Brandi,
Sounds like you are jumping in head first without checking the depth of the lake! While the initiative and drive/ambition is great - the most important thing a new shopper needs to realize is:
1. You are *now* a BUSINESS. That is, this isn't "easy money". It's not a "quick buck" or "hey, I can go shopping, weeeeeee!" Um, no. You now have to conduct yourself professionally. Set up an "office" of sorts, get in the mindset that you are "self-employed". Just because you don't put on "dress clothes" and go to your office, doesn't mean it's now easy.
Here's a list of what I had written for a new shopper who posted over in the "Member Introductions" section:
You will need to do the following:
1. Pull up a chair, a cup of coffee, tea, soda, whatever, and READ.
You don't just start applying and magically believe things will fall into your lap. You need to "educate" yourself on the ins and outs of being a Mystery Shopper. So - you start reading.
And when you get tired of reading the forums and learning about how to be a shopper, you leave for a few hours, and then come back and READ some More!
2. You set up your Office at home. You will need a good connection, paper, printer, ink, most likely a camera with a phone, and/or a scanner. Paper, pen, pencils, stapler, clips, heck, I even have 3x5 and 4x6 cards for my "note-taking". I've also got a little "office box" where I keep extra batteries, notecards, a mini-stapler, etc.. in my car. You will also need to organize yourself with a good job of an Excel spreadsheet or old-fashioned calendar/date book.
3. You need to have a PayPal account. Set one up before you start shopping. I'd advise to also set up a separate email account - yahoo, gmail - and use it ONLY for Mystery Shopping. Use this email directly for signing up with new companies and your paypal account.
4. You should set up a separate bank account only for Mystery Shopping. I'd also advise using this one tied to your PayPal account, and NOT your "normal" bank account.
5. You will need to read - more. You also need to realize that as an Independent Contractor (IC) you are a Professional. Therefore, you need to learn the correct use of the following: Grammar, Punctuation, Spelling, and Capitalization - yes, even on a Forum.
6. You will need to realize that as an IC, you get paid AFTER you complete a job and fill out a report (survey). Most of the time you get paid $7.00 to $10.00 per job and 45 - 90 days AFTER your survey is accepted.
**YOU DO NOT Get a "big check" in the mail asking you to deposit it, then "do some job paying $180-$200 and return the remainder of the check". That's a SCAM - do not fall for it. The *Majority* of Mystery Shopping jobs pay LESS than $20/PER JOB - and you always get paid AFTER completion AND acceptance by the company.**
7. Finally - go here: [
www.mysteryshopforum.com] At the top of this page are 6 "Stickys". Read through all of them. Then go back and read it again.
When you've done all of that, at the bottom of every forum page underneath the posting box is the: "Official List of Mystery Shopping Companies" - click there and start going down the list and applying.
brandi Wrote:
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> I guess I was naive when it comes to all of this.
> I did a call in and the money I received was 0.00.
> Please help point me in the right direction.
> Thanks for all your help. Brandi
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Proud To Be A Soldier's Mom
