By Sage McHugh on May 7, 2010 in
We've all seen the ads for "mystery" or "secret" shoppers, promising to pay as much as $150 per day and offering perks like free merchandise. Getting paid to go shopping sounds like a dream job, but is mystery shopping a legitimate way to earn money or is it a scam? ConsumerSearch uncovered some secrets surrounding mystery shopping, and what we found might surprise you.
How do mystery shopping programs work?
Mystery shoppers are typically asked to pose as ordinary customers and evaluate the quality of a store's merchandise and customer service. Companies rely on mystery shoppers to obtain information anonymously and provide honest feedback about a particular establishment or service. According to the Better Business Bureau of Los Angeles, "Mystery shopping is a legitimate business that is used by most major consumer companies and tens of thousands of people make extra money and enjoy free services as mystery shoppers, though only a few make enough money consistently enough for it to be their primary source of income." While the BBB acknowledges that there are some reputable mystery shopping referral companies, it also warns of many businesses that aren't on the up-and-up.
What to do before you apply:
Determine whether a mystery shopping company is legitimate. To check the credibility of a particular business, you can visit the Mystery Shopping Providers Association's website. In order to be a member of the MSPA, a mystery shopping provider must have proof of existence, a minimum two-year history, and practices that comply with industry standards and regulations. Some scam companies will use the same name as legitimate mystery shopping companies, so verify that the contact information on any materials you recieve matches the contact information on the MSPA site.
Keep your cash. Real secret-shopping businesses don't ask for up-front money. In the world of mystery shopping, there are more dishonest companies in operation than there are reputable ones. According to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), "marketers who promise lucrative jobs as mystery shoppers often do not deliver bona fide opportunities." Any company demanding payment on your part -- either for further information, specific assignments or certification -- is a huge red flag. A legitimate company will never ask you to pay money in order to become a mystery shopper.
If you've been deceived by one of these businesses, don't expect to get your money back. Most likely, you'll find that the phone number provided has been changed or you won't get an answer at all. Never call a number with an area code outside of the U.S.; you may unknowingly rack up steep phone charges.
If you're offered a job as a secret shopper and receive an unsolicited check, do not cash it. Scammers typically lure applicants with bogus job offers and send them unsolicited cashier's checks in the mail, usually asking them to wire money to an off-shore account. The BBB and the FTC warn that counterfeit check scams like these are not uncommon.
So, what's the bottom line?
To get a better idea of how much a secret shopper actually makes, we spoke with Kelly Hancock, a spokesperson for the Mystery Shopping Providers Association. "As a general rule, the average mystery shopping assignment will pay between $8 and $20," Hancock says. "Sometimes payment may include reimbursement for purchases made during the assignment."
Mystery shopping certainly isn't a get-rich-quick venture, but you might be able to earn a decent supplemental income from it. Those who make the most profit usually work with several different companies and take on multiple assignments at once. If you're interested in becoming a mystery shopper, do your research beforehand and make sure you seek employment with a reputable business.
If you've fallen victim to a mystery shopping scam, you can file a complaint with the Better Business Bureau, the FTC or your state Attorney General.