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new to mystery shoppers.

May 26, 2013 03:16PM
I am looking into mystery shopping, I would like to know which companies do you recommend?
I am finding some companies are charging a fee for application.
Looking forward to hearing from all.
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May 26, 2013 04:40PM
At the bottom of this page is a link to an official list of mystery shopping companies. That will be the best place to start. As far as recommending companies, everyone has their favorites, you just need to sign up and see which ones you like.

.
Have PV-500 & willing to travel.
"Answers are easy. It's asking the right questions which is hard." (The Fourth Doctor, The Face of Evil, 1977)

"Somedays you're the pigeon, somedays you're the statue.” J. Andrew Taylor

"I have never met a man so ignorant that I couldn't learn something from him." Galileo Galilei
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May 26, 2013 04:41PM
Hello Lucy and welcome to the forum. You don't need to pay a fee to apply to a mystery shopping company. The application process should be free, and you should never have to pay any company. There is a list of mystery shopping companies at the bottom of this page. Start signing up with those until you get to 150 or so. A few of the best companies for beginners are Corporate Research, Market Force, Bare, and Maritz. Corporate Research will start their shops at a really low base rate and raise the fee throughout the month until someone picks up the job.

Mary Davis Nowell. Based close to Fort Worth. Shopping Interstate 20 east and west, Interstate 35 north and south.
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May 27, 2013 05:42AM
Never, ever, EVER pay to be a mystery shopper. Any company who wants a fee is a major scam - run screaming from those. I'm not anywhere near as experienced as many on this forum, but I do know this. Someone in the Phillipines tried to scam me by sending me a money order to deposit then send a portion back to them. Of course, the money order is no good and you're on the hook for the full amount with your bank. Key word here is "tried" - I didn't fall for it. When they sent me a follow-up e-mail requesting I fulfill my "assignment", I replied by telling them they were scam artists, I had shredded their worthless piece of paper, and to never contact me again. I wish I had known to take it to the post office. I still get this type of offer, but they go to my "junk" folder now. Be careful, and feel free to inquire of this forum if you're not sure - you'll get the straight scoop.
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May 27, 2013 09:40AM
I am ready and eager to start my first assignment. But all is really happening to me when trying is getting the run around. I wonder how long more I'm going to be wasting my time? I can go on and on but I'll just end here.
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May 27, 2013 01:41PM
Welcome to the forum, jaredsua. Mystery shopping means running your own small business working as an independent contractor for mystery shopping companies and performing assignments with their clients. Getting started is very time-intensive because you need to read and research to understand how best to get your business running. It takes a lot of time to register with mystery shopping companies. I recommend 50-100 companies to give you a good variety of jobs in your area. When registering with each company on the company's website, you will provide your personal information and SS#. They may ask you to take tests or provide a writing sample. You will sign an Independent Contractor Agreement (ICA), which will probably include a confidentiality agreement. After you have registered and been accepted by a company as a contractor, you will be able to search their job board and apply for assignments in your area.

And all this before you do any actual assignments or get paid! Read as much as you can here on the forum. There is great information to help you get started. And a great list of companies to sign up with is on the blue link below, Official List of Mystery Shopping Companies.

Good luck and happy shopping!
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