Comments on: Mystery Shopping 101

By: Krista

Krista — Wed, 06 Oct 2010 03:30:27 +0000

To answer one of the earlier questions about becoming a certified shopper: you can get certified through MSPA as either a silver or gold shopper. The silver certification costs $15 and the entire testing process took me less than an hour. I can’t say that I have schedulers flooding my email with shop offers, but I have gotten a few referrals from new companies because I went through the certification. I think it also gives me a bit of an edge when I have to apply for shops. The gold certification costs about $100 and requires you to either attend a training session or go through DVD training. I haven’t done that one yet, but some people say it’s worth it.

I’ve done 1 shop for Service Performance Group. I’d do more, but they don’t post many jobs in my area. I would be willing to work for them again. I have to agree with the owner’s comments about Corporate Research International – I don’t know how people are willing to work for $4. On the bright side, they usually pay a very nice bonus towards the end of the month when they still have shops available.

By: nicolesnickels

nicolesnickels — Thu, 08 Jul 2010 00:24:38 +0000

Yeah, anyone can post a comment, it could have been a spammer/scammer posting the link you followed.

By: scammed

scammed — Wed, 07 Jul 2010 15:06:16 +0000

I guess that’s where I screwed up. I didn’t sign up on one linked to your column, I signed up on one that was mentioned and noted highly by someone posting on your column. Since I turned in all the info I had to the USPS, how much trouble do you think I just got myself into? This is worrying me to death! I understand there’s reliable sites out there, but I don’t think I’ll be trying anymore. Thanks for posting back the member sites they need to be associated with. I still love hip2save, regardless of my misfortune.

By: nicolesnickels

nicolesnickels — Wed, 07 Jul 2010 01:39:44 +0000

I am assuming you did not sign up from one of the sites I recommended, right? You need to do research before signing up with the company to determine if they are legit (members of the MSPA, from Volition forums, etc.). Almost every mystery shopping scam I hear about is the one you described so I stay away from anything with check cashing and banks, etc. If it sounds too good to be true then it probably is.

By: Scammed

Scammed — Wed, 07 Jul 2010 01:15:18 +0000

I signed up, for free, with MysteryShopper website. It all looked legit, no upfront money. They asked for general info (name, address, contact phone number). Then, without warning they sent me a good size USPS money order and emailed me instruction to cash it, keep a portion and send the rest via Western Union, who I was to evaluate. It sounded too good and too easy to be true. I was texted to take it to a bank to cash it. When I got instruction to send it overseas, I decided to instead take it to the post office just to find out it was fake! Gave them all the contact info I knew and now hoping I didn’t get myself in trouble. Now, tell me where I screwed up? All I wanted to do is earn a little extra income.

By: Mary D

Mary D — Fri, 02 Jul 2010 14:57:56 +0000

I just found this blog, great job!! It actually echoes a lot of my own experience with mystery shopping. I started shopping about 2 months ago and have completed over 25 jobs with 10 more scheduled in the next 2 weeks. This is on top of working a full time job. There is only 1 that I did not get paid for (aside from those who have not cut the checks yet) and that was due to my mistake ordering the wrong food at a restaurant and didn’t realize it until later. You do have to follow directions exactly, even if it seems silly sometimes.

My thought with mystery shopping was I could use it to transition to a new location (just got engaged & may be moving somewhere else) and also to supplement my income for retirement (I’m over 50!). I am having a blast with this and my total for jobs completed and booked is nearly $600.

There are ways to be smart about it as Nicole mentions so you’re not driving all over town for $10. I consider restaurant shops part of my grocery budget for instance.

Have fun!!

Mary D

By: nicolesnickels

nicolesnickels — Sat, 15 May 2010 12:19:19 +0000

Elizabeth: You won’t need a fax for mystery shopping, everything is scanned and emailed.

By: Elizabeth

Elizabeth — Sat, 15 May 2010 11:27:08 +0000

Nicole,

I was so encouraged by your post on hip2save, “How to Make Money In May.” I am seriously considering mystery shopping as a part time job, as it sounds like a great way to make money in a flexible fashion, while still maintaining the busy role of a mom and wife.
My question for you is – when I go to buy a scanner (I’m looking at some on craigslist), do I need to find one that is also a fax, or can I simply use a scanner to scan the report and receipt and email it to the company’s fax machine?
I appreciate your help. I cannot wait to get shopping!

By: Elizabeth

Elizabeth — Sat, 15 May 2010 11:21:39 +0000

Nicole,

I was so encouraged by your post on hip2save, “How to Make Money In May.” I am seriously considering mystery shopping as a part time job.

By: Mystery Shopping: Ritter Associates

Mystery Shopping: Ritter Associates — Tue, 11 May 2010 09:36:53 +0000

[...] about. You can read more about the mystery shopping companies I blog about here. Please read my Mystery Shopping 101 post for more [...]