for entertainment purposes only

Everyone Shops - Now Be Paid To Do It

by Team TCP

To start – While we (TCP 2.0) didn’t research all, here are 2 tested and legitimate Mystery Shop companies that actually paid us (even with paypal as a direct deposit option) during our research after shopping for them:

A. Intellishop: https://intelli-shop.com/shopper-hub

B. Strategic Reflections: www.strategicreflections.com/index.php

The Connection Pages highly advises doing your research – BBB is a great resource to weed out scam companies. EXAMPLE: You should NEVER receive a check or money order from a company and that company asks you to wire funds. DO NOT EVER WIRE FUNDS.

How Does Mystery Shopping Work? (SOURCE)

Mystery shopping can be a good job for those who love to shop and have excellent observational skills. Mystery shopping helps companies discover more about the services offered at their locations. Whether you are working as a mystery shopper for extra money or as a full-time job, there are some tips you can use to find legitimate jobs and succeed in your assignments. In this article, we explore what mystery shopping is, explain how it works and answer frequently asked questions related to mystery shopping.

Mystery shopping is a technique that marketing research companies use to observe the quality of customer service and the overall experience at an organization's locations. Third-party companies hire an individual to pretend to be a customer to gather specific information, such as the cleanliness of a facility or how its employees treat customers. Companies use the observations made by mystery shoppers to determine areas where they may be able to improve.

What does a mystery shopper do?

A mystery shopper observes a store or service center to compile a report about what they experienced. They complete tasks at an assigned location, such as returning an item or purchasing a product.

Other job duties may include:

· Visiting retail stores to observe customer service

· Making purchases and compiling receipts

· Following specific shopping instructions given by an employer

· Observing details of the establishment, such as names of employees and cleanliness

· Completing a questionnaire and reviewing their customer experience

· Filing reports to third-party companies

Five tips for finding legitimate mystery shopper positions

When seeking mystery shopper jobs, it's helpful to know how and where to find legitimate positions. Below are some tips to help you find a legitimate mystery shopper job:

1. Check the reviews and comments online

To determine if a company is credible, consider reading reviews online from other shoppers to gauge their experience. If the reviews are positive overall, it's usually a good indicator that the position is legitimate.

2. Don't wire money or send a check to an employer

Sending money to an employer or buying gift cards for an assignment may be signs of an illegitimate role. Make sure that a company supplies you with all required information prior to leaving for your assignment and that you are not responsible for sending money to an employer before starting your mystery shopping position.

3. Be wary of companies with startup fees

Most legitimate companies pay individuals and don't charge them before they start their assignments. Ensure that the company you want to mystery shop for doesn't charge their shoppers for any fees, especially if you have yet to complete an assignment for them.

4. Look for Mystery Shopping Providers Association-approved businesses

The Mystery Shopping Providers Association (MSPA) lists legitimate businesses that offer mystery shopping positions and pay their shoppers for assignments. Consider checking the MSPA's website to determine whether a company offers legitimate services.

5. Avoid companies with payments for job listings

Some illegitimate companies may ask you to pay them in order to view their job listings. The vast majority of legitimate businesses offering mystery shopping services do not have this requirement, so be cautious of those that do.

Mystery shopper FAQs

Here are some answers to commonly asked questions about mystery shopping:

How do I become a mystery shopper?

To become a mystery shopper, first search for companies that offer mystery shopping services online. After reviewing to determine whether a company is legitimate, submit an application. Companies may require you to complete a background check and sign a contract agreeing not to disclose their business's mystery shopping services before pursuing assignments. Once a company approves your application, you often choose an assignment on their website to complete and follow the instructions given.

Consider earning a certification through the MSPA to be a more marketable candidate for employers. The MSPA offers two certificates: a silver one that you can complete online and a gold one that you can complete by attending a one-day workshop.

How much money can I make as a mystery shopper?

Mystery shoppers make a national average salary of $35,473 per year. Companies often pay shoppers by assignment, rather than hourly, and pay often depends on the difficulty of the assignment. Other times, companies don't pay shoppers but reimburse them for their expenses or allow them to keep the item they bought. Reimbursements often take between 30 and 90 days to receive, so ensure you have money before an assignment to purchase the required item.

What skills do I need to be an effective mystery shopper?

Some skills that can help you be a successful mystery shopper include:

· Written communication: Part of a mystery shopper's job is writing reports on what they observe during their visit. Written communication skills can help a mystery shopper write clear and effective reports.

· Attention to detail: Mystery shoppers observe details and remember minor facts, such as the number of employees working at a store, to write accurate reports.

· Verbal communication: When interacting with salespeople, a mystery shopper communicates and asks questions to help collect data.

· Self-motivated: Since a mystery shopper's income varies depending on the number of assignments they agree to and how they manage their time, self-motivation helps them earn a dependable income.

· Curiosity: While mystery shoppers typically follow assignments given to them, it may be beneficial for them to ask different questions to learn more about a business.

· Customer service experience: Understanding what classifies as excellent customer service can help mystery shoppers when writing reviews.

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