How To Become A Mystery Shopper To Make Extra $100 A Month
When I was paying off student loans, I stumbled upon a way to earn some extra cash—mystery shopping. It didn’t make me wealthy, but it did give me some additional income, and I also got to enjoy meals out and receive free products that I might have bought anyway.
Mystery shopping played a role in helping me knock out $40,000 in student loans within just seven months.
The first time I heard about mystery shopping, I was working at a retail store where these secret shoppers would come in to evaluate our performance. We never knew who they were, but their reports were something we always looked forward to reading. It fascinated me that people could actually get paid to shop!
Soon after learning about it, I decided to try it myself and became a mystery shopper. I regularly earned between $150 to $200 a month, plus I got free stuff—$100 to spend at restaurants, makeup, and more.
Recently, many of you have asked me, “What is mystery shopping?” and “How can I earn money doing it?” It’s been a while since I last talked about it, so I figured it was time to share my experience and guide you on how to get started.
What Is Mystery Shopping?
Mystery shopping involves visiting stores, restaurants, or other businesses and evaluating your experience. You keep your receipts, answer a survey, and report back on things like customer service, cleanliness, and product quality. This feedback helps businesses improve.
You won’t get rich from mystery shopping, but it’s a flexible way to make some extra money and get free products or meals. It’s not a full-time gig, but it can help you cover some bills or save up for something special.
How Are Mystery Shoppers Paid?
There are three common ways mystery shoppers are compensated:
- Cash and Reimbursement: You get paid for the mystery shop, plus you’re reimbursed for any purchases.
- Cash Payment: Sometimes, you’ll just get a flat fee without making a purchase, like for phone call evaluations.
- Reimbursement Only: In some cases, you won’t receive any cash, just the value of what you’re buying, like free meals at a restaurant.
Payments usually come via direct deposit, check, PayPal, or gift card within 2-4 weeks after you complete the job.
Are Mystery Shopper Jobs Legit?
Yes, but you have to be careful. There are many legitimate mystery shopping companies, but also some scams. A common red flag is if the company asks for money upfront. Legitimate companies will never charge you to start shopping for them.
I mostly worked with a company called Bestmark, which I found to be reliable. They always paid me on time, and I never had to pay them anything to get started.
What Types of Mystery Shops Are There?
Mystery shopping opportunities vary widely. You might be asked to evaluate a restaurant, a retail store, a car dealership, or even a phone call. Here are some examples:
- Restaurants and Cafes: You enjoy a meal and then fill out a survey about your experience.
- Electronics Stores: Evaluate customer service in stores like Best Buy.
- Salons: Get a haircut or treatment and report on the service.
- Car Dealerships: Either visit in person or evaluate the service over the phone.
- Makeup Counters: Receive free products in exchange for your feedback.
Once you sign up with a mystery shopping company, you can browse the available assignments, pick one that fits your schedule, and apply. It’s that simple!
What Does a Mystery Shopper Do?
The process typically involves these steps:
- Sign Up: Join a mystery shopping company like Bestmark.
- Browse Assignments: Check out the available jobs and choose one that interests you.
- Complete the Shop: Follow the instructions, which might include making a purchase, evaluating the service, and keeping your receipt.
- Submit Your Report: Answer the survey questions and provide any necessary documentation.
- Get Paid: Receive your payment after the company processes your report.
Mystery shopping can be a fun way to earn extra money, especially if you enjoy shopping or eating out. While it won’t make you rich, it’s a great side hustle that can add a little extra to your monthly income.
