Hi, I'm entirely new to mystery shopping. Just been introduced to it. I'd like to know how it works.

How do I get accepted, how i'll get paid, if i have to shop, do i make payments from my pocket ... ?? Can someone tell me so I can decide if this is the right career for me?

There are somewhere around 200 on the Official List of Mystery Shopping Companies here. The only consistent among all of them is any required purchases will come out of your pocket and be reimbursed anywhere from a week to 90 days following your assignment being approved and accepted.

Companies might pay by check, direct deposit, PayPal, PayQuicker or prepaid debit card. Some will accept you right away and allow you to self-assign, others have a more elaborate process and any assignments will be awarded through a scheduler who works for that company or for an independent scheduling company.

As a mystery shopper you are not hired by any one company. You are actually a small business owner who contracts for assignments. Registering with a company does not obligate you to perform any shops for them, you decide which to take and which to turn down. Since you will be an independent contractor the companies do not deduct taxes. You will need to track all of your payments/expenses and pay taxes on your earnings at the end of the year.

Thanks so much Lisa! I appreciate this quick response. Wow .. so that means I may have to maintain a small monthly buffer for shopping (an investment). What do I do with all the stuff I purchase, do I have to figure it out - how does that work? Are there places I can resell stuff at besides ebay that is? Would you mind letting me know.

Despite all the ads that give the impression we all get to buy great stuff to keep, that is not exactly the reality. Many times the purchase reimbursement is in the $1 to $2 range. The goal is to have a receipt to prove you actually made a visit, you were at the right store and you were there at the time you said. Other shops might require a large purchase, but those will also include a return of the item so you can evaluate both processes. Once in a while there will be higher reimbursements like in the $5 to $15 range. Sometimes they do not have a fee or the fee is minimal. For those you have to decide if the reimbursement offers enough value.

I am fairly new to this in my 2nd month. I put out cash for purchases but most are for meals. I do have four shipping jobs out there where I spent money to ship a package but it will all be reimbursed. I actually sent packages to my grandson for free. I have not made any purchases that I am stuck with and not sure what to do with.
I am planning a grocery shop very soon. Besides the request for what they want purchased I will simply purchase what I want. Even the required purchases are something I can use in the pantry.
That is one aspect I enjoy. You do not have to do anything you do not care to do.

Thanks again Lisa.

americanjoe - i think i'm going to like it. just trying to figure out the ropes. gotta pay for my kids college soon - so this could help.

You have a lot of options to use mystery shopping as a way to meet a financial goal. I'm all about the money and rarely take a shop requiring a reimbursement larger than those small dollar amounts needed for a POV (proof of visit). Others have found larger reimbursement/smaller or no fee shops like oil changes, grocery stores and dining shops save them money on purchases they need anyway. Just remember the MSC and client usually have to approve the shop before you get paid or reimbursed. Some of the simpler shops with no purchase or a small purchase may be the best way to get your feet wet. That way if you make a mistake, and we all have, it will only cost you the time and a buck or two.

Hi Storeshopp,

Welcome to the Forum! Whether or not this turns out to be something for you, I know you have found a terrific place to research mystery shopping. If you ask questions in threads or search the existing posts in the New Members section or elsewhere, you can find a wealth of information on the topic of mystery shopping.

Regarding your questions, I think the most important things to say, even to repeat the excellent posts above, are 1) you are running your own business as an independent contractor for a large number of mystery shopping companies, 2) payments come out of your pocket and fees and reimbursements come from successful shops in the manners described above, 3) reselling isn't a big concern for many shoppers because we often choose shops that give us something we need or want such as groceries, coffee, gas, and restaurant meals (Try to resell the last one ).

As to whether this is a good fit for you, I submit the only way you will know is after doing a few shops. Only the actual experience of making defined observations and reporting your results will tell you if you have the skills, mindset and perseverance to go through with this. So, read enough to learn how to sign up for companies, get the shops, avoid the scams and then go do some shops.

Good luck and have fun!

Thanks vlade!!!! That's very encouraging!

Hi StoreShopp,

I too am a relative rookie to mystery shopping - I've been at it a little more than a month. However, I have been an independent manufacturer's rep for over 25 years and simply got tired of traveling a 6 state territory. If I've learned anything in that 25 years it is that accurate record keeping is essential. Keep all your receipts, know your daily/weekly/yearly mileage, keep your business income separate from personal assets/income and the same for expenses. You should not, in my opinion, consider this a hobby but should consider it a business. The government will.
I have found shops that I like and some that I don't. What i really like is the freedom to choose or opt not to and travel in a 15 to 20 mile radius of my home. If you live in a highly populated area this is possible.
I think you can find a niche that you enjoy and concentrate on that.

Good Luck,

LIJake

Thank you LIJake. Best to you. Will remember your tips.

Great tips from LIJake!