Discover whether mystery shopping is right for you.
There are many ways to earn money on the side to help fund expenses, cover bills, and pay off debt faster. However, some side gigs require you to own a car, purchase expensive equipment, or have a certain skillset. Mystery shopping is a good side gig because it’s an easy way to make additional income without taking on upfront costs.
Learn more about mystery shopping and if it’s the right side gig for you.
What is Mystery Shopping?
A mystery shopper is someone who is hired by a retail company or third-party marketing research company to shop at a store and report back on the overall customer experience. This helps retailers determine how stores are doing and if there are any locations with customer service issues. It can help employers identify those employees who are doing really well and those who need improvement. Some examples of things you may be asked to report on while shopping include:
- How you were treated in person or on the phone
- What was the in-person or online sales process like
- How was the appearance of the store, the quality of displays and merchandise?
How Much Can You Make as a Mystery Shopper?
Mystery shopper earnings can vary. According to the balance, mystery shoppers are paid by the job, not by the hour. Shoppers can earn $8 to $10 for a simple assignment or $100 or more for a more complicated assignment. According to ZipRecruiter, mystery shoppers can earn $41,611 a year or $20 an hour. On the other hand, Indeed reports that mystery shoppers make an
Which Companies Hire Mystery Shoppers?
It’s important to do your research before taking on a mystery shopping job. See what others have to say about the employer before you start. Here are some examples of legitimate mystery shopping companies.
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BestMark
BestMark was founded in 1986, and is one of the largest and oldest mystery shopping companies with more than 600,000 mystery shoppers. The official job title for a mystery shopper at BestMark is field representative or evaluator. BestMark salaries are based on the assignment, and they do not hire shoppers full time. You will work as an independent contractor. You can learn more and sign up on BestMark’s site.
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IntelliShop
IntelliShop operates as a third party, hiring mystery shoppers for a variety of brands. You can learn about job opportunities using their job board or email notifications. To get hired for the best assignments, you need to work on your rating. Each mystery shopper is scored after every job. Scores are determined by your timeliness, whether you followed instructions, and how thorough your reports were. Sign up on their site.
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Market Force
If you would like to mix up your mystery shopping work, Market Force is a great option. They have a large client base from a variety of industries. Examples of industries include restaurants, grocery stores, gas station convenience shops, hotels, fitness, financial services, and pharmacies. You need to fill out an application on their site to become a Market force mystery shopper.
Summary
Mystery shopping is a good side gig because you don’t need to have a specific skill set. You also don’t need to drive a vehicle, which makes it convenient for those who don’t own a car or don’t want to spend the money on gas and wear and tear to the vehicle. You can earn money by visiting a store location and providing feedback on customer experience. There are many mystery shopping companies you can work for, but BestMark, IntelliShop, and Market Force are some of the most well-known.
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