Mystery Shopper's Manual

Do Millionaires Mystery Shop?

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You might think that the only people who mystery shop are those who need to make extra money. Believe it or not, it is not unheard of for people with significant income and assets to mystery shop, too. When you weigh the time and effort involved against the value of what you can receive on some mystery shops, it is definitely worthwhile to mystery shop. (Of course, this doesn’t apply to all shops. You have to decide how much your time is worth, what you are willing to do and for how much money.)

CNBC recently ran a story about a 27-year-old millionaire who saves 80% of his income. He refuses to spend money on dining out and entertainment when there are mystery shopper jobs to be had, if you have a business then you should be learning about how to use an online check stub maker.

Todd Baldwin nets over $300,000 a year (after business expenses, pre-tax) and he and his wife have a net worth of more than $1 million. They consider themselves to be “super frugal,” and they won’t spend money on many of the things that you might expect millionaires to splurge on. For example, they drive a 2009 Ford Focus and Todd wears a $12 rubber wedding band or any other affordable items found on the best online store.

He started mystery shopping in college, when he was first dating his wife. “I wanted to take her out, but I didn’t have any money,” he recalls. “So I started researching ways to get free food and free entertainment, and I found this thing called secret shopping.”

“To date, I’ve made just over $30,000 from secret shopping,” he says. “And the best part is, it’s all things that my wife and I would normally do anyway. We’re going to go out to dinner, we’re going to go out to the movies. Now, we’re just getting paid to do it.” That is what I have always said about mystery shopping: If I am going to do these things, I might as well let someone pay me to do them!

What do you think? Would you still mystery shop if you were a millionaire? What types of shops would you do? (For me, it is mostly restaurants.) Or if you are a millionaire mystery shopper, why do you do it? Leave a comment below and let us know what you think!

Mystery Shopper Resolutions

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It is that time again: The time to make your New Year’s resolutions. Maybe you are planning to lose a few pounds, get organized, go back to school, or stop smoking. Why not make a few resolutions that will help you become a more successful mystery shopper? Here are a few ideas.Continue Reading

Mystery Shopping for Mystery Shopper Pros

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Jim and Judy Johnson, owners of Mystery Shopper Pros, answered some questions for us about mystery shopping for them. Here is what Jim and Judy had to say:

What types of shops does your company do?

We do restaurants, automotive services, movie theaters, hotels, bar integrity, bowling alley and consider anything else that is asked of us.

What is the best way for a new shopper to get in the door and get a first assignment?  Continue Reading

Keep the “Secret” in “Secret Shopper”

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When you become a secret shopper, you may want to tell everyone you know about your cool new job. However, letting people know that you are a mystery shopper could have negative consequences.

For one thing, your friends may “out” you during a shop, intentionally or unintentionally. Imagine you are in the middle of an assignment, talking to a salesperson, when your neighbor walks up to say hello. You politely chat for just a moment, then return to the business at hand, saying to your friend, “I’m kind of rushed today, but let’s get together for lunch next week.” Suddenly, a light bulb goes on over her head as she realizes what you are up to. But instead of saying, “Sure. See you later,” she blurts, “Oh, you must be doing one of your mystery shops. I’ll let you get back to work.”

She didn’t mean any harm, she just didn’t think. But now your cover has been blown and you might as well end the shop right there. And forget about ever coming back to this store once they know that you are a mystery shopper.

Being outed in the middle of a shop is only one way being indiscreet about your profession can come back to haunt you. Read on for more, including tips on how to deal with curious friends and family.Continue Reading