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A mystery shopper (who requested to remain anonymous) shares her insights into the mystery shopping business–a business in which she makes $300 a month with less than part-time work.

How did you hear about mystery shopping?
A friend told me about mystery shopping and suggested that I look into it.

What did you think when you first heard about mystery shopping?
The first thing I thought about mystery shopping was that there had to be a catch. (A scam) Being very careful with whom I give personal information to, I was suspicious. And because it is necessary to furnish information like your social security number, I was very hesitant. I asked a lot of questions. Now, I am very comfortable with the companies I work with.

What do you like most about mystery shopping?
I like making my own hours. I like being able to work independently and submit my findings via the internet.

What do you like least about mystery shopping?
I do not like the fact that you have to wait a month for your wages. For example, if I work 6 jobs in July I will not be paid for those jobs until August 31st.

What do companies frown on when you do a mystery shop?
I would say losing your anonymity. On most shops you have to obtain the name of the employee, and not all of them wear nametags. You have to be very creative in doing so. It is important that you are discreet. Or else you will not get an accurate account of customer service.

When you get an assignment, are there specifics you have to follow?
Yes. Most assignments are time sensitive which means you have to shop during the time specified. There may be specific questions you have to ask certain employees. There are some shops I do that even require me to give an accurate description of the employee including height and eye color.

Are the mystery shop companies so rigid that you want to back out?
Yes! Definitely. Some companies forget that you are helping them out and tend to take advantage of you. There was one company that wanted to pay me minimum wage to do a 3 hour shop that was about 1 hour out of my way. They would not pay for mileage, nor would they reimburse me monies spent associated with the shop. I will not shop for that company. (*V.I.P. was smart here! She did not have to take this assignment as there are other MS companies to work for.)

How do you return your mystery shop assignments?
All of my assignments are submitted on an audit form provided online by the company. Sometimes I am required to fax or mail a receipt, but most of the time work is submitted via the internet.

Do you think that someone could make a real living at mystery shopping?
I think you can do well at mystery shopping. It is up to you. It depends mainly on the companies you shop for and how many jobs they allow you to accept per month. If you enlist with companies that pay higher hourly wages you can do very well. Keep in mind that some companies do not pay for mileage. I only do shops within a 10 mile radius of my house.

(*Although companies do not pay for mileage, if you choose to make a living at this, you can use the mileage as a tax write-off! Also most MS will go a 30 mile radius.)

Without naming companies, what do you do as a mystery shopper?
I evaluate employee customer relation skills. I ask a lot of questions. I act out scenarios that deal with returns, or purchases. I do a lot of retail shops for major department stores, and cellular service providers. I am also a researcher for some restaurants and coffee shops. I just signed on as an amusement park researcher. I am excited about that.

What do you do with your kids when you mystery shop?
I have 3 children. Two of them are teenagers and one is preteen. All of them ask me if they can accompany me on my shops, especially the restaurants. I let them, but I explain to them that it is very important that they don't say anything about what I do. My oldest one wants to get involved in mystery shopping, but she is too young.

Do you think that moms with small children at home can do mystery shopping?
I think doing shops for restaurants and clothing stores are great to take small children to. Taking small children along can sometimes ensure your anonymity. However, if you have to remember a lot of details, small children can be a distraction. It also depends on how well your children behave. I have seen some mystery shoppers take their 2-3 year olds with them and end up leaving the location frustrated because the kids just wouldn't sit still.

I understand that you do mystery shopping less than part-time, how much money do you make mystery shopping?
I work very limited hours and clear, on average, $300.00 per month. I could make more money if I wanted to, but I am happy with the hours I am working now. With this I am able to do more family activities without having to get into the regular household budget.

Thank you for allowing me to interview you.