I want to warn fellow mystery shoppers about ongoing payment issues with Sights on Service, the company behind SecretShopper.com, based in Minneapolis, Minnesota.

I completed mystery shops for them in December 2024, and according to their payment schedule, I was supposed to receive a $105 check that they claim was mailed on January 20, 2025. However, despite being located in New York, NY, and the check supposedly coming from Minneapolis, MN, I still have not received it as of February 3, 2025—more than two weeks later.

When I reached out to them, they provided two options for reissuing the check, both of which involve deducting fees from my payment:
• A $40 fee if the check is still valid (less than 60 days old).
• A $15 fee if the check is expired (over 60 days old).

This means that even though I never received the check in the first place (and there’s no confirmation it was even mailed properly), I am expected to pay for their reissue process.

They also haven’t confirmed whether USPS returned the check, nor have they provided any tracking or verification of where it was sent. This seems like a convenient way for them to withhold or reduce payments, which is deeply concerning.

If you are considering working with SecretShopper.com (Sights on Service), be aware that you may run into issues getting paid—and if your check is “lost,” they will charge you to reissue it. I highly recommend working with more reliable companies that offer direct deposit or other electronic payment methods instead of dealing with mailed checks and unnecessary fees.

Has anyone else had issues with SecretShopper.com or similar payment problems with mystery shopping companies? Share your experiences below!

I did some Dec shops. I received my paper check in the mail shortly after. Personally, I haven't ran into any payment issues with Secret Shopper.

I don't do as many shops with the MSC. There are some worthwhile shops my area, but very less frequent than its core clients/shops. I believe if you maintain a certain classification, you're eligible for direct deposit. I never took the time to set it up though.

A scheduler used to call me directly. If you haven't, you can try giving them a call and see if the fee can be waived.

@Okie wrote:

I did some Dec shops. I received my paper check in the mail shortly after. Personally, I haven't ran into any payment issues with Secret Shopper.

I don't do as many shops with the MSC. There are some worthwhile shops my area, but very less frequent than its core clients/shops. I believe if you maintain a certain classification, you're eligible for direct deposit. I never took the time to set it up though.

A scheduler used to call me directly. If you haven't, you can try giving them a call and see if the fee can be waived.

Thanks for sharing your experience! It’s good to hear that you haven’t had any issues, but unfortunately, that hasn’t been the case for me. I’ve followed up multiple times, and they still haven’t confirmed whether USPS returned the check or even verified where they sent it. Instead, they’re just offering to reissue it with a fee deducted from my payment, which I don’t think is fair since the delay isn’t on my end.

I’ll try reaching out again, but it’s frustrating to have to chase down a payment and potentially lose money in the process.

I appreciate the tip about calling a scheduler! If they’re responsive, maybe they can escalate it. Thanks again!

If you're set up with informed delivery via USPS, you can check the daily emails from the day the check was issued/mailed. Maybe check with neighbors.

Sorry to hear, good luck!

I wouldn't take a job for a company that only pays by mailed paper check. I already know our mail service here is horrible, informed delivery reveals that it's a local problem.

Regarding informed delivery, if there's no record the check was received/to be delivered, I'm not sure if this can help your case. If there was a record, you might have to check with neighbors.

But thanks for letting us know about the reissue fee. I might take some time to set up direct deposit.

Somewhat related, for RQA, I only did a small number of jobs. But someone recently asked if I would like to set up direct deposit.

For what it's worth, I had a check from Secret Shopper "lost in the mail" several months ago. I let 60 days go by and then asked for a re-issue. Since I had only done one job for them that month, for a $33 fee, I figured I was screwed and would end up with an $18 check. To my pleasant surprise, they sent me the full $33 without charging me the $15.

I can't guarantee your experience will be the same, but that's what happened to me. At any rate, probably better to wait the 60 days. At least then, the hit will be $15, not $40.

@Okie wrote:

Somewhat related, for RQA, I only did a small number of jobs. But someone recently asked if I would like to set up direct deposit.

You should 100% do this with RQA. I worked on some big projects the last two years. Somebody there reviews all of the reports that were entered on the app the previous day.
I kid you not, if I would spend $2800 on product one day, they would drop $3000 in my bank account in the morning.

BayShopper22, Thanks! I might look into setting it up earlier rather than later.

To me, it was a little odd, though. The individual reached out, when I've only done a small amount of work some months ago, for one round. Maybe I'm being too skeptical.

Okie, someone with RQA called me too about it, said they would send an email with instructions and never did. Yeah, weird.

Normally, I let it go to a full voicemail box. However, I had cleaned out my voicemail and read the transcription. It seemed legit, but something didn't add up. You all have made me paranoid!

I’ve worked for them for many years and have always been paid on time and by check. Their return address on the envelope clearly, and in bold letters, states it’s from Sights on Service, dba Secret Shopper, which is terrible for preserving my anonymity as a shopper in my small town. My nosy and gossipy postal clerk informed me one day that she used to do mystery shopping too!

Uggh, just not cool Secret Shopper!

My issues with Secret Shopper had nothing to do with getting paid, I always got paid right on time. That status thing pissed me off more than once and kept me from making a viable route once or twice. And then they stopped doing the shops that I liked to do. So I just quit playing their game.

I also have worked for them for a few years and I have always been paid on time by check. That being said, I have had three times in the last two years when checks in the mail have been lost in OTHER situations. Two of them were checks from a MSC where I am very friendly with the owner, and the other time is when I mailed a check and it got lost. With the MSC, he just sent me new checks without having me pay the fee (he did not stop payment on them but asked me to destroy the checks once they arrived - and they each finally did something like a month or two after he mailed them).

The time when the check that I mailed was lost, I was pissed that my bank required me to pay $30 as the stop payment fee, but I did not want to risk anyone else trying to cash it.

I do find it disappointing that the company would require the shopper to cover the stop payment fee. I will try to sign up for direct deposit. I had wanted to before but could not figure out how to do it. Maybe I will try again.

Who is RQA?

Regarding RQA, this thread might help:
[www.mysteryshopforum.com]

I am sorry that you are experiencing this.

I have worked for Sights on Service (Secret Shopper) for 15 years. There have no issues with payment once I signed up for direct deposit. Prior to that while still having checks mailed to my home there were times when payment from them was several weeks late.

I have shopped for Sight on Service for around 20 years, and they pay timely. No issue with lost check or late payment.

I got that voicemail too.. I didn't get any emails from RQA either, just the voicemail about direct deposit. Which is fine, if I ever get a job with them I'll put in my direct deposit info, but I'm not breaking down any doors to give out my banking info. It was probably a scam, and I'm not interested in playing. Though she was the only person that ever mentioned my voicemail message. "you've reached my voicemail, my phone is on do not disturb, don't bother leaving a message, I won't call you back."

Sounded too eager to me, like a soliciting call. Some of the stuff requested, I'm pretty sure the individual would already have access to.