An Introduction to Mystery Shopping

What is it?   

Large companies can’t monitor every employee’s performance all the time.   In order to ensure that their standards are being met, they hire third party service providers. These companies then hire Mystery Shoppers.   Mystery shoppers are then sent to business locations to interact with employees and provide reports on the experience.  

The reports are often quite detailed, and Mystery Shoppers are given specific guidelines they must follow.   The shoppers file reports online and are paid for their time.  

What can I earn?  


A shopper's income depends on the number of assignments he or she completes each month.   Shops pay anywhere from $10, for a simple assignment that can be completed in 30 minutes or less, to a few hundred dollars for something much more complicated.  Most shops fall in the $10-$20 range.  Sometimes shoppers will receive a combination of pay plus reimbursement for required purchases, and sometimes shoppers will be expected to return the purchased items later.

What do the companies expect of shoppers?   


If you begin mystery shopping, you will be expected to honor all commitments.  If you accept an assignment, you should make every effort to complete it in the required time frame.   In the event that you find is truly impossible for you to complete an assignment, contact the scheduler as soon as possible.  

You will be expected to submit all reports in a timely manner.   Reports should be accurate, honest, and unbiased.   Write in complete sentences, use correct grammar, and check spelling.  If a report is late, or inaccurate, you might not get paid!

It is important to maintain confidentiality.  Do not reveal to employees that you are a mystery shopper unless shop guidelines require you to do so.  Do not discuss details of your assignments with anyone.