Mystery Shopper's Manual

Is Partial Reimbursement Good Enough?

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There are some shops that offer a reimbursement that subsidizes the cost of the mystery shopper’s required purchase, but doesn’t cover it in full. That means that you are paying money out of your pocket—money you will not be reimbursed—in order to complete the shop.

Are there ever times when you would find such a shop worthwhile? Perhaps, but you should be aware of the choice you are making when you select such an assignment.

Let me give you an example. I was looking at a fine dining shop that requires purchasing the following:
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Mystery Shops and Paying for Purchases

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On a typical mystery shopper job, you may be asked to make a purchase and pay for it out of pocket. Your payment for the assignment often includes reimbursement for the purchase, based on what you were offered when you accepted the assignment.

Most of the time, you have options about how you pay for the purchase. Here is what you need to consider when making a purchase during a mystery shopper assignment.

What do the guidelines say? In some cases, the client wants you to use a specific method of payment. They may want you to pay in cash or they may say to use a credit card. When they specify a method of payment, use that method of payment. The client has a reason for requiring it. It may have to do with making sure the transaction is handled properly or it may be so they can more precisely locate the transaction to verify that you were there at the right day and time. Or it may be because you will definitely get a receipt with a charge purchase, while you may not be offered a receipt if you pay with cash. The reason doesn’t matter. What matters is what the guidelines say you should do.
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