@msgwen48
Hello!
First, by the nature of your questions, I completely concur with @JASFLALMT: You would be well-advised to read the "New Shoppers" section of this forum. It will really give you a full and proper over-view of the mystery shopping world.
Second, you are not going to get paid before you complete your shops: It simply does not work that way. You first sign up for a company. Then you request a job from their job board. Once it is assigned, you read the guidelines. You then perform the visit in accordance with the guidelines. Thereafter you fill out a survey based on your experience. Once you have submitted your survey, the MSC will review your work and set you up to get paid. How long it takes to get paid varies from a few days to four months, depending on the company and assignment.
If you have seen something that offers to pay you before you work from a company with which you have no prior relationship, it is a scam. There are MANY scammers that attempt to fool folks by posing as actual Mystery Shopping Companies. Some even use the names of real companies.
Hard work builds character and homework is good for your soul.