Demystifying Mystery Shopping

When you work from home, you have the freedom to decide how many businesses you have and how many hours you devote to them. Sometimes it makes sense to have only one business, especially if you can find enough work to keep your schedule full. Other times, it makes sense to have a second business or a business that is sort of a sideline. One sideline that can fit well with a home – based professional lifestyle is mystery shopping. Companies want to know what it is like to be a customer in their business locations. How long do patrons … Continue reading →

Mystery Shopping: The Tax-Man Cometh!

Disclaimer: Julie is not a tax professional. As a matter of fact, she did so poorly in Accounting that it didn’t even count toward her college degree. Please check with your tax professional about your finance. This blog is for informational purposes only. I’m doing my taxes using TurboTax and crying in my… well, green tea, but you get the point. Mystery shopping can be good money. But you’re an independent contractor. That means that you pay your own taxes. Generally, when you’re an employee, a company is matching what you’re putting into Social Security and Medicare taxes. That terrible … Continue reading →

Mystery Shopping: The Ten-Foot Pole List

Pay has steadily declined in mystery shopping. The good shops are still out there. But so are the bad ones! Some companies apparently don’t have a clue about what it takes to do a shop. Or they do, but shoppers are selling themselves short so they continue to underbid and underpay. In an effort to help you dodge these shops (especially when you’re first starting), here’s my personal “Top Ten Wouldn’t Touch it with a Ten-Foot Pole” list. Please note that if you do accept one of these shops, you need to complete it no matter how much it isn’t … Continue reading →

Mystery Shopping: Cruises and Resorts

So, you want to shop a cruise or a resort. You’re thinking it would be a great vacation for you and/or your family. Wrong. Cruises and resorts are two of the most detailed shops there are. They do pay very well in many cases, but they require a lot. You won’t be relaxing, you’ll be working. Like the amusement park shops, some of them may allow you to bring your family, so you’ll essentially be working so that they can enjoy themselves. Do not ever schedule a shop like this on a vacation. It’s simply not doable. Mystery shopping is … Continue reading →

Mystery Shopping: What to Bring with You on a Shop

You’re all ready to go! You’ve checked the instructions, taken the needed exam, made sure there’s gas in the car, and your cell phone is charged. What else? I carry a Mystery Shopping Kit in my car. It’s full of stuff that isn’t really necessary for a shop, but sure makes it easier! Here’s what’s in mine (you’ll need to tailor yours to whatever kind of shops you do): A box of pens. Not just one or two. A box. Otherwise, it’ll be the time when I have two dozen details in my head that are about to be lost … Continue reading →

Mystery Shopping: What to Expect on a Restaurant Shop

Food and I have a long-standing love affair! It’s why I decided against that million dollar modeling contract. Well, that and the fact that nobody offered me one. Seriously, though, I’m really appreciative when someone goes the extra mile to make a meal hearty, tasty, and beautifully presented. So restaurant shops are a natural fit for me. We’re doing two today. Oops. I scheduled both for the same day. And both for the lunch hour. There goes the diet! Or maybe not. One of the reasons I love restaurant shops is because it gives me a chance for some one-on-one … Continue reading →

Mystery Shopping: What to Expect on an Amusement Park Shop

Amusement parks are one of the lowest paying shops when you consider them on an hourly basis. Often, you’ll be paying to shop them. That said, they’re also probably the most fun! Yes, you’re working. Yes, you’re making observations. But you’re not doing that every minute of the time you’re there. We have visited over a dozen different amusement parks, zoos, aquariums, sporting events, and other amusement venues as mystery shops. It’s a chance to do things we would normally have difficulty fitting into our budget. Every company and every client is different, but here are some basics that are … Continue reading →

Mystery Shopping: Becoming Certified: Is it Worth It?

Kori recently wrote a blog about belonging to professional associations. Part of the job of some of those associations is to set a standard for the professionals in it. These exist in mystery shopping as well. The two biggest are Mystery Shopping Providers Association (MSPA) certification, and certification and membership in the National Center for Professional Mystery Shoppers & Merchandisers (NCPMS). NCPMS is a shoppers’ organization, in contrast to MSPA, which is the shopping companies’ association. They offer a lot of virtual training and online certification. For $128, they’ll give you training that can reasonably be completed in a month, … Continue reading →

Mystery Shopping: Picking Up the Orphans

Another way to make good money mystery shopping is by picking up the orphans. Orphans? Yep. Those are the shops at the end of the month that nobody has done. There are typically two reasons for this. Either someone was going to do it and they dropped it for one reason or another (such as an emergency, or because they’re a flake), or the shop is in an undesirable or remote location. The first is better for you, but it’s more often the second in my area. You’ll see the listed price for the job start to climb as it … Continue reading →

Mystery Shopping: Paying to Shop

The first rule of mystery shopping is Don’t Pay to Shop. But is that rule ever bent? I’ll pass on the fondue restaurant that reimburses you only about half your evening. “But you’re getting a great deal!” No thanks, I’d rather go to Restaurant.com, pay for a coupon, and enjoy the meal without worrying about a report. Paying part of a hotel stay doesn’t make any sense to me either. Using Priceline.com and BiddingForTravel.com together to get the best price will often net you the same price a certain mystery company charges you to stay there. And, again, you can … Continue reading →