Is mystery shopping a scam??
By klw5000
@klw5000 (213)
United States
July 21, 2009 8:21pm CST
When I began working online I started getting checks in the mail from companies saying they were Market Research and typically the checks have been in excess of $3000, with instructions for shopping at various retailers. Has anyone else received anything like that and if so was it a scam??
7 responses
@snowy22315 (169492)
• United States
22 Jul 09
I think some mystery shopping a scam and some isnt it depends on the company and what their track recored is. I think there are some good sites and you just need to investigate them. I like some of the companies and I am signed up with one now. It is an interesting way to make a few bucks.
@im_tiggs (141)
• United States
20 Aug 09
The ONLY Mystery shopping sites Online you need to stay away from are the ones that want you to PAY for information. But even those are not bad, You are paying for good information. and I must confess.. Yes, I did that in the beginning to get information...I did this 10 yrs ago... My area being so small I couldnt find any shops to do and I wanted the biggest list I could find. I have compiled a list now and personally signed up for over 500 sites. There are many many shops that you can combine so when you go to do the shop.. You will get paid by 2 companies for the same job.
NOW There is A Large amount of information online, you dont need to pay. MysteryShopping itself is not a scam
I know of a Lot of sites =but you have to be diligent and check everyday for assignments.
@Wilbet28 (97)
• United States
22 Jul 09
I'm sure that some mystery shopping companies are legitimate, but I know that some are scams and you have to be careful which company you sign up with. I posted a similar response on another discussion (don't remember which one, though). I have seen several episodes of Judge Judy and People's Court about this type of scam. Some companies will send someone a check for several thousand dollars and ask the person to deposit it in their bank account. They are supposed to keep a small amount to buy purchases and wire the balance of the amount back to the company. But the checks turned out to be invalid, so the person lost several thousand dollars out of their bank account.
@LouieWpHs04 (4554)
• United States
22 Jul 09
There are legitimate mystery shopping jobs but they're typically hard to find as most of the Mystery shopping places you find online today are scams. If you want a few legitimate websites that provide mystery shopping jobs send me a PM after accepting my friend request and i'll link you up. I would show you the links here but I don't really have them off the top of my head. 
@akuler (3531)
• Malaysia
22 Jul 09
Hi klw5000,
I have been working with one company to become a mystery shopper. It is an worldwide company (gapbuster.com). But I never have advance check to do that task. I have to accept the task, do it, send my evaluation and only been paid by 24th of the next month in my bank account.
There is a lot of scam companies that claim to be mystery shopping companies. You have to do some research whenever you find one. Just goggle it and you will found a lot of mystery shopping companies some of it are genuine but a lot also scam.
Good luck and have a nice day.
@ausgc21 (340)
• Australia
22 Jul 09
There are some legit mystery shopping services. My ex-boss's wife had done it, and she had a fan being like a spy + got alright money out of it she said. In some cases, she was even allowed to keep whatever she bought.
But again, anything involving money without proper contract as an employee/employer has greater than 50% chance of being a scam so be cautious.
@KarissaAngel (362)
• United States
22 Jul 09
No mystery shopping will pay you in advance, that is a scam. I do a mystery shop which is legit but like one other said on this discussion. You buy the product or service and they reimburse and give you a small kicker for performing the assignment. Personally if someone sent me money in advance not knowing if I would do the assignment or not has something up there sleeve.
@kevhol2259 (182)
• United States
22 Jul 09
I have not tried any where they pay you in advance. But i have tried a few where you sign up and then you have to wait for them to email you with assignments in your area. You have to buy the product or services yourself and then you get paid later
