Whats the deal w' secret shoppers?

Question

Ive always seen those adds about becoming a secret shopper. Whats the deal w' that? Do you really get paid to shop? Whats the catch?

Answer 1

Go to www.shopnchek.com for more info. This company was highly rated through the Better Business Bureau and is always accepting new people. For your questions, some companies are reputable and pay on time. For most of the companies you fill out a profile then they present you with several opportunities. Basically you look through the questionnaire, go to the assigned location and buy whatever you want or are assigned, come home then fill out a survey and the questionnaire online, and submit copies of your receipts. I find that its ok for a little extra cash, but not as a full or even part time job. Oh and if the company you are looking into is reputable they will not charge you to become a shopper! All the reputable ones allow you to join free of charge. Hope this helps.

Answer 2

Secret shoppers are people who are contracted through an agency who is contracted by an actually company to help evaluate that companies service. In a chart form it would look like this
You ( Shopper )
Agency (Your Boss)
Target ( The company who needs evaluation)

The company sends assignments to the agency with a specific set of guidelines.
For example You will go to a specific store. You will look for a specific item. You will talk to 4 employees and evaluate if they helped you find the item. You will then buy the item and leave.
After you shop you send in a details report of your experience answering all the questions that the agency asks you to answer. Your successful submission of that report gets you paid for A. The item and B. For your time.

There are several agencies out there. Should you be interested look into the agency itself. Do NOT pay to be given a list of agencies that are out there. Your application and hiring will be FREE if they want you. (you'll answer a small questionnaire about your buying habits)
It seems that the more shopping assignments you pick up the more they will send you. They are all voluntary and you are free to turn them down at any time.
Hope this helps

Answer 3

I was a secret shopper for awhile, the catch is it's usually temporary and the payment's usually cover what you buy, they're mostly re-embersements, depending what it is it can be somewhat short if they require you for instance to test out a big meal that costs $12 and they only re-emberse you for $7 each time etc... Secret Shopping is usually very temporary.

It's a good idea to join only secret shopping within a short distance because with the high prices of gas these days if they require you to frequently go to say for instance a restraunt which you'd have chosen, you may make multiple trips for awhile.

To find reputable Secret Shopping programs I'd start not with a Secret Shopping program locator service but with actual companies themselves, because it's the companies that are the ones paying for you to either test their own manufactured products, or check out their owned food chains, that's the purpose of secret shopping, to check things out and provide feedback. Companies that offer secret shopper programs will sometimes have an area on their company website dedicated to what they are looking for in a secret shopper and provide online form to fill out with instructions.

Ask the companies owner, executives, if they have any secret shopping programs available you may be interested in joining. The information is free.

Answer 4

There is no catch, but the market is now saturated with people looking for an easy buck. If you want to become a mystery shopper, remember the golden rule - never pay to become one.

However, the most you can expect anymore is a free dinner here and there and possibly a $10 payment for doing the shop. Shops can take anywhere from 15 minutes to an hour (or more if you have to do a purchase and return) and then however long it takes you to enter the report.

Answer 5

I do not know about those ads, However I worked for a company that did employ secret shoppers. They are sent to the place of business and see how shoppers are being treated. They buy goods to make sure they are what they say and are priced right. In a restaurant they buy and try food. They also try to get you the employee to do things against company policy.. Just a check up of the business.

Answer 6

yes you do. and be careful about getting a job as one online research it first

Answer 7

i did work somewhere where they had them and i thnk they just make sure your doing your job

Answer 8

you have to pay money to get the jobs. it's silly really.