Get Paid to Shop?
Do mystery shoppers really “get paid to shop”? Many of the ads for paid mystery shopper sites not only say that you can get paid to shop, they go on to make it sound as if all you have to do to make money as a secret shopper is head to the mall.
In fact, mystery shoppers provide a valuable service to businesses. And that service involves skill and effort.
Although I have had many mystery shopper jobs where I was able to do some of my personal shopping while completing the assignment, secret shopping is not just a way to get paid for going to the store. Spending time shopping is just a part of the job.
Many mystery shopper wanna-bes lose interest when they find out that when they leave the client location, their work has just begun. Here is an example of what might be involved in a routine retail mystery shop.
As soon as the assignment is received, the mystery shopper reads all of the forms and guidelines provided by the mystery shopping company so that she understands what is required. The shopper determines exactly when she will complete the job and puts it on her calendar.
There may be a phone call or other pre-visit work to be done before the time of the shop visit, so the secret shopper must plan and complete those tasks.
On the day of the shop, the mystery shopper again reviews the guidelines and forms for the mystery shopper job, then heads to the location. During the visit she may discreetly make notes, or even record the entire visit with an audio or video recorder.
After leaving the location, the secret shopper makes a quick review of the report form and her notes to make sure she has all of the information needed to write the report.
When she returns home, the mystery shopper logs in to the mystery shopping company web site and completes the report. Mystery shopper reports usually include many yes/no questions, as well as sections for comments. After verifying that the report is accurate and error-free, it can be submitted. The secret shopper may also have to scan and upload a receipt or other documentation, or fax a receipt.
Though mystery shoppers do, in a sense, get paid to shop, there is much more to mystery shopping than just shopping. It is real work, but mystery shopping can be a flexible and enjoyable way to make extra money.
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