New to Mystery Shopping
Welcome to the forum Elizabeth. Several issues here. First realize that with the exception of a couple of low paying companies, payments in this industry generally do not arrive for 4 to 8 weeks (and with some companies longer). Second realize that probably half, if not more, shops require that you make some small purchase in order to get a receipt to prove you were at the right place at the right time. This is usually in the $1 to $5 range and will be reimbursed--when you are paid for the work. So regardless how you cut it, you will need up front money for gas and reimbursements with a waiting period before you see any cash coming back to you.
This being said, read through the New Mystery Shopper section and other sections of the forum for getting started and other shoppers' experiences. When you are ready to get started, sign up with Jobslinger.com (it is free) to see what companies are shopping in your area and sign up with them early on.
Good luck!
This being said, read through the New Mystery Shopper section and other sections of the forum for getting started and other shoppers' experiences. When you are ready to get started, sign up with Jobslinger.com (it is free) to see what companies are shopping in your area and sign up with them early on.
Good luck!
Hello, Elizabeth and welcome to the forum. Great advice, moral support and pointers on getting started are free
Companies that pay fast, have shops nationwide, and are good starters are MarketForce and Corporate Research International. Grocery shops, if available in your area, can help with the food bills. Some shops that don't require purchases are banks, cell phone shops, some convenience stores, apartments/new homes, car dealerships, mattress stores, and some other retail stores.
Start signing with MSP's who, on JobSlinger, list shops in your area. From there, sign with more - the more the better.
You won't get rich shopping, but it can certainly help increase bank accounts and decrease expenses. Flexibility in accepting work is a plus, though once shops are accepted, they need to be completed as agreed.
Enjoy reading. Mystery shopping is both fun and financially beneficial. Good luck
Companies that pay fast, have shops nationwide, and are good starters are MarketForce and Corporate Research International. Grocery shops, if available in your area, can help with the food bills. Some shops that don't require purchases are banks, cell phone shops, some convenience stores, apartments/new homes, car dealerships, mattress stores, and some other retail stores.
Start signing with MSP's who, on JobSlinger, list shops in your area. From there, sign with more - the more the better.
You won't get rich shopping, but it can certainly help increase bank accounts and decrease expenses. Flexibility in accepting work is a plus, though once shops are accepted, they need to be completed as agreed.
Enjoy reading. Mystery shopping is both fun and financially beneficial. Good luck
Hello,
I am new to Mystery Shopping. I am about to move into a new home and could use some extra money. What is my next step? Do I contact companies or will they contact me? Is there a site that list all the ligatimate companies?
I am new to Mystery Shopping. I am about to move into a new home and could use some extra money. What is my next step? Do I contact companies or will they contact me? Is there a site that list all the ligatimate companies?
Your best bet is to read through the 'sticky' threads at the top of the New Mystery Shopper section of the forum to figure out how this works. Quick answer to specific questions . . . you sign up with them and watch their job boards to ask for work or self-assign work. Some of them will contact you, especially when they have hard to fill work. There is no one list of all legitimate companies. We have a pretty decent list here in the first post of the first thread of Mystery Shopping Company Discussion.
Hello, I am retired and my hubby and I are fulltime RV'er's, so travel from state to state during the year. We mostly stay in a RV PK for 3-5 month's at a time , but do travel non the less.
Is this type of position something that I would be able to do? Also, I am on dis-ability, but am able to drive, and do not need assistance getting around. How would this affect my current income and how do I find out if I qualify for this type job.
Any information anyone can give me would be greatly appreciated.
Ragards, babs
Is this type of position something that I would be able to do? Also, I am on dis-ability, but am able to drive, and do not need assistance getting around. How would this affect my current income and how do I find out if I qualify for this type job.
Any information anyone can give me would be greatly appreciated.
Ragards, babs
I'm certainly no expert on disability. I do know of shoppers who have worked while on disability. I would strongly suggest that you check with your granting agency prior to undertaking shopping. Reasoning on my part is that 100% of income received as a shopper needs to go on your tax return either as a Schedule C business or as "additional income" as a hobby. Just because you don't work with a single employer enough to have them issue a 1099 does not mean you don't have to claim it or that an audit of their books would not reveal they had paid it to you. There just are virtually no companies that will let you do shops without having a good social security number on file with them anymore. The ramifications to your disability benefits if you are working and are not allowed to do so without reduction of benefits could be a problem.
Thanks for the speedy reply. I would alsooo lkie to know if it would be feasible for me to try this type of work since we travel fulltime and do not have a permanent "stick" house.
Are ther companies who could use me in the different states we stay in?
Thanks, Babs
Are ther companies who could use me in the different states we stay in?
Thanks, Babs
A number of RV'ers do this and since you are not an "employee", you are free to pick up work wherever you go. The company concerns are that what jobs you accept you perform in a timely and accurate manner. Some companies have nationwide clients, some companies have niche clients, some companies have scattered clients so would have work in some locales but not others.
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