Archive for June, 2011

If you work at home and are looking to occasionally get out of the house and be paid for it, consider becoming a mystery shopper. There are many pros and cons to being a mystery shopper.

Pros:

You can do a lot of interesting things. While there are many mystery shopping assignments that require the shopper to go in the store and purchase something, there are many other mystery shopping assignments that ask for restaurant, nightclub and movie theater experiences.

Mystery shopping is also generally free to you. While you will have to pay for gas, parking fees, and gratuity, mystery shopping companies will pay for all items you are scheduled to shop for, as well as items that are not returnable. Most items that fall under the latter category include meals and admission fees.

Mystery shopping also can put a small bit of money in your pocket. Most mystery shopping assignments will pay around ten or twenty dollars apiece, while some special mystery shopping assignments might pay more.

Mystery shopping is also very flexible. Under most circumstances, you can pick and choose your own assignments. Some mystery shopping companies might have monthly assignment quotas you must fulfill in order to continue shopping with the company, but as long as you complete your quota, you can choose whatever assignments whenever you want. Want to shop during the weekends? No problem. Is shopping during the week easier for you and your family? Just sign up for weekday shopping assignments.

Another bonus to mystery shopping is that you can bring along a guest or significant other during many of your shops. If you want a nearly-free date night with a loved one, take them shopping with you. Your guest must not divulge the purpose of your visit or your identity, however. If your cover is blown, you will be dismissed from your company.

While mystery shopping sounds easy and great, there are a few drawbacks to doing it.

Cons:

There’s a bit of paperwork to do for the assignments. You have to fill out and submit reports as quickly as possible to your company. If you do not submit your paperwork to your company within 24 hours, you will not be paid or otherwise compensated for your work.

There are also many small fees to becoming a secret shopper. In many states, you have to be fingerprinted and submit fingerprint records, and in many states you have to obtain a Sheriff’s Card or other certification at cost.

As stated before, there are monthly assignment quotas. If you can’t fulfill these numbers, you will be dismissed by your shopping company. Therefore, it is important that you have the time to travel to and complete all of your shopping assignments.

If you’re working from home or are a stay-at-home mom, mystery shopping might be a good way to make a little extra money. While you will probably not make a living off of mystery shopping, it is a fun way to not have to pay for eating out or for some forms of entertainment.

About The Author

Sally tried mystery shopping once before and enjoyed her stint with it, but ultimately found that it wasn’t a good fit for her schedule. Instead, she prefers clipping coupons to save money and find deals at restaurants and stores. But that doesn’t mean it won’t work you for! Read her blog on active living and green lifestyles at Eat Breathe Blog