• Skip to main content
  • Skip to header right navigation
  • Skip to site footer
Everyday Thrifty

Everyday Thrifty

Living Full & Free

  • Save Money
  • Earn Money
  • Family
  • Faith
  • Food
  • DIY & Crafts
  • About
  • Contact Us
  • search

Everything Needed to Start Mystery Shopping!

January 22, 2021 by Nicole
Facebook0Tweet0Pin0Email0
Two ladies shopping at a retail store for mystery shopping

*This post may contain affiliate links which means that I may receive compensation at no extra cost to you if you make a purchase from a link found on my site. Please review my privacy policy for further details. Thank you for your support in allowing this site to continue!

If you need to know how to start mystery shopping as a way to make a little extra money on the side but aren’t sure where to start, then this mystery shopping guide is for you! 

We’re going to answer a few important questions and give you the answers you’ll need before getting started.

Mystery shopping is a simple, straightforward way to make a little extra money, doing the things you normally do! And you’ll need a rundown of how it works before you begin.

Shopping cart and text: "How to become a mystery shopper today!"

What is mystery shopping?

Mystery shopping is the process of going undercover for a third-party, market research company to report on various aspects of the customer experience, usually for retail chains.  You may be tasked with reporting on anything from the overall cleanliness of a retail environment to the friendliness of the associates you interact with.   

Are mystery shopping jobs legitimate? 

Yes!  There are plenty of legitimate mystery shopping companies out there.  These companies are third-parties that employ people like you and me to do boots-on-the-ground research for them. 

Does mystery shopping pay well? 

That really depends on your perspective.  Mystery shopping was much more lucrative 10 to 15 years ago.  That being said, you can easily make $10-$20 per gig.  If you did just 1 a day, 5 days a week, then you’d make between $50 to $100 in the course of a week.  Over 52 weeks, that works out to over $5000.  That’s not bad money for the work!

Which mystery shopping companies pay best?

Truth be told, most mystery shopping companies have very similar pay structures.  You’re usually tasked with buying something.  You get reimbursed for this purchase, and very often you’ll get an additional bonus on top of that. 

What qualities do I need to be a mystery shopper?

The basic qualities needed to start as a mystery shopper are attention to detail and good written communication skills. You’re evaluating a company from a consumer perspective by answering a series of questions, so you’ll to be able to communicate clearly to convey your experience in detail.

Keep in mind, just because you complete a mystery shop doesn’t mean it will be accepted. If you leave out answers or fail to follow directions, you could disqualify yourself from payment.

How do I become a mystery shopper? 

1. Sign up

The first thing you have to do is to sign up on a reputable mystery shopping site.  Some of our favorites are iSecretShop, Market Force, Gigwalk, and Field Agent.  Be savvy and watch out for scams from other companies. Mystery shopping companies will never ask you to pay them money to conduct a shop.  So, if you see that as a requirement, STOP…that should be a big red flag!      

2. Apply for a shop

Once you’re signed up, you’ll need to search for shops in your area and start applying.  Be sure to read all of the shop details very carefully.  All shops have stipulations, deadlines, and requirements.  Attention to detail is crucial.

3. Plan for the shop

Once you’re accepted for a particular shop, there is a little bit of planning required to make sure that everything runs smoothly.  Here are a few suggestions for preparing for shop:

  •  Add the shop date and time to your calendar
  •  Be sure to also block out time to complete the report after the shop
  •  Make sure your phone is charged (most mystery shops require photos)
  •  Print out the instructions or read them right before your shop to make sure nothing is missed

 4. Complete the shop

Whether it’s a phone or in-person shop, now that you’ve signed up, it’s time to follow through. Take pictures. Take notes. And, upload your report.  That’s it!  You’re a Mystery Shopper. 

If by chance you can’t complete the shop, be sure to follow the steps to notify the mystery shopping company as soon as you can. No matter what, don’t just ignore the shop. Mystery shopping companies don’t have to do business with you. If you’re unreliable, you won’t get many opportunities.

Mystery shopping won’t make you rich, but once you complete shops on a regular basis, it can become an easy side hustle.  It doesn’t require a great amount of time and skill.  Plus, you usually work shops into your regular routine. 

If you have any questions about becoming a mystery shopper or want to share your experience, drop us a line in the comment section below.  We’d love to hear from you!

Category: Earn MoneyTag: Make Money Online, Side Hustles
Facebook0Tweet0Pin0Email0

Related Articles

desk with laptop and tax forms, notebook, and iphone

10 Smart Ways to Use Your Tax Refund in 2021

Disney castle for 6 side hustle ideas for Disney lovers

7 Genius Side Hustle Ideas for the Disney Lover

Featured image for best cash back apps

Best Cash Back Apps 2021

Woman holding $100 dollar bills in her hand

Make Money FAST with These 10 Tricks

Reader Interactions

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe Rating




This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Untitled design (18)

Let’s stay in touch…

I’d love to keep the conversation going with you!

Sign-up for my newsletter below to hear the latest frugal living tips that you don’t want to miss out on! I promise to not blow up your inbox.

Copyright © 2021 · Everyday Thrifty · All Rights Reserved · Powered by Mai Solution | Privacy Policy · Terms of Use

Share this ArticleLike this article? Email it to a friend!

Email sent!
We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. If you continue to use this site we will assume that you are happy with it.Ok