I thought the same thing for my area. Basically apply to as many shopping sites as possible, then you have more increased chances. Be persistent. Like the law of average. There is no guarantee, but there is more probability.

I have only been "shopping" for about 6 weeks and so far it's not too bad. I have learned a lot about filling out forms and being observant. I didn't realize how much I did not notice when doing regular shopping.

I have also found form filling out to be extremely tedious. I have tendinitis in both wrists so this was difficult. I solved the problem by buying Dragon Naturally Speaking and installing it on my computer. After training for a few days I can feel and most forms without touching the keyboard.

My real question right now concerns a company called Sutter marketing. I did 2 McDonald's shops for them and was not paid for either. Their reasoning was I ordered coffee instead of soft drinks at the drive through. I was also required to order inside the restaurant their are newest promo kids meals. They were quite specific about what was to be in these meals and I did follow those directions as closely as the restaurant allowed. These restaurants were not up to par when it came to availability of product. So rather than tell McDonald's that these locations were lacking, Sutter marketing told me I did the shops wrong and therefore would not be paid.

And even after a lengthy explanatory letter to Sutter marketing I did not even receive the courtesy of a reply. Needless to say I will not work for this company again. They obviously only want good things said about their clients.

I find this a little surprising since McDonald's has always seemed to pride itself on top service and customer satisfaction. Perhaps McDonald's should be looking a little closer at the company they've chosen to evaluate their stores.

Fortunate8one.

Hi all
Just started doing shops. I have 20 under my belt and love it however I am having a hard time finding good companies in Seattle area any help?

Hi! I'm Kristin and have been a mystery shopper for over two years. I actually started off by paying a company for mystery shopping info - bad idea!!! I got my money back and now use the MSPA web site regularly. I shop for about 10 companies in the following industries: cellular service providers, restaurants, fast food, picture framing, gas stations, and drugstores. I've done revealed shops/handing out certificates, and audits. For the first time this week I will be doing three "mailing facility" shops. I live in a small town in Iowa, so I take what I can get! The good thing is that sometimes I get a bonus for having to drive a little bit!

Hi,

My name is Laura and I live in Cookeville, TN. I am am experienced merchandiser and secret shopper looking for jobs in Cookeville and surounding areas. My email address is pookiesgranny@yahoo.com Thanks

LL -- edit your email address out. Spammers harvests them from bulletin boards and forums. The way to get work here is to sign up with shopping companies, not to advertise on the forum. Read the first few entries in New Shoppers.

Hi,
My name is Gisele Burton from Charlotte North Carolina and I am thinking about joining Mystery Shopping, but I don't know because I am hearing so many problems with getting jobs and getting paid. I would really like to be a part but I need it to be beneficial to me.

Hello I'm Stephanie, I'm 26 and live in South Florida, and have a 11 month old baby boy named Dillon or DJ for short. I'm a Consumer Connector/Event Person for Mass Connectons for a 1 1/2 yrs. on weekends. If any one wants to join it's available to anyone in the USA at stayingconnected.com my refferal code is: 61810 they pay really good. Also have fun meeting people, demostrating products or passing out samples!! I just started doing MS 6/01/08. A lady gave me some pros and cons because I was also skeptical about having to pay to be a Mystery Shopper. After talking to her she gave me some links online to check out and you can google to find the real companies. I did a few mystery shops just to see how long it would take to get payed and they said by the end of the month but actually got payed alot sooner and now with this forum I probably do more shops. I only do shops n my area to give me something to do or to get out of the house!

Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 06/24/2008 03:07AM by fluffysm.

Hi My name is Diana and I am very new at this. Haven't done any mystery shopping yest so don't even know where to start. How do I start and how do I know which companies are the best???

Hi! My name is Yvette and I am 45. I am married to a wonderful man and have two children. One on her own now and one at home very active in sports. I also have two weimaraner dogs ! Hazel and Kai. Both rescue dogs. We have a rather lively household you might say. I have been doing mystery shopping for almost a year now. I have done a variety of shops including some reveal shops and have a blast doing those. Fun to watch the excitement of another! Mystery shopping is a great way to make a little extra money here and there. With gas prices continuing to rise this extra money sure does help out. I am in the KC, Missouri area and would love more restrauant shops. Not many in my area. Looking forward to visiting this forum often.

I have been a Mystery Shopper for about a year. I was very weary about trying it due to a lot of scams and, of course, I am still weary of new companies and approach me via spasm. But I have been fortunate in the fact that the 6 companies I have worked with so far have all been very good.

Hi I am new to MS and i would like some more information about MS because i am really interested

Hi, my name is Janine. I have been mystery shopping for about 18 months. I like the flexibility that it allows with my schedule. I have done all types of shops. Lately, I have not been doing very many shops since the kids are out of school. The cost of gas is a deterrent, unless I can do several shops in an area. The best thing to do is to apply with a lot of companies. The investment and real estate shops tend to pay the most. I have made $200-300 in a given month when I was more active. It depends on the time you have to invest. It has been a part time option for me.

Hi Guys! I am new to this Mystery Shopping thing! My name is Sonia and I am from Trinidad in the Caribbean. Does anyone know of any companies that hire people in my area?

I have run into a company by the name of Corporate Intelligence group is that the same as service intelligence because I was going to pay for the express @ 16.00 that they offer to be conciderd faster for jobs is that legit.

Hello everyone, I have been doing mystery shops for about a year and a half now off and on. I found this site thru looking for more companies to do more shops and to increase my income since there aren't any jobs in the small town I live in. I am a married stay at home mom of 2 teenage boys who keep me busy enough, but I need to increase my income to help out since my oldest just graduated high school and will be going to college in the fall. Any suggestions of good reputable companies who pay reasonable with the price of gas would be greatly appreciated. I'm so glad I found this site.

Aloha,
My name is Mahealani Green. I am new to this also. But very excited!! How do I get started?

Hello,
I live in Central Texas. I have been Mystery Shopping for about 3 years. I would like to learn more so I can make more money.
Thanks Gail

Hello - I live in the Twin Cities in Minnesota. I am new at this amd don't know where to start, Thanks, Diana

Hi

I have been a misery shopper for a number of years, I have done everything to a simple mom and pop gas station to doing the more complex hidden video cam shops.

I live in Knoxville Tennessee if I can be of any assistance to anybody please don't hesitate to ask.

Don

To all the newbies: Start at the New Shoppers forum and read Flash's start-up tips.

Hello everyone!

My name is Samantha, and I live in Louisville, KY. I have been Mystery Shopping for about 6 months now. I got my feet wet in the Mystery Shopping arena through an awesome website called Volition.com, and then from there I found the MSPA.com site. I really enjoy it. I have not made very much, $8 shops here, and $15 shops there. Does anyone know of any companies who pay really well? I have read the forums where people make $100 per shop or $50 per shop for certain things.

I want those shops!! lol

Any advice is greatly appreciated!

Thanks so much,
Sam.

Edited 2 time(s). Last edit at 06/30/2008 02:33PM by samanthad5873.

If you wear glasses many shops pay $100-120 to purchase glasses and exam. I had just got my glasses, so it will be a while for me to shop glasses. I only need mine for reading. I do not wear all the time. My daughter mystery shops in another stated, she just got paid $120 for eyeglass shopping.

Hi, I'm Sandy.
I just found this site. I have done some mystery shopping in the past, but am really looking to get into this as a full time thing working with several different companies.
I have two daughters ages 14 and 3, and I'm trying to limit my daycare expenses by working a much more flexible schedule.

Hi my name is Deborah, I am new to mystery shopping.Hoping to find some good positions out there that are not scams.looking forward to chating with all of you and your experinces on mystery shopping , I also posted a question on the forum about a mystery shopping positon if anyone can help.

I think I've been posting here for a week or so and haven't introduced myself.
I'm from Middle TN. I've lived in TN most my life and have been mystery shopping for about 6 weeks.
And I'm loving every minute.
I'm a retired BSRN and was looking for something to do to keep my brain working. I think I've found the perfect job. Easy on the body, no fuss, no muss. So far everything is going really well. I'm getting nice, fun jobs and enjoying every minute.
I started off with a couple of companies now I'm broading my scope and doing a lot more different shops.
Great to be among the BEST folks!!

I am extremely new to mystery shopping but have been intrigued for quite awhile. If anybody has any advice or suggestions to give a newbie like me, would be greatly appreciated.
thank you!
-lily

Sign up for as many companies as you can. Follow their directions. Don't be too put off by the reports as they get easier as you do them. Get things in on time and do the shops you are assigned when you are assigned.

I'm pretty new too Lily but I'm getting better at the shops and better with the reports. And getting better and better shops.

Most important to me is have FUN!!

Hi name is Suellen I am just newly Retired and would like to get started in Mystery Shopping I went on one shop and did not get any thing but a reply saying that I did not use proper grammar I have read everything I can relating to this and I do not understand Please help me !!!!!!!

Good morning everyone

I have been MS for 3 years now and absolutely adore it!!! I am a former anthropologist and when I had my first boy *5 years ago* I was going crazy not 'working' so this is perfect......enjoy and the only thing i've ever paid for was silver and gold certification......it's truly worth it