What do i have to do to become a mystery shopper?
Answers:
First thing you have to realize is that everything you've seen about being a mystery shopper is a lie. I've been a shopper for 5 years, I do it full time. While you CAN make $40-100 in one hour, it's NOT consistant. You might have 4 shops that pay $25 each that you can do in 10 minutes each, but then not have anything the rest of the day.
I have done shops that pay $100, these usually require a lot of time and do not go to people just getting started. The average mystery shop pays between $7-10/hr.
As a mystery shopper, you will incur a lot of expenses. You do not get to keep 90% of what you have to buy. You will have to return it so that the return can be evaluated. You don't have to return your food in a restaurant though. :-)
Never ever go to a website that will make you sign up for offers. Retailreportcard is a very well known. Total scam. Never send any money to a company that promises to help you become a mystery shopper. You can find that for free at mysteryshop.org
You are a independant contractor, so keep track of your mileage and all expenses. You get tax benefits. Most people do this as a suppliment to their income. It's extremely hard to do it full-time and most people never get the opportunity. There's a lot of fierce competition for each shop as there may be up to 100 people competing for the same exactly shop.
You must have good grammer and spelling skills. Also, when applying at the companies, fill EVERYTHING out EXACTLY as it states on the application. Some will require a narrative of a recent shop. Make sure you do this! Taking short cuts may result in you not even being considered to be hired.
Network with other shoppers. You can find them at forums online dedicated to mystery shoppers. Also, most mystery shoppers also enter into the merchandising world, demos, and court research as this pays much better.
There a few website that you can sign up for these types of jobs. And keep in mind that if they want money "for registration" they are not necessarily legit. I belong to a few (though I have never actually completed the shops) and they are legit and free of charge. email me and I can give you the website.
i used to be a mystery shopper. i had a blast doing it. all i did was answer an ad in the paper. they sent me the information packet. i filled out the forms and got my assignments. you do need to have a car and free time. i had to go to different places, sometimes at specific times, and buy or ask for or do different things, depending on what the customer wanted to know. then you have to fill out a questionnaire about your experience and return it. i did have to buy and pay for things sometimes. but i was reimbursed when i sent in the receipts after-wards. unfortunately due to personal reasons i had quit otherwise i'd still be doing it.
The Federal Trade Commission has a great article on secret shopping.
http://www.ftc.gov/bcp/conline/pubs/aler...
In the article it refers you to a website (www.mysteryshop.org) that will give a list of reputable mystery shopping companies. You can sign up with the companies and be notified when potential shops come up.
I was a mystery shopper. It was fun. Good luck!
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