Mystery Shoppers

threelittlecupcakes · #1 (**permalink**) 06-10-2005, 07:28 AM

I just ran across a site that said you could be a mystery shopper and earn some good rewards. Does anyone know about this or is this a gimmick? Any site better than others?

Snoopy2645 · #2 (**permalink**) 06-10-2005, 07:59 AM

well it depends does it ask for money if it does its a scam!! Thier are lots of legit sights out thier that are FREE I have done mystery shopping for about 10yrs while you cant get rich doing it you can earn a little extra & get some free meals or movies free

crosses · #3 (**permalink**) 06-13-2005, 05:44 AM

I do this every once in awhile. You can't make a lot of money at it, but if it's something you like to do anyway, it can be fun. You aren't going to make a lot of money. I usually do it for free entertainment like amusement parks.

PennyPincher · #4 (**permalink**) 06-14-2005, 01:41 PM

Please share some information about how we can find out about legit opportunities to do some mystery shopping. This sounds right up my alley!

jeffrey · #5 (**permalink**) 06-14-2005, 03:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PennyPincher

Please share some information about how we can find out about legit opportunities to do some mystery shopping. This sounds right up my alley!

This should help you get started: <A HREF="http://www.savingadvice.com/forums/showthread.php?t=39">Mystery Shopping</A>

niki_the_tiger · #6 (**permalink**) 06-19-2005, 08:11 PM

I wish I had read this thread about a month ago. I signed up for mystery shopping with a company that 100% guaranteed (no questions asked) my initial investment if I wasn't happy... It costed me $24.99. It did give me a huge list of links to go to... but as I am in a fairly remote area, the amount of mystery shopping opportunities are minimal. And when I wrote back and asked for a refund since there's no way I am going to make my money back for months... I never received a reply.

I did one that paid me $12.00 for my time (and I had to make a small purchase as well). While I had to pay initially, I don't view it as a scam... I just wish I had known you could get those lists for free.

terry1156 · #7 (**permalink**) 06-24-2005, 10:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by niki_the_tiger

I wish I had read this thread about a month ago. I signed up for mystery shopping with a company that 100% guaranteed (no questions asked) my initial investment if I wasn't happy... It costed me $24.99. It did give me a huge list of links to go to... but as I am in a fairly remote area, the amount of mystery shopping opportunities are minimal. And when I wrote back and asked for a refund since there's no way I am going to make my money back for months... I never received a reply.

Did you pay by credit card? If so, file a complaint with the credit card company to get your money back. Same if you paid by paypal.

niki_the_tiger · #8 (**permalink**) 06-25-2005, 05:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by terry1156

Did you pay by credit card? If so, file a complaint with the credit card company to get your money back. Same if you paid by paypal.

I would feel bad doing that, since I did try out one job for $12 (I figured I better try to get SOME money back since they were not replying!). Though that is still less than half the money.

I have never filed a complaint with my credit card company - how do you even go about doing that? Can you do it even if it's been over a month or two?

marglo · #9 (**permalink**) 08-22-2005, 12:03 AM

I have been a mystery shopping for quite a long time...maybe 16 years or so. At one time I was making between $500-1000 a month at it and was offered more assignements that I wanted, working for more than 30 companies. This was in addition to all the free food and free items. But that was before so many people knew about it. Now it is much more difficult to get regular assignement, at least in my area as there is so much competition. I have gotten tired of it so don't much care but I do accept an easy assignment now and then. Often it is a restaurant shop and we get a free meal that way. :-)

BTW, I agree...don't ever pay for the list of companies. You can find them by doing searches for Secret Shopping or Mystery Shopping. I did at one time pay to be on a list that was sent out to the MS companies and I got more work that way, so it was worth it.

terry1156 · #10 (**permalink**) 08-22-2005, 12:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by niki_the_tiger

I would feel bad doing that, since I did try out one job for $12 (I figured I better try to get SOME money back since they were not replying!). Though that is still less than half the money.

I have never filed a complaint with my credit card company - how do you even go about doing that? Can you do it even if it's been over a month or two?

Look at the ad. If they say an 100% money back guarantee and don't give a time limit, then there shouldn't be a problem. Call the credit card company and explain what happened and that you didn't get what they promised you.

cercis · #11 (**permalink**) 08-22-2005, 07:54 PM

I've never made much at mystery shopping. You have to live in the right area and have only a few shoppers in your area.

I've also noticed that lately they aren't that much money at all. Plus most of them want you to buy a large ticket item ($75+) and then take it back. That for a $5 fee. That's too much work, hassle and embarrassment for next to no return. Barely pays my gas, plus I end up at the mall where it's too easy to spend money.

niki_the_tiger · #12 (**permalink**) 08-22-2005, 08:00 PM

Yeah, when we went on our mystery shop, we ended up spending way more cuz we were there and noticed things that we could buy... uggh.
LOL

Also, the shops are all an hour or two away, and with the price of gas... forget it... really not worth it, unless I know in advance I am going to be somewhere... and then usually I'm going to be too busy to do a mystery shop!