Anyone ever been a secret shopper?

[kandmwedding]

I came across a website ( http://www.secretconsumer.com/index.php ) when looking at monster.com for part-time jobs. I'd love to be a secret shopper and just make a little bit of money on the side, but don't know if it's legitimate. It requires a $19.95 payment by you (which seems superfishy to me), but I do have a friend who has been a secret shopper before (although I can't ask her the company since she's out of the country right now). Are any of you familiar with them?

 

[Aimeedyan]

There are several online companies that do it, and none require payment upfront. I would never go with a company that required that, it's usually a sure sign that something is up.

I can't remember the sites right now... awhile back, i applied on a couple (you fill out a job application like any other job) and was offered a position with one, but when I went online to check out listing available in my area to shop at, there were few and I haven't followed up again.

Really, from what I've been told, you usually don't make much at it, because there is a lot of legwork involved and such. But if you usually go out to eat and such already, then its nice to get a free meal on occasion in exchange for some paperwork.

I wish i had bookmarked those sites... let me search through my email acct, I'm sure I have emails from them in there somewhere.

 

[monkeyboy]

What do you need to shop for?

 

[buzzlady]

If you have to pay, I would say it's not legitimate. There are many free mystery shopping sites. I just don't remember any of them off hand.

If you visit the rewards board, I'm sure someone will be able to give you a name of a mystery shopping site. I know that I have seen this topic over there before.

http://www.disboards.com/forumdisplay.php?forumid=35

 

[Pooh's Pal]

Some are good, some are not. Some I enjoy, some not, some are close by my home and some are not, I personally choose to stay close to home.....and yes the pay is not great, but it's only a part-time thing that sends me to places that I'd go to anyways (supermarkets etc.) and now I get a "Little" compensation for it. If you don't mind filling out forms afterwards it's an "okay" part-time job. 1st time I did it, I said I would never again, but I did go again and now the forms feel shorter, I guess I've just gotten used to them now and know what the company is looking for...answers etc.

Here's a link to a thread on the Rewards Board That has TONS of info!

Good Luck!!

 

[aprilgail2]

I do shopping for www.ssanet.com and also second to none. Neither required any money up front.

 

[airhead]

not worth the time to me for little pay.

 

[Az Pirates]

There is also a thread on the budjet board right now started by someone who does mystery shopping - maybe she could answer some of your questions.