by Jessica S.
Member since:
July 15, 2008

Mystery Shopping

January 04, 2009 03:37 PM EST
views: 99 | rating: 10/10 (15 votes) | comments: 29

A couple of years ago, I used to do mystery shopping as an extra source of income.  It's really quite simple.  You sign up with a company, and they usually email you or you check a job board when shops become available.  Most of the time, mystery shopping occurs at a retail store or a restaurant.

I've done several mystery shops at big, well-known retailers and lots of chain restaurants and fast-food places.  It's not a lot of extra money (maybe $10-$30 for each shop), but you get reimbursed for anything that you purchase!

I quit doing the mystery shopping after I moved to a more rural area, and there weren't any shops available in the area.  But, now that I am living in a more urban area, I've decided to sign up for a few companies and have already received notice about a few shops available in the area!  The first shop is for a sizing shop at a popular retail store for $12.  It should only take a few minutes to complete, and I'm excited to get back into doing this!

Anyone out there on Gather familiar with mystery shopping or do some of it yourself?  I'd love to swap stories or share contacts!

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Comments: 29

Larry H. Jan 4, 2009, 3:40pm EST
no
Marilyn M. Jan 4, 2009, 3:45pm EST
I used to do mystery shopping a bunch when I was a single mom. It was the only way I could afford to eat out. :-) I'm still signed up with lots of companies. One only has apartment shops - and pays $40. There is also one company that specializes in catching sports bars that are pirating pay-per-view sports events. Those pay as much as $175 for every one you catch. I'm not into visiting sports bars. :-)

One day, I want to do the certification, because many of the more lucrative shops want someone who is certified. How aweseome would it be to do mystery shopping for a cruise line?!?!?!?
Netty B. Jan 4, 2009, 3:47pm EST
I signed up for it once, but they kept giving my assignments where I had to drive 2 hours to gt there! I emailed them explaining why I could not do those (not worth my time to drive that far) but never heard back. So I finally managed to get out of it.
Jessica S. Jan 4, 2009, 3:49pm EST
yeah, netty, you have to live in a prime area where there are lots of available shops, unfortunately.
Mary Ann S. Jan 4, 2009, 3:50pm EST
I would call market research companies. They are usually the ones who run these jobs.
Ghostly Ghoul Jan 4, 2009, 3:51pm EST
I have done one so far - still waiting for payment. I want to make sure i get paid before I continue.
Sandy (back in Ohio...blah!) Jan 4, 2009, 3:59pm EST
I odn't myserty shop. But would love to sign up. As I live in an area close to larger cities that I am sure would have it. Do you have a link where I can sign up?
Elle L. Jan 4, 2009, 4:00pm EST
I don't do that. But I have been thinking about it.
B F. Jan 4, 2009, 4:06pm EST
I would love to do it, but need to find a reputable company...
H M. Jan 4, 2009, 4:07pm EST
I do some limited mystery shopping - I stick to restaurants because it is a guilt free way to eat out since I get reimbursed the next month. What area are you? I know a few places I think are pretty reliable
Alexis Newell Jan 4, 2009, 4:10pm EST
I've done a bunch of mystery shops. I live in a great location where there are a ton of them available so it's nice. I've done everything from apartments to fast food to clothing stores. It's great that you are reimbursed for the items as well as a little on top for your effort. I just try to make sure that it for an item that will actually get used(or can be given as a gift) and I've gotten a lot of Christmas shopping done that way in the past.

If anyone has any questions, feel free to contact me(note that I will be here today/tonight, but will not be on for about 2 weeks, so if you don't hear from me don't get worried. I'll be glad to answer any questions anyone has concerning the shops).
Susan K. Jan 4, 2009, 4:11pm EST
what are legit companies to sign up with?
Marianne R. Jan 4, 2009, 4:21pm EST
I used to do this but got tired of having to wait to be reimbursed.
Tracy Fabre Jan 4, 2009, 4:34pm EST
I like the idea, but only if I could wear a trenchcoat and sunglasses.
Jessica S. Jan 4, 2009, 4:39pm EST
as soon as I find some legit companies and get some experience with them, I will post here about some great places to sign up with...

lol! tracy... i think if you wear a trenchcoat and sunglasses, you might give yourself away! hee hee
Trish A. Jan 4, 2009, 4:42pm EST
This idea sounds like a fun way to earn a bit of money. I don't live in an area that has enough retailers but maybe soon.
kimberly g. Jan 4, 2009, 5:51pm EST
I have had a few emails from a company that has offered me a job doing that, but I was a little leery about doing it. When you get some names of legit names I may just have to try it.
Vic Needs Coffee Jan 4, 2009, 6:12pm EST
Never done it.
Sandy (back in Ohio...blah!) Jan 4, 2009, 6:38pm EST
I would love for someone to do a post that shares comapnies that you don't have to pay to sign up.
Chris E. Jan 4, 2009, 6:55pm EST
I have not ever done this but would like to give it a try. Do you have any suggestions on legitimate places to start this out?
strongthrufight E. Jan 4, 2009, 7:07pm EST
No I never have
DIANE D. Jan 5, 2009, 2:42pm EST
Not i~
Heather M. Jan 5, 2009, 2:46pm EST
nope
Alex In Wonderland Jan 6, 2009, 8:23am EST
I am registered with a bunch of companies and regularly get emails with offers. I hate that to get the offers in my email I have to receive every offer available, whether it is in my city or in another state across the country. So I end up not reading most of them and just deleting them. I have only accepted one offer so far and it got all messed up because they sent me to a location that didn't exist. But when I called the person on the phone agreed with me that I was going to be visiting the correct location! Ended up that the girl had no idea what the address of the place was and the old location was on the same street, practically in the same spot. Luckily they paid me anyway, since I was misled.
Most of the shops I can't do because of my kids and the ones I can do are the ones I can't do- they have this great offer available but it will cost me about $100 out of pocket without reimbursement.
Heather ~of the Whippets~ M. Jan 6, 2009, 9:26am EST
Unfortunately, I'm out in the middle of nowhere, so I really can't mystery shop. All of the major stuff is quite a hike for me. Maybe, I can try mystery shopping once I have returned to civilization.
Cecilia Lyne Jan 6, 2009, 3:01pm EST
I would love to join up too. I have done a few thur one company then we moved and they do not have shops in this area.
Missy Cline Jan 9, 2009, 9:34pm EST
I had and E-Friend in CA who did mystery shopping for pin money and she greatly enjoyed it!!
Gloria C. Jan 31, 2009, 10:49pm EST
I just started. So far so good. The first one went well. The check came in the mail last week. The second one I had to cancel because I couldn't find it.

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