SHOPPING CART COVERS BOUTIQUE FABRICS GIRLS FABRICS BOYS FABRICS FUN FABRICS FLANNEL FABRICS ORDER NOW FREEBIES & LINKS MONOGRAMMING CART COVER SET UP CUSTOM COVERS READY TO SHIP COVERS
CUSTOMER COMMENTS FAQ'S CARTLINERS DIRTY FACTS ABOUT SHOPPING CARTS SITE MAP
Mystery shopping has been around for years, but I became involved about four years ago when Drew was 5 year old. I was looking for something to do for extra money that was not some type of MLM or get rich quick scheme (I was a single parent at the time). One day while reading the Sunday paper I came across and ad to "make money with your kids". That sounded too good to be true...guess what? It was. They wanted $40.00 to send me a book on how to mystery shop and to "register" with thier companies to become a shopper. Yes...I paid it! We all make mistakes.
Since then I have learned some very valuable lessons for moms or anyone who wants to mystery shop. They are included in my ebook, Mystery Shopping Secrets. You can download this book for free by clicking on the link below.
I am asked all the time if I could only offer a few pieces of advice what would they be. So here my top 10 do's and don'ts:
1. Don't pay any company to "register" to become a mystery shopper.
2. Get all of your assignment in writing.
3. Get all of your payment arrangements in writing.
4. If you are taking your children with you, don't go during a nap time.
5. Register with as many mystery shopping companies as possible to get more assignments.
6. Register with free message boards that post shops.
7. Register with schedulers who assign shops.
8. Make photocopies of all your receipts before mailing in for reimbursement.
9. Only take assignments that you intend to complete. Word gets around fast with the schedulers if they assign you shops and you do not do them correctly or on time.
10. Don't take assignments that will take you a long time to drive there. You'll spend more money in gas then you'll probably get paid.
You probably won't get rich mystery shopping, but it is a fun way to make extra money, get free food and clothing, and have your opinion heard. On average mystery shopping jobs pay anywere from $5.00 to $50.00 depending on the assignment. About 80% of the time you will be asked to purchase something that you'll be reimbursed for so be prepared that you may have to spend some money up front. The good news is that usually you get to keep what ever you purchased and get the money back too.
That being said, mystery shopping is not rocket science. You follow the instructions of the assignment, go on the day and time they tell you to, observe what they tell you to, purchase what they tell you to, submit your report and any receipts and they mail you a check (or send you a paypal payment). Most of the reports are filed online at that companies website. You will simply log in with the user id and passoword they provide you.
I have been asked my many service providers to remind mystery shoppers to be honest and fair in their evaluations. Many times companies use the evaluations from mystery shoppers when determining raises and bonuses for thier employees. The companies do not want you to "find" something wrong with their service, just to report what you observe and experience.
It's always amazing to me the different types of mystery shopping job postings I see. Honestly, I figured it would just be restaurants and a free meal. So not true, the following are some of the mystery shopping jobs I've seen posted: Restaurants, Amusement Parks, Golfing, Retail Stores, Boutique Stores, Eyeglass Stores, Cell Phone Shops, Office Supply Companies, Carpet Cleaning Companies, Banks, Realestate Companies, Mortgage Companies, Auto Supply Stores, Camera Retailers, Photography Studio's, Computer Stores, Movie Theaters, Maid Services, Grocery Stores, and Health food stores. There are probably even more, but those are the ones that come to mind.
Click here to view my FREE mystery shopping book in ADOBE Format. The book includes over 100 companies to apply with.
Updated August 7, 2004