Mystery Shopping: How to Get Started

Mystery shopping can be a great way to earn extra money and freebies, but what’s involved and how do you go about getting started?

What is mystery shopping?

Mystery shopping, also referred to as secret shopping, is essentially a performance check or audit of businesses conducted by an outside service—the mystery shopping company.

To complete these evaluations, the mystery shopping company hires shoppers (perhaps you) to pose as regular customers, and to then rate the service that they receive. A mystery shop assignment could send you to evaluate a restaurant, store, hotel or any number of other locations.

How does mystery shopping pay?

While payment will vary from one company to the next, mystery shopping pays in two ways: freebies and shop fees. Generally, if you are asked to make a purchase as a part of your shop, those expenses will be refunded to you—meaning free stuff for you. In some cases, you will also receive a shop fee for completing your evaluation. Imagine, free stuff and pay just for shopping!

What does mystery shopping entail?

While the idea of getting paid to shop may sound fun, it’s important to understand that mystery shopping is still a job. To receive compensation for your time, you will be expected to submit a professional, detailed evaluation of the location that you’re shopping. This could include:

• Listing names of employees
• Recording how long it took to receive services
• Evaluating the cleanliness of the location and bathrooms
• Checking for proper signage
• Listening for specific offers to be made

In mystery shopping, details are everything—miss even one of the required items in your report, and you probably won’t be paid for your time.

How do you get started?

If you’re ready to become a mystery shopper, it’s time to hit the web. Nearly all mystery shopping companies rely on the Internet to conduct the various aspects of their business from hiring to the assigning of shops to the submission of reports.

Finding Mystery Shopping Companies

To find mystery shopping companies that you can trust, refer to Volition.com. They maintain a list of trustworthy companies based on shopper feedback—by far the best list around.

Mystery Shop Applications

Once you’ve identified the companies that you’d like to shop for, you’ll need to fill out an application with each one. As mentioned previously, this is usually handled on the website. While the application will vary some from company to company, most will require you to submit basic contact information, your Social Security Number, and often information about why you want to mystery shop and what experience, if any, you have in the industry.

Finding Shops

After you’ve applied to and been accepted by mystery shopping companies, you can begin to accept available shops in your area. All companies maintain an assignment board that you can check for shops, and many will even e-mail you when shops are available near you. Check regularly because shops tend to go quickly—particularly the best one.

Accept a Shop

Accepted your first assignment? Congratulations, you can now call yourself a true mystery shopper.

Want to find out more about mystery shopping? Check out our mystery shopping discussion thread for leads on finding the best companies.

~Erin Huffstetler

Erin Huffstetler is a freelance writer specializing in frugal living tips and tricks. Her work has appeared in numerous print and electronic publications including Family Circle, Guideposts For Kids and Pregnancy. As the stay-at-home mom of two young kids, Erin is always looking for new ways to live better for less.