We all shop for different reasons. Some of us are shopaholics who want to make a little extra cash while we are doing what we love. Some of us feel strongly about helping retailers improve customer service. Some of us do it purely for the extra cash – either for extra spending money or to help make ends meet in this tight economy.
Whatever our reasons for shopping, we all agree on one thing: we want to get the most money for the least effort. Whether you are just starting out or you are an experienced shopper, there are things you can do to increase your chances of getting the best shop assignments.
- It’s a numbers game! You know the drill. You receive an email about a hot job in your inbox. It looks like good pay for relatively little effort, and it is at a store near your house.You eagerly request the job, only to get a response back a few minutes later that the job has already been assigned. It is often even more difficult to get that top shop if you are an inexperienced shopper or are new to that company. To get better shops (and more of them), you need to make the odds work in your favor.
A good rule of thumb is to sign up with at least 15-20 different mystery shopping companies if you are just starting out. It takes some time to apply to that many companies, but you will soon see the rewards from your efforts.
If you are an experienced shopper and are not doing all the shops you want, simply apply to more companies. Remember, not every company will have a shop available in your area at any given time. And those shops that are posted in your area may be quickly taken. You can maximize the number of jobs that are available to you by simply signing up with more companies.
- Be selective! Let’s face it, not all jobs are created equal. We have all seen the jobs that require purchase of an item with no reimbursement, and require that you not return the item.Couple this with low pay for that job, and it may COST YOU money to complete the job. Other shops pay an incredibly low rate for the work required or the amount of feedback required. Some jobs may be in remote or distant locations, causing added travel expense as well as the cost of your valuable time.
Your time is valuable. Read the details of the job and make sure you feel the compensation is worth the effort before you sign up to take the job. Remember, you do not have to take every job in your area. You have the option of only requesting the shops you feel are great opportunities.
- You’ve got mail! Most shopping companies send an email out when new jobs are posted in your area. These shops are usually snatched up fast, so be sure to check your email often so you can be the first one to request the job. This is particularly important on self-assign jobs, which will always go to the person who first requests them.
- Check back with us soon! While email is a good way to check for jobs on a daily basis, it is also advisable to check the sites of the companies you work with regularly to see if any of the jobs you screened out for location or inadequate compensation have bonuses posted.Companies often post bonuses on shops that have previously been passed over and they need completed fast. Bonus pay may make that not-so-attractive shop more worth your while.
What once was a dud of a job may end up being quite lucrative with some added bonus pay.
- Get Certified! Whether it is a Gold or Silver certification, you will be qualified for more shops if you can show your skills with a certification. Some companies also have video shops that require a video certification.You can check out the Mystery Shopping Providers Association website at www.mysteryshop.org for details getting certified. Not only will a certification qualify you for more shops and give you an edge over other shoppers, shops requiring a certification may pay a higher amount, too.
With a little extra effort, you can soon be working on the top shops in your area!
When I go on the MSPA website, I find no mention of the Silver certification mentioned above. I simply cannot afford to pay $100 for Gold certification, so I hope you can tell me how to start out with the Silver.
If I spend the money to get certified, would that be a tax deduction or be considered a buisness expense? What are all of the buisness expenses you can use as a tax break?
I recently Silver Certified and it only cost me $15, I think. You cannot Gold Certify until you Silver Certify. Educational expenses can be deducted as a business expense. I don’t know that the certifiction has made a difference since I certified after performing over 1,300 shops for 50+ different companies. I Silver certified anyway, and I may do the CD Gold certification when time permits. I will not be going to Pittsburgh alhough it is witihin driving distance.
When I first started, I went to company sites to search for shops. Now I generally sign up based on e-mails that I receive. I don’t know how many companies I am registered with, but I have done assignments for 58 companies and I have performed over 1,500 shops/audits/merchandising efforts. I don’t have any shops for today, so I’ll probably go to the various websites so that I can further plan out my July. I already have 34 shops assigned for July that will take me through 7/11.
When I started mystery shopping, I started with the list of Sassie companies and I signed up with all of them. I have used the MSPA website, Walletboosters, Volition, and Jobslinger. I receive lots of e-mails on a daily basis and I do find that some of them are duplicates. When I have some downtime, rarely, I will go to company sites to see what they have available. I do most of my shopping from the e-mails that I receive. I will take on those low paying jobs, if I choose to, if there is something for me to gain from taking it. I may gain experience, gas, a challenge or just pay.
I loved your information. This information will be very helpful. Thanks, Gladys Gerst
try to get started
don’tknow much about this .trying to get stared.
thanks
Thank you for the 5 practical tips enjoyed them very much and will apply them as I am just getting started. Have done two shops for a company that is excellent and very professional. Thanks again and look forward to hearing from you again soon.
All of what I have read is very knowlegable and look forward to applying these steps.
I have just finished one mystery shop assignment.Thankyou
after reading the input on everyone experience with mystery shopper jobs I quess I’ll need to strive toward been certified hum-hum.Thankyou
I really enjoyed and learned alot from the article. I too am only beginning what I hope will become a fun and lucrative career not only in mystery shopping, but product demonstration and merchandising as well. I’ve already gotten 2 jobs underway a third coming soon! Thank you so much!
I am also new…I’ve signed up with at least a dozen companies. My concern is everything I’ve read says “Do Not Pay” to be a shopper and now the tips are suggesting to get certified to Gold or Silver. However, you have to pay to get these certificates. How does this help you get assignments???
Hi, My name is Lyisha. I been doing Mystery shop’s for about 4 year’s off in on. I know Three Mystery shop that are real in you don’t have to pay anything out your pocket.I’am a real person.I have a husband in kids.How I started out.I was looking for a job where I can say home in take care of my family,and still make money.Then I came a cross Mystery shop.It can get real hard at time’s,because you would want to do so many at one time.You just have to put the time in to it.If anybody would want the name’s of the job E-mail me. Take care in God bless you
Hi,I am very interested in knowing the mystery shopping sites…I have been searching and am reluctant,just because I am not sure this is real.I would be very grateful if you would please let me know.
Thank you,
jmwin@roadrunner.com
I suggest registering with the Sassie companies if your interested in getting started. Go to Volition.com for a list of their companies as well. That is how I started 3 yrs. ago. I work fulltime and MS parttime. I average 20-30 shops per month. I don’t take shops that pay less than $10 unless they reimburse for a purchase. You don’t need to pay to shop unless you pay for certification (which I have not done yet). Don’t fall for the check cashing scam either – a friend of mine was recently contacted about cashing a $2K check and getting paid $200 to cash it. Best of luck to all you new shoppers!!
I recently got an email about cashing a check. It was a detailed letter about being a refugee who wanted to invest in the USA. I reported it to scam@usc.gov. Make sure to report if you get a email asking you to cash a check. This way they can try and track down who’s sending the letter.
thanks for posting the scam info. I received one of those checks andd instantly reported it.