Secret Shopper Jobs: Are They Real or Made Up?

If you are looking for a flexible way to earn extra money, becoming a secret shopper might be the perfect job for you.

Secret shopper jobs, also known as mystery shopping, involve visiting businesses undercover to evaluate their customer service, product quality, and overall experience. You can work as much or as little as you want, and the pay varies depending on the assignment and the company you work for.

In this blog, we’ll discuss what secret shopper jobs are all about, their benefits, tips for success, and potential risks associated with them.

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Who is A Secret Shopper?

According to Wikipedia, a secret shopper can either be a store detective hired by stores to pretend they are shopping but watch for shoplifters or a mystery shopper sent to a store to evaluate its employees, customer service, and the like.

In our context, we will focus on the mystery shopper part of that definition as we learn more about the job opportunities.

What is Mystery Shopping?

Mystery shopping is a type of market research where individuals, known as mystery shoppers, visit or call businesses (typically franchises with many stores) to evaluate their products such as clothes or shoes, services, and overall customer experience at individual stores.

Mystery shoppers are hired by mystery shopping services, which are contracted by companies to gather feedback on their business operations.

When you get a mystery shopping job, you will be given specific tasks to complete, such as making a purchase, asking questions, or returning a product.

Some assignments may require you to make a purchase, which you will be reimbursed for, while others may simply involve observing and taking notes.

You will then write a report about your experience as a customer, detailing your interactions with employees, the quality of the product, and the overall atmosphere of the business.

Mystery shopping has become increasingly popular in recent years as businesses recognize the importance of providing excellent customer service.

It is used by companies to gain insight into their customer service and to identify areas for improvement for maintaining a strong brand identity and positive customer experiences.

It is also used to ensure that employees are following company policies and procedures. Mystery shopping is a valuable tool for businesses, as it provides them with unbiased feedback about their operations.

Mystery Shopping Industry Overview

The mystery shopping industry has grown significantly in recent years, with an estimated 1.5 million mystery shoppers in the United States alone.

The industry is expected to continue to grow as more companies recognize the value of mystery shopping as a tool for improving customer service and increasing sales.

Types of Mystery Shopping Jobs

There are various types of mystery shopping jobs that you can take on. Here are some of the most common types of mystery shopping jobs:

Retail stores are one of the most popular types of businesses that hire mystery shoppers. As a mystery shopper for a retail store, you will be asked to evaluate various aspects of the store, such as the quality of customer service, product display, and store layout. You may also be asked to make a purchase and evaluate the checkout process.
Restaurants are known to hire mystery shoppers. As a mystery shopper for a restaurant, you will be asked to evaluate various aspects of the restaurant, such as the quality of customer service, food quality, and cleanliness. You may also be asked to make a purchase and evaluate the checkout process.
Call centers are a less common type of business that hire mystery shoppers. As a mystery shopper for a call center, you will be asked to evaluate the quality of customer service provided by the call center. You may be asked to make a phone call and evaluate the agent’s performance, or you may be asked to evaluate the quality of the call center’s response to an email or chat message.
Hotel stays to evaluate room cleanliness, amenities provided, staff courtesy, and overall guest satisfaction.
Online shop evaluations where you examine website usability, product availability, shipping times, return policies, and customer service responsiveness.
Bank visits to analyze teller interactions and adherence to proper banking procedures for transactions such as account opening or loan applications.

Keep in mind that these are just a few examples of what secret shopper jobs may entail. Companies often customize assignments based on their unique objectives or requirements within specific industries.

How to Become a Mystery Shopper

If you are interested in becoming a mystery shopper, here is a breakdown of what you need to get started.

Good written communication skills. To become a mystery shopper, you will need good written communication skills. You will be required to fill out detailed reports about your shopping experience, so it is important that you can write clearly and accurately.
Be detail-oriented. You need to be detail-oriented, as you will be evaluating everything from the cleanliness of the store to the behavior of the employees.
Maintain anonymity. One of the biggest challenges of being a mystery shopper is maintaining your anonymity. You cannot let the employees of the store know that you are a mystery shopper, or they may change their behavior to try to influence your evaluation. This means you will need to be skilled at blending in with the other customers and observing without drawing attention to yourself.
Internet access. In many cases, having internet access is crucial for accepting assignments through job boards or communicating with companies about task completion. Basic technological knowledge is necessary since most reports require filling out online forms or uploading images of receipts.
Need For Objectivity. As a secret shopper, it is crucial to remain objective and unbiased throughout all assignments. This means that you should not let your personal opinions and preferences influence your evaluation of a product or service.
Specific knowledge. Some specific industries may require further specialization; for example, auditing grocery stores might necessitate expertise in food safety regulations.

How The Mystery Shopper Hiring Process Looks Like

The hiring process for mystery shopping companies can vary, but generally, it involves the following steps:

Application: You’ll need to fill out an application and provide some basic information about yourself.
Qualification: Some companies may require you to complete a qualification test to ensure that you have the necessary skills to be a mystery shopper.

Once you’re accepted, you’ll receive job assignments. These assignments will include information about the business you’ll be visiting, the tasks you’ll need to complete, and the payment you’ll receive.

You’ll receive payment for your work. Payments can vary depending on the company and the assignment.

How to Find Legitimate Mystery Shopping Companies

One of the biggest risks associated with secret shopper jobs is the prevalence of scams. Scammers may pose as legitimate companies and offer secret shopper jobs with the promise of high pay and flexible hours. However, these offers are often too good to be true and may require you to pay money upfront or provide personal information.

When searching for mystery shopping companies, it’s important to ensure that you’re working with a legitimate company. The Mystery Shopping Provider’s Association (MSPA) helps identify legitimate mystery shopping outfits.

Another way to protect yourself from scams is to check with the Better Business Bureau (BBB) to see if the company offering the secret shopper job is legitimate. The BBB maintains a database of businesses and can provide information on their reputation and history of complaints.

When researching a company, look for a BBB accreditation and check the company’s rating. A high rating indicates that the company has a good reputation and is trustworthy. If the company is not listed with the BBB or has a low rating, it may be a red flag that the job offer is a scam.

Unfortunately, there are scams out there that prey on individuals looking for mystery shopper jobs. To avoid falling for a scam, keep the following in mind:

Legitimate mystery shopping companies will never ask you to pay to join or to receive job assignments.
Be wary of companies that promise high earnings or ask for personal information like your social security number.
Research the company before applying. Check their website, read reviews, and look for any red flags.
Another warning sign of scams includes unsolicited emails or messages offering mystery shopping jobs without any prior application process.

Some legitimate mystery shopping companies to consider include:

Market Force Information is known for offering a variety of mystery shopping opportunities, including in-person visits, phone calls, and online surveys.
Sinclair Customer Metrics offers a range of opportunities across various industries, including retail, hospitality, and healthcare.
Ath Power Consulting is a management consulting services company that focuses on the financial and banking industry.
Second To None offers mystery shopping and secret shopper jobs across the U.S. and Canada.
A Closer Look provides customer experience measurement and analysis for clients.

With more than a decade of experience, companies like Market Force Information and Sinclair Customer Metrics have established themselves as reputable mystery shopping providers.

How Much Can You Make as a Mystery Shopper?

According to Glassdoor, Secret Shoppers earn an average hourly rate of $15. However, starting pay can be lower, at around $13 per hour. Experienced Secret Shoppers or those who take on more complex assignments can earn up to $25 per hour.

It’s important to note that pay rates can vary depending on the company you work for and the location of the assignment. Some companies may also offer bonuses or incentives for completing assignments on time or for exceptional work.

In terms of additional compensation, some companies may offer free meals or snacks during assignments. However, this is not a common practice and should not be expected as part of the job.

Benefits of Being a Secret Shopper

Being a secret shopper offers a variety of benefits such as extra income, flexible scheduling, the opportunity to provide feedback, and access to new products and services.

Extra Income Opportunities

If you are looking for a side hustle to supplement your income, it is a viable line of work.

One of the main benefits of being a mystery shopper is the opportunity to earn extra income. While pay rates can vary depending on the company and assignment, many secret shoppers report making anywhere from $13-$25 per hour.

Flexible Scheduling

One of the biggest perks of being a secret shopper is the flexibility it provides. As an independent contractor, you have control over your schedule and can choose assignments that fit around other commitments like work or family.

No Shortage of Opportunities

With many shops available in different locations and industries such as restaurants, grocery stores and call centers; there’s no shortage of opportunities.

Opportunity To Provide Feedback

As a secret shopper, one of the most significant benefits is the chance to provide feedback. You get the opportunity to express your thoughts and opinions about various products and services you have experienced during your assignments as a mystery shopper.

Free Products And Services

As a secret shopper, one of the perks is the chance to receive free products and services. Businesses may offer this as an incentive for you to shop or dine at their establishment and provide valuable feedback on your experience.

Access To New Products And Services

As a secret shopper, you have the opportunity to try out new products and services before they hit the market. This is because many companies use mystery shopping as a way to test their products and services and gather feedback from customers.

Not only does this give you early access to new products and services, but it also allows you to provide valuable insights into what works and what doesn’t. By sharing your honest opinions about these offerings with businesses, you can help improve the quality of their products or services for future customers.

Drawbacks Of Secret Shopper Jobs

Potential Scams

Unfortunately, not all companies offering secret shopper jobs are legitimate. Some scams advertise positions asking for upfront payment or personal information, promising high-paying gigs that never materialize.

Safety Concerns

As with any job that involves going to unfamiliar places, safety is a concern for secret shoppers. It is important to be cautious and aware of your surroundings while on assignment.

Make sure to let someone know where you are going and when you expect to return. Avoiding working late at night in deserted areas or poorly lit parking lots can also reduce the risk of danger.

In addition, do not compromise personal information or financial details during assignments as this could put one at risk of fraud or identity theft.

Limited Earning Potential

One thing to consider if you’re interested in becoming a secret shopper is the limited earning potential. While mystery shopping can be a great way to earn extra income, it’s typically not enough to replace a full-time job.

The average pay for a mystery shopping assignment falls within the range of $10-$50 per job, depending on the complexity of the task and location.

Despite this limitation, many people still choose to become secret shoppers because of other benefits such as flexible scheduling and access to new products and services.

Conclusion

In conclusion, secret shopper jobs can be a great way to earn extra income on the side. However, it’s important to note that not all mystery shopping companies are created equal, and you should do your research before signing up with any particular provider.

It’s important to keep in mind that mystery shopping is not a get-rich-quick scheme. While some assignments may pay well, others may only offer a small fee or reimbursement for expenses.

Mystery shopping requires attention to detail and the ability to accurately report your experiences, so it may not be the best fit for everyone.

Before you leave

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David Fortune

David Fortune has been the editor NoBSIMReviews.com since 2019. He is an expert at writing content on stock advisory services, side hustles, reviewing online business opportunities and many more topics. You can learn more about David on our about us page.

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