A few years ago, when I wasn't making enough money to live
comfortably in California off my single job, I decided to look into a
side hustle that I had only ever heard of briefly and didn't understand:
mystery shopping. Once I decided I wanted to give it a try, I started
by going to MSPA's website
to start signing up. The start-up process is tedious, because you have
to fill out the same application form for every individual mystery
shopping company you want to shop for. At the peak of my shopping, I
think I was working for about 20 companies.
But once you've filled out the applications and can get going, it's
easy. You'll be eligible for more assignments, commonly referred to as
"shops," with more experience, and you'll get faster at it the more you
do it. Also, when you shop the same brand over and over, you remember
the things you're supposed to look for. One question I've gotten from
nearly everyone who asks me about mystery shopping is how much it costs.
If you're signing up with legit companies, it should cost you nothing.
You shouldn't be paying a fee to join and you shouldn't be paying to do a
shop. You will front your costs for the shops, but that is clearly
stated in your shopping instructions. Keep reading for more information
on mystery shopping, and try it out for yourself.
What is mystery shopping?
Mystery shopping, sometimes referred to as secret shopping, is going
into an establishment to evaluate the service or product. It can vary
from retail to food service to even experiences like sporting events or
concerts. Ahead of time, you're given a form that you'll have to fill
out upon completing the shop so you can be prepared for what to look
for. Some shops require you to remain undercover for the whole time, but
some will require you to reveal yourself as a shopper and inform the
recipient how they've done.
Where do you mystery shop?
Mystery shopping covers a lot of areas. As a shopper, I've shopped
fast food and sit-down restaurants, retail stores, hotels, sporting
events, concerts, car dealerships, bars, etc. Because it is all a
mystery, I can't reveal specifically what restaurants or stores I've
shopped, but you might be amazed at how many large corporations use
mystery shoppers to ensure customers are getting top-notch service.
How much do you get paid?
All shops pay in some form or another. Most shops will get you a free
meal or retail item, plus a small fee on top of it. For example, when I
would mystery shop food places, the cost of my meal would be covered
(up to a certain amount), plus I would get paid about $10 or so on top
of that. More difficult or larger shops pay more (like sporting events,
which require a lot of different interactions, pay $50 or more) than
others. Some will not pay on top of getting a free item during the shop.
However, note that all your costs are paid upfront and then reimbursed
as long as the form is done correctly and accepted by the client. If you
mess up a form, you're out the money, so it's important to make sure
you're doing everything exactly how you're asked.
What do you need in order to be a mystery shopper?
You honestly only need the basics: a computer to fill out your
completed survey and something to take notes with. I got by on using my
phone for everything. I would take notes in my notes app or jot down
things to remember to look for. I would also sometimes take pictures in
stores to remind myself of something I need to remember to add to my
completed form. Other things that will really help you are maybe having a
camera for certain shops and definitely a mode of transportation. When I
was in California, I had access to a lot more shops because I could
drive to them. I would pick up shops if I knew I was going to be in a
different region visiting someone.
(SOURCE: PopSugar)