Work at Home Ideas - Mystery Shopper
Do you enjoy shopping? How about eating out? Combine these activities
with your excellent eye for detail, and you may have a fun extra-curricular
activity that pays you to shop and/or eat!
Tools you'll need:
-
Good memory
-
Nice clothing - not too professional, but not too casual
-
Attention to detail
-
Computer and/or telephone for transmitting reports
-
Ability to condense facts into a readable report format
Mystery Shopping is an easy way to earn money and provide feedback
at the same time. Mystery shoppers are hired by firms and are given
directions for the shop. During a typical "shop", you
will be asked to perform several tasks, such as purchasing a specific
item, asking for assistance with an item, etc. You will need to
note the demeanor of the employee, the condition of the store and
other notations, but you will not be able to write them down immediately,
because you are "under cover." You will be compensated
for your time and any products you were required to purchase.
Because the competition is stiff, don't expect an immediate response.
You may need to sign up with several companies before one contacts
you. Typically, "shops" are offered to the most reliable,
experienced mystery shoppers contracted in that area to that company.
The best way to assure you are chosen for shops in the future is
to be persistent, reliable and dependable.
Mystery Shopper Companies
Courtesy
Counts - Become a shopper with Courtesy Counts! Site offers
information about the company, as well as details about compensation
and mystery shopping.
Feedback
Plus - The "Become a Mystery Shopper" section
is very direct and doesn't make empty promises about available
shops. Allows you to enter your Zip code to see if there are
opportunities available in your area without having to fill
out an application first. Looks interesting!
Mystery
Shoppers Inc. - This site is a little difficult to navigate
and doesn't offer much information, but does state they will take
your information and keep it on file until a shop in your area becomes
open. Be careful of giving out sensitive information, such as street
address and SSN, over an unsecured page!
Reality
Check - Fill out a brief application and they will contact you
with more information. Guarantees your information will not be sold
or lent to other companies.
Second
to None - I've heard lots of good things about these folks.
They're very nice, pay promptly and have an online database
that shows if there are any opportunities in your area. They
explain the process very well, too.
SecretShopNet
- Another reputable Secret Shopper program.
Service
Sleuths by Howard Services - Offers information on becoming
a mystery shopper, as well as an application. Site design could
use some help, though: the background makes it hard
to read the text, and the headings are underlined, which usually
indicates links.
Shop'n
Chek, Inc. - "Shop'n Chek prefers to recruit candidates
by electronic or postal mail. This provides the opportunity to give
each candidate's application a fair and personal evaluation."
Interesting site!
Sights
on Service - The site doesn't offer too many details, but worth
a look into.
Sinclair
Service Assessments - State-of-the-art website offers you three
ways of applying to become a mystery shopper: online, via USMail
or through fax. Cute holiday pop-up greeting, too!
Visit the Lightkeeper Bookstore for these great
titles!
Get
Paid to Shop : Opportunities in Mystery Shopping by Judith
Rappold
This book provides information for persons
who want to work as mystery shoppers and persons who are considering
starting up a mystery shopping company of their own.
The
Mystery Shopper's Manual by Cathy Stucker
Imagine getting paid to shop in your favorite stores and eat
in your favorite restaurants. And, get free meals and merchandise.
You can as a mystery shopper.
Are you a mystery shopper?
Please share your knowledge with us on the Feedback
Page!
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