 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
MYSTERY SHOPPING JOBS
Where to Find Mystery Shopping Jobs
 Mystery Shopping
By Kelly Land, © 2007-2008, All rights reserved.
Mystery Shopping is an excellent way to make an extra income, and fun too! The
pay rate varies from $15.00 per shop to as high as $50.00 or more. Most shops
will result in a free meal, portraits or products. If you have a sharp eye for
details, able to write accurately and have reliable transportation you may very
well enjoy this work.
PACIFIC RESEARCH GROUP
As a shopper, you will benefit by use of laptop computers and digital cameras to
accurately and easily perform shops. As we expand, we need good, reliable
shoppers, such as you!
FAQ'S ABOUT MYSTERY SHOPPING
1. What is Mystery Shopping?
Also known as secret shopping, it's when you help companies evaluate many
aspects of customer service. The
most common mystery shops include retail,
restaurants, optical and cellular phone outlets, apartments, oil change
facilities or banks. You will act as a regular customer, then fill out a
detailed report of who helped you, physical appearance of the location, what the
employees said to you, etc.
2. What qualities should a mystery shopper have?
Mystery shopping companies look for attention to detail, ability to be discreet
while shopping (you can't take the reports in with you), and clear, detailed
written communication. A background in retail, hospitality or customer service
can be a big plus.
3. How much money can I make?
Because the work is not regular, it varies. You may be reimbursed for a meal and
paid an additional $5. You may be reimbursed for an oil change or product. You
may be required to return a purchase, then paid $20 for the complete report of
purchase and return details. If you are in a large metropolitan area, you are
likely to get more work. The more companies you apply for, the more variety and
frequency of shops you will be asked to do. If you look at it as a little extra
money here and there, rather than real income, you are less likely to be
disappointed.
4. What if I'm asked to take a job that I'm unable to accept?
With most companies, you will not be penalized if you don't accept a shop. If
you accept a shop, and realize you can't do it, be sure to contact the mystery
shop company as soon as you know. This way they can get someone else. Since the
shop may require a specific day or time frame in which it can be completed, it's
important to adhere to these guidelines. Make sure you have a phone number or
e-mail of the company that asks you to shop in case you need to cancel or ask
questions.
5. How does shopping affect my taxes?
As an independent contractor, and not an employee, you are legally responsible
for claiming all income. Save your check stubs in one place, or make a small
spreadsheet with each earned amount to avoid year-end frustrations. If you do a
lot of shops, or travel several miles to get to shops, keep track of your
personal and business miles to deduct your mileage expenses. You can get a
special auto mileage log at office supply stores for about $1. If you make more
than $600/year from one company, they will send you a form 1099, which will
state how much you have made for the year while working for them. Keep records
anyway, just to double check that the information is correct.
6. Can I take kids, friends or family with me when I shop?
If there are a lot of details to remember, it may be easier to leave the younger
kids with someone else until you have more experience. An older child or adult
may be able to help you recall details, but emphasize to them how important it
is not to give away your secret! I have taken my baby >to restaurant, oil change
and retail shops with no problem. The restaurant was pretty challenging (that's
the case whether doing a shop or not!), but I had someone with me to help.
7. How do I submit a report to the company?
Usually by mail or fax, but some companies let you submit online.
 Take
a closer look.....
 Get Paid For Shopping And Eating Out-
How You Can Get Paid $10 to $125 or more just to go to your favorite mall to
shop, eat at your favorite restaurant, golf and more...
ShoppingJobs.net - Get Paid To
Shop! Get paid to shop & eat Plus get free stuff!
WorkOnline4Pay - Work Online At
Home. Get Paid to Shop! Eat! Take Surveys! Travel! Read Emails! Surf Online!
Use Search Engines! Make $ Today!
Free Online Dollar Store -
This opportunity has never before been offered to the public for FREE!
Disciple's Cross - Assemble
hand-made cross necklace, that is available in a multitude of colors, and it
sells like crazy.
 |
8. How can I remember all the details for my report?
Study the questions before you go. Some info you will easily recall, but other
parts will require more active attention (such as employee names, height, weight
and hair color). You must complete the report thoroughly and accurately to be
compensated, so you might want to get creative with techniques for remembering
details. I have carried a small piece of paper with me, containing small cues
that I want to remember, and then written the details down immediately outside
the shop, or while evaluating the bathrooms!
9. What are the ups and downs of mystery shopping?
On the downside, it probably won't replace your income, or even be a steady,
substantial income. You might have to miss out on a last-minute activity because
you have a shop to do at a certain time or day. It's not always easy to enjoy a
meal or a movie while you are busy gathering details. It can be a nice treat,
though, to be reimbursed for a meal at a nice restaurant (especially when money
is tight!). If you value good customer service (which would be recommended for
this type of work), you have the knowledge that you are really contributing to
the company's understanding of what's going on at the front line. A little extra
money for doing something you might be doing anyway is nice. Friends and family
who have never known anyone who has been a mystery shopper find it exciting and
intriguing!
10. I saw something asking me to pay to be a shopper, or to get listed as a
shopper with several companies. Is this a good deal?
I don't think so. I've been shopping for 4 years now by applying to 2 newspaper
ads, and several places online. I would not pay anyone for the "privilege" of
mystery shopping and do not recommend that you do either! 11. I'm anxious to
start shopping now! How can I start working as soon as possible? Apply to some
or all of the places listed below. You may want to look at the applications
first so you can think about some of your answers. To make the process easier,
open your Notepad or Word Processor, and put the answers to common questions in
a file. Then just copy (CTRL + C) and paste (CTRL + V) the answers into the
application box! The most common questions are these: "Have you mystery shopped
before? If not what qualifies you?""List an example of good/bad customer service
that you have experienced." "What do you think makes good customer service?"
With these questions, they are looking for your attention to details, an
understanding of customer service, ability to be discreet and unbiased, and
clear, logical written communication from you. Some companies may contact you
quickly. Others may be a month or more. Apply to all you can find; don't worry
that you will have too much work. You can always turn down a job if you're too
busy! So start working on your answers and get started filling out those
applications! In most cases, these links take you straight to the application
forms. It may be to your benefit to explore the site some to find out what areas
they cover, what type of shops they do, etc. NONE of the following require fees
of any kind to shop!
Read The Wall Street Journal article written about the real life woman that
earns being a mystery
shopper!
We have researched and looked around for websites that offer updated,
informative mystery shop info that is FEE free. We find these sites to be very
helpful!
Please take a look at these sites for your next mystery shop assignment.
Mystery Shopping Websites
WorldMall.TV
Subject: Mystery Shopping
Great site--with an email list to help keep you updated on new companies and
changes.
FamilyShoppingBag.com
Subject: Mystery Shopping
Nice little list of companies, and helpful info.
LisasFreebies.com
Subject: Mystery Shopping
Not sure how updated this list stays--but still has a nice list of companies.
Copyright 2007-2008. All rights reserved. Any reproduction of this article in whole
or in part without written or verbal permission is strictly prohibited.
Link:
Become a Personal Shopper
Link:
Shadow Shopper - Get paid to go bowling,
eat pizza, rent videos and more. One lady got her carpets cleaned for FREE!
Link:
Shop Until You Drop - Get paid $10 to
$125 per shop. Men and women are needed for these shops!
Link:
Guide to Mystery Shopping - How to
get started. What's involved? Mom of two explains how! USA and Canada!
"This is exactly what I needed to get started. I knew I
wanted to be a mystery shopper and I knew I could do it....I just didn't know
where to begin! This guide was awesome!" - Becky Stills, Bedford, VA
"WOW - this is what I wanted all along! I just needed
to know how to get started! I ate at three places this week for FREE! AND got
paid to shop at a local discount store! Unbelievable!" Tammy
Cogburn, Helena, Montana
Mystery Shoppers NEEDED ASAP
This is a must for stay at home moms that want to be serious mystery shoppers
and earn serious money!
Mystery Shoppers Needed
ADDITIONAL MYSTERY SHOPPING INFORMATION
Work at Home Opportunities and or Mystery Shopping Jobs for
Work at Home Blog
Work at home jobs are posted almost daily.
www.moneymakingmommy.com/Work-At-Home-Blog/
Advertise on
MoneyMakingMommy
No Fee Work at Home Section
I post them here. Updated often, so check back frequently.
www.moneymakingmommy.com/no-fee-work-at-home-jobs/index.htm
<<Back to Earn Online Index
|
|
|
|
