What is a Mystery Shopper?

Secret Shopper Info for Stay at Home Mom Income

What is a mystery shopper? It's quite common these days for moms to look for a job as a mystery shopper to use as stay at home mom income. Find out about companies that hire secret shoppers as well as other important secret shopper info for those looking to get started in this growing industry.


This mystery shopping section has several pages with valuable secret shopper info. Other pages include information on applying to companies, a secret shopper checklist, warnings on current mystery shopping scams, as well as information on how to make more money mystery shopping.

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What is a Mystery Shopper?

Have you ever gone into an establishment and been met with horrible customer service? Maybe the bathrooms were disgusting; maybe an employee was rude; maybe your food was not prepared correctly. Whatever the situation, chances are at least once in your life you have decided not to come back to a particular establishment based on one bad experience.

With the invention of the internet, companies are now realizing that they need to focus on customer service in order to keep their customers in their stores.

No longer is there just one choice when it comes to practically any product or service; now we have multiple choices.

Establishments who fail in customer service can fail in business altogether.

This is the reason that there is so much interest these days in companies that hire secret shoppers. You've probably seen ads online and in magazines and newspapers claiming businesses will pay you to shop their stores!

Is it true? Can you get a job as a mystery shopper? What is a mystery shopper?

Businesses do pay for secret shoppers to come into their stores and evaluate customer service. The company will get a report on their successes and shortcomings in this very important aspect of their business. It allows them to improve performance and reward employees who are doing a good job.

Companies rarely hire a secret shopper directly. Instead, they hire a scheduling company to organize the shops for them. The scheduling companies are the companies that hire secret shoppers. They find and contract with shoppers to do the secret shops.

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Companies that Hire Secret Shoppers

So what kinds of businesses need secret shoppers? Every business does. From fast food restaurants to art museums, the market is unlimited. I personally have taken a job as a mystery shopper at the following types of establishments, adding to my stay at home mom income:

Gas Stations Hotels Fast Food Mall Kiosks Mall Stores Banks Apartments

Post Offices Drug Stores Department Stores New Housing Bus Stations Restaurants Museums

Loan Services Cruise Lines Theme Parks Gov't Agencies Big Box Retailers Fine Dining Car Dealerships

Grocery Stores Furniture Stores Tourism Car Rentals Insurance Pet Stores Credit Cards

How to Be an A-List Mystery Shopper Most shops pay $7-15 each, hardly enough to be considered stay at home mom income. But there are ways to turn $7 into $37. This incredible report teaches regular mystery shoppers how to become a pro and get on the coveted "A-List" of shoppers, making more money and being offered mystery shopping job opportunities other shoppers don't know exist. How to Be an A-List Mystery Shopper

I have literally done hundreds of shops, all over the country, in the past 11 years.

And quite honestly, I've had the time of my life!

The secret shopping industry is very large, and is growing every day, as is the number of shoppers eager to get started after finding out what is a mystery shopper.

Important secret shopper info:

It is important to realize that with rare exception, mystery shopping is an enjoyable hobby that can allow you to earn a little pocket change, small amounts of stay at home mom income, or get some terrific freebies.

It is generally not a source of replaceable income.

Of course, those who get on the A-List of mystery shoppers do have a chance of turning this hobby income into a source of steady, even replaceable income.

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Secret Shopper Info

What types of qualifications do you need to get a job as a mystery shopper?

Well, after learning what is a mystery shopper, you need time mainly.

You'll also need an internet accessible computer, printer, access to a fax machine, a vehicle, and a watch with a second hand.

You also need a good memory, attention to detail, and good English grammar and spelling skills. Most importantly you need to be dependable and able to follow instructions.

More secret shopper info: There is a funny rule in mystery shopping, that shoppers cannot disclose what scheduling company works with what retail company. For example, I could say that I work with XYZ Mystery Shopping Company, or I can say that I have done Walt Disney World shops, but I could not tell you that XYZ Company handles the Walt Disney World shops.

Shops generally pay $7-10 each. But there are ways to turn that $7 into $37.

Some shops do not pay any fee at all, but give you free merchandise or food. There are a select group of shops which compensate you with larger fees, $50-100.

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Related Pages

Becoming a Secret Shopper
Other Mystery Shopping Job Opportunities
Secret Shopper Scams
Mystery Shopper Checklist
How to Be an A-List Mystery Shopper

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