Mystery Shopping Question

I tried it but didn't make any money! You have to pay upfront for items then submit for payment. Took forever to get the money back. Took me longer to find stuff at some of the stores that I even wanted. If doing for fun - go ahead, if looking for additional income - don't bother.

Be very careful. Do not reply to an email you might get for a Mystery Shopper to evaluate a wire site like Western Union. Do not accept a "cashier's check" that is supposed to include your payment. You deposit the check , see the money in your account, send the wire and then a week later the check is bounced for fraud and you end up holding the bag--the empty bag. There are reputable companies that hire people for different assignments so try to find one of those.

I did for a while and it was just OK. It was a legitimate company. I said these were the things I would do, the stores I would go to and the mile radius I would be willing to travel. When they started wanting me to drive and hour and 1/2 to eat at a fast food joint, I started turning down assignments.

A good place to look for legitimate companies is : http://forum.volition.com/ . It is not a way to get rich by any means. I look at it as an opportunity to get paid and/or reimbursed for things I would do anyway. Such as going out to eat, grocery shopping, etc. That being said, I do not accept jobs that are not near me, or at places I do not enjoy going to. The money is not as generous as it used to be, as I said, it is no way to get rich.

I had looked into it and in my area, it was not worth it. They wanted me to spend an hour each at 3 separate locations which were 40 minutes apart for $11 each!! WTH that wouldn't have even covered my gas! I laughed and politely requested that they refrain from contacting me after that. Be careful. I've never heard one story where it actually benefitted someone.

I tried mystery shopping a few years ago. It sounded like a fun job since I love to shop. BUT.... I went out on my first asignment, filled out the paper work, sent it in by snail mail and waited for the check that was supposed to come in about 2 weeks...it didn't come. I emailed the company, they assured me I would get paid after all the paper work was done bla bla bla and I did but it took about 3 months before I got paid. I never accepted another assignment.

yes, never pay anything, ever! they will pay you! they dont pay much usually, $5-35 a visit. You have to keep a good record or time, how long the person took with certain aspects of the survey etc.

yep, did this a couple of times. I had to pay more out of pocket expenses then was allowed and payable. Reimbursement checks took about 5 months to get to me. They wanted me to go shopping on the weekdays-sorry I'm at work. Not worth my time, and money. One time, we went to a restaurant, ate some really lousy food, checked on the nasty bathrooms, and filled out my reports. They thought I was lying about the conditions at this restaurant because of my reviews!!! I told the managers eat your own food; go look in your bathrooms, the look on her face was priceless, someone was getting fired that day.

I haven't done it myself but a friend of mine does. Not sure how it works. I just happen to see an article about it in the January issue of All You. They say to check the online database of the Mystery Shopping Providers Association at mspa-na.org They also recommend that you complete a one hour course online for $15. Here's the article on their website. http://www.allyou.com/budget-home/money-shopping/suppleme...

The Mystery Guest program I participate in (I signed up online) is more for fun, not making any money. Approx every month, I'm notified of an opportunity to visit a restaurant and provide an evaluation. In return for my effort/expenditure, I am given a $30 - $40 gift card for the restaurant (which I receive after my eval has been submitted). It is by no means a way for me to make money, but it is an opportunity for the family to go out for a meal and pretty much break even.

Here is a list of tips that I read a just a few days ago.
http://moneysavingmom.com/2011/02/4-mystery-shopping-tip....
I have never done it, but a friend of mine has. A lot of times the information she would have to provide (about her store visit) was extensive, and she would even have to take pictures at the location or pictures of the outside of the store with a digital camera.