Mystery Shopping.... is it a myth?

Hey Lucky!

I'm still getting acquainted with all of this mystery shopping but I have done shops for fast food so far. I haven't been able to land on a casual dining non fast food restaurant yet, but hopefully soon. I just received a $10 payment deposited directly to my banking account; and the rates and payment methods do vary from country to country as well as company to company. Thank you and happy mylotting!

I do seem to agree with you on not becoming rich with mystery shopping. The extra cash does help at least, especially around this time of the year! So far this month I have made $91 extra dollars all together, my last payment received was for $10. The highest payment I have received so far, was for $25 for a 15 minute visit at a beauty parlor, which I greatly enjoyed! Thank you and happy shopping and mylotting!:)

Wow! Would you mind sharing some of those companies names? I tend to do a lot of research and I'm just not quite sure which ones I should trust or not, since some do require a social security number to completely register. I have so far signed up for 6, but two of these don't have any local shops available. I wonder if there's anyone out there who may know if there are any companies that have shops available in South Texas?

AND for me, it is also a bit of a hassle because I have a full time job, on the phones as well... customer service (10 years experience) and that makes it hard for me to do a lot of the shops that require the shopping be done at a certain time. Thank you for your input and happy mylotting and shopping!

Hello jahernandezrivas: Mystery shopping is legitmate, but there are a lot of scams floating around. Many people are mystery shoppers. The providers do not give you the money to shop with. That is one flag to alert you it is a scam. If anyone ever sends you a check and asks you to cash it, don't. The check will bounce. If anyone ever asks you to become a mystery shopper and tells you they will send you a check for you to cash and use the money, no out of pocket monies, it's a scam!

There are many mystery shopping jobs that do not require a purchase. Like, for example, you could shop a daycare, bank, car dealership (new), senior living center, cellular phone provider, shoe store, etc. But, there are also jobs that require you to make a purchase. Like, for example, fast food restaurants, bowling, greeting card stores, clothing boutiques, etc.

You have to put the money out of your pocket first and wait for reimbursement. This can be 2 weeks, a month, or 2 months. Each mystery shopping provider is different. Some send you a check, some pay by PayPal, some make direct deposits. Sometimes the purchase amount if included in your shopping fee and sometimes your reimbursement is your pay.

If you are interested in learning more about mystery shopping, visit MSPA (Mystery Shopping Providers Association), Mystery Shop Maven, mystery shopping forums, etc. There is a lot to learn, but you don't have to pay for any information or even to register with the providers. Start out with MSPA.

I hope this information helps you to get started.

Good Luck! Happy shopping!

BizzyB says Happy MyLotting!

That is correct, there are a lot of mystery shopping scammers out there so beware if they ask you to make a payment to register. And do as Ms BizzyB says, visit the MSPA website, they have a lot of companies there. I have already received payment from 4 of these, so it is legit! In some companies they pay you twice a month, and in others, your shops for month 1, get paid the following month. For example, shops performed in October will be paid in November.

Thanks and happy mylotting!!

Hi dreamr802: I see your are from Florida, but I am from Pennsylvania. The providers I shop for may not have jobs in your area. Every provider is different. I suggest to go to the MSPA (Mystery Shopping Providers Association) website and begin there. You can also visit Mystery Shop Maven website and join mystery shopping forums. Some are jobslinger, volition, etc.

Good Luck!

BizzyB says Happy MyLotting!

Volition is the best way to start... I got referred to MSPA from Volition, which I think has been around for quite a while already. At the MSPA sites you can find mystery shop postings before you actually sign up to become one and see if there are any shops available in your area. I check it quite often, to see if I can find any others that have local shops available in my area (South Texas).

Thanks and happy mylotting!

Yes Joody I'm with ya! These are things we learn as we cross the bridges. I've learned that some are just not worth the time and aggravation. But, overall, I enjoy mystery shopping and like you said it is a very legitimate way to earn extra money and get some freebies along the way.

Good Luck!

BizzyB says Happy MyLotting!

Me three... I have decided not to do gas station shops, the evaluation required minimum of 6 pictures (and you're not supposed to let yourself be discovered) PLUS it was 18 pages long. Guess how much it paid? $4. I would highly suggest that all shoppers review their shopping guidelines and the forms before the shops are accepted. Thanks!!!

Hi notlistening2: Did they want you to have a checking account, or did they want you to open a checking account if you did not have one at that bank? I shop a bank, but before I could start doing the shop I had to go in and open a checking account.

I then saw a platform shop for the same bank. This shop did not require you to have an account and wanted you to go in and inquire about opening a checking, or various CD's, savings and such. The shop specifically stated I was not obligated to open an account, but I could if I wanted to.

I thought why not get paid to open a free checking, then I can do the teller shops too. This led me to shopping this same bank for over a year now. What's nice is there are many branches within a 20 mile radius of where I live, I get paid to either go through the drive-up and make a deposit or walk into the branch and make a deposit. It's not much pay for each shop, but it's something I would do anyway, but now I get paid to do it! Who else can say they get paid to deposit money into their checking account??? Plus, I don't only do one of these shops a day. I bunch three together to make more money and I may do other shops along the way and make more money.

BizzyB says Happy MyLotting!

I'm trying to sign up for bank shops but for some reason I can't seem to get a reply from the lady that posted the availability for the shop. And I do agree, mystery shopping is quite fun! I don't think I'll ever quit it.

Ms BizzyB is hitting all the right points! I think I'm going to add her to my friends list for more advice:)

Thank you! Happy Mylotting!

Hello smileonstar: I would suggest to start out by going onto MSPA website (Mystery Shopping Providers Association). You can also look at Mystery Shop Maven website and join mystery shopping forums like jobslinger and volition.

You are an independent contractor, you do not get paid by the hour you get paid per shop. Each provider is different in what they pay you for. Some pay you only reimbursement, some pay only a partial reimbursement, some pay a reimbursement and shop fee, some pay a partial reimbursement and shop fee, and some include the reimbursement in the shop fee.

Good Luck!

BizzyB says Happy MyLotting!

Thank you!!!! Follow Ms BizzyB's advice and you shall do great!:)

I believe that is the only downside when you are trying to perform mystery shops in small towns, the availabilty is quite scarce. Check out Volition and MSPA, make sure you visit the forums and I'm pretty sure you may be able to find a few shops that you could do.

Good luck and happy mylotting!