Does Mystery Shopping Really Work?

[bluelady7]

I've received so many emails about Mystery Shopping. I'm very skeptical about answering any of the ads I get.

Does anyone know of any legitimate Mystery Shopping Companies/Opportunities?

Can you actually make money with Mystery Shopping?

Please advise or any companies that work and any to beware of.

[FourTowers]

Hi there,

Yes mystery shopping is legitimate, I have done it off and on for a few years now. You do have to be careful about some websites you sign up with, but there are many you can complete some interesting assignments for.

One website that has a lot of information on, and I hope I can mention it, is called Volition. There are legitimate mystery shopping companies there, plus great forums with a lot of information.

A couple of companies for mystery shopping I can think of off the top of my head include Second to None, and KSS International. There are a lot more. Also, never pay to find information like company lists, websites like Volition offer this information for free, and it doesn't cost you to sign up for any legitimate company.

I hope this helps.

[Shnndoa]

mysteryshop.org/
Try this site also. I have been doing it for 2 years. If you are in the US see that the site has BBB or MSPA endorsement or something like that. Depending on how much work you want will depend on how many companies you sign up with.

[bluelady7]

I really appreciate all the websites you provided for legitimate mystery shoppers. I will definitely check them out and see what they have offer. It really seems like this is a fun way to earn some extra cash while helping companies improve their quality of service and products.

[BethInHarmony]

I have found several that are legit, however, while I didn't expect to make a "lot" of money, I was surprised that the shops offered paid as little as they did, typically barely enough to cover gas and when there might be some for multiple locations that I thought might make it worth my time to do several in one afternoon, there were limitations for only one location for that shop. Some also provided a free service or product, which I can see the value in that, if it happens to be something you need.

I would be curious to know if this is to be expected for all mystery shopping, or is anyone able to make what they would consider even minimum wage for their time? Maybe I just have not found the right companies to work with.

[Twilightprincess]

Yes, mystery shopping works. But not those you get in your email.

I'm doing pizza shops (free pizza plus payment), oil change (free oil change for my car), bank shops (getting paid to do a regular account activity).

A while back me and my husband shopped Arby's, Popeye's and other fast food locations but it wasn't really healthy.

The highest pay we received was $300 for a loan application but that was a lot of work (recording phone calls and writing a transcript on each call and visit).

Just work with the right companies to get paid for easy stuff.

[mom2fourCT]

Yes Mystery shopping does work. I do it part time to help me cover the bills when we are short but I run it like a business. I am signed up with several companies and only accept the shops that pay me enough to make it worth my while. I have done it for a few years now so I have built up a relationship with some of the schedulers and they will contact me when they have something coming up in my area.

My rule of thumb is that if I did not contact them and do an application - then they probably are not legit.

Good Luck!

[AlltheGlitz]

I tried Mystery Shopping once, and it was legitimate, however they ask you so many questions and you have to answer them exactly the way they tell you to, and you have to take pictures sometimes...I would need to look at my notes, but they don't want you to give yourself away...hahah

[Ternole]

Mystery shopping works its just finding the companies to get you the business. I actually signed up with a company for 3 months and paid them something like 20 bucks but just to be able to get the names of all the companies and get myself signed up and then I cancelled my membership with the head hunting company. Im probably not allowed to post the name of the site I used but will be happy to give you the name if you message me. You wont make a lot of money but there are things to do if you are out and about in your area.

Allison

allisonswartz.isagenix.com

-----Being my own boss AND getting healthy in 2012!

[nsaunders]

how interesting.