Like to Shop?

Want to Get Paid For It?​

Retailers like to make sure that their workers and branches are doing what they are supposed to be doing.  They also want to know whether customers are getting treated write.  There are services that will hire people to go to a particular retail outlet and make a purchase or even inquire about a product/service.  That's where you come in.  You can get hired as a shopper and then after you fill out a survey about your experience.  You get paid.

Sometimes you even get to keep the products.  Other times, you will need to return it as that is part of the process - for companies to see how smoothly that process goes as well.​

Introducing Mystery Shopping

A mystery shopping company will hire you after you complete an application and in some companies, you will be required to take a test.  Then you are prepared to go out in the field on various assignments.  You decide whether you want to take an assignment or not.  But if you do, you really should make every effort to perform the tasks given.  This is because the mystery shopping companies have deadlines and if you couldn't make it they could have filled the spot.

So How's The Pay?

That's the bad news.  They don't start out paying much money for you to do the job.  They cover the cost of the product typically.  But as for pay, it is not very lucrative.  However, as you become more establish and trusted, your pay scale does increase.  They often offer further bonuses and incentives when you get become more trusted with them.

The mystery shopping companies are kind of in a rock and a hard place, because they often can't attract people due to the low starting amount but don't want to pay high prices for a person that won't do a good job.  Sometimes also, the work required to do even if the pay rate is higher is a lot more than many would desire.  So after one or two gigs, they quickly discover they can do better with other types of work.

It's For Those Who Really Love To Shop​

​If you are a person who cannot stay away from shopping, then this could actually be a very good opportunity for you.  After all, if you are already out shopping and have an assignment that is close by where you are going to be anyway, why not get some compensation for it?

The key is to really understand what you're getting yourself into and there is nothing stopping you from negotiating better rates,better opportunities, or both.  Also, there are several companies that do this so if one doesn't turn out to be so good, move onto another.  You can try to pit the companies against each other too when it comes to negotiating.  "This company will give me X amount for less work", etc.

Not For Everyone​

This work is definitely not for everyone.  I was not a fan of it myself when I tried it.  But it is yet another avenue to getting paid, although this one is not an online opportunity.  Still, if you like a challenge and love shopping you could consider this as something that is right up your alley.