Newbie Mystery Shpper Question

[lts862]

Hi!
I have just signed up with 2 mystery shopping companies (thanks for the hints about Volition USA) to make a bit of spending money for our trip. Right now I am waiting to hear back from ServiceProbe and Shopnchek. Any others that have been good to contract to? Decent pay? Any suggestions would be appreciated.
Thank you-
Lynn

 

[Traveller]

Lynn, I can only speak for ShopnChek. I sighned up in late April and they always have LOTS of assignments in my area (Dallas). I got a check for my first 4 shops and it came to $90

The only thing I woud caution is make sure you submit your reports **ON TIME.** I submitted late once and got a strongly worded email.

 

[JoiseyMom]

Most sites, like Shop N Chek, you need to check everyday for jobs. If you wait for them to send you an email all the jobs will be gone by the time you check the job boards. If you really want to make money, you will have to sign up with more than two companies.

Good Luck.

 

[JoiseyMom]

Travler,

You are lucky that is all that happened. Most companies would have either made you reshop, and only pay you for one shop, or not pay you at all and reassign the shop to another shopper, and then they could ban you from shopping for them.

To be a good mystery shopper you need to be realiable, on time, objective and observant. You also need to follow the guidelines given you to the letter. If you don't they do not have to pay you, or even reimburse you.

 

[tmq2766]

I am going to be nosey........ How much do they pay you to be a mystery shopper? Who pays for the stuff that you buy while being a mystery shopper? What kind of places do they send you to?

 

[Traveller]

Travler,

You are lucky that is all that happened. Most companies would have either made you reshop, and only pay you for one shop, or not pay you at all and reassign the shop to another shopper, and then they could ban you from shopping for them.

To be a good mystery shopper you need to be realiable, on time, objective and observant. You also need to follow the guidelines given you to the letter. If you don't they do not have to pay you, or even reimburse you.

JM, you are right. That's why I was passing this along. It really does require rigid adherence to everything from the shop instructions to the reporting guidelines.


TMQ- I have taken assignments for fast food shops (McDonalds), in-store audits and cellular service. The FF paid $8-10 (plus purchase reimbursement). The store audits paid $10-29 (there was a $10 reimbursement toward your purchase on a few) and cellular paid $12-14 (no purchase required). Some of the restaurant shops pay only for your meal (up to a certain dollar amount), but no shop fee.

Typically, if there is a purchase required you will either be reimbursed for all or a portion of the price or you will be instructed to return the item. HTH

 

[disneyjunkie]

How do you sign up? Can you just go to one of the sites and join? Do you have to have an invite from a member?

Can someone post a few links for the mystery shopping sites?

 

[Franne]

How do you sign up? Can you just go to one of the sites and join? Do you have to have an invite from a member?

Can someone post a few links for the mystery shopping sites?

The one I do is Shop and Check. They have TONS of shops in Brooklyn, you should definately sign up. Whenever I know I am going to be theere I always check the job board to see if there is anything and there always is. You don't need a referral just go to Shopandcheck.com
HTH
Franne

 

[JoiseyMom]

How do you sign up? Can you just go to one of the sites and join? Do you have to have an invite from a member?

Can someone post a few links for the mystery shopping sites?

Go to www.volition.com/forums or www.mysteryshop.org

Mystery Shoppers sign ICA's (Independent Contractor Agreements) with each and every company they work for. Part of this agreement is that you are NOT allowed to say what company shops what client and how much they pay. This gives other companines the chance to steal those clients and then as shoppers we get an even lower fee for the same work. Volition will give you all the answers you need. I can tell you that company a and b are shopped, but I can't discuss the requirements, reports, or fees, or which company assigns the shops. It is a big no no.

 

[jenr812]

The one I do is Shop and Check. They have TONS of shops in Brooklyn, you should definately sign up. Whenever I know I am going to be theere I always check the job board to see if there is anything and there always is. You don't need a referral just go to Shopandcheck.com
HTH
Franne

Just wanted to give the correct link - www.shopnchek.com

 

[disneyfan551]

Thanks for posting the link! I've been meaning to apply to them, as I am recently new to the shopping business!

 

[Franne]

Just wanted to give the correct link - www.shopnchek.com

Sorry about that!!! I have it saved as a favorite!

 

[Focusdude]

I printed the application for Shopnchek - and they need a social security number. Have enough of you used them to know that they are legit? I hate to put my social security number out there - with all the identity theft problems!

 

[JoiseyMom]

Yes, they are legit. I have worked for them for over a year. Every MS site you sign up with is going to want your ssn. This is a job, they need a way to report to the IRS. If you earn more than 599.00 for a company, then they are going to send you a 1099. If you don't want to put it online, then fill out the app, and put in 0's, then call their phone number, also on their website, and give it to them over the phone. But yes, they are legit, and their website is secure.

 

[eaturpasta1]

Just wanted to mention ...Do NOT pay to be a Mystery/Secret Shopper. There are a lot of shopper companies that require a membership...Do Not use them.

There are so many more that do not require a membership....I simply applied with the companies that had shops I was already shopping.....Meaning if I was going to go to the movies, I might as well get paid for it! And its more money for Disney!