How to Become a Mystery Shopper

Mystery shopping can be an easy way to pick up some extra cash, especially while the kids are in school. Mystery shoppers, also called secret shoppers or evaluators, go into businesses like restaurants and stores and provide feedback on how well the employees do their jobs and how well the company runs overall.

So if you’re looking for a fun way to make a little extra money, consider becoming a mystery shopper!

What is a Mystery Shopper?

Mystery shoppers are people who visit businesses to gather information about their service and products, but instead of being employees of the company, they’re contracted by a market research firm. A mystery shopper’s job is to pose as a regular customer and report on their experience with the business. Mystery shoppers get paid money in exchange for valuable feedback. They may also be reimbursed for making a purchase. 

Mystery shopping can involve visiting various types of businesses, such as retail stores, food markets, restaurants, and hotels. There are also mystery shopping jobs where you interact with call centers and gauge their customer service. 

Typically, mystery shoppers write up a report on their experience from the customer’s point of view and submit it to the market research firm, which then presents it to the business. The research is then used to determine the quality of the service or product and whether the company is in compliance with local and federal regulations.

Skills Needed to be a Mystery Shopper

You don’t need any special education or training to become a mystery shopper, but you should possess some basic skills. Successful shoppers will be able to maintain their impartiality and communicate well. They should have outstanding written and oral communication skills, attention to detail, and be highly organized.

How Much Does a Mystery Shopper Make?

How much you earn depends on the company and how much time and effort is required for the assignment. Usually, you will receive a small fee, typically anywhere from $5 to $25 per shop. However, you will often receive reimbursements for the purchases you make during your time as a mystery shopper. 

Keep in mind that your work isn’t completed once you’re out of the store. In fact, you’ll spend another 30 minutes to one hour after the fact writing your report for the company you shopped for. 

As a mystery shopper, you’ll work as an independent contractor, so you are free to sign up with as many companies as you like, which means the ability to make more money.

How Long Does it Take to Get Paid?

Most companies that hire mystery shoppers pay their workers monthly, and it can take anywhere from 30 to 60 days after a shop to receive payment for it. 

Most mystery shop companies offer PayPal payments, direct debit, or physical checks. There are a few who even give gift cards instead of cash payment, but unless you don’t mind getting gift cards, you can skip signing up with those.  

Where to Find Legitimate Mystery Shopping Jobs

1) 360 Intel 

360 Intel offers a variety of mystery shopping opportunities. To qualify for any of their open positions, you must be 21 years old or older. You’ll also need a laptop or PC with stable internet service and a valid email address.

2) A Closer Look 

A Closer Look, a national leader in mystery shopping services, specializes in connecting businesses with mystery shoppers. To apply as a mystery shopper for this company, you must be at least 18 years old. After you sign up, they’ll email a questionnaire to you, which you’ll need to fill out and send back to them.

3) Call Center QA 

Call Center QA is a mystery shopping company in Boston. They don’t require any previous experience or background checks, but you must be at least 18 years old or older. 

This company specializes in telephone mystery shopping, so you don’t have to visit stores. Each call generally lasts between five and 10 minutes, and after the call, you’ll need to enter feedback. The whole process is only one page long.

4) InteliChek 

This business has been around for over 20 years and specializes in telephone evaluations for the automotive industry. This is another great mystery shopping job where you don’t have to leave your house.

You’ll be calling new car dealerships, tire shops, or automotive mechanics to rate their service. If you’re interested in mystery shopping for this company, fill out the registration form.

5) JM Ridgway 

JM Ridgway is a mystery shopping company that helps businesses with customer service and loss prevention. They provide mystery shopping services to industries such as retail stores, restaurants, and hotels. To be considered as a shopper, you’ll need to complete their short application.

6) PremierService 

PremierService is a top provider of mystery shopping services as well as many other quality services. In order to become a shopper with this company, you must complete your registration.

7) Reality Check Services 

Reality Check Services has been in business since 1994. They have thousands of mystery shoppers and offer shops for various industries, property management companies, and casinos. Most shops last between 45 minutes to an hour, and they pay $15 to $35 per shop. They require all shoppers to be at least 21 years of age.

8) Remington Evaluations 

Remington Evaluations is an apartment rental mystery shopping service offering both on-site and telephone shops. The average apartment shop takes about two hours to complete. All shoppers are paid by check.

9) SkilCheck 

SkilCheck specializes in mystery shopping for self-storage businesses. Mystery shoppers must be able to conduct shops between the hours of 9:00 AM and 5:00 PM. Shoppers must also be familiar with using a cloud server.

10) Yardi Matrix 

Yardi Matrix is a little different than other mystery shopping companies because they hire shoppers to conduct rent surveys. Surveys usually occur a few times per year, and the assignments last about six to eight weeks.

Final Thoughts on Mystery Shopping

All of the companies listed above are legitimate mystery shopping companies, but there are scams that you should be aware of.  

Legitimate mystery shopping companies will never make you pay a fee to sign up. Nor will they ever ask for your passwords or bank details. If any company ever asks for such information, just know it’s a scam. Also, never pay for a list of mystery shop jobs. No legitimate company will sell lists of their mystery shopping jobs. 

If you’re not sure if a mystery shopping company is genuine, go to a site called MSPA. This site has a list of all real mystery shopping companies. If you can’t find any information about your mystery shopper company in MSPA, it’s more than likely a scam and should be avoided.