Mystery Shopping Newbie Guide
Date posted: 2006-09-18
What is mystery shopping?
There’s nothing mysterious about mystery shopping. It’s one of the fun and flexible home-based job opportunities that can bring you the open-schedule, self-management and unlimited-choice assignment options that rarely any other job can provide. Mystery shopping (also called secret shopping) has been around for years, but the popularity of the Internet has spawned numerous online mystery shopping databases that provide free access to anyone eager to complete offline and online shopping assignments.
Mystery shoppers sign up to complete shopping assignments that require either physically visiting a store, or ordering purchases online. However, the shopping tasks are far more varied than just buying merchandise or do free Christmas shopping. You can get paid to eat at new fancy restaurants, try the services of a new spa center; report on the qualities of a new car rental or a car wash; and even use the holidays service of a travels agency for free…sounds like a dream job come true, right?
What qualities and experience need a mystery shopper have?
Practically, mystery shopping relies mainly on your interpersonal and communication skills. No other special experience is required. You will need to do reporting and evaluation of the products or services that were part of your mystery shopping assignment, but it only takes basic writing and data-entry skills. What is important is to be able to carry out detailed and inquisitive conversations with merchants or service providers, in order to be able to report objectively about the qualities of the product or service you tried out. Sometimes, your experience as a parent or a pet carer will help you a lot. Oftentimes, other technical skills or demographic details will qualify you with priority for certain higher-pay assignments (for instance, buying a high-tech gadget or evaluating a mortgage plan matching your income bracket). However, successful mystery shopping all depends on your initiative to search for assignments, and your ability to complete even the simplest task ethically and enthusiastically.
How do I find mystery shopping assignments?
Even though mystery shopping companies are now widely advertised, you should be able to sift through the offers, and choose legitimate providers of secret shopping assignments. Some websites may be concealed mystery shopping scams, so you should watch out what promises they make about your earnings, and be cautious if they want to charge you for completing assignments.
How much can I earn with mystery shopping?
Realistically, the crème de la crème mystery shoppers may make up to a couple of thousand USD per month, but most frequently experienced shoppers earn up to $1,000. Slacker secret shoppers may make from $200 to $600, as long as they are lucky enough to find good shopping assignments. Web shopping is the most preferred option by many secret shoppers, as it costs no extra time and gas to drive to a location to pick up a product, or interview a service provider. As with any other job, earnings are proportional to your efforts and enthusiasm to complete your shopping tasks successfully.
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