Become a Mystery Shopper

Getting Started in the Mystery Shopping Industry

In order to become a mystery shopper, you will need to spend a few days going through the monotonous task of applying to literally hundreds of companies. At this time, there is no way to avoid this.

Apply to Companies

Start at Volition. Go through the list of companies, provided at Volition for free, and apply to every single company that indicates that they hire in your area.

While on this terrific site, check out the other free resources available.

There are forums and message boards for new and experienced secret shoppers, as well as information about similar forms of supplemental income.

Volition was my first stop when I decided to become a mystery shopper several years ago.

Many, many unethical companies have copied their extensive mystery shopping companies list and have sold that list for $30 to unsuspecting newbies.

Just remember: you will need to apply for each company individually in order to become a mystery shopper.

This can be confusing, as many of the different companies use the same software system to capture your information.

The software does not share with each company, so even if it looks like you have applied to a particular company before, it is likely that you did not. Just keep a running list so you don’t get confused.

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Apply for a Shop

After applying to a company when you become a mystery shopper, you may receive an offer for a shop.

Most scheduling companies work one of two ways: they either offer a specific shop to a specific shopper individually, or they post the specific shop on an email or web message board and let hundreds of shoppers apply for it.

Usually, new shoppers will be one of dozens and yes, sometimes hundreds, that apply for a single mystery shop. Once you start doing more shops and build a solid reputation, you are offered the personalized shops.

MSPA:
One way that you can strengthen your odds at getting selected as a shopper is to join the MSPA's Silver or Gold Accreditation Program.

The MSPA is a trusted, professional company that exists to help the industry in general. They have lists of companies, job boards, and current scam information as well.

ShadowShopper:
Another company that will help you succeed in the Secret Shopper world is ShadowShopper.

They offer elite memberships at competitive prices, which give you more info on secret shopping, and advantages regular shoppers don't have. You have access to an exclusive shopping database, which includes couples and cruise shops!

There is a fee, which is actually a good thing, as it weeds the hobby people away from the ones who want to go places with mshopping.

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Follow Instructions

When you become a mystery shopper, after you are accepted to do a shop, the company will send you a list of instructions and a questionnaire.

It is extremely important that you follow the instructions exactly.

The instructions will often tell you such things as the date you are to do your shop, the time range, what kind of clothing you are to wear, if you need to be alone while shopping, what scenario you will be portraying, etc.

The questionnaire will ask you a series of questions about your experience.

These questions are either yes/no questions, narratives, or both.

The yes/no are self explanatory, but make sure with your narrative questions you write detailed responses. You need to spell-check, and grammar check all of your narratives in order to continue to receive mystery shop assignments.

After reading through your instructions, and memorizing your questions, you are ready to do your shop.

Many companies will require you take a quiz proving that you have read through the instructions and questionnaire and thoroughly understand the shop before you are allowed to go out and perform your mystery shop. Failure to do this before conducting your secret shop could cause the company to refuse your shop and deny you payment. Not a good way to become a mystery shopper.

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Conducting a Mystery Shop

In order to become a mystery shopper, when it is time for your shop, you should wear a wristwatch that has a second hand, as most shops require you to record how long you stand in line or how long it takes for an employee to assist you.

Make sure that you leave your questions in your car; at no time should the employees suspect that you are a mystery shopper! You will need to pay attention to detail, remember not only the employee’s description but their name as well.

Sometimes I take notes in a bathroom stall. If you do mess up, and alert the employees to your job as a secret shopper, the scheduling company may not pay or reimburse you for your shop.

Your payments may also be withheld if you shop on the wrong day or time, or fail to follow the instructions completely. You will need to pay for any required purchases out of pocket, to later be reimbursed by the company. Make sure that you understand the purchase requirements before accepting the shop.

The purchase requirements can be as small as a pack of gum, or as large as a $300 upscale meal. Keep in mind that you could be out of that money for 30-90 days.

Once your mystery shop is done, go to your car and fill out your questionnaire while the information is fresh in your mind. This way, if you have forgotten to get a vital piece of information, you are still close enough to the establishment to go back and get it.

When you return home, you will need to submit your questionnaire immediately online to your scheduling company. If a purchase was made, you will need to fax your receipt to the company.

Some shops will require you to return the item you purchased as part of your shop. This is done for one of two reasons: either the company would like for you to evaluate the store's return customer service, or they do not wish to reimburse you for your purchase.

In either case, it is important to follow the instructions if they ask you to return your purchase. After you are all done you wait for your check! Generally, most mystery shopping companies pay within 30-90 days.

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Independent Contractor

When you become a mystery shopper, you are not an employee of the scheduling company, but are an independent contractor. This is generally a good arrangement.

Since you are not an employee, you are allowed to perform mystery shops with as many mystery shopping scheduling companies as you wish. You are not limited to work with just one company.

As an independent contractor, you will need to keep track of your expenses for things such as mileage, unreimbursed purchases, faxes, and various fees you may be required to incur. You will also be responsible for paying your own taxes.

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After the Shop

After you've completed your mystery shop, the whole process starts over again, with exception of applying to all the companies. You only have to do that once. As you do more and more shops, you will start to build a reputation, and it will become easier to get more work.

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