Shopping for Bucks

Shopping For Bucks
Author: Lori Crenshaw

Do you like to shop or consider yourself a professional shopper? Are you observant of your surroundings? If so, becoming a Mystery Shopper, and earning some cash on the side, could be for you. A Mystery shopper is an Independant Contractor who is asked by a mystery shopping company go to a business posing as a ‘regular’ customer in order to evaluate that business. A mystery shopper looks at certain criteria set forth by the business being shopped in conjunction with the mystery shopping company. You might be timing how long it takes a mechanic to get to your car, or watching how an employee rings up an order to determine if they are ‘pocketing’ company money.

Mystery Shopping is a legitmate work at home gig, that usually pays between $7-15 dollars, with some paying as much as $25.00, per retail assignment. Higher paying service assignments such as apartments, home builders, car dealers, testing centers, gyms, oil changes, banks, etc., can typically pay between $25 and $40 per assignment. A dinner restaurant shop is also worthwhile because it can pay $35-$100 in free food/drinks. The more you are asked to do, the more the assignment pays.

There a numerous opportunities for mystery shopping nationwide. Many companies advertise for shoppers through ads in the newspaper, employment portals, and online. Most companies do not require any experience for mystery shopping. If training is required, companies will provide you with it. Try an internet search for Mystery Shoppers and you will find hundreds of companies looking for local shoppers in your area.

Assignment requirements vary per job. Before you start your shop, always be sure to read through the instructions from your scheduler clearly. For all assignments, you should be very observant of your surroundings, since you will need to take note of things and report them back to your mystery shopping company. The amount of time it takes to complete an assignment will vary depending on instructions and the type of shop it is. Typically, assignments may last anywhere from 15 minutes to 90 minutes. Some assignments require purchasing items, in which you will be reimbursed.

For tax purposes, mystery shoppers are hired as independent contractors, meaning that they are in business for themselves. This means that you are responsible for your own taxes, and must pay estimated taxes directly to the IRS quarterly. As an independent contractor, you can write off expenses that are related to your mystery shopping business such as parking expenses, milage, office supplies, and computer expenses related to mystery shopping.

Want to give mystery shopping a try? One of my favorite companies to suggest to people in the Metro Detroit area who want to try mystery shopping out is Corporate Research International, http://www.mysteryshops.com/Shoppers.