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Get paid to shop: become a mystery shopper |
| Claudine Williams |
Mystery shopping is great option for earning extra money. You will not be in an office, and you can pretty much set up your own schedule. Companies hire people to pose as shoppers or clients to test customer service, sales skills, and product satisfaction. A work at home gig as a mystery shopper is a good opportunity to earn some cash. Here's how it works. You sign up with a company, asking to be placed on their list of mystery shoppers. When a shop comes up in your area, either you accept it or decline it. There is no reason for you to pay for a list of mystery shopping companies. These lists are readily available for free on the web. Read on to find mystery shopping companies so you can work at home.
Types of Shops
There are shops in several different industries. For example, there are shops in the retail, restaurant, automotive, resort, entertainment (movies, theme parks) apartment and banking industries. Remember, in most cases you will be an independent contractor for a mystery shopping company. You will not work directly for the store, resort, apartment complex or bank that you shop. Some shops, such as retail shops, may require you to spend your own money upfront. You may have to make a purchase to evaluate how a salesperson handled a sale. You should be reimbursed. Apartment shops generally do not require you to spend your own money. You go to an apartment complex, make observations about the grounds, the apartment, and the salesperson's pitch and write a report. I like apartment shops the best, because they are straight-forward and you don't have to come out of your own pocket. The pay can be decent, around $20-$30, for some companies.
How to Get Started
Once you register with a mystery shopping company, you should receive an e-mail announcing available shops in your area. Other companies do not send e-mails but ask that you log in to a web site to check for potential shops. In any case, you then agree to perform the shop. The company will give you the guidelines for the shop and all of the information they need you to obtain during the shop.
When you go on an mystery shop you are not allowed to let anyone know that you are a mystery shopper. You must use your acting skills to perfection so that no one would even suspect you of being a mystery shopper. A client may ask you to time the amount of time it takes for you to get your meal in a restaurant. You have to inconspicuously look at your watch and somehow write the time down. Maybe you would go into the ladies room, into the stall to record the information you need.
Mystery shopping companies want detailed oriented people who are keen observers. You also have to have sharp communication skills and the ability to think on your feet. Mystery shopping is a job. You may have to remember if the host who greet you wore a name badge. What was her name? Was her uniform pressed? How many minutes did it take for the sales person in the department store to greet you? How many minutes did it take for you to receive your appetizer, your salad, and your main meal? In some cases you have to write every detail down without being noticed. You will not be allowed to bring a notebook with you.
What Do I Need To Shop?
You need a computer. In most cases, you won't need a high speed internet connection. You do need a reliable connection because you may have to fill out online forms regarding your shopping experience. Some companies require you to participate in an online training program; You will probably have to contiguously check the mystery shopping company's website, or your e-mail for existing shops.
You may need a digital camera. I've seen companies that require mystery shoppers to take pictures of food or other items for a shop. Sometimes the people you are shopping know you are coming to take photographs. In these cases the mystery shop isn't a mystery.
You need a good watch. You may have to time when certain things occurred during your shop. A stopwatch is also a great tool.
You need a calendar to list your shops. When you get shops from different shopping companies on different days, shopping several different places, you have to keep track of all of the information. Personally, I think that a PDA or a handheld computer is essential. That way, you can just key the information in and set reminders to keep up.
How Much Can You Get Paid?
It depends. Some shops pay $5. Some pay $20. Some companies pay nothing, but you will get reimbursed for products or your meal at a nice restaurant. In most case, mystery shopping companies will not pay for mileage unless it is a special case. Mystery shopping recruiters offer to pay mileage if they are looking for someone for a hard-to-shop area, or you live especially far from the shop. After you register with the companies, it may take months for you to get steady shops. People in large cities may get more shops than people in rural areas, because there are more businesses to shop. If you live in a small suburb and there are few shoppers in your area, you may have your pick of shops. It's based on supply and demand.
Let's Go For It
There is a free comprehensive list of mystery shopping companies at www.volition.com
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| About the Author |
©2005 All rights reserved
Claudine Williams is a freelance business writer. Find work at home job leads and business advice on her frequently updated blog at: http://www.KissDebtGoodbye.com
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| Quotes | I dont know which is worse, ...that everyone has his price, or that theprice is always so low. -Calvin
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I canna change the laws of physics, Captain — but I can find ye a loophole.
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