We make purchases almost every other day. But there are several times when we fall short of money to make the purchases. But what if I tell you that you don’t need to pay for shopping instead the company will pay you for shopping? Yes, this job is of a mystery shopper or secret shopper job. So, if you also want to know about this job where you can earn while shopping for your favorite brand, stay tuned with this article- Mystery Shopping Jobs.
What is meant by a mystery shopping job?
A mystery shopper refers to a person who provides a detailed evaluation of the services. He goes into the store like any regular customer, but he keeps a vigilant eye on every aspect to fill a survey on the shopping experience. We know that every company wants to ensure maximum customer satisfaction, and for that, they use various techniques. By appointing a mystery shopper for their goods and services, the companies try to get a detailed evaluation of various aspects from the point of view of a customer.
Duties and job description of a mystery shopper:
- A mystery shopper goes like a regular customer in the store and evaluates various aspects like quality of goods, cleaning in the store, customer service, etc. Then they fill a survey and report all these things to the company.
- The person doing the mystery shopping is given an assignment, and all the details are listed like the goods they have to search for, check for the maintenance of store and washrooms, proper organization of goods on various shelves, up-to-date advertisements, etc.
- A mystery shopper can be appointed for evaluating different kinds of goods and services. He might be required to visit a department or a restaurant or some other place to check the quality of goods and services and other mentioned factors. For this purpose, he will have to pay for certain things but those expenses would be returned by the company.
For example, if the mystery shopper is asked to go to a restaurant, he has to order some particular food item on the menu and evaluate various other factors like the behavior of the staff, the dressing of the employees, etc. He might also be asked to click some pictures for credibility or ask the waiter about the ingredients of the dish.
- Besides these normal duties, a mystery shopper might be asked to behave arrogantly or create a different situation for the worker. The rationale is to understand how the employees behave when faced with a strange situation or angry client.
- They might also be asked to check the quality of a particular product and see if it is better than their competitors. If the product or service is lacking in some areas, the mystery shopper has to specify those areas to the company for improvement.
- Once the mystery shopper has gone and purchased the item he is asked to fill a questionnaire, show some proof like photos, and enlist various things about his experience. After this, he is paid for his work and reimbursed for all the purchases and expenditures made in the course of the assignment.
How to become a good mystery shopper?
To become a good mystery shopper and evaluate properly, you should first read all the requirements enshrined in the assignment email properly. Since you need to fill the questionnaire at the end of your assignment, you can make some notes on your phone that will look like chatting and won’t reveal your identity. You might also be asked to take some pictures. So click them wisely and don’t let the staff understand that you are a mystery shopper. Also, keep the records of the visit like the bill of the restaurant, receipt of the bought things, etc. handy because you often need to upload them in your questionnaire.
How much can a mystery shopper earn?
The pay scale of a mystery shopper varies according to the work he has to do and the agency he is working with. A simple evaluation assignment can fetch you almost 10 USD for a single assignment. But if you have to perform detailed research or you are working with a reputed agency, you can earn as high as 100 USD for one assignment.
Different factors that influence the assignments you get in mystery shopping:
- Geographical location:
The first factor that can play a decisive role in whether you will earn good pay in mysterious shopping is your geographical location. As we know that most of the shops are located in a metropolitan area. So if you are also a resident of the metropolitan area, you can avail various opportunities, easily. - Experience:
The second factor that matters while getting a mystery shopping job is experience. The more you know about the things to evaluate and how to evaluate, the more you can succeed in this field. To gain experience in the field, you can start by trying in less-paying mystery shopping jobs. Gradually as you become experienced you will open the doors of handsome pay in this job.
- The time you are ready to devote:
Another factor that decides your income in a mystery shopping job is the time that you are ready to devote to mystery shopping. Some shops or places can be very far from your house and you might need to travel a long distance which can consume your whole day. Therefore it is vital to be sure in advance about how much time you are ready to put.
- Other factors that differ for various agencies:
Besides the above-mentioned things, there are different requirements for different agencies. Like some require the proficiency of a certain language while others require you to belong to a specific area. But certain agencies will give mystery shopping assignments without any pre-conditions. So you can look for that to gain experience and money.
What are the different payment methods for a mystery shopper?
There are different methods used by different companies to pay you for mystery shopping. These are:
- Reimbursement (return of amount that you have to spend):
Now we have understood that in mystery shopping you are asked to buy something at your expense. So the first thing that the company will do is to pay back the money you have spent in buying those goods or services. But this does not mean that the company will all your expenses if you are exceeding the permitted limit of expenses.
- The actual assignment pay:
Next, the company will pay you the actual due for giving your time and doing mystery shopping. For each assignment, there is some pre-decided money that the company will pay you. You can earn almost 10 to 25 USD for a single mysterious shopping. The payment will come only after your questionnaire is approved. You can expect payment via Paypal or deposit in a bank account once or twice a month.
- The goods you purchased are yours:
One of the best parts of a mystery shopping job is that you can keep those goods that you have purchased as a mystery shopper. This can also be considered as a payment method because ultimately the price for these goods and services will be paid by the company. So, you can get different goods like groceries, restaurant meals, etc. for mysterious shopping.
- Bonus and gift cards:
Besides the regular payment, some companies also give you some gift cards that you can use on special occasions like Christmas. Also if the shopping assignment is tough, or to be performed in a difficult location, you might get some bonus from the company for the performance of evaluation.
Which companies hire mystery shoppers?
Mystery shoppers are hired by a variety of companies, hotels, fast food chains, banks, parks, shoe stores, car showrooms, and other such corporations. The basic purpose is to enhance customer satisfaction, solve the issues faced by a customer, become a reputed name, etc.
But you must note that to ensure impartiality, the companies don’t recruit these mystery shoppers directly but through different agencies. By taking the help of different middlemen websites, the companies save themselves from paperwork, training of mystery shoppers, payment, and other such complications.
How to get mystery shopping jobs?
To get mystery shopping jobs, you have to first sign up with an agency. This agency will help you find shops in your area. Try to sign up with various agencies to get various opportunities because one agency will have contact with only a few companies. To sign up with an agency you will be asked to fill out a form and give various details like name, address, phone number, payment information, and other such details. Then set the email alerts to know of the good opportunities as soon as they are available on the website.
As soon as you are given the first assignment for mystery shopping, you have to confirm with the shop scheduler. You will then get various details about the work like the shop you have to go to, the things you have to purchase, the things that you have to evaluate, etc. After going through the shop name, you will confirm your presence. In case you have some doubts, you can contact the scheduler. But sometimes the process is automated and there is no such scheduler for redressing the queries.
List of good websites and agencies where you can check out for mystery shopping jobs:
- Amusement Advantage:
Amusement Advantage is one of the most legit agencies for finding mysterious shopping jobs. As the name suggests, you will get assignments on various amusement sites like zoos, parks, water parks, aquariums, and other such amusement places. The best part about going secret shopping in an amusement place is that you get an escape from daily boring life and your family also gets an opportunity to go on a trip. In this way, you can earn while enjoying your day.
- Ath Power Consulting:
Another platform that you must check out for handsome paying mystery shopping jobs is Ath Power Consulting. The pay that you can expect per assignment is almost 100 USD. But the negative side is that the payments that you have to make in an assignment are high. So, for once you have to spend a good amount of money.
- Bare International:
If you want to get a new exposure, different from normal grocery shopping stores or meals at the restaurant, you can check out this platform. Bare International allows you to get good-paying mystery shopping jobs. The areas where you need to visit under different assignments include electronic shops, car washing shops, testing centers, etc.
- Coyle:
Want to have a meal in a top-notch restaurant but don’t want to spend money out of your pocket? Then Coyle is the place to check out because it will give you various mystery shopping assignments in luxurious hotels and restaurants not only in the USA but all around the world. But the condition is you must have good experience in mystery shopping and be able to stand out from the crowd for getting mystery shopping assignments on this site.
To check your experience in mystery shopping, Coyle asks you to submit two writing assignments. The first writing sample is based on your best customer experience in mystery shopping and in the second sample, you would be required to describe the worst mystery shopping experience so far along with detailed reasoning.
- Customer Impact:
Another platform to check out for getting good mystery shopping jobs is customer impact. You will see a variety of companies where you have to go mystery shopping. The pay scale is often between 10 to 20 USD and the assignment location is usually the Midwestern US.
- Secret Shopper: Considered as one of the most reputed platforms for mystery shopping jobs, Secret shoppers are worth exploring. There’s an easy sign-up by agreeing to their terms and conditions, a certification test, and a questionnaire on personal details. You will then receive a Shopper ID and can see various opportunities in banks, restaurants.
- Intellishop:
Intellishop also offers different kinds of mystery shopping jobs. The pay range for each assignment is five to twenty USD. If you are given an assignment (mystery shopping job) in a remote location or at very short notice, you might also get a bonus from the company. The agency is worth exploring because it provides consistent opportunities for mystery shopping.
Other reliable mystery shopping agencies to help you find good mystery shopping assignments:
- About Face
- Ace Mystery Shopping (more focus on restaurant assignments)
- Yardi Matrix
- The source
- The shadow agency (mostly for southern USA mystery shopping assignments)
- RBG
- Second to None
- Quest for Best
- Perception strategies (the assignments are mostly regarding healthcare services)
- Pinnacle
- Mercantile systems
- Ipsos (also called GfK)
- Shopper force
- Confero
- ACP view
- Bestmark
- A closer look
- BVA (Since it is a French company, you might face language problems)
- Field agent
- Gigwalk
- Shopkick: (You mostly get gift cards that you can use to make purchases at different shops rather than cash payments)
- Merchandiser (a subsidiary of Survey.com).
In what cases can the company refuse to pay you for secret shopping?
Although you might think that the job is relaxed but still there are chances when the company can refuse to pay. This is when you have not complied with the requirements properly. For instance, if the agency asked you to go to a restaurant at lunch and order a particular item, but you did not comply, it can result in refusal of payment.
Therefore it is crucial to understand the requirements properly before going to the assigned location. Also, make sure that you have read the questionnaire properly because it is through this questionnaire the company will make sure that you have evaluated the things in the right manner.
Words of caution:
Although a mystery shopping job looks like an attractive opportunity, there are sometimes questions about its legitimacy. Since you are paid for something that you pay for, the job looks unbelievable. Also, sometimes some websites operate a scam. Therefore it is important to save yourself by checking the Federal Trade Commission page on mystery shopping scams and the business page of the website.
If the website asks you to pay the fee before getting the opportunity to become a mystery shopper, it shows that they are not genuine. So to save yourself from fraud
- use only legitimate websites, given above for finding mystery shopping jobs.
- Never send money in advance to these mystery shopping agencies because if they are claiming money they might be a fraud.
Final words:
Mystery shopping can indeed be a great part-time job and help you earn extra money and goods and services. The job role is simple. You are given details of an assignment through mail or other modes. You have to go to the specified place, at specified times and evaluate various factors like staff behavior, cleanliness, customer satisfaction, etc.
After this evaluation, you will be asked to fill in a questionnaire or upload some pictures for which you will be paid by the company. Thus you get several benefits in this mystery shopping job. But, you must remember that there are several demerits associated with mystery shopping. So trust reliable agencies for getting mystery shopping jobs (as listed above).
FAQs (Frequently asked questions):
Q1: Is it a good idea to make mystery shopping a full-time job?
Ans: When you want to take a job as your full-time career, it is crucial to assess all the merits and demerits. In case of mystery shopping, you might get attractive pay, the opportunity to buy goods and services without paying from your pocket, recreation, etc.
But there are certain demerits that you should note like frauds, no surety of availability of jobs in your area, the pay scale, unsure of whether you would get consistent assignments, etc. therefore it is not a good idea to take up mystery shopping a full-time career. But for part-time, it is a worth exploring field.
Q2: What is MSPA membership and certification? Is it worth exploring for mystery shopping jobs?
Ans: MSPA refers to the Mystery Shopping Providers’ association. It is a union of mystery shopping agencies and their employees like managers, salesperson and other such permanent members. MSPA certification is a certificate that you get after completing the MSPA course. To do the course you have to become a member by paying 30 USD.
Although certification can help you gain some kind of preference in mystery shopping jobs, you don’t need to take up the course necessarily. Even without an MSPA certificate and membership, you can get good opportunities.
Ques 3: What are the different things that a mystery shopper has to evaluate or record when he goes for an assignment?
Ans: Mystery shoppers are required to give a detailed view of their experience in the shop or place they have visited. They have to keep a track of the following things:
- The number of workers that were working in the store or restaurant or the assigned place.
- How the customers were treated by the employees in that place (like greeting, attending to the customers, solving their queries, behavior with customers, etc.)
- The time that the employees are taking to attend to a particular customer
- The approximate number of customers with which the staff interacted, presented greetings, and tried to give a good experience.
- Whether the tasks were completed in a timely and efficient manner by the staff.
- The overall cleanliness and organization of the store or the assigned place including washrooms.
- Whether employees were properly dressed, whether they were honest, etc.
Ques 4: Are there any mystery shopper jobs that you can do from home without traveling from one shop to another?
Ans: yes, phone and internet shopping is an emerging area where you can work as a mystery shopper without any traveling. The task is simple. You have to act like a normal customer and talk to the company employees on either mobile phone or chat messages to seek details on various products. Based on that you have to evaluate certain specified things and fill the questionnaire.
