I was considering applying to be a mystery shopper but first I was wondering if anyone has any good or bad comments about it. Basically is it worth my time to do it?
2006-09-25 06:09:19 · 10 answers · asked by skapuis 1 in Business & Finance ➔ Careers & Employment
Hi, I worked as a mystery shopper several years ago. I did get a few free things out of the deal (they paid me to shop, plus I got reimbursed for my purchase). I had to fill out detailed questionnaires each time I did it, and had to notice a lot about the business where I shopped (what the sign out front advertised, how clean were the bathrooms, how long I waited before someone acknowledged me as a customer, etc.). It was fun, but there weren't a lot of assignments for me to do, so I didn't do it much. It might be different now (as I said, this was several years ago), or it might make a difference which company you work for or where you are located (I live in a more rural area - cities might have more assignments). I think, if you don't expect much out of it, what you do get can be fun. Good luck!
2006-09-25 06:25:26 · answer #1 · answered by Noelle 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Be very careful of scams. Lots of people have lost money being taken in by these offers.
Here's what the Federal Trade Commission says:
The truth is that it is unnecessary to pay money to anyone to get into the mystery shopper business. The shopping certification offered in advertising or unsolicited email is almost always worthless. A list of companies that hire mystery shoppers is available for free; and legitimate mystery shopper jobs are on the Internet for free. Consumers who try to get a refund from promoters of mystery shopping jobs usually are out of luck. Either the business doesn’t return the phone calls, or if it does, it’s to try another pitch.
Please read the snopes article below.
2006-09-25 13:21:22 · answer #2 · answered by LisaT 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I work as a mystery shopper. I think it is important not to sign up for the places that require a fee, those are probably scams. I do shops for a coffee shop (we're not supposed to name names...) and some credit card sign up tables. It doesn't pay much, but then again, it isn't much work. The place I work at is www.second-to-none.com. They don't have any kind of referral program, but I like them, so you should check them out.
If you are looking for online opportunities, I have started a website with referral links to some survey companies and such. (not the scam ones, the ones that send real surveys and pay you for them!) go to: http://www.hill326.com/surveys/surveys.html
2006-09-25 13:25:47 · answer #3 · answered by Hillary 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I did. It was worthless.
They make it sound like you'll make hundreds shopping, when maybe you'll make $10 - $15 per visit, not including gas, travel time, and then you sit down to fill a l-o-n-g questionaire on your visit.
You don't do visits that often either. They send you a note asking if you're interested in this and that place, and by the time you reply, someone already took it.
2006-09-25 13:18:45 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
It's alright if you have the time. The pay is small unless you are willing to do several jobs.
I did it for a while until I got the same assignment over and over. I didn't want to go to the "local home improvement store" anymore!
Good Luck
2006-09-25 13:11:46 · answer #5 · answered by MoMattTexas 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
No because all they want is money for their information and contacts. Or they make you buy one or 2 of their stupid promotions before allowing you their so called FREE INFORMATION. NEVER one time do you see someone like the person above me saying it can be gotten free, offer it to you for free. Brag on something that isnt true I say. NOTHING in this world is free if it is suposed to make you money for your living like this. We are all better off never trying and saving what little bit of money we think we do have.
2006-09-25 13:14:42 · answer #6 · answered by reasonable-sale-lots 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
my father has done it. He only makes anywhere between 8-12 dollars per visit. It is not bad as long as it is not your only source of income. The site he uses is shadowshopper.com
2006-09-25 13:12:34 · answer #7 · answered by Love Lite 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
it's not a bad job. Be sure not to pay for any information regarding companies. You can get it free
2006-09-25 13:10:42 · answer #8 · answered by squirttle_bunny 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
i THINK ITS WORTH THE TIME. WHEN YOU GO TO STORES THAT HAVE BAD CUSTOMER SERVICE, ITS NICE TO KINDA GET SOME REVENGE BY POINTING OUT ALL THEIR FLAWS AND MAKING SURE THAT THEY STRAITEN UP. PLUS YOU GET MONEY
2006-09-25 13:11:51 · answer #9 · answered by Al Bundy 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
no, but i think it would be cool......
2006-09-25 13:10:40 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋