I have been a mystery shopper for about 4 months and started with DSG incorporated. I have done 5 shops for them, 3 banks and 2 fast food. I have received one check and waiting to receive the other one. I am registered with about 10 different companies. I would really like to find companies that pay more than 5 and 10 if at all possible. It would be nice to find a company that pays for mileage. Denise

I have been Mystery Shopping for about 5 years, but have never made over $100.00 per month.
I can't find any good jobs in my area.
I would love to have the names of a few good companies.

I singed up in April and have applied for many jobs, but so far have not been contacted by anyone. Can't say I've had any experience doing mystery shopping.

I have been mystery shopping for 3 months and complete between 10-15 jobs a month as I work full time. I have signed up with approximately 15 companies and keep an eye out for other companies, but I shop for 3-4 regularly and have made a perfect feedback score each time. We live in a somewhat remote area, so my shops are limited. I have done cell phone shops, book stores, radio shack, home improvement stores, gas stations and fast food restaurants. Most of the time I have completed all the shops that are available by mid month. I don't think there would be enough to do this full time unless I supplemented with demonstrations and set ups. I enjoy the work very much though and I get a little pocket change with some items that pay for themselves, plus I often learn about services that might benefit me later on! I agree with the other comments about paying to shop. I never paid to get these shops!

no luck here, sorry

1. How long have you been mystery shopping?
I've been doing this for just over a year now, I started in July of 2005.
2. How many mystery shopping jobs have you done?
I'm not sure. Probably between 150 and 200. No more than 200.
3. How many companies have you applied to?
About 40, but many of the companies I've applied to don't have jobs in the area I live in, so they didn't go anywhere.
4. Is there anything you’d like to know that would help you with your mystery shopping?
Not really, I am doing as well as I would like to be.
5. Any positive experiences you’d like to share?
I really enjoy going to restaurant shops with my husband. We've been on nice movie/dinner dates where we've made money rather than spending it. For college students, you can't ask much more than that.
6. Any negative experiences you’d like to warn other mystery shoppers about?
I don't know if it is much of a warning. Sometimes submitting the results online are a pain. I've been really frustrated when a box says to be detailed about my experiences, then when I submit it my entry is three times longer than allowed, so I have to go back and edit it until it barely makes sense. If they are paying me to go I would like to be able to describe my experience thoroughly for them.

Hello again!

I read where people 'decline' jobs they are offered. This is a 'no no' for shoppers. Just do not accept, if you decline, it goes against you. Just close the page out without accepting or declining.

1. Been mystery shopping for about 2 and a half months
2. I have done about 8 mystery shops.
3. I am registered with about 15 companies
4> NO
5. The more shedulers you register with, the more variety you will have to choose from.
6. I guess it only takes time registering with schedulers...

I did my first job in March of 2006. I have applied to well over 75 companies. I have completed 60 jobs so far and have enjoyed the experiences. I think that shoppers have to wait too long to receive their pay from most companies. I am now becoming more picky about which assignments I accept. I am going to start recording mileage so that I can claim this on my income tax form. I too would like to know which companies have jobs available in Ontario, Canada.

Re: Your Mystery Shopping Experience
August 30, 2006



Well I have applied to mystery shopping companies. BUT I am not going to drive some 30 miles to go shop and make 5.00 in which I have to front the 5.00, I know I get my five bucks back. But it is not worth the gas money. Now if I can get a shopping job that will offer me more than 5.00 or 6.00 I will gladly take the job.Now if I could have done the job on my way home from work I would have. I was offered a drive through job at sonic in my area, but they wanted me to do it on my off day, too far to drive for such a small amount of money. But if I could have done it the day before as I was going to work, I drive right by sonic. But I was not making a special trip for the job. I have gave up on mystery shopping, not saying that everybody else should. I think I will try something else to make extra money. But good Luck to all yall.

Lisa

I've been doing Mystery Shops for about 5 years and take on about 15-20 shops a month. Gives me a couple of hundred dollars a month which is the 'vacation fund'. Haven't had any problems with any of the companies I'm registered with - which is probably about 50-60. My suggestion is to sign up with as many as you can and then pick and chose the ones you want and are convenient. I take ones that specifically pay a shoppers fee along with a reimbursement.

I have been mystery shopping for about 2 months and have been doing about 10 to 15 shops a month on my days off work. I got paid 55.00 the first month and 190.00 the second month . I enjoy mystery shopping and think I will stick with it. the down side is the pay per job isn`t that great so I combine multiple shops in the same area and sometimes travel as much as 30 miles by doing atleast 3 shops a day in that area I can make some money.

I have been mystery shopping for 10 months.

So for I have applied to about 15 companies.
I have completed 60 assignments so far.

I wish I knew when some of the companies post new jobs. When I return from work most jobs in my area are already taken. The gas is quite expensive now. When one takes into consideration, the gas prices and the toll at times it is not worth it. I find my self applying for fewer jobs for this reason. Very few companies will compensate for the toll.

You ask about positive experience, well this hobby is gratifying. I did several jobs for a company. Two weeks after the last assignment, a scheduler called me and asked if I could do two faraway jobs for them. I was told that they needed some one with skills and dependability. I was offered a generous compensation. The two locations in questions would have completed the project for the company. I was more than happy to accpect these jobs.

I received a check from a company and it bounced. My bank charged me $10. After 7 weeks and several messages the company sent me a check. They included the $10 additional.
Initially mystery shopping did not take off. I had paid to become a member of a company which claimed that I was guarenteed a job in two weeks. It was a total waste of money. I guess this is the warning I want to give.

I Thank Mr. Jans his shopping tips have been a great help to me.

I have suppose to been a mysteryshopper for about 3months now, but I can't even log on on the website because my user I.D. doesn't work. Please provide the correct information for me. Thanks!

I have been shopping since May '06 and have done 10-12 shops. For the most part my experiences have been good.(one store moved - no pay and another Lens Crafters wouldn't pay because 2 associates both helped me and there was only suppose to be one person evaluated.This was a $100 shop with money off the glasses. When "Don" was contacted he never replied.)
I like the flexibility of the shops but sometimes the reports take way to much time for the pay. At this point I pick and choose what I want to do.

I signed up with my first mystery shopping company in July, 2006. The first job I did was a demo for MSI. I really enjoyed the demo and talking to people. I have signed up with seven companies and have done five mystery shops and three demos. I am signed up to do three more demos in September. I think this is a fun way to make extra money and spend some time away from my retired husband. I also like being able to choose when I will work. I have been paid for all my shops so far.

1. How long have you been mystery shopping? about 5 years
2. How many mystery shopping jobs have you done? 1000's
3. How many companies have you applied to? 100's
4. Is there anything you’d like to know that would help you with your mystery shopping? I haven't learned anything here that I didn't already know. I am very experienced.
5. Any positive experiences you’d like to share? You have to pay your dues, you don't walk into "dream" shops until you have experience, nor would you want to. The "dream" shops are ALOT of work, you don't get anything for free, but in time you can really work your way up.
6. Any negative experiences you’d like to warn other mystery shoppers about?
Can't think of anything specific. Just be sure you meet your deadlines and take it seriously.

I have done 6 mystery shops so far. I have shopped discount stores, automotive stores, restraunts and post offices. It has been an interesting experience. I would like to have an opportunity to shop more stores. I have applied to 15-20 different mystery shopping companies. I have been doing this since June 2006.

I haven't been mystery shopping yet.Hope to soon.

1. How long have you been mystery shopping?
****I began mystery shopping in August of 2006

2. How many mystery shopping jobs have you done?
*****Approx 15-20 shops

3. How many companies have you applied to?
***** I've applied to approximately 30 companies like you suggested. I have been starting to receive application invitation's to other mystery shopping, too.
4. Is there anything you’d like to know that would help you with your mystery shopping?
****I would like to know what type of stop watch other's use to help with mystery shopping. The time's required with minutes and seconds so as not to commit these times to my memory but to be saved to the device.
5. Any positive experiences you’d like to share?
******The positive's I've experienced are the nice reward checks for my 30min. of shopping and 20 min. of survery information.
6. Any negative experiences you’d like to warn other mystery shoppers about?
******So far I haven't experienced the negitive part but as a single mom there are many more shops that I could take if small children were allowed. I am the every day customer. SO I don't understand why it would not be exceptable but this is the rule with some company's.

Thanks for your very informative emails I have enjoyed everyone.

Thank for asking but I"m not ashopper yet

I have been mystery shopping for two months now. I have done two shops so far. I find that the pay is low and does not even cover gas cost. Therefore, I try to shop one or two miles from my home. I am dissapointed to find that I have not received more shops. I am in an area where there are malls, restaurants, and movie theaters. However, there seems to be very little, if any mystery shops available. I have not given up hope yet.

I've been doing mystery shopping for almost a year. I've sign up to over 100 shops, and been doing approx. 30-35 shops a month. I have about 6 shops that are on going ever month. The shops I have a problem with are the ones that require you to purchase something ($1.00-3.00) to prove you were their, but theirs nothing in the store under $6.00 to purchase, yes they will reinburst for $1.00-3.00. With the shop fee at $8.00-10.00 & gas prices you loss. You don't know this until you try to do the assignment. Looks like a scam to me.

I have been doing this for about 3 months and have done at least a dozen or more shops. I have done fast food, Brake company's, Eue doctors, bars, restaurant's, UPS'S, Radio shacks, Time Shares, jewelery stores, markets and apartments. Thats all I can remember right off. The only one I realy did not like was taking pictures. It is too hard to bee discreet and take pictures at the same time. I like it si far.

i have been mystery shopping only since august, done three jobs which i enjoyed the pays not wonderful but you get free goods and food iam only signed to two companys,as i wont pay to regester.I just chose the free ones must look for more free ones thanks

I started signing up at companies in August of 2006, I have applied to around 200 companies, I have found about five that have a lot of shops in my area, but they are all low paying. I have found about ten sites that have jobs in my area occasionally, that pay average. I have done some shops and after I get done I thought I can't believe I just did all that for five bucks. Mostly I have had good experience getting paid. I am trying to find more jobs in my area, I live in Joplin Mo., that pay more. The only bad experience was when I paid $30.00 for a membership, and a list of shopping companies, then I found Volition, and they have the same list. The company is shoppingjobs.net, scam alert. Also a lot of jobs I have signed up for will not allow me to take my kids with me, and the amount of pay I am getting right now does not allow me to justify a babysitter, so I have to try to schedule while grandma or dad is home. I have done sixteen jobs so far. I have done cell shops, retail, revealed, pizza delivery and carry out, and dining.

I have not done any mystery shopping as yet...I have just started looking at some companies that request mystery shoppers...I do not know which ones are good...Every time I open 1 e-mail asking for shoppers I find they have a survey to do & then it says you will win a gift card for some restaurant etc...then I discontinue because the free offers or almost free offers I do not want or already have signed up for...So if anyone sees my message & know of some companies that are legit please let me know...Pupil2003@aol.com

I haven't been given many assignments, but did enjoy the ones I did. I am
registering with more companies, and hope I will be given more assignments
in the future.

I paid money to a company Paid Surveys On Line and have never been contacted for a shop. This makes me feel that the companies are out to get our money and give nothing in return.

I have 12 years experience in mystery shopping and merchandising. I now have it as a regular side business; it is very lucrative for me, as I have a full time day job.

I have done all types of mystery shopping and merchandising. I have asked the companies to ask the clients to pay more also due to price of gas; length of travel, etc. Most jobs do not pay well individually and the reports can take a long time; you really just have to be enthusiastic about this type of work; defiitely not be in it for the money; it's just a hobby, and if you don't think it's fun...don't do it. My reports have been used as samples for new shoppers by several companies. I have the ability to train shoppers and can answer any questions any of you have about mystery shopping or the companies, etc. I just dont want to give up my day job to work full time as a salaried trainer.

I travel within a 50 - 100 mile area; the travel part doesn't bother me.