People choose to be mystery shoppers for a variety of reasons, and high among those reasons is the excitement of working at a new job site and having the thrill of working undercover. Yet after awhile, you may find yourself working the same batch of assignments, rotating the same assignments out every couple of months. You may get bored at a job without co-workers. And answering the same type of questions over and over again becomes monotonous, even if your answers vary.
Spice Up Your Routine. If you find yourself face to face with the doldrums of mystery shopping, take a few minutes to peruse the job boards. There may be a variety of assignments that you have been passing over for months while you choose the same assignments over and over again. Instead of passing over those other assignments, give them a second look. Pick a few new assignments to do, perhaps with a type of assignment you haven’t tried before such as an audit or a revealed assignment.
Bring A Buddy. Even if you are not a natural “people person,” it can become dull and boring to shop alone all of the time. With many other jobs, you have co-workers who you can chit chat with throughout the day. While there are a few assignments that require you to work alone, the vast majority of mystery shoppers don’t specify whether you have to complete the assignment solo, and some assignments even ask that you bring someone else along with you.
A spouse or even a good friend may enjoy spending time with you and helping you work. If you take them with you to a restaurant assignment, they may enjoy the ability to get a cheap or free meal through your efforts. You can also bring along a friend who has shown interest in mystery shopping to show them the ropes. Many people who have never mystery shopped before have a fascination with it, so chances are you can find a couple of people who will want to tag along!
Take A Vacation. Take a weekend break and pick up some assignments in another city. Find a mystery shopping assignment at a hotel in a nearby town, as well as other assignments in the new town, and spice up your mystery shopping gig with some travel. It can be invigorating and pump new life into your regular work routine to take a break from the home office and the sights and sounds of your hometown by working a new location for a few days. Plus, if you bring your spouse and family along with you, it’s a great way to work in some great family time at very little cost to you, giving you a fresh reminder of all of the many reasons mystery shopping is a great gig!
When you get a case of mystery shopping doldrums, simply step out of your ordinary routine and try a new assignment, work in a new city, or even bring a friend along to knock those doldrums away!
when you sign up some is a scam. and the check wont be real. does not make any sense.
when you take it to the bank. it is a different story.
they should do something about the mystery shopping, people who after a dollar.
I’ve never been scammed, but I have my mystery shops for income, and mystery shops for fun. When I need extra money, I do the boring jobs again and again for the money. But even when I don’t need extra money, I know where to look for a free meal and a new dress. This is an awesome income source to fall back on when you need it, especially once you have set up an infrastructure of lots of companies’ job board’s to choose from.
Never ever cash checks for mystery shopping. All the boards tell you that. That’s how they got you elsie. If it seems to good to be true it is. The checks are always fraudulent and then your personal bank account is liable. Legitimate banking assignments require you to either have an account that you can process an actual transaction where you use your funds or do a inquiry with a banker about a new account. These are the main types I do and have done for 3 yrs now. Its easy, fun and quick.
I would like to give you and your readers my thoughts. I have been a shopper for more than 8 months, full time. I read the emails and think I also have something to offer. I want to no more about the convention in VEGAS. Can you tell me more? Scott
I have been a Mystery Shopper for almost six years and absolutely love it. Its a fun an exciting job and the extra income comes in handy. I live in Dallas, TX and average about 25-30 jobs a week; although the last month it has been a little slower. I have never been scammed. You do not have to pay to be a Mystery Shopper and never ever cash a check; that is a scam waiting to happen!
I have a really hard time with the people who write in and ask questions in broken English. If English is their first language how can they possibly do this job? And if it’s not don’t make the world suffer with your illiteracy.
WOW- that’s mean and rude Laura. There is more polite way of saying that. These boards/forums should help others, not insult.
I’ve been mystery shopping for almost two years, and I’ve never been scammed. I do mostly cell phone providers, but I enjoy banks and restaurants. I have to agree with “K” that there is a better way to not put down someone’s lack of English skills, but I also agree wholeheartedly with Laura. I’m appalled at the lack of English skills by some participants in mystery shopping forums. To be able to have good spelling, grammar, and write complete sentences is a very important part of being a good mystery shopper. If you don’t have these skills, you may be dropped by most companies.