With hundreds of mystery shopping companies out there, how do you decide which ones you will work with? Many mystery shoppers find that they end up working most with a few favorite companies and doing occasional assignments for others. They may also decide that there are a few they will never work with again. How can you find the companies you will love and avoid the ones that may not work as well for you?
First of all, remember that a company that one shopper loves may be despised by another. Mystery shopping companies, like mystery shoppers, have “personalities.” The culture of a particular company may mesh well with your style while another doesn’t. Those things you will learn as you go. What we will address here is how to increase your chances of finding the best companies for you with as little trial and error as possible.
Here are some ways to screen mystery shopping companies and find the best ones for you:
The first step is to determine that the company is legitimate and follows good business practices. Do they belong to the Mystery Shopping Providers Association (MSPA)? MSPA member companies go through a approval process that requires years in the industry, references and agreeing to uphold the standards and ethics of the association. Many member companies display the MSPA logo on their websites, and you can verify their membership at http://mysteryshop.org/shoppers/membercos.php. Although there are good companies that do not belong to the MSPA, if they are members you can rely on them being legitimate.
How long does it take them to pay? Most companies explain payment schedules on their websites. Obviously, sooner is better than later, but the bottom line is: Can you live with their payment schedule?
Is the amount of reimbursement and pay reasonable? Keep in mind that the postings on public job boards and the first assignments you are offered will not be for their best shops. Those went to the shoppers they know and trust. However, if you see extremely low pay, or reimbursements that will not cover the cost of a required purchase, you may want to think twice.
Are their guidelines complete and understandable? You may not have access to all of the shop information until you accept an assignment. However, often there is enough information in emails and websites to get a feel for their communication style.
Do they respond promptly when you have a question? If you need assistance with a question about a shop or another issue they should get back to you within 24 to 48 hours.
What do other shoppers think of the company? Do a search on forums such as Voliton to see what other shoppers’ experience has been with a company. One shopper saying that a company didn’t pay them or some other issue doesn’t mean that the company is bad, especially if there are dozens of other shoppers saying how much they like working with the company.
Watch for the signs that a company is a good match for you, or that maybe it is time to move on. Don’t force it if you don’t like the assignments, the pay or the people. There are lots of great companies out there–find the ones that are best for you and you will enjoy mystery shopping more and make more money.
Hello Cathy,
We love your website at Jancyn. Thanks for all the great information you provide! Let’s talk sometime.
Best, Vicki
Feel free to check us out at ICC/Decision Service. Our company has over 30 years experience delivering results for shoppers and businesses alike. Find us at ICC/Decision Services Mystery Shoppping
Last week a mystery shopping firm Canada sent me a check for over $2200.00. I talked to her on the phone and she was very business like.
It took me a whole week to realize it sounded to good to be true and it was.
These people need to be stopped and the law thrown in their face.
But how do those innocent people believing know?
Debra, one small but important distinction needs to be made here: A mystery shopping company did not send you the check. A SCAMMER sent you the check. These scams have nothing whatsoever to do with mystery shopping. The fake check scam has been going on for many years, probably as long as there have been checks. Calling it mystery shopping, or claiming to be a mystery shopping company, does not make it mystery shopping.
How can innocent people avoid scams? Ask questions when something odd happens. Why would someone you do not know send you a check for $2200? If the check is valid, what would stop you from cashing it and keeping the money? After all, they have no contract with you. Why would they pay someone they seemingly selected at random hundreds of dollars for a couple of hours of work?
I hope you did not wire the money to the scammer.
Hello, I was recently sent several different emails for mystery shopping positions. I answered them but did not receive any other emails. This week I received two different envelopes with an alleged cashiers check and the other a postal money order. I have tried unsuccessfully to reach both these companies to either alert them of a possible fraud or determine if they did in fact send out. Both companies are listed on your site. I am pretty sure that they are fraud scams; but at the same time would like to know for sure. Any suggestions will be appreciated.
Legitimate mystery shopping companies do not send unsolicited emails to recruit shoppers. Legitimate mystery shopping companies do not send checks or money orders before you have done any work. Legitimate mystery shopping companies do not promise hundreds of dollars a week for a couple of hours of work.
The check and money order are definitely fraudulent. No doubt about it. Scammers will lie about who they are and use the names of legitimate companies.
Legitimate mystery shopping companies do not send unsolicited emails to recruit shoppers. Legitimate mystery shopping companies do not send checks or money orders before you have done any work. Legitimate mystery shopping companies do not promise hundreds of dollars a week for a couple of hours of work.
The check and money order are definitely fraudulent. No doubt about it. Scammers will lie about who they are and use the names of legitimate companies.
Just my insight on unsolicited emails or sent checks or money orders could actually be scanned and sent to that mystery shopping company. Just by going to their site, you should be able to find address or an email address to forward to:
Emails you can actually forward to Spoof@CompanyName.com,
Spam@CompanyName.com, or Abuse@CompanyName.com, and as well u can report thru spam (spam@uce.gov) Which is an government web email address to send to gov
You certainly could forward checks and other information to the companies named in the scam. There isn’t much that can be done–law enforcement is, for the most part, disinterested. But if the companies assemble enough fake checks they might be able to generate some interest.
One note: the sample emails you mention will not work for every site. It depends on whether or not that company has them set up.