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Making Extra Money-->Mystery Shopping
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Mystery Shopping Jobs
Good friends of ours turned us on to this money maker. When we saw all the free stuff they were getting by mystery shopping we wanted to get a piece of the action ourselves.
How does Mystery Shopping work?
It's quite simple really. Restaurants, theaters, stores, and other companies are always looking for honest feedback about the quality of their products and services. But they can't just observe their employees themselves. They want to see how their employees behave when they think no one is looking.
That's where Mystery Shoppers come in. Also called Secret Shoppers, they make purchases or eat meals at the request of a company and then fill out a questionnaire describing their experience. The questionnaire's are completed either online or by mail, and the companies can then use this objective data to see where their services can be improved.
The mystery shoppers are usually compensated with either cash, freebies, or both.
As an example, let me briefly explain how our friends got us hooked on the concept. They invited us to brunch at a fine restaurant in New York City. We each had an appetizer, a main course, and desert. Our friends charged the bill on their credit card and we all enjoyed a nice meal together.
Once we got back to their place, they went online and completed the short questionnaire about our meal. It asked basic questions, such as:
- How many minutes passed before your server took your order?
- Was your meal prepared as you requested?
- Did your server ask if everything was satisfactory?
They sent in a copy of the receipt and were soon reimbursed for the meal, plus they received an additional $25 for their trouble. Just like that we enjoyed a free meal at a nice restaurant plus a couple extra bucks in our pockets! Doesn't that sound like a great deal?
Mystery Shopping Tips
- You won't likely get rich as a mystery shopper. Think of it more as a way to make extra money rather than a way to earn your living. However, you can participate as a shopper with several different companies at the same time. There are a ridiculous number of them out there. But be warned that not all companies are equally reputable. You could spend a lot of time researching and signing up for different programs.
Instead, I recommend signing up for a membership at Shopping Jobs. The site is run by a woman who has been a mystery shopper for 7 years. She has over 100 mystery shopping companies categorized and constantly up to date and her site gives you the ability to apply to each online. Her service is a major time saver that will give you a headstart to making extra money as a mystery shopper.
- When you are on a shopping assignment, act casual. Taking notes and looking at your watch every ten seconds will blow your cover. The whole idea is secrecy. If the waitress or salesman you are interacting with figures out that you are mystery shopping, you may not get paid.
- Stay very organized. For tax purposes, you are considered an Independent Contractor and
you will be required to calculate your taxes yourself. The good news is that you can probably
deduct any expenses related to your work.
Mystery Shopping is a great way to earn extra income and have fun doing it.
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