To become a mystery shopper, register with legitimate companies like MSPA and be cautious of fraud. Payment varies, but expect $20-$30 per assignment. Good memory and attention to detail are necessary skills. As an independent contractor, you’re responsible for taxes and insurance.
If you have the right skills, it is possible to become a mystery shopper by contacting and registering with legitimate mystery shopping companies. Genuine mystery shopping companies, or secret shopping companies as they are also called, do not charge a fee to sign up. A good place for anyone interested in mystery shopping is to contact the Mystery Shopping Providers Association (MSPA). The Association regulates secret shopping companies and also offers certification and training courses for anyone wishing to become a mystery shopper. The Association’s website should be easily found by typing MSPA into an Internet search engine.
It is extremely important to exercise caution and common sense when applying to become a mystery shopper. This industry is subject to many different types of fraud by fake mystery shopping companies. Some of the tricks include providing the applicant with a check with instructions to deposit money and keep a portion of it. Legitimate mystery or secret shopping companies do not work this way, nor do they send out mass mailings or emails to solicit mystery shoppers to work for them. One important thing to remember if you want to become a mystery shopper is to never apply to a company before visiting the MSPA or the Better Business Bureau (BBB).
Mystery shopping companies that promise large amounts of payment are probably not legitimate. If the shopping assignment involves something that takes a long time, such as opening a bank account, paying for the secret or mystery shopper to rate the experience could be as much as $100. However, if you want to become a mystery shopper, you must be prepared to earn an average of $20 to $30 for the average shopping assignment. Fees vary from company to company. In addition to getting paid per store, mystery shoppers also get free products and services.
There are opportunities to evaluate businesses online, but if you’re hoping to do covert shopping on the spot, you’re probably better off having a vehicle. The types of businesses you’ll review are likely to vary and are spread out in terms of location. Grocery stores, amusement parks, theaters, laundromats, restaurants, and clothing stores use mystery or secret shoppers. Becoming a mystery shopper is often attractive to parents, as children or other family members are often allowed to do the chores. If you want to become a mystery shopper, know that you won’t be employed by a secret shopping company, but a part-time or full-time independent contractor, responsible for your own taxes and insurance.
Following instructions exactly, always meeting deadlines, and writing clear, detailed reports are absolutely necessary skills if you want to become a mystery shopper. Mystery shoppers also need to have a good memory, as they have to wait to get to their vehicle to jot down the details of their paid shopping experiences. Since the whole idea of a secret shopper is to blend in with a regular customer, a mystery shopper must have the ability to take a mental note of things like customer service, cleanliness, and product quality without being obvious. You will need to promote your skills to legitimize secret or mystery shopping companies if you want to stand out from the competition and become a mystery shopper.
Protect your devices with Threat Protection by NordVPN
