Mystery Shopper
So you want to be a mystery shopper but you aren’t quite sure how to go about landing that dream job. Who wouldn’t love to be paid to sit in a restaurant or stroll around in a major department store for an afternoon? The idea of getting paid to have dinner is very appealing. The idea of getting paid to shop is even more appealing.
This almost seems too good to be true. In a way it is too good to be true and in a way it isn’t. Just like any other job, being a mystery shopper requires that you work for the money. This requires thought and dedication. One of the responsibilities of the job is to complete a report about each visit. The report needs to be honest and direct while refraining from personal subjectivity.
It doesn’t matter if you got a bad vibe from the waitress. If she met your needs adequately and with a smile, then that is all your report should say. This is not quite as easy as it seems. A mystery shopper has to remain objective in the experience. You may not like the individual but that doesn’t mean that they aren’t doing a fine job.
Many moms who want to stay at home with their young children often clamor to jobs like this. Somehow they think that a mystery shopper can take can take a child or children on assignment. This is rarely the case. Companies that hire a mystery shopper will communicate when you can and when you can not have children in tow.
Pay is also an issue for the mystery shopper. Each job is different and the amount of money you earn depends on the particular assignment. Fast food restaurants pay the lowest, in general. However, they do allow children to accompany you because children are common in that environment.
The higher paying gigs for a mystery shopper include high-end retail stores and grocery stores. Causal restaurants pay quite well in the same ranks as retail and grocery stores. Discount stores pay less. A mystery shopper can expect between ten and thirty dollars per assignment.
Here’s where the job gets a little tricky. Income is sporadic and assignments often come unexpected. Some suggest that you apply to a number of different places that give a mystery shopper projects. However, this can backfire because some of these jobs may overlap and you have to turn one down. The more you turn down, the less likely you are to get another assignment.
Being a mystery shopper is not all fun and games. It is a great way to earn extra money but it isn’t always easy. You may still have to deal with childcare issues and you also may go through a lot of dry spells. However, if you are consistently reliable it may prove to be a lucrative venture.