Making Money with Mystery Shopping

Do you like to shop? Would you like to make a little money at the same time you're spending it? If this sounds interesting, and if you'd also like to help businesses do a better job of serving their customers, then mystery shopping may be for you.

What is mystery shopping, and why is it important?
Most businesses have standards about how their locations are supposed to operate. However, it can be hard for them to ensure that these standards are being met. Some have their own evaluators, but this can be expensive, because they have to hire, train, and pay these people, who are usually members of upper-level management. Plus, the stores usually know in advance when the evaluators are coming. This means they can prepare by cleaning up, stocking, and treating customers well-which may not be the way they usually operate.

Mystery shoppers, on the other hand, can't be prepared for. Store personnel usually don't even know they're being evaluated. Mystery shoppers go into the stores, interact with the staff, and buy something, all without saying anything about what they're really there for. They seem to be just "regular customers." The difference is that after they get home, mystery shoppers send a report about their experience to the mystery shopping company, who passes the information along to the business who owns the store. The business can then decide how to act on that information.

This is a really useful service for the business because the evaluations are done secretly and by an unbiased person who is not on their payroll. They pay the shopping company for the service, and the shopping company pays the shopper.

What does mystery shopping involve?
If you decide you want to do mystery shopping, you register with one or more shopping companies. They will send you offers for "shops" in your area, providing just enough information for you to decide whether you're interested. If you are, you contact them and apply for the shop. If you're qualified for the shop, and no one else has been assigned (most shops are "first come, first served"), you'll get the assignment. Then the shopping company will send you the specifics, including the date and time of the shop, the name and address of the store, and what you must do while you're there.

Keep in mind that this is not a simple shopping trip. You won't be able to just walk in the door, browse for a while, pick up a few items, pay for them, and go. Mystery shopping is very detail-oriented work, and while you're shopping you may be required to make certain observations and interact with the staff in certain ways. Here are examples of what you may be asked to observe and report on:
- the date and exact time you arrived and left
- the condition of the floors, dressing rooms, and restrooms
- how prices were displayed
- how many cashiers were present when you arrived and when you left
- the names or descriptions of staff members you interacted with, possibly including exact conversations

Because these observations are so important to the evaluation process, you'll need to find a way to minimize distractions. This means you'll probably need to shop alone (unless the shopping company has requested otherwise) and refrain from talking on a cell phone when you're doing a shop. You also need to have a good memory, since you can't take notes during the shop; that might give you away.

Mystery shoppers can be used to evaluate all kinds of businesses. The most obvious ones are retail stores, but shoppers have also been sent to restaurants and car dealerships, and have even been used for vision and health screenings. (Unlike most others, car dealership shops don't require a purchase.)

How much does it pay?
The average is $10-$20 per shop; the pay may be higher if there are special circumstances involved.

Are there expenses involved?
Most mystery shoppers are required to make a purchase; the amount of the purchase is usually specified with the initial information. Some companies will reimburse for purchases, but often the shopper is expected to either keep them or return them later. There are also less tangible costs, like travel expenses and the shopper's time. And if you make more than a few hundred dollars a year, you'll have to pay self-employment taxes. Mystery shoppers are always contract workers, not directly employed by the companies they shop for.

In addition, it's useful to have a credit card. Some shopping companies, in fact, require that purchases be made that way.

What about career advancement?
Some people really enjoy mystery shopping, and do fairly well with it. If you decide to take this more seriously, there's a certification program through the Mystery Shopping Providers Association that will improve your credentials and make you more valuable to the shopping companies - which should get you better offers.

Where to get more information
The best site for mystery shopping information, including actual assignments, is Volition.com. This site also has a message board where you can get to know other mystery shoppers and find out about mystery shopping companies.

Mystery shopping scams
You may find online ads for services that will get you started with mystery shopping - for a fee. But actually, you don't have to pay to start doing this work. Mystery shopping companies don't charge you to register with them.

If the paid services do anything at all - and some of them are nothing more than scams - all they will do is put you in touch with the shopping companies. This is something you can do on your own, without paying for it. It can be hard to locate the shopping companies, even on a search, but the information is there; start with Volition, read some of the posts, and check out the links.

Final observations
Mystery shopping does have its drawbacks. It may not be a good choice if any of the following applies to you:
- You're not detail-oriented, or you're easily distracted.
- You don't want to make purchases you'll have to return later.
- You don't have a credit card.
- You're not comfortable with playing a role (some shops may require that you be a "difficult customer" to evaluate how the staff handles the situation).

If none of these applies to you, though, mystery shopping can be a good source of supplemental income, especially if you don't work outside your home. You can work as much - or as little - as you want, and in whatever locations you want. And if you find you don't like it, or if something more lucrative comes along, you can always cancel your accounts with the shopping companies; there's no need to give two weeks' notice.

If you need to make a little extra money, but also need work with flexible hours, check out mystery shopping. It may be just what you're looking for.