Many shops do not require a purchase at all. You are paid a fee for completing them (payment will arrive in 1 to 3 months depending upon the MSC = mystery shopping company). Some require a small ($1 to $2) purchase as proof that you were there, and you will be reimbursed at the same time you get sent your fee (by PayPal, check, or direct deposit). Some require a larger purchase ($10 to $15), and again, you front the money. There are some fine dining shops in the $200 dollar range, and again, you front the money. There is more variety than even that. I have personally never had a shop where the MSC sent me money in advance or provides some sort of card to use.
There are scams around sending fake checks and money orders for hundreds or thousands of dollars and requiring the purchase of gift cards - you are then supposed to give them the card numbers and PIN numbers and then the checks bounce days later and the bank wants their thousands of dollars back. They are getting good at impersonating real MSCs and in making cashier's checks and USPS money orders which are almost undetectable fakes.
@vidhyacini wrote:
Hi I am new for this mystery shopping. Is the procedure like we have to pay from our card for shopping initially? and after few buyings they will provide some card from their side? or how it works? any help?
Shopping Southeast Pennsylvania, Delaware above the canal, and South Jersey since 2008