Mystery Shopper???

[AnnR]

I am thinking of trying this. Some of the companies ask you to pay them first. I will not do this but someone I work with told me she does it and there are free sites. She said that they pay you to shop or go out to eat. Has anyone done this? Any sites that would be recommended? I would really like to get paid to shop and eat!!

 

[scoutsmom99]

Someone I used to work with did this. She told us she when she started the food ones were like Burger Kings and McDonalds and that you have to work your way up to the likes of Applebees, Chili's, etc. Also the retail stores she goes to she does not actually buy anything, but more or less asks the associates all sorts of questions about the product and that certain places have certain things they are to see if they are asked (like service plans or credit cards).

 

[MomofKatie]

I do shops for Starbucks and a regional grocery store chain. I found the shopping companies on www.volition.com , a website that lists non-fee shopping sites. I wouldn't ever pay to get on a shopping list- those type of sites are usually scammers.

With the Starbucks shops, I get paid a certain $$ amt per shop, and am reimbursed for the beverage I buy. They tell me the date,and time to visit, and the exact drink I must order. When I return home, I log in and type a report on their website. I observe the store atmosphere, associates, and test drink temp and weight.


At the grocery store, I am required to make a $5 purchase (which is NOT reimbursed) and am paid a $$ amt per shop. There are several different types of shops to do- usually, I interact with associates and rate the service provided. I fill out an online form at home.

I enjoy it, and I average around $200/month. It's great- I schedule shops around DD's school hours, and I usually end up actually working about 15 hrs a month. The IRS lists mystery shoppers as independent contractors, so no tax $$ is taken out of payments (you will receive a statement from the company if you earn more than $600 in a year). You need to set some $$ aside for taxes, but the govt also will pay you mileage $$ that pretty much offsets the taxes owed.

 

[AnnR]

Thanks for the info -I am going to try it! Nothing like a little extra money to save up for a Disney trip!! OK -I should pay off all my bills first but..... is calling me!!

 

[paigevz]

I did it one summer for a company in Wichita KS. I just went to the stores they told me to..........had to ask for help if none was offered, ask questions about a product, and so on. I actually had no money at the time, so I never bought, just shopped.

It was fun.

I had a paper to fill out about each place I'd been to..........they wanted us to do those in a bathroom stall so no one could alert others in the mall to the fact that there was a secret shopper about...............

I never did restaurants.

 

[lowie]

i did one years ago and it was a big hassle. they sent me to a place that was supposed to be within 10 miles and it was over 30 minutes away. i had to make a small purchase. after i did it i went back to the website to report back and i had to fill out tons of forms, and then send the receipt back a certain way... it was too much of a bother.

 

[The Mystery Machine]

Go to the budget board there is a thread there with all kinds of info!

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1023273

 

[nyyankeegirl]

I do mystery shopping once in a while. I'm a member of www.secretshopper.com. You do not have to pay for it!! But you do have to take a little online test-- it was very easy. You are able to choose which "shops" you want to do from a list of stores/restaurants in your area. The only thing I don't like is the lack of "shops" that are offered in my area.
But check it out- it may work for you.

 

[Tigger&Belle]

I signed recently signed on with a company and have done a couple shops--one at a bank and one at a counter serve restaurant. I hate banks, so that one was kind of hard for me, but the restaurant was a place I like to eat at. They only reimbursed $10, which at most covered what I ordered (maybe), so not a money making thing. And I brought my family, so that was an expensive shop. But they enjoyed seeing what it was about. Right now things are a little hectic at home, but I think once things calm down a little I will sign on with some more companies so I will have more choices. After doint those 2 shops I have a high rating, so I think it will be easier to get the jobs now.

I don't know that it will really be something that I will enjoy, but right now I'm a SAHM with all my kids in school during the day, so it would give me something to do besides be a professional DISboarder.

I went through http://www.sassieshop.com/site/ when I signed up.