How to Earn Extra Money as a Mystery Shopper

I started out as a mystery shopper in May of 2007. Since joining I have made approximately $600. It is not much, but it certainly helps. And the best part is that I do not have to do a minimum number of shops. I can choose my schedule. If I want to do one a day or one a week (or even one a month) I can. The only ones that I currently complete are for banks. I tried some other jobs, such as with cellular companies or restaurants, and the bank ones were the easiest to fit around my regular work schedule. Most jobs are super easy- but some are more time consuming than others. You will know the level of time required and how detailed your report needs to be prior to applying for the job.

I started out applying for mystery shopping jobs at my local bank where I had accounts. You have to fill out a form on-line and upload proof of your visit- usually either a deposit slip (with your personal information blacked out) or a business card.

Some of the scenarios are super easy- such as make a deposit into your checking account through the drive-up. This required little to no skill and the questions you needed to answer were minimal. The usual questions relate to how long it took you to complete your transaction, how many other cars were at the drive-up when you arrive, and whether or not the teller was friendly. Once you sign up for one of the jobs, you will receive a guideline report that outlines what you need to pay attention to while performing this task. I would earn $10 for drive-up jobs.

Another scenario was to go into the bank to make a deposit. This shop usually pays around $17. Part of the reason they pay $7 more than the drive-up deposit scenario is that they want you to look around and notice the appearance of the bank- such as whether or not the bank is clean, if the kiosk is fully stocked with supplies and whether or not the appropriate campaign materials are displayed.

An additional scenario is to meet with a banker in order to inquire about CD's. You do not need to purchase anything. You just have to go in and act like you are interested in possibly purchasing a CD. Other scenarios are to inquire about a home mortgage, debt consolidation, applying for a business loan or purchasing a CD. You know up front what scenario you are applying for, so you will not be assigned anything that you do not want to do. These shops usually pay around $25 to $30 per job. You can do up to one branch a day, but you can not do the same branch until 30 days has passed.

Please note that it does not matter where you really want to consolidate your debt or if you do not own a business, the company gives you guidelines so that you will be able to handle speaking with the teller.

Some of the shops pay bonuses on top of your payment. This is usually done when the company needs to get certain shops completed immediately. Once time I had a $40 bonus added onto my $17 shop fee because the company would not get anyone to perform it- the location was in a remote area. I was more than happy to cover this shop for $57.

These companies usually offer a few companies you can do work for- such as fast food restaurants, upscale restaurants, drug stores, eye shops, grocery shops, bowling alleys, pizza places, etc. Anything that requires you to spend money will be reimbursed to you. The amount reimbursed to you will be included in the outline before you apply for the job. Just think, you could take your spouse to a nice dinner, be reimbursed for the amount you spend and then paid for doing it! I saw a nice restaurant in my town listed for $125 reimbursement with a $30 shop fee. These shops understandable do not last long.

I am not sure which area you are in, but once you get signed up it will break down the available shops according to zip code, city or state to make it easier for you to locate shops near you.

Payments are usually made the following month after the work is completed. If you complete three shops in August, you will be paid for them sometimes in September. The payment policies vary. The company that I work for pays me on the 20th of the following month through Paypal. I have also heard some companies process paper checks to be mailed to you. Either way, this is a great opportunity to earn some extra money by running your regular errands or shopping !