Imagine this: you’re out shopping, but instead of spending money, you’re actually earning it. Sounds too good to be true, right? Well, it’s not. Welcome to the world of mystery shopping. Thousands of people across the globe are getting paid to shop and evaluate customer service and product quality in stores in their local areas.
If you’re on the hunt for a fun side hustle, mystery shopping could be just the ticket. As long as you’re clear on what the job entails and you find a reputable mystery shopping company to work with, you could be boosting your income while doing some undercover shopping.
So, what exactly is mystery shopping? Businesses are always keen to know how their stores are performing in terms of customer service and product availability. So, they pay mystery shoppers to provide feedback, which they then use to improve their customer service, product availability, and overall store management.
The beauty of mystery shopping is that the identity of the shopper is a secret. This means businesses get a real, unbiased view of the customer experience. And, if employees know that any customer could be a mystery shopper, it encourages them to up their game in terms of customer service.
Mystery shopping jobs can be varied as businesses want to test different aspects of their operations. Common tasks might include asking a store associate a question, looking for a specific product, ordering food in a restaurant and rating the quality, taking photos and videos of in-store displays and aisles, or testing store protocols like trying to buy alcohol without ID.
Mystery shopping is sometimes called shadow shopping or secret shopping. As a mystery shopper, you’re generally paid for your time, reimbursed for a certain amount of your purchase, or both. Assignments can range from simple tasks like buying an item from a deli and noting the quality of service received, to more detailed and complex tasks like noting the timing, flavor, temperature, and presentation of every item in a three-course dinner.
How much you earn as a mystery shopper depends on the difficulty of the task and the company you’re working for. The availability of shopping gigs also varies based on your location and how many other mystery shoppers are competing for jobs. But if you can find a mystery shopping job, it can be a pretty decent side hustle.
Here are some examples of assignments I’ve completed in my area:
- Dining for two people at a mid-range sit-down restaurant: $35 reimbursement
- Buying a beer at a gas station to see if they card: $8 payment, $2 reimbursement
- Dining in at a fast-casual sub shop: $20 payment, no reimbursement
- Shopping at a grocery store to buy a deli item and a beer to check for carding: $15 reimbursement, $15 pay
- Evaluating gas station cleanliness and customer service: $7 pay, $1 gas reimbursement, $1 candy reimbursement
- Visiting an upscale home furnishings store: $30 reimbursement, $5 pay
- Taking pictures of beer billboards in daylight and at night: $20 payment
- Opening a new bank account: $50 payment
As you can see, tasks and pay can vary quite a bit. But when you break down the hourly wage for secret shopping, many tasks are quite lucrative. Plus, mystery shopping is a great way to eat for free or score significant discounts on purchases you would make anyway.
Just bear in mind that it’s unlikely you’ll be able to turn mystery shopping into a full-time job as you probably won’t have enough gigs to fill an entire work week. But as a fun side hustle for avid shoppers, it’s a great option. If you’re looking for more substantial income, you might want to consider part-time jobs that pay well or various gig economy jobs.
So, who can become a mystery shopper? You need to be 18 years or older. Although companies like Field Agent operate in several countries, North America has the most opportunities. Living in a populous city with large retailers also increases your earning potential because large companies are typically the main clients that partner with mystery shopping companies.
To maximize your earnings, you’ll probably need to own a car. Apps like Field Agent let you apply distance filters to find nearby jobs, but most tasks probably won’t be within walking distance. If you decide to drive to work as a mystery shopper, remember to factor in gas costs and vehicle depreciation into your earnings.
Aside from these basics, mystery shoppers also need a high level of attention to detail and the ability to follow instructions carefully. If you don’t meet task requirements, you don’t get paid, so it’s important to closely follow instructions and provide insightful feedback.
There are many mystery shopping companies out there, so you might want to explore a few to see which ones suit you best. Some popular ones include Field Agent, Shopkick, Premise, IntelliShop, BestMark, Market Force, Mobee, and Observa.
Just be aware of mystery shopping scams. Reputable companies typically have MSPA certification and positive reviews on websites like the Better Business Bureau. Never pay for mystery shopping information or to become a mystery shopper. If a company requests payment to join their network, it’s most likely a scam. Also, be suspicious of any companies that promise assignments that allow you to work from home or entirely online. These are almost always scams.
In conclusion, mystery shopping might not make you rich, but it’s a reliable way to boost your income while doing something you enjoy. If you’re a keen shopper and like the idea of providing feedback on your shopping experiences, why not give it a go? You might be surprised at how much you can earn.
