Hi all!

I'm a college student and am looking for some extra work to help pay the bills. I've decided to delve into the world of mystery shopping. I'm already a product reviewer for a company so I thought expanding my horizons would be fun. I also appreciate the flexible hours.

Being a newbie, I know I'm going to have to do some research and leg work to get started. I'm so happy I found this forum and can't wait to read the different advice posts.

In the meantime, I was hoping to get a nudge in the right direction. Which mystery shopping companies should I sign up with first? I've found a couple articles that say which ones are legit, but I am curious to know which ones provide the best service to the shopper (i.e. are helpful, pay on time, etc.). Are there any articles here or elsewhere you recommend I read?

Thanks so much for the help!

You are in a somewhat unique position due to your age. There are many 'age compliance' shops for those between 17-25 (with 17 year olds often needing to have a parent sign up because 17 in some areas is 'too young to contract with'). These usually are checking to make sure you are carded for movies or game purchases you might be too young for or for purchase of cigarettes or alcohol you may be too young for.

Nationwide Services Group standardly offers restaurant dining for up to 2 people, where one must be between 21 and 25 and purchase alcohol. (NOTE the requirement is attempt to purchase. If you don't drink you are not required to drink it, only to purchase it.)

New Image Marketing offers tobacco compliance at convenience stores. I believe Corporate Research International does so as well.

For other, non age-restrictive work, Market Force International (blue portal) offers jobs in virtually every city, town and crossroads in the country. The same holds true at present for one of the clients of Bare International and a few clients of Corporate Research International.

Normally I encourage folks to start with Corporate Research because they generally offer the best shop training (but the lowest paying shops) to get your feet wet. Like anything else, this field has some jargon, but once you have the hang of it they all pretty much use the same terminology.

Ritter also has age compiance shops.

Service Intelligence has the healthy mex lunch shops, and other mall snacks, if your not on a college food plan.

I'm over 21. Are there still restrictions?

And what if I don't smoke? Can I just ignore those opportunities?

At 21 you can legally contract to work with any of the mystery shopping companies. If a cigarette shop has a reasonable fee there is no reason not to do it even if you don't smoke. It is your option what you do with the cigarettes--you will be reimbursed for them by the company--and you can give them to someone who smokes or throw them away. Part of being an Independent Contractor is that ultimately you decide which jobs you are interested in performing and which you won't.

You can ignore anything you want, you just accept what's comfortable to you. Remember, you always have the control.

Ritter also has age-related shops where you have to be between 21-29. I get those posting but unfortunately own shoes older than that.