Confessions of a Mystery Shopper

I love when I read about companies that have a mystery shopping program in place. Mystery shopping is an expensive form of research and the companies that us it clearly have a commitment to the customer experience.

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I agree with some of the comments about not making money. While the actual shop may only take 10 minutes downloading the forms and pictures in the internet is the frustrating part. With that being said, I still do some of the shops- like the pizza shops and gas station shops (but only when there is big money to be made).

If you're looking for big money hold off on signing up for the shops until the end of the month, when the company is desperate for the shop to be completed. I've been paid $20 each plus reimbursement of pizza purchase just to do the shop. Woo-hoo!

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I looked into this a while back.
The bulk of Mystery Shopping entities hire individuals as Independent Contractors. The city in which I live wants $125 for a Independent Contractor's Business License.
Thanks, but I will stick to the chump change attained from surveys & my sweepstakes/contest winnings.

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Having performed 400+ assignments in the past few years, I can honestly say 'There is no money to be made in this.'
After spending the time applying and looking for assignments, printing off and reading the paperwork, driving to the location, performing the required tasks, returning to your car and jotting down your notes, driving back home and spending the time on the computer - 15 minutes to 2 hours writing the report, copying or scanning receipts and faxing or emailing them. What your receive as payment - anywhere from $8 to reimbursement of a meal (could be $20- $125 - in my experience) just does not make for my time.

Now, I will say, the work involved in the high end retaurants and the reimbursement is matched and I do not mind it. The work involved in the $8 - $15 assignments just are not worth it.

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I started mystery shopping several years ago now I hardly do any at all but my husband who is retired does several per week. We eat out for free all the time

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thanks alot

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