Would You Make A Good "Mystery Shopper?"
By Janey1966
@Janey1966 (24170)
Carlisle, England
March 8, 2011 5:01pm CST
I see this a lot online. "Would you like to become a Mystery Shopper and get paid for it?"
Er, no.
The idea DOES intrigue me though. The thing is I wouldn't be very good at keeping quiet about it. I am such an honest person that I'm bound to say something stupid like "Oh, by the way, I'm a Mystery Shopper!"
My Mum would be a brilliant Mystery Shopper. Shopping is a bit of a mystery to her anyway so to get paid for the privilege..well, it doesn't get any better does it?
Haha!
Have you taken the plunge with this Mystery Shopping lark and if you did, how was it? Would you give it a go..one day?!
Have you taken the plunge with this Mystery Shopping lark and if you did, how was it? Would you give it a go..one day?!3 people like this
14 responses
@hofferp (4734)
• United States
8 Mar 11
I signed up and haven't figured out a way to unsign. I get a lot of e-mails for a mystery shopper, but almost 99% of them are for a mystery shopper to check out airport shops/businesses, but they're always in another state, like Florida. I really should follow through and unsign up...
1 person likes this
@Janey1966 (24170)
• Carlisle, England
8 Mar 11
Wow, you'd think it would be linked to where you live wouldn't it? I mean, the US is a BIG place as you well know. If I were you I'd want to unsign as well. How frustrating!
@Janey1966 (24170)
• Carlisle, England
9 Mar 11
Haha! I'm wondering if they've got your home Town mixed up with another one in a different state. It's the only thing I can thing of from the top of my head.
I'm wondering if they've got your home Town mixed up with another one in a different state. It's the only thing I can thing of from the top of my head.
@p1kef1sh (45681)
•
9 Mar 11
I have mystery shopped for goods as wide ranging as computers to rat poison. Frankly it is quite hard work for very modest reward. I never made more than about £10 for a Job. You visit the shop, pretend to want something - you must work to a set plan which you hope that you can remember, sometimes buy the item (for which you are reimbursed and you can keep) then write a report on your experience. It can be fun and if you are someone that despairs of good customer service gives you an opportunity to give a constructive input. It was a bit of fun and something to do. Not a living.
1 person likes this
@ShepherdSpy (8544)
• Omagh, Northern Ireland
10 Mar 11
If things don't work out for you as a customer in a place,the best thing to do is talk to a Manager..Management usually don't want customers going away unhappy..and if that doesn't work,there are sites that offer customer reviews of the service you got!
@Janey1966 (24170)
• Carlisle, England
9 Mar 11
It's a shame the pay is so poor isn't it? I suppose if the pay was more they'd get people that were doing it just for the money, maybe?
I dunno.
I hope they get Mystery Shoppers into Frankie's here in Carlisle because it was dire the last time we were in there. I'm still annoyed with myself we didn't take our complaint further i.e. management but we always think of these things after the event don't we?
1 person likes this
@GardenGerty (160665)
• United States
9 Mar 11
I have been one. It is okay. Many of the shops are fast food, though and I do not enjoy that. I have felt like at times I have made a difference in how things are done. I also ended up reporting a worker who found a "blind spot" and stood around and did nothing while everyone else worked. No one could see him, except I could where I was sitting. I also feel good when I can tell a company what their employees are doing right. I do not know how to tell you to become one where you live. I know lots of places to sign up here in the US. Be sure you do not pay for the privilege of doing it.
1 person likes this
@GardenGerty (160665)
• United States
10 Mar 11
The excuse for not firing the jerks around here are that they are trying to build a valid reason for letting them go so that they will not qualify for unemployment. My last job had some people like that, and they have finally, fifteen months later, let two of them go, I hear through the grapevine.
@Janey1966 (24170)
• Carlisle, England
9 Mar 11
I can imagine you being an extremely good Mystery Shopper as you come across as being honest and fair, even on MyLot, so I'm glad you spotted the shirkers! This Graduate Boy at John's work had his hour lunch yesterday then disappeared for another hour after that. When he came back his boss said, "Where the f*ck did you disappear to?" and he just said that he thought he'd left his bag somewhere and retraced his steps. This was an outright lie as his bag was under his computer desk the whole time.
Why he's not sacked is beyond me but I blame management for letting him do what he wants on a regular basis and the only way they want to confront him is by trying to show him up in front of the others. This hasn't worked in the past and isn't going to work now..he's too far gone.
They should have a woman in charge..mind you, if he's good looking a woman wouldn't get rid of him either..and yes, they are that fickle!
Why he's not sacked is beyond me but I blame management for letting him do what he wants on a regular basis and the only way they want to confront him is by trying to show him up in front of the others. This hasn't worked in the past and isn't going to work now..he's too far gone.
They should have a woman in charge..mind you, if he's good looking a woman wouldn't get rid of him either..and yes, they are that fickle!2 people like this
@Lore2009 (7378)
• United States
9 Mar 11
I have always been interested in doing this but I heard a lot of bad news about so I was afraid to try. There are a lot of scamming companies for this. But I think I would be a great mystery shopper. I like to critique too and I would love to write one.
1 person likes this
@Janey1966 (24170)
• Carlisle, England
9 Mar 11
You may want to PM hardworkinggurl above who said she's with lots of Mystery Shopping sites and is good at it too. Believe me, she's one of the trusted members of MyLot and well-respected.
@vanease (23)
• United States
9 Mar 11
I have done a few mystery shopping jobs and really enjoy it because I get paid for what my favorite pastime.I have found it hard not to tell eberyine I know about what im doing.Overall though its a unique and fun way to earn a few extra dollars.
1 person likes this
@Janey1966 (24170)
• Carlisle, England
9 Mar 11
Wow, so you've had to keep it from those you know? Oh dear, I'd be useless at keeping that information to myself! Well done you for showing brilliant discipline and I'm glad you like Mystery Shopping and welcome to MyLot!
@hardworkinggurl (37063)
• United States
8 Mar 11
I am and very good at what I do. I turn on my best and or worst customer shopper character and get the job done. I am very highly rated on like 20 sites that I use.
It is fun to do the actual quick shop but the reports can take hours in one sitting. UGH!
@Janey1966 (24170)
• Carlisle, England
9 Mar 11
I guess you are living up to your name, "hardworkinggurl" and good for you!
It's great when something like that is worthwhile and I'm glad you don't give up like I tend to do, not that I've done Mystery Shopping but I reckon I'd be rubbish at it anyway!
It's great when something like that is worthwhile and I'm glad you don't give up like I tend to do, not that I've done Mystery Shopping but I reckon I'd be rubbish at it anyway!
@SViswan (12051)
• India
10 Mar 11
I don't know. Since last year, a friend of mine has been suggesting my name as a 'Mystery Shopper'. Twice, I had to turn down the offer since I was out of town. But somehow, I am a little jittery about trying it out. Maybe coz it's a new concept in India. But maybe...just maybe...I might try it out one day.
@scarlet_woman (23463)
• United States
28 Mar 11
i like the idea?
but it's hard to find a legitimate company.
plus,often you have to front the event and get repaid later,and i don't have the capital to do that,especially when they're talking high dollar restaurant jobs.
@Janey1966 (24170)
• Carlisle, England
28 Mar 11
There'd me no "mystery" about me taking on such work. I'm one of those people that has no "mystery" about them whatsoever so to be a bit secretive is - well, difficult lol.
@shaggin (72131)
• United States
9 Mar 11
I think I would be a good mystery shopper but I dont know if there are many places in my local area and anywhere I went I would have to take my kids with me. I also have a hard time remembering details so I would need to write things down as I go which they dont allow so I would be sitting typing it out on my cell phone lol. That looks normal right because people are constantly texting on their cell phones. If it was a place near where I was going shopping it would work out but if I went out just to do that then it would be a waste of gas for me to drive somewhere just to do the mystery shopping because I live far away from any resturants and stores. I also would worry that I wouldnt do a good enough job on the review and wouldnt get paid after all that work. It seems like a lot of work to me since people say just writing the reports can take hours. Then again earning $1 on mylot can take hours as well lol.
@Janey1966 (24170)
• Carlisle, England
9 Mar 11
Haha! Very true! I know what you mean though. Not for the first time have I heard about the endless form-filling (which would drive me nuts by the way) and I wonder if you receive any feedback on whatever you're doing the Mystery Shopping on? It's not so bad if you find out that a certain establishment has improved significantly since your visit...i.e. sacking a few people.
Haha!
Very true! I know what you mean though. Not for the first time have I heard about the endless form-filling (which would drive me nuts by the way) and I wonder if you receive any feedback on whatever you're doing the Mystery Shopping on? It's not so bad if you find out that a certain establishment has improved significantly since your visit...i.e. sacking a few people.
Haha!
@RawBill1 (8531)
• Gold Coast, Australia
14 Mar 11
I have done mystery shopping and each report took me about ten minutes in the car to write up afterwards, and then another ten to submit online later. All up, an hour on each assignment which paid $50 cash. $50 an hour cash is good money!
@RawBill1 (8531)
• Gold Coast, Australia
14 Mar 11
Yes, I would....and have!
I have done this a few times and enjoyed the experience. I signed up for a company late last year and had to pretend to buy luxury vehicles. I had to visit two Jaguar dealerships one month and the next month I had to visit two Land Rover dealerships and pretend to be interested in buying a car.
It was good acting practice I thought. I had to make up a story about how I could afford the cars and why I was interested in them. I spent about 30 to 40 minutes in each dealership, then wrote out a report which I then submitted online and was paid $50 for each one. I also received a commission for referring someone else to the program as they wanted someone to go to the same dealer that I had already been to and I obviously could not go again. So I jumped on Facebook and asked a few friends. One of them said yes and loved doing it also!
I have done this a few times and enjoyed the experience. I signed up for a company late last year and had to pretend to buy luxury vehicles. I had to visit two Jaguar dealerships one month and the next month I had to visit two Land Rover dealerships and pretend to be interested in buying a car.
It was good acting practice I thought. I had to make up a story about how I could afford the cars and why I was interested in them. I spent about 30 to 40 minutes in each dealership, then wrote out a report which I then submitted online and was paid $50 for each one. I also received a commission for referring someone else to the program as they wanted someone to go to the same dealer that I had already been to and I obviously could not go again. So I jumped on Facebook and asked a few friends. One of them said yes and loved doing it also! @Janey1966 (24170)
• Carlisle, England
14 Mar 11
Bill, you're full of surprises my friend! I never had you down for a Mystery Shopper but luxury vehicles? I reckon hubby would like that lol. He's quite meticulous and remembers things so filling out a report on such a visit would be a breeze for him. Unfortunately, he's out all day..er, working lol. It's a shame cos we've got loads of 4 x 4 dealerships here (due to farmland and many farmers living in Cumbria) and I reckon John could pose as a farmer and get away with it...just!
@sender621 (14894)
• United States
9 Mar 11
I think it would be fun to be a mystery shopper. Part of the challenge would be the secrecy. I have not tried mystery shopping yet myself but it would be a consideration.@Janey1966 (24170)
• Carlisle, England
9 Mar 11
Ooo, I'd be no good at the "secrecy" bit, I'm far too open for that. I wish I could be secretive though as I guess that's an essential part of being a Mystery Shopper!
@kingparker (9673)
• United States
8 Mar 11
No, I won't consider that is a legit job, since I heard so many people got scam by to be a mystery shopper though. I just wonder how many people actually get paid, or how many people actually get scammed. I think more people get scammed than get paid. So, I would consider work online, and find some legit sites to work on. Work harder here, that is what I would suggest.
1 person likes this
@Janey1966 (24170)
• Carlisle, England
9 Mar 11
The lady above you in this discussion said she got paid and I believe her too. I guess it's all about luck and being in the right place at the right time. As for MyLot, I'm not here for the money but yes, it is an added bonus and helps me and many others with their finances...albeit in a small but significant way.
@Janey1966 (24170)
• Carlisle, England
8 Mar 11
How does it work? Do you report back to the site? I take it you don't say anything at the time as then you wouldn't be a Mystery Shopper lol.
@kateykins93 (31)
•
12 Mar 11
I look into becoming a mystery shopper, but i was really concerned about illegitimate sites so I persuaded myself against it. As a student I could really use the extra cash, but do you get enough work for it to be worthwhile?
@Janey1966 (24170)
• Carlisle, England
12 Mar 11
I don't get any money because I don't do it. If you read the whole of my discussion you would know that lol.
