Oct 18 2008

Downside of Being a Mystery Shopper

Posted by Amber in Secret Shopper Jobs
3600 CommentsDownside+of+Being+a+Mystery+Shopper+2008-10-18+09%3A21%3A24Amber

It sounds like one of the best jobs in the world – you go to the mall, visit your favorite stores, eat out and you get paid for it! Mystery shopping is a fun way to earn some extra money, but there are things you should watch out for when registering with a mystery shopping company. In every industry there are a few bad companies who try to take advantage of people who have little experience in the area, and secret shopping is no exception.

One of the first things to watch out for is companies who charge you for ‘certification’ as a mystery shopper. The majority of companies require no such certification. If someone asks you for money for “certification,” stop! Remember that there is no such thing.

If you live in a less-populated area, one downside of being a mystery shopper is that you may find work hard to come by. This is especially true if you aren’t able to travel very far, or if there are only a few shops in your area. Many companies who hire mystery shoppers make it a condition that shoppers not take assignments which would see them evaluating places where they or their family members work, or have worked. This condition can reduce the number of jobs you are able to take.

Finally, carefully read the agreement between yourself and whichever company you have registered with. Some companies do not pay people to mystery shop, but instead only reimburse them for what they spent on the assignment. That might mean you get a great new pair of jeans for an hour of work, but it’s good to know what you are agreeing to. Make sure you understand what is expected of you, and what you will get in return, to make your mystery shopping experiences both fun and profitable.

Do you know of mystery shopping companies or other ways of becoming a mystery shopper? If so, please share them with us by leaving a message in the comment box below. And feel free to check out our other articles on the Downside Of Being A Mystery Shopper:

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