You probably won’t get rich from mystery shopping, but it a great additional income stream for those who like to shop. There are plenty of people making hundreds of dollars a month just by hitting up stores and taking great notes. Why can’t you… You like to shop, right? Today I’m going to introduce you to Mystery Shopping. Jot down the who, what, when, where… And let’s generate some additional income!

What is Mystery Shopping?
A mystery shopper, also known as secret shopper, is like being a undercover agent. Their job is to secretly evaluate consumer-service companies by posing as ordinary customers. Once you register with a mystery shopping company you should receive offers to “shop”. You’re usually given a specific window of time to complete your assignment and specific instructions on what to do.

How Much Does it Pay?
I’ve seen people make claims of making up to $7000 a month from mystery shopping… but it’s more realistic for the average shopper to make $150 to $600 a month part-time. It really depends on how many companies you choose to work for and how much time you have to put in. Mystery shopping companies may pay you anywhere from $5 for a supermarket or fast food assignment, or up to $100 for a more time-consuming tasks. Many pay in the $20 to $40 range, and may include additional incentives such as coupons for free movies or dinners. Some companies don’t pay cash, instead they’ll only offer coupons, free products or services, or gift certificates.

So… What Do I Need?
You have to be attentive to details, and a good memory is essential because you may not be able to take notes while on assignment. You’ll also need good record-keeping skills, so you can keep track out-of-pocket expenses, such as gas and car mileage. A car is usually necessary for getting to and from you’re assignments and a computer is needed for online shopping.

Any Out of Pocket Expenses?
Yup, but you’re usually reimbursed for fees you incur at the “shop”. You may need to lay out money for the assignment. Such as… paying for a meal at a fast food shop or admission to a movie theater. As I mentioned before, you’re usually reimbursed for those expenses.

Resources
If someone asks you to pay for mystery shopping info or jobs, run. It’s a scam! Volition.com/Mystery is a great place to network and find all the information you need about Mystery Shopping. They have a comprehensive list of companies to work for and plenty of resources to get you started. Make sure you check out their messageboard too! At first I couldn’t find it, but it’s on the left hand bar, click on “Forums”…. The End. Let’s get paid!