19, 2019 I've recieved 3 checks and 2 money orders for 9000 dollars for mystery shopping.I was told at my bank they were all most likely fraud attempts,so I didn't deposit any of them.i kept them all and contacted the attourny general asking who I could turn them over to with the names and numbers of the people who contacted me but haven't recieved a response yet.They all wanted me to purchase gift cards and send them pictures of the codes.I have even recieved follow up messages asking me to verify I recieved them and asking me to complete the assignments.If I hadn't checked with the FTC website and talked to my banker I might have deposited them but one actually sent me two with the same assignment to buy gift cards before I had even opened the first one.If you deposit the checks or money orders and send them the codes they will have spent them before the bank ever notify you they are fake.Don't fall for this scam,I've recieved 2 from the same person and 2 others from 2 other persons . These people must be sending out thousands of these a day.

In reply to I've recieved 3 checks and 2 by Gun4hire

In reply to I got involved but nothing by Ali

Yes, the check is probably no good and it will bounce. You have to repay the value of the check. The scammer gets the value of the gift cards.

In reply to Yes, the check is probably no by FTC Staff

Andrea July 20, 2019 Monitor your accounts religiously! I have been "hacked"twice and cannot emphasize how important it is to be diligent about checking statements.

danasup July 22, 2019 I just got one of these in the mail - looked odd so I started checking around.

Janleigh1 July 22, 2019 I followed the link that they gave to be a mystery shopper but all it does is offer companies to sign up to hire them.

shopper September 23, 2019 SCAM HomeZone Service&Consult - send you a check you cash right away and go buy gift cards and send them the codes etc. Karen - this is a scam Greetings, Your assignment check of $1860.00 has been posted posted through USPS Priority Mail and should be delivered not later than Thursday, 25th of July. Attached is your assignment guideline and feedback form. Your commission for this assignment is also stated in the assignment document. Kindly confirm receiving this email. Thank you, Karen HomeZone Service&Consult

School daze July 24, 2019 My door bell rings just 5 minutes ago I open to a envelope open it inside a check for 2893.73 with instructions to donate $25 via Cashier's Check to American Kidney Funds, $2.500 n eBay cards my wage is $350 company TOP VIEW MARKET SURVEY SKYLINE NATIONAL BANK. I know it's a scam

Dreamerbear August 09, 2019 I'm just really upset with how everything's going I just recently started buying things online and I've already had to call for fraud three times and only one time was true but still find a good look for somebody who just started just makes me sad

ShadowProLady August 09, 2019 Has anyone heard of mystery shop scam that asks to evaluate the trade in process of selling used phone at gamestop? They say they will send the used phone for the trade. then I received 2 packages containing 8 Brand new Iphone X plus valued about 10,000 and to do this at 2 gamestop locations then submit store credit gift caeds and any left over phones back within 24 hrs? Don't seem right! But neither does shipping me $10,000 in phones at risk of quite a loss aren't they? Or aren't they? Plz advise I am to perform job tomorrow, and dont know what to do?

In reply to Has anyone heard of mystery by ShadowProLady

H12 September 23, 2019 I received two emails regarding a “mystery shopping position” from two separate people through my student email. They both came from emails that appeared to be from my college; ex: JaneDoe@ mycollege. edu. So, naturally, I assumed it was a legitimate offer. I clicked the link provided, filled out the information, etc. etc. A few weeks later, I was sent an email and a text message stating that I had been approved/accepted and would be receiving my first “survey packet” in the mail. Nothing seemed too fishy about it at this point, so I didn’t think anything else of it. Well, today I received the “survey packet” and there was a check for $2,2500.00. At first, I was just confused. I thought the surveying assignment(s) would just be me visiting local stores and sending in my experiences, with possibility of reimbursement depending on the situation. So, I read the SINGLE sheet of paper sent with the check that had “instructions” on it: it stated to text +1 (323) 206-8287 and confirm I got the check + instructions. The following step was to deposit the check and text said number & let them know when the check had been deposited. I texted the number and let them know I received the packet, in return I got a text basically saying the same as the paper. The next steps were to go to Best Buy & purchase $1,900.00 in Best Buy gift cards (& the rest was for me to keep.) Once this part was done, it says to text (323)-840-1332 and let them know the purchases have been made and the survey had been completed. Then it asks you to scratch the gift cards, revealing the codes & take pictures of the cards & receipts and send it to reports @ surveyreport. After reading the instructions, I felt as though I needed to do some digging & came across hundreds of red flags and situations similar to mine.

In reply to I received two emails by H12

Wise grandma August 26, 2019 I got an e-mail form a John Wilson asking if I'd like to mystery shop. Thought it was a good idea so I signed up. I received an additional e-mail telling me that I would receive two packages in a couple of days. I replied that I was out of town and would return in a couple of days and inquired when the shop need to be completed. When I got home the packages were there. After I opened them, I knew immediately that I was being scammed. Both checks were for about $2600 and were to be deposited in my bank and I was to keep $300 from each one and buy Reloadit gift cards. The checks were Chase Bank checks drawn on "Santa Ana's Credit Union" account. I responded to the e-mail that I knew they were fraudulent, I was turning the information over to the authorities, and not to contact me again. I haven't heard another word!

Groom789* August 29, 2019 Received 2 large checks asking me to deposit them into my account and purchase gift card and money orders and evaluate Walmart. It's a scam. Luckily, I didn't fall for it.

Rose September 25, 2019 Is't True....this is a scam. I just received a package and of course there was a cashiers check in the amount of $2510.00 enclosed. Instructions are to deposit then as the second assignment buy cashiers checks to send out to other mystery shoppers. Don't trust anything that sounds too good to be true.

In reply to Is't True....this is a scam. by Rose

UDontNeedAWeatherman September 30, 2019 What if you cash the check at a check cashing service? What happens when they discover the check is fake?

In reply to What if you cash the check at by UDontNeedAWeatherman

Sono76710 October 23, 2019 I fell for this scam earlier this year. I was asked to be a mystery shopper, and they gave my a checking account at Wells Fargo, The use for this account was to purchase the items at on two different credit cards in my name by paying my credit card for the amount of the purchase and the $100 that was added to my account was to be used for me to ship the items that I purchased. I looked up the company and they seem legit. I had emails and phone numbers and signed papers of employment with them. So I paid my credit cards in the amounts that it cost me for the items and purchased these items which was one at $4,700 and the other was $2,500 . My credit card states it reforged payments and I purchased and shipped the items out to find out that the day after I shipped out the items Wells Fargo Bank closed the account I was issued and the money that paid my credit cards for the purchased items were returned. Since I purchased the items the credit card company stated it was my fault and I am responsible for paying these items that I charged to my account. I been trying to contact this company that scammed me but you know the phone is disconnected and emails are returned stating no such recipients! Since that time , I been in paying for the shipping cost, financing charges, and these two items that are over $7,500 ... if anyone has a way I can recoup my lost I’m willing to listen to suggestions.