How many of you ever done a mystery shopping assignment?

United States
April 28, 2009 9:28pm CST
There were sites sponsored by the firms to test the performance of certain shops. They will pay you to disguised as a regular customer to a shop and evaluate their customer services and other assessments. You will be return to fill out a survey form with your own words, then you will be compensated. Have anyone done any of the mystery shopping assignment? It sounds fun, and I would like to join. I just need some advise from someone who had done this before.
7 responses
• Canada
29 Apr 09
I've done many in the past, I just don't have time to do them anymore. I have been paid well for the assignments that I've done, but you need to find a reputable company to get assignments from. Remember that they will probably pay you up to 2 months after you complete your assignment, it wont be immediate as they need to evaluate your review and talk to the company that was being reviewed by you. You must be detailed in your reports, never leave anything out of them. Write things down once you're out of the establishment so they don't realize why you were there. Some business owners can pick you out and know why you're there, so you have to be inconspicuous and not draw attention to the fact that you're on an assignment. Do some searching before you choose a mystery shopping company to go with, you don't want to be ripped off on an assignment, especially if it's one that you have to purchase something on.
2 people like this
• United States
29 Apr 09
Great advise, thanks a lot!
• Canada
29 Apr 09
Anytime. :)
@mermaidivy (15395)
• United States
29 Apr 09
I'm very interested in it too, I have seen some companies post on the internet but are they all reliable? They do pay you to shop at the store and write survey or something? Does anybody know where we can find these companies? I would like some advises too, thnak you very much!
1 person likes this
@Ravenladyj (22904)
• United States
29 Apr 09
I had considered doing them a couple of yrs ago but realistically it just wouldnt have been worth it for me personally considering where I live (in the country), the fact that I dont drive so my husband would have to take me to assignments on weekends (which are already busy) and the cost of gas to get to a city....
1 person likes this
• United States
30 Apr 09
I had thought about doing this but because I'd be a "contractor" my hubby doesn't like that idea. Seeing than you'd have to worry about taxes ect. In all it seems like it would be ok to do but I'd like to see a form of what kind of questions they want you to answer? Things like customer service, appearances, cleanliness, layout, selection??
29 Apr 09
I have done mystery shopping many times this year. Good sites include retail eyes, and gfk mystery shopping. The assignments people need to read the brief and questionaire and conduct the visit accordingly. People need to take notes mentally and in writing and also submit the report usually before the end of the day.
• Canada
30 Apr 09
I only did one mystery shop but it was fun. It was at a movie theater so I got to watch the movie and eat popcorn and drink pop (at their expense). I just haven't had the time to do any, with a busy household and all. Be sure to register at a reputable site that is well established. Do some research before signing up, but it's always up to you whether to accept or decline an offer. Good luck.
@sunshine4 (8703)
• United States
29 Apr 09
I use to mystery shop all the time. You have to go alone and I have a daughter with no one to watch her, so now I can't do them. They are easy to do and usually pay decent. I don't think that the fast food ones are that great. YOu have to pay for the order and then the reimburse you, but you usually have to first go threw teh drive thru and then go and order inside. I have done shops at the store where I have gotten free clothing and paid on top. That was a good one. If you can find any bank shops, they usually pay really good.