Who Mystery Shops?

[Soupermom]

Hello. I was checking another thread on this board and they mentioned a website...yes-its-free.com; When viewing that site it had info about mystery shopping and after entering my zip code they stated they needed shoppers in my area. They preceded to list 5 major stores (Lowe's, Target, K-mart...) and offered $1000 gift card to be a mystery shopper. I had to answer some questions, and then they wanted me to select two offers (credit card, book club, CD club), after which I would supposedly receive my gift card. I stopped there. Is this legit? Seems to good to be true. Can any offer guidance in this area? TIA!!!

 

[TinkerPixxie]

I belong to one now and was on one two years ago. The one i use is from KERN SCHEDULING and all they ever send me is to go and try to buy cigaretts and i would need to be under age to do it?? I dont know what thast all about, anyway my vote is if they want you to buy anything or obligate yourself to anything liek a credit card it most likely not legit. I wouldnt do it. But thats my opinion.
Hope it woks out for you.
There are some mystery shops that are very legit... i belive the other one i was getting offers from was mystery slueths.

Tink~

 

[Jaklackus]

Don't ever pay to become a mystery shopper! I tried it about 2 years ago with a company called Service Slueths....after travel time, time doing the shop and the time doing the report at the end....it was definitely not worth the $10 for the shop...and you did not always get to keep the merchandise...sometimes you were required to return it(more time out of your day and sometimes another day of traveling) Eventually this company was recommending gold and silver certification for their shoppers and it wasn't worth it to me...I was rarely sent on shops even though all of my shop reports were done perfectly.

 

[lemondog]

I agree -- don't pay! I am a mystery shopper and make over $100/month in money and free food/product. I don't do very much because I have 3 kids, but I could easily make more. I didn't pay one penny to sign up, and every company I have shopped for has paid me exactly as they stated they would. I shop for major chains, including McDonald's, Home Depot, Walgreen's, Staples, Petco, The Melting Pot, Hallmark, etc. Be advised most companies pay via PayPal, so you will need an account, although a couple do automatic bank drafts. I'll PM you the companies I shop for.

Tink, I also am a shopper for Kern and can't do any of their shops either, because I am too OLD to buy the cigarettes, lol!

Angela

 

[mrsbornkuntry]

I'll PM you the companies I shop for.
Angela

Would you send me a PM also? I'm interested, too. TIA!

 

[jeepgirl30]

Lemondog, would you please PM me also?

thanks

 

[annsteere]

NO, Don't do it!

Read the fine print carefully. You need to complete 6 "deals" with them (Think spend money). You agree that they can sell your personal information to anybody at any time. You agree to refer friends who also have to complete 6 deals to count as a referral. The advertised stores are "representative" and not actually clients of this site. When you get to the end the only banner company they actually work with is Target and the value of your card can be from $25 to $1000. Guess which you are going to get?

There are legitimate mystery shops. I know, I do them. This site is not where you want to be.

 

[claudia]

lemondog....would you please PM me also....thanks!!

 

[cra-z-4-dizney]

lemondog...me too pretty please!!!!

 

[JoiseyMom]

Ok, NEVER pay to get information on or to Mystery Shop. I am a Gold Certified Mystery Shopper. All the information you want can be found at www.volition.com. You can also go to www.mysteryshop.org. These sites will give you the names of all the Mystery Shopping and Scheduling Companies to sign up for that do work in your states. Kern is not a mystery shopping company, they are a scheduling company. They do the scheduling/hiring for other mystery shopping companies. Just do research for the companies you want to shop for. There are some you might not want to work for, for various reasons. There is 1 I did two shops for, and won't work for again.

As a side note, Mystery Shoppers are Independent Contractors, and need to sign agreements with the companies that they work for. Part of the contract states that they CANNOT say who their Clients are and how much they get paid. The competition for clients and shops is big. Shops can pay as little as $1.00, and go up depending on the client. Some shops are for no fee, and just reimbursement only.

Just about anything you need or want to know can be found at the two above websites.

Happy Shopping!!

 

[swilshire]

lemondrop,

One more "me too" if you please. I looked around on some sites once before and none of them seemed to be in my area. I think this would be fun to do. I work odd hours and could schedule visits with no problem.

Thanks,

Sheila

 

[smilingmouse]

Lemondop,

Yet another "me too!" I'd love a PM

Thank you!

 

[PrincessCandaceMarie]

I signed up to MS too but was never contacted.....maybe that was a blessing???

 

[JoiseyMom]

I signed up to MS too but was never contacted.....maybe that was a blessing???

Most Companies will not contact you. You need to check the web site of the company and look at the job boards. There is alot of "leg" work to get jobs. Once you start working for some companies, they will contact you about jobs. Most contact is a mass mailing with what they have open at the time. You also can't just sign up with just 1 company. If you want an opportunity to shop, you need to sign up with as many companies as you can.

 

[lemondog]

Joiseymom is right, most companies you have to do the work to sign up for shops. Usually this is done online via job boards. I do have one company that emails me regularly w/ jobs, and one that even calls me on the phone, so it really does just depend on the company.

Also, it is not "easy money." You have to be very organized, and remember LOTS of details. You will often be asked to buy specific items, ask employees specific questions, and you must remember details. You also need to be able to write clearly and concisely. Some companies grade your reports, and if they are not up to standards you may not be able to shop for them again.

Most importantly, READ THE INSTRUCTIONS. Sometimes shops are for very specific hours of the day. Sometimes there is more than one location for a store in a small area, this is especially common with places like fast food restaurants and drugstores. Verify shop hours. Verify addresses. Little oversights can mean that you do not get paid for your shop and it is invalid.

Good luck!
Angela

 

[luv2vacation]

lemondog
I sent you a PM.
Hope to hear from you.

 

[disneymom3]

I used to Mystery shop for a company that had you go to various restaurants and you basically got reimbursed for the amount you spent. I stopped doing it because of two things. First off, you had to fill out pages and pages of detailed questions that took a very long time to fill out. Second, you had to fax your receipt in to the person who coordinated the whole deal within 24 hours of the "shop" I don't have a fax machine and three different times, I tried to send the fax to her, twice for the same shop, her fax was not turned on. This was after I dragged my three kids out in the snow and cold to send it. Way too frustrating and THEN this coordinator woman had the gall to be rude to me about not getting my receipts in on time. The kids are older now, so while I would never work for that company again, I may look into doing it for other companies.

 

[JoiseyMom]

I used to Mystery shop for a company that had you go to various restaurants and you basically got reimbursed for the amount you spent. I stopped doing it because of two things. First off, you had to fill out pages and pages of detailed questions that took a very long time to fill out. Second, you had to fax your receipt in to the person who coordinated the whole deal within 24 hours of the "shop" I don't have a fax machine and three different times, I tried to send the fax to her, twice for the same shop, her fax was not turned on. This was after I dragged my three kids out in the snow and cold to send it. Way too frustrating and THEN this coordinator woman had the gall to be rude to me about not getting my receipts in on time. The kids are older now, so while I would never work for that company again, I may look into doing it for other companies.

That is what Mystery Shopping is. It is keeping track of lots of details, and timings of service, and writing the details for the company you are working for. Some are quick and easy, but most require lots of comments and details of what went on. I have one fine dining shop that takes a very long time to write up. They want a full description of the entire dinner, including what the food looks and tastes like. But that is the job.

 

[disneymom3]

That is what Mystery Shopping is. It is keeping track of lots of details, and timings of service, and writing the details for the company you are working for. Some are quick and easy, but most require lots of comments and details of what went on. I have one fine dining shop that takes a very long time to write up. They want a full description of the entire dinner, including what the food looks and tastes like. But that is the job.

Yep, I realize that and that is why it was not worth it to me at the time.

 

[SlightlyGoofy]

I have been doing this for a few years. We live in a rural area so there are limited opportunities (unlike the NYC lady I saw on tv who makes a full time occupation of mystery shopping0 We are retired and I only do restaurants now. A free meal and since I am a detail type person (after you have done the shop once or twice you know what they are looking for and it is much easier) it is not bad. I get paid to eat and complain.(or praise) Perfect job for me. LOL

SG/Linda