New shopper in Albany, NY

Hi all! I am looking for some advice. I looked at the MSPA website and the companies that are members, but there is no way to tell which might be in my region. How do I find out which companies are in my area? Are there national companies with good reputations? Thanks for helping out a newbie

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You are in the right place. The best answer to your question is to read the forum here to get an idea of what companies you think you would like to work for AND to join as many of those companies as you can. There is no list of msc by state or region. You have to join the msc to gind out if they are in your area.

Hello and Welcome!
There is a huge list of companies linked at the bottom of the page. I would start, however, with the companies that are most discussed on this forum - they are all national (and international) companies that will almost certainly have something near you. You can also watch for the ads for shops that are put up here daily. Even if an ad in your region does not appeal to you, sign up for the company anyhow as the MSC likely has more shops in your area. You can also sing up for Presto InstaShop and Jobslinger, iSecretShop, KSS, and Gigspot, all of which will help you to get in touch with a lot of different companies.

However, before doing that, I suggest that you read the new shopper section on this website. It has a ton of information that will orient you well to the world of mystery shopping - it's actually quite big. Feel free to post questions here - you are all but certain to get multiple responses.

Hard work builds character and homework is good for your soul.

thanks 7star! If that's the way it's done that's what I'll do

I am feeling a little intimidated after reading some companies don't pay and other problems, that's why I was hoping for some recommendations for companies with a good reputation. I'll read forum comments.

Hello MFJohnston and thanks for the welcome! I did see the list but of course it doesn't mean much to me now as far as reputation. I also saw a list on the MSPA website and thought those were the companies that have been vetted. The list on this site seems way bigger. Is that correct?

@sandyrt1

There is no need to be intimidated any more than you would be starting any new job. All the companies listed on this page are legitimate and will pay you - provided you follow the directions. I have been doing this for a little less than two years and have performed close to 1,000 shops. I have not been paid exactly once - and that was my fault as I failed to follow a direction that was particularly important to the client.

There are several reasons you won't get a lot of direct recommendations.
* We are actually competitors. If I give you the name of my favorite MSC and you are in my area, there are fewer jobs for me to do.
* Most of us have spent hours signing up for MSC's ourselves. Everybody has to pay their "dues."
* Just because I love a company, doesn't mean you will. We all have different preferences.

Hard work builds character and homework is good for your soul.

The list on this site has been vetted by shoppers and will include companies that are not of the MSPA. I have had exactly zero problems with any of them. If you are considering a company, feel free to ask about it on the forum. If folks know anything about it, they'll tell you.

Hard work builds character and homework is good for your soul.

MSPA membership does not guarantee that the company is "vetted" and certainly not by shoppers. MSPA is the lobbying organization of MS Companies; that is its primary purpose. For that reason, many reputable MS companies do not choose to join MSPA. It is NOT a blot on their reputations that they are not MSPA members. Moreover, some of the MS companies that have gone out of business leaving shoppers unpaid were members in good standing of MSPA. Keeping tabs on which companies stiff shoppers is not part of the MSPA's mandate.

Based in MD, near DC
Shopping from the Carolinas to New York
Have video cam; will travel

Poor customer service? Don't get mad; get video.

One thing to add. There as MF said everyone has their preferences. You need the find what works for you specifically. What you enjoy, what you find easy, what is convenient to you. There are a couple large companies that I will only do 1-2 specific shops for... because those shops work for me.

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