Mystery shopping has been a popular way to earn free products and restaurant meals for years. It’s also a flexible gig for single moms who are short on time and energy, since you can pick which opportunities work for you and don’t have to commit to a set schedule.
The downside is that these are truly gigs — not a career — in which you can pick up $20 or $40 here and there (and sometimes a free meal).
That said, there are plenty of legit mystery shopper jobs — but also a number of secret shopping scams to watch out for. This post breaks down how secret shopping works, how much you can realistically make, and which legitimate companies can connect you with these opportunities.
How much do mystery shoppers make?
How to find mystery shopper jobs
- AboutFace
- A Closer Look
- BestMark
- Ellis Mystery Shopper
- Intellishop
- iShop
- Jancyn
- Market Force
- Secret Shopper
- Second to None
Watch for mystery shopping scams
The 101 on mystery shopping gigs
What is a mystery shopper?
A mystery shopper, also known as a secret shopper, ghost shopper, or anonymous shopper, is someone hired by a company, or a market research firm, to evaluate the quality of service in stores, restaurants and other businesses without the employees knowing they are being assessed.
These undercover shoppers perform specific tasks, such as purchasing a product, asking the sales people questions, calling the store or business in advance to see how well the employees communicate, or simply observing the environment.
Mystery shoppers are typically paid per assignment and may be reimbursed for any products or services they are required to buy to complete the job. Since assignments aren’t consistent and you must apply and get approved for gigs, mystery shopping is a side hustle for most people. This is not career work.
How does mystery shopping work?
Companies hire secret shoppers to see if their sales or customer service team are complying with government regulations or company policies — or simply providing good service. Mystery shoppers are given assignments, often called “shops,” which include a checklist of items to evaluate — things like cleanliness, employee interactions, product quality, and speed of service.
After completing their assignments, mystery shoppers submit a report detailing their observations, which often include photographic or video evidence.
“One thing I really like about mystery shopping is how many jobs there are on the app to choose from and how you can do them whenever you want since some shops only require you to visit during normal business hours,” says Katie Bateman, who works full-time for a talent agency in the Nashville area.
For the past year, Bateman has also completed mystery shopping jobs a few times per month as a side hustle.
Is mystery shopping legit?
Yes, mystery shopping is a legitimate practice used by many reputable companies across various industries to improve their business operations. To ensure you are working with a legitimate mystery shopping company, look for certification from the Mystery Shopping Provider's Association1 (MSPA), a global organization that represents the mystery shopping industry.
MSPA was founded in 1998 and has more than 150 member companies worldwide. Members are required to adhere to a strict code of ethics, such as treating shoppers with respect, ensuring confidentiality of information, and providing accurate and timely payments for completed assignments.
Types of secret shoppers
Mystery shopping isn't one-size-fits-all. Here are several types of secret shopping assignments you might encounter:
- Airline: Evaluate the customer service and overall experience of airlines, from booking tickets to in-flight service.
- Hotel: Stay at hotels to assess accommodations, amenities, and hospitality services.
- Restaurant: Dine in restaurants to evaluate food quality, service, and dining environment.
- Retail: Shop in-store to gauge customer service, store cleanliness, and product availability.
- Online mystery shopping: Assess websites for ease of use, customer service responsiveness, and online shopping experience.
- Telephone mystery shopping from home: Evaluate customer service over the phone, including response times and the quality of assistance.
- Video shopper: This involves wearing a hidden camera with a built-in microphone to capture your experience during your shopping assignment. Instead of writing up a report afterward, you just submit the video and a few notes. Some mystery shopping companies provide the video equipment, while others may require that you have your own, which can be an investment of a few hundred dollars.
How much do mystery shoppers make?
The baseline for some mystery shopper gigs falls between $7 to $20 per assignment for a beginner. This doesn’t include the reimbursement if you need to make a purchase, but does include the report you must write after interacting with the retailer. The amount you can make also depends on the complexity of the job and your experience level as well.
One Reddit user explained how they found higher compensation with certain restaurants or hotel-related assignments:
Here’s what another Reddit user had to say about getting approved for more opportunities that may pay better rates:
Sherita Brown, who runs the YouTube Channel GoalDigger, has been doing mystery shopping jobs on and off for several years and says her favorite assignment was being paid $100 for opening a bank account.
“The pay can vary based on the client’s needs and the requirements, but there’s a lot of variety,” Brown says. “I have done bank shops, restaurant shops, hotel shops, movie shops, a shop at an NFL game, and a shop where I was paid to try on clothes, just to name a few.”
Bateman was paid to secret shop at a soap store in Tennessee and got reimbursed for up to $25 in merchandise. “I just had to answer a few questions about the store and submit my receipt,” she says.
Bateman says that while some of her shops have only provided reimbursement for compensation, most pay a compensation fee, plus reimbursement for the purchase. $10 to complete an assignment and $20 reimbursement for the purchase is typical in her experience on the Secret Shopper app.
For meals, she earns up to $40 to $50 for reimbursement and around $15 to $20 for the job fee.
Mystery shoppers are self-employed contractors and not considered employees by most secret shopper companies, which means you’ll be asked to fill out and submit a W-9 form and pay self-employment taxes on whatever you make.
How to find mystery shopper jobs
To find mystery shopping opportunities, you’ll need to do some online research and networking since most companies have recruiters or schedulers that help book people for jobs.
We’ve listed several reputable and well-researched companies below that provide regular opportunities, but you can also find leads and opportunities in Facebook groups such as Mystery Shoppers Unite and Secret Shopping/Shopping, Scheduler and Editor Connect.
Sometimes, secret shopper schedulers share last-minute opportunities, with information about how to apply so you can earn money quickly. You can use these Facebook groups to forge relationships with mystery shopper schedulers and editors because they play a crucial role in the process of assigning tasks to shoppers and reviewing their work.
To get started, you have to sign up with a mystery shopping company and complete your profile so you can view and apply for jobs that interest you.
Here is a list of 11 reputable companies to get started. All of these companies have either a high Better Business Bureau rating, are registered with the MSPA, or have positive independent reviews and shopper feedback on third-party sites like Trustpilot and Reddit.
1. AboutFace
AboutFace is a mystery shopping company headquartered in Atlanta. They offer a wide range of assignments, from retail stores to brand audits across the U.S. Once you create an account and add your profile details, you’ll see opportunities within a 50-mile radius of your location.
This company also offers detailed training and support for new shoppers, making it an excellent choice for beginners. Payments are typically made via PayPal about 30 to 45 days after a completed assignment.
BBB rating: A+ (not accredited)
MSPA registered
2. A Closer Look
A Closer Look specializes in mystery shopping for the hospitality industry, including restaurants, hotels, and resorts. Shoppers can enjoy complimentary meals and stays while providing valuable feedback. The company has been around for the past 25 years and compensates based on the complexity of its assignments.
BBB rating: A+ (accredited since 2019)
MSPA registered
3. BestMark
BestMark has been around since 1986 and is one of the largest mystery shopping companies, offering a variety of assignments across various industries. You can sign up for assignments online, via email, or by text.
Compensation varies by assignment, and you will either be offered a cash payment, reimbursement, or both. Payments are made between the 15th and 20th of the month for shops you successfully completed the previous month.
BBB rating: A+ (not accredited)
MSPA registered
4. Ellis Mystery Shopper
Ellis Mystery Shopper specializes in evaluating real estate properties, including apartment complexes and rental communities. If you’re interested in the housing market, this company offers unique opportunities to assess property management and tenant experiences since they conduct more than 8,000 apartment mystery shopping jobs per month.
Payments are processed monthly via direct deposit, with detailed guidelines provided for each assignment.
BBB rating: A+ (not accredited)
*Note that there is currently an alert on Ellis’ BBB profile page that says there is currently a scam operation using this business’ name. This is what it says: “If you have received a check in the mail and you are told to deposit the check and wire money, or to get a green dot card and report the numbers back to them, it is a scam.”
Not MSPA registered
5. Intellishop
Intellishop offers a diverse range of assignments, from retail to automotive shops. They provide a user-friendly platform for finding and applying for assignments, with clear instructions and support.
To get started, you must sign up online or download the app and take a five-minute screening test to demonstrate that you can provide a detailed and well-written evaluation. Payments are made via PayPal on the 20th of each month, and there are frequent opportunities available nationwide.
BBB rating: A+ (accredited since 2001)
MSPA registered
6. iShop
iShop focuses on the retail sector, with assignments available at various stores, including clothing, electronics, and grocery markets. They offer a straightforward application process and regular opportunities for shoppers. Payments are also made bi-weekly, which is sooner than other companies, but it’s still not quick if you’re looking for same-day pay jobs or next-day paid work.
BBB rating: A+ (accredited since 2021)
Not MSPA registered
7. Jancyn
Jancyn offers mystery shopping assignments in several industries, including retail, dining, and health care. The minimum age requirement to sign up is 16, but you may need to be 21 or older for some mystery shopping assignments.
Assignments are available on the ShopMetrics platform, and you can also earn certifications here to improve your shopper profile since some opportunities require you to earn a certification in specific industries. Jancyn sends payments via PayPal or Venmo.
BBB rating: A+ (not accredited)
MSPA registered
8. Market Force
Market Force is a leading customer experience management company that works with many big-name brands across various industries.
Market Force offers mystery shopping assignments in industries such as retail, restaurants, and entertainment, as well as online mystery shopping jobs where you will evaluate a company’s website or mobile app features. They also offer theater mystery shopping opportunities where you will report your experience from buying a ticket and observing the concessions available to rating the quality of the theater itself and the service from staff.
BBB rating: A+ (accredited since 1975)
MSPA registered
9. Secret Shopper
Secret Shopper has been in business since 1990 and offers a variety of in-person, online, and phone mystery shopping jobs. This is one of the rare companies that offers secret shopper jobs in other countries, as well.
Shops range from $15 to several hundred dollars depending on the client, but you must turn your written report in by noon the following day to be eligible for the next payment cycle. Shoppers get paid around the 20th of every month for the previous month’s shop(s) via ACH direct deposit or paper check.
BBB rating: A+ (accredited since 2009)
Not MSPA registered
10. Second to None
Second to None has been around for more than 30 years and offers mystery shopping opportunities in industries such as retail, healthcare, and hospitality. You must be an AARP member to join and this company is also a member of the Mystery Shopping Providers Association (MSPA).
BBB rating: A+ (accredited since 2019)
MSPA registered
Watch for mystery shopping scams
While there are plenty of legitimate mystery shopping companies to choose from, some scams still exist. The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) warns against signing up with any company that requires you to pay to become a shopper or promises unusually high earnings.
Also: never deposit a check from a company as part of an assignment. This is a common scam where someone sends you a fake check (that has no value) to deposit. Then, when the check doesn’t clear and you spend money from your account, you could overdraft and be responsible for those fees.
There have also been some instances where scammers have falsely impersonated other legitimate companies or mystery shopping opportunities. For example, Best Mark2 has a page on its website detailing a scam that people are running using the company’s trademarked name and logo while asking people to deposit a check or wire money.
In 2023, a local news network out of Charlotte, N.C., reported a scam in which someone received an email from Kroger stating they could become a mystery shopper and earn up to $400, which Kroger debunked. It’s important to check the email address for typos or off-brand content and make sure you’re using a legitimate company to sign up for any mystery shopping opportunities.
To avoid scams, check to see if the company has:
- Independent reviews on third-party review sites like Trustpilot
- A rating with the BBB
- A current membership of the MSPA
- Free sign-up form with no payment requirement to apply for shops
The 101 on mystery shopping gigs
Mystery shopping can be fun and flexible side gig, and you don’t need a degree or experience to get started. Still, it may not be the best fit for everyone, since pay can be low and inconsistent (not to mention most gigs take several weeks to pay out).
If you have a car and are looking to earn some extra cash for spending money, mystery shopping might be for you. You can also try a side hustle like taking surveys or shopping with cash-back apps. Keep in mind that you may only be reimbursed for your shopping trips instead of getting paid directly, but this could still supplement some of the money you might have spent on food and products.
Brown recommends choosing a first shopping assignment based on something you already do.
“Apply for as many shops that interest you, but don’t challenge yourself too hard in the beginning,” she said. “Providing detailed and accurate reporting is crucial so you can get approved for more jobs.
“It helps to be familiar with the shop assignment beforehand so you aren’t overwhelmed with the experience early on.”
SOURCES
- Mystery Shopping Provider's Association. https://www.mspa-americas.org/
- “Beware of Scams That Target Mystery Shoppers and Mystery Shopping Providers,” BestMark. https://www.bestmark.com/become-a-mystery-shopper/scam-alert/
