secret shopper/mystery guest

[cashqueen]

I have only found 1 company that has given me jobs and seemed to be on the up and up. But you only can do 4 jobs a year. Anyone else had success with this?

[Roupey03]

I had a friend that got involved with it, but like you said she only got about 3 to 4 jobs in a little over a year.

If any one knows any good places to do this in Ohio. I would be very interested.

[msnln]

I am member of BAI and they have been been sending mystery shopper opportunities fairly regularly and they list work by state. Good luck!

http://www.baidata.com/custom/shoppe...ilH=&password=

[Roupey03]

Originally Posted by msnln

I am member of BAI and they have been been sending mystery shopper opportunities fairly regularly and they list work by state. Good luck!

http://www.baidata.com/custom/shoppe...ilH=&password=

Maybe I am just not seeing it, but there is no place to sign up for this.

[msnln]

The link was at FAQ section:

http://www.baidata.com/index.norm.php

[jodi]

Wow, I'm not sure about this one (BAI). They want all my identifying info, SSN, and bank account information? It all sounds legit, but that's a lot of information - and they won't let you register without it. Is there any way to check the site to see if they even have assignments in my area before I sign up (I'm in a rural area)? I would love to hear from more people too about their experiences with this company.
I do secret shops with National Shopping Service. They have regular monthly assignments in the same places that are local to me - but the pay is very minimal. I only sign up for a shop if I am going to be in the immediate vicinity on that day - not worth going out of my way for one.

[markio26]

i did it once.. for michigan travel bureau, about 5 yrs. ago.. it was a phone survey.. never heard from them again, but, i did get paid for it.

[debtdude]

According to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), the nation’s consumer protection agency, marketers who promise lucrative jobs as mystery shoppers often do not deliver bona fide opportunities.

What is Mystery Shopping?
Some retailers hire marketing research companies to evaluate the quality of service in their stores; these companies use mystery shoppers to get the information anonymously. They assign a mystery shopper to make a particular purchase in a store or restaurant, for example, and then report on the experience. Typically, the shopper is reimbursed, and can keep the product or service.

Many professionals in the field consider mystery shopping a part-time activity, at best. And, they add, opportunities generally are posted online by marketing research or merchandising companies. Nevertheless, fraudulent mystery shopping promoters are using newspaper ads and emails to create the impression that they’re a gateway to lucrative mystery shopper jobs with reputable companies. These solicitations usually promote a website where consumers can “register” to become mystery shoppers — after they pay a fee for information about a certification program, a directory of mystery shopping companies, or a guarantee of a mystery shopping job.

The truth is that it is unnecessary to pay money to anyone to get into the mystery shopper business. The shopping certification offered in advertising or unsolicited email is almost always worthless. A list of companies that hire mystery shoppers is available for free; and legitimate mystery shopper jobs are on the Internet for free. Consumers who try to get a refund from promoters of mystery shopping jobs usually are out of luck. Either the business doesn’t return the phone calls, or if it does, it’s to try another pitch.

The Facts of Mystery Shopping
Becoming a legitimate mystery shopper for a legitimate company doesn’t cost anything. Here’s how to do it:

Search the Internet for mystery shopping companies that are accepting applications. Legitimate companies don’t charge an application fee. Many accept applications online.
Do some homework about mystery shopping. Check libraries or bookstores for tips on how to find companies hiring mystery shoppers, as well as how to do the job effectively.
Visit the Mystery Shopping Providers Association (MSPA) website at www.mysteryshop.org for information on how to register to be a mystery shopper with a MSPA-member company, a database of available jobs, and additional information on the industry in general.
In the meantime, the FTC says consumers should be skeptical of mystery shopping promoters who:

Advertise for mystery shoppers in a newspaper’s ‘help wanted’ section or by email. While it may appear as if these companies are hiring mystery shoppers, it’s much more likely that they’re pitching unnecessary — and possibly bogus — mystery shopping “services.”
Sell “certification.” Companies that use mystery shoppers generally do not require certification.
Guarantee a job as a mystery shopper.
Charge a fee for access to mystery shopping opportunities.
Sell directories of companies that provide mystery shoppers.

[Roupey03]

I think I will wait to hear how this one turns out for others before I offer all my information to them

[Ima saver]

I did it for a while, but it was a pain in the butt. They would pay you for about $4 of gas, but you had to drive a lot and it is not worth it now!

[jeffrey]

Here is a bit more on <a href="http://www.snopes.com/fraud/employment/shopper.asp">Secret Shopper Scams</a>

[poundwise]

I'm sure there are scams, in fact, I know it to be so, however, there are also many legitimate opportunites. I receive from 5 to 10 assignments per month and am paid twice monthly. No problems.

However, even if a company is or seems to be legit, I do not provide my SS#. If, after you have earned a certain level of money with them, they want it in order to provide a 1099, then that's different, but up-front, no.

[Ima saver]

I got several jobs per month too, but the pay is so poor compared to the cost of gas that I quit doing them. I had one to do for Sears. They said the pay was $15 for a 10 minute job. The job was over 2 hours, and that did not count all the time I spent on the phone calling in the report. They do everything by computer now, so I quit doing them.