I used to mystery shop a lot!! Actually, I made quite a bit of money-not enough to live on but enough for some extras. I would do maybe three or four shops a day. Because I’m a bookkeeper I ended up doing some of the higher paying shops involving banks as well as some of the real easy fast food ones. I think it was around 2009 that I started to slow down mainly because gas was on the rise and I had more then enough private bookkeeping clients to keep me busy. The shops near me were spread out and the bank jobs—well you could only go to one branch so many times.
Fast forward to Dec 2012—I left my main income job in New Jersey. I did scour every single temporary agency for part time bookkeeping positions-to this day—nothing. But I started writing on my blog for money or getting paid for guest posts. I didn’t make a whole lot-but enough to supplement the early social security I had been forced to take in order to pay bills. Then Google decided to take me from a PR 3 to a PR 0 (yes I have since changed every link in my blog to no follow) and they have yet to “re visit” my blog! All the extra money dried up—now what?
Well, although I never planned to mystery shop again I was and am still receiving in my email possible “jobs” from the various companies. One looked easy enough and it was about 5 minutes from my apartment-I took it. Then took another job from a different company which was also very easy and close—I have since taken a third and am actively watching those emails!! You do sometimes have to lay out some money for the "purchase"-but as long as you stay within the budget given to you at the time you accepted the shop-you will get reimbursed.
If done correctly Mystery Shopping is NOT a scam. But it is work. The first thing you have to know is NEVER PAY A COMPANY FOR A JOB—most of those are just selling you lists which in reality you can get for free! You do have to sign up for each individual company and sometimes test before you can accept a job. I happen to be “silver certified” which did cost a little money but it pays off in the long run.
Here are a couple of legitimate Mystery Shopping Companies which I am using currently—there are more and there are groups where you can network with other mystery shoppers. Unfortunately I am not positive of these groups since I have been out of it for so long.
Second to None http://www.second-to-none.com/become_a_mystery_shopper.asp
Trendsource (MSI) http://www.trendsource.com/msi/agent.aspx
Goodwin and Associates http://www.mysteryshopperprogram.com/
Kenesis these usually come and are hosted on other sites but you must register here as
Well https://shopper.kinesis-cem.com/
Once I get into this a bit more I will be able to tell you other legitimate companies you can sign up with. Of course I am still hoping that Google will raise me up again so I can get paid to write!!
All opinions expressed are my own honest opinions. For more information please check my Disclosure Statement. Our giveaways are in no way sponsored or promoted by Facebook.
18 comments :
I have always wanted to be a mystery shopper but I have never been able to find a legit company.
I've always been curious about becoming a Mystery Shopper. I have worked retail and seen that side of it and it always seemed to be an interesting job. :)
it's my first time to hear about it but that is maybe because they are not available or they are not accepting shoppers from this part of the world.
Thanks for sharing these companies! Gonna definitely look into them and see if they are in my area!
Sorry about your page rank :( I still have to go back and make all my links no follow before they take mine away.
That is too bad about your page rank. I lost my rank last year and it took 3 months to get it back to a 3.
Thanks for sharing the info about mystery shopping. I was always worried that they were a scam.
I signed up for some mystery shopping companies, but haven't ever done a shop before!
I've done mystery shopping and haven't paid for an oil change or to golf in years.
It's fun.
My mother is so against this type of thing, if I ever did it, she might disown me. I myself have no issue with it and would love to do it. I am so sick of being treated like crap at stores. Not all of them but enough of them that I would love to help make a change if I could. Thank you for sharing.
I have gotten mystery shopped on while I worked at motherhood maternity in 1999 and 2000..and you know what it helped me move up in the company..i was a great employee..maybe bc I was big fat and pregnant
I would love to do this. I think it is a great way to make some money and to help add important feedback to companies.
first this whole no follow link thing confuses me how do you know if you have those kind of links. When i write a review I usually only link once or twice to the site i'm reviewing for is that what you mean. Second thank you so much for this mystery shopping tip i've been looking for a way to ear a little extra to help with gas and stuff.
I signed up with a couple of places (none on your list) but have not gone out on assignments. I may start up once Brody is in school.
I used to do mystery shopping but haven't in several years. I may look back at them again!
I'm sorry about your ranking! That sucks!
I always wanted to do mystery shopping but could never find a legit company.
I always wanted to be a mystery shopper, but i don't want to be too obvious, since i don't ask too much questions i might not be good with that job.
I get invited to be a mystery shopper a lot but I declined every time as I don't like driving.
I don't understand Google calculations to rank a page, alexa usses their different ways and i think they are much better than Google PR. Anyways nice to know about mystery shopper :)
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