Can you really get paid to shop?
There are plenty of legitimate looking websites out there selling mystery shopping info. DO NOT PAY FOR THIS INFO! I did once, and only got access to a page with loads of broken web links and useless out-of-date information. Luckily that site had a guarantee and I was able to get my money back.
The fact is, there is no universal database / e-mail list that will offer you mystery shopping opportunities out of thin air. And like any other job opportunity - you shouldn't have to pay any money to get access to the information or to apply for employment!
The fact is there are many mystery shopping companies looking for shoppers all the time. Each maintains their own shopper databases. They utilize these databases to match shops they have to offer to shoppers in their files. The trick is not only to find these companies (any internet search will do the trick, but I've provided links at the end of this article - FREE of charge - to several companies I've had success with in the past for your convenience) but to sign up with them so you can be offered shops.
Each company has their own information sign-up requirements. Again, I must emphasize DO NOT PAY TO SIGN UP! Any company that charges you money for employment opportunities is not legit! Some companies have simple one page forms to fill out. Others require you to go through a more rigorous tutorial and quiz to gain a rating. Each is unique. So take your time, take a deep breath and pace yourself. You don't need to sign up for every company in one day.
Each company has their own way of offering shops, too. Most will e-mail you when there's a shop in your area - but it's up to you to accept or sign-up to do it. Some of these companies are first-come, first served so don't get discouraged if you log onto the database after you get an e-mail only to find that your shop is no longer available - there will be others. Some companies will coll potential shoppers, too, so provide a working phone number with voice mail if you want to get those opportunities, too.
Mystery shopping is variable. Sometimes there are lots of shops to choose from. Sometimes few. That's why it is to your advantage to sign up with multiple companies. Also, some companies specialize in particular sorts of shops, like banking, or restaurants. So if you want a variety of shopping opportunities, sign up with a variety of companies.
Requirements also vary by shop, so read them carefully. Sometimes they require you to make a purchase, or shop a particular employee to evaluate them. Be familiar with what you will be required to do to complete the shop. If it's something you don't want to do (for example, I'm not a fan of size auditing), then simply pass on those particular assignments.
Pay attention to the demographic requirements, too, as in what type of shopper can accept the assignment. Sometimes the shop requires that two people visit (as in a restaurant shop) for that the shopper be of a particular shopper rating. Make sure you are eligible for a shop before you accept it.
Deadlines are extremely important. No matter what - make sure you complete your assignments on time. Submitting a shop late or not at all is a sure-fire way to not get paid and may result in your not being offered shops in the future. Be reliable. If you can't complete a shop on time, let them know ASAP.
Payment methods and timetables vary also by company. Most mystery shopping companies online today distribute payments via PayPal. Some will cut a paper check and mail it to you. Either way, make sure you provide the companies with your correct address so you can get paid promptly.
All legitimate mystery shopping companies will post their privacy policies with regards to how your personal information will be used. If you are uncomfortable with sharing your personal info after reading a particular company's privacy policy, then simply don't sign up with that particular company. After all, there are plenty to choose from.
As promised, here are the links to mystery shopping companies I have had good experiences with in the past:
Please note I have made every effort to include the link to the specific page on each company's website which deals with mystery shopping info. You may need to click on an additional link to register or apply. If you find any of these links to be broken, please
contact me via e-mail so I may fix them. Thanks!
Again, I've provided these links and information free of charge. I don't even get any incentives for sharing the links - no affiliates, no strings attached. However, if you found this information helpful and would like to share the wealth and make a donation, I would be much obliged.
Wishing you abundance and happiness!
Also, you may want to read the more recent post More Legit Mystery Shopping Info.
The fact is, there is no universal database / e-mail list that will offer you mystery shopping opportunities out of thin air. And like any other job opportunity - you shouldn't have to pay any money to get access to the information or to apply for employment!
The fact is there are many mystery shopping companies looking for shoppers all the time. Each maintains their own shopper databases. They utilize these databases to match shops they have to offer to shoppers in their files. The trick is not only to find these companies (any internet search will do the trick, but I've provided links at the end of this article - FREE of charge - to several companies I've had success with in the past for your convenience) but to sign up with them so you can be offered shops.
Each company has their own information sign-up requirements. Again, I must emphasize DO NOT PAY TO SIGN UP! Any company that charges you money for employment opportunities is not legit! Some companies have simple one page forms to fill out. Others require you to go through a more rigorous tutorial and quiz to gain a rating. Each is unique. So take your time, take a deep breath and pace yourself. You don't need to sign up for every company in one day.
Each company has their own way of offering shops, too. Most will e-mail you when there's a shop in your area - but it's up to you to accept or sign-up to do it. Some of these companies are first-come, first served so don't get discouraged if you log onto the database after you get an e-mail only to find that your shop is no longer available - there will be others. Some companies will coll potential shoppers, too, so provide a working phone number with voice mail if you want to get those opportunities, too.
Mystery shopping is variable. Sometimes there are lots of shops to choose from. Sometimes few. That's why it is to your advantage to sign up with multiple companies. Also, some companies specialize in particular sorts of shops, like banking, or restaurants. So if you want a variety of shopping opportunities, sign up with a variety of companies.
Requirements also vary by shop, so read them carefully. Sometimes they require you to make a purchase, or shop a particular employee to evaluate them. Be familiar with what you will be required to do to complete the shop. If it's something you don't want to do (for example, I'm not a fan of size auditing), then simply pass on those particular assignments.
Pay attention to the demographic requirements, too, as in what type of shopper can accept the assignment. Sometimes the shop requires that two people visit (as in a restaurant shop) for that the shopper be of a particular shopper rating. Make sure you are eligible for a shop before you accept it.
Deadlines are extremely important. No matter what - make sure you complete your assignments on time. Submitting a shop late or not at all is a sure-fire way to not get paid and may result in your not being offered shops in the future. Be reliable. If you can't complete a shop on time, let them know ASAP.
Payment methods and timetables vary also by company. Most mystery shopping companies online today distribute payments via PayPal. Some will cut a paper check and mail it to you. Either way, make sure you provide the companies with your correct address so you can get paid promptly.
All legitimate mystery shopping companies will post their privacy policies with regards to how your personal information will be used. If you are uncomfortable with sharing your personal info after reading a particular company's privacy policy, then simply don't sign up with that particular company. After all, there are plenty to choose from.
As promised, here are the links to mystery shopping companies I have had good experiences with in the past:
Please note I have made every effort to include the link to the specific page on each company's website which deals with mystery shopping info. You may need to click on an additional link to register or apply. If you find any of these links to be broken, please
contact me via e-mail so I may fix them. Thanks!
Again, I've provided these links and information free of charge. I don't even get any incentives for sharing the links - no affiliates, no strings attached. However, if you found this information helpful and would like to share the wealth and make a donation, I would be much obliged.
Wishing you abundance and happiness!
Also, you may want to read the more recent post More Legit Mystery Shopping Info.
Labels: mystery shopping
posted by The Original Miranda Lane @ 12:17 PM
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