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which company is NOT a scam? I'm a beginner!

February 24, 2012 08:01PM
Wow, there is a huge community out there!
When an on-line add asks for a one time $30 fee to become a shopper, is it a scam?
Which company are "good ones"?
Help me get started please!
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More About Scams
February 24, 2012 08:28PM
1) You do NOT need to pay to shop! - most places that ask for a fee are referral services who do not have any actual shops themselves but will 'refer' you to companies to sign up. There is a link at the bottom of every page of this forum called the Official List of Mystery Shopping Companies that even includes links to threads where shoppers are discussing their experiences with the company.
2) You do NOT need to buy certifications, books, classes, memberships etc. in order to shop. I've been at this a long time without them and it works just fine. You will find some quick and dirty guidance to getting started in the 'sticky' threads at the top of the New Mystery Shopper section of the forum.
3) You will find fairly quickly that to avoid scams, YOU need to find the company link on a reliable list (here, at the MSPA website or on Volition.com) and go to that company to register rather than just signing up with anybody who contacts you out of the blue with a link for you or even worse, asking for your personal data via email.
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February 24, 2012 09:49PM
Ha skinnydog, For myself I find even though I do pay a monthly membership fee to Shadow Shoppers I feel safe in doing any and all shops they send me. I just latley on a week day did some insurance phone calls for"Mysteronlineshoppings" and haven't heard back from them so I assume I was screwed.
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February 25, 2012 06:32AM
wrl2012 Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Ha skinnydog, For myself I find even though I do
> pay a monthly membership fee to Shadow Shoppers I
> feel safe in doing any and all shops they send me.
> I just latley on a week day did some insurance
> phone calls for"Mysteronlineshoppings" and haven't
> heard back from them so I assume I was screwed.


I started with Shadow Shoppers back in 2005 but after I got a few references to companies and found the MSPA, I dropped my membership and have been doing fine. If a company offers you something that seems too good to be true, it probably is.

none
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February 25, 2012 06:47AM
yup

heres a way to find 80% of the legit sites

www.archondev.com
www.jobslinger.com
www.msjobboard.com

wish someone had told me this when i started... the rest you are on your own... but happy hunting and welcome to the forum!

after a month jobslinger asks you to pay or just does not allow you to use some of the tools offered... and you can decide then if its worth keeping it... you do not need to give them any billing information to sign up ... but it is $18 for 3 months and well worth it...

shopping north west PA and south west ny
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