Do You Want To Shop Without A Strict Budget? Be A Mystery Shopper!

If you're someone who loves to shop or dine out and are looking for a way to make some extra money, then mystery shopping might be the perfect gig for you! Being a mystery shopper is a great way to make some extra money while doing something you love, like shopping and eating!

Mystery shopping isn't all good, so let's explore the concept a bit more so you can make an educated decision about whether it is right for your lifestyle.

Mystery shoppers, also referred to as secret shoppers or mystery customers, receive money for going to a store and then giving feedback about their experience. Once you become a mystery shopper, you're essentially an undercover customer who behaves just like any other would. The purpose of pretending to be a customer is observe the business and report back on what occurred during your visit.

While most employees work better when their boss is present, it can be tough for businesses to gauge what goes on behind the scenes when bosses and supervisors are not around. Fortunately, that's where mystery shopping comes in.

A company wishing to improve its customer service will hire a third-party agency that provides mystery shoppers. The agency collects feedback from the customers and relays this information back to the store or establishment, which can then use it to make necessary changes.

Here’s how mystery shopper do their work:

• Visit a retail store, buy something, and fill out a form to tell about their experience.

• Pay attention to certain aspects of the store, such as how many employees were present, if you were greeted by anyone, etc.

• Interact with employees as specified, take note of how it goes, and report back on your experience.

• When they dine at a restaurant, they take note of the food's quality, how clean the establishment is, and the friendliness of the staff.

To become a mystery shopper, follow these steps: 

1. Search for one or more companies that offer mystery shopper jobs. 

2. Sign up to become a shopper with the company (or companies) of your choice.

3. After looking through the job listings in your area, apply to one that interests you. The listing will include key details such as "visit X shop and order a drink, reimbursement up to $40." If successful, you'll be given more information on what the role entails so there are no surprises.

4. Once done, you will report according to your agreement. 

5. Lastly, you'll receive compensation for finishing the shopping/dining experience and the post-assignment questionnaire once you submit your questionnaire and receipt (if applicable).

Most mystery shoppers are paid per job. Your pay depends on how long and detailed your assignment is, but you could make $10, $20, or more. According to ZipRecruiter, the average mystery shopper makes about $800 a week. That's around $20 an hour or $41,600 annually.

Mystery shopping can be a fun and rewarding way to make some extra money, but it's important to remember that it is real work. You will need to dedicate time to completing the task assigned as well as writing up a report on your experience afterwards. And beware - one of the most common scams in this industry is companies or job postings that require you to pay them for the opportunity. These are almost always frauds! The reputable companies will pay YOU, not the other way around. Do your research before committing too any company or job by checking for reviews online and making sure others haven't already identified them as suspicious.

If you love to shop and dine out, becoming a mystery shopper might be the perfect side hustle for you. Mystery shopping is a great way to earn extra money while doing something you enjoy.