How do you differentiate between legit mystery shopping organisations and scams
By ayodejivic
@ayodejivic (9)
Qatar
September 21, 2010 8:34am CST
The internet is daily flooded with companies claiming to be representative of major brands and are offering part-time job offers to people as mystery shoppers.
Some are really legitimate while a vast majority are questionable. Considering the fact that differentiating between the real and the fake can sometimes be difficult, how can someone really know the warning signs that comes with scams particularly as it applies to mystery shopping.
3 responses
@ayodejivic (9)
• Qatar
21 Sep 10
In other words, you are saying watch out for sites requesting for upfront payments. How about ones who at first doesnt request for upfronts?
@careasl (257)
• United States
21 Sep 10
Legitimate Mystery Shopping companies aren't going to charge you a fee to work for them because it's a real job and they are going to HIRE you. So if a company is charging money upfront, that's a scam. Some legitimate mystey shopping companies are Telexpertise.com, Informa Research Services, Shopper's View, and Spot Check Services. Hope this was able to help you out.
@ayodejivic (9)
• Qatar
21 Sep 10
yeah. they sure look legit. but basically they are only for US or Canada resident. Do you know of any other company serving the middle east?
@jane239 (521)
•
21 Sep 10
It's pretty simple. If they are asking for a fee then they are probably not genuine or the best you can hope for is a list of mystery shopping companies, information which you can get for free anyway.
Look for well established companies which have been about for years and search under individual company names to see what other people are saying about them, if it's largely positive, then give it a go.
I've worked for several and have gotten free meals, haircuts, free shopping,free visits to the cinema etc and some extra money on top of it.
It is a fun way to earn some money.
