6 Secrets of Mystery Shopping

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Who wouldn't want to get paid for wining and dining? Mystery shopping affords the thrill of CIA black ops sans physical danger. You are charged with investigating a company, from the vantage point of Joe Blow shopper, and reporting your findings to the management company. Corporate gurus want to keep an unbiased check on their companies, so they contract with independent agencies who specialize in analysis of their store from a neutral shopper.

If this revs your engine or just inspires you to make some extra cash on the side, there are a few things to keep in mind before submitting an application to a mystery shopping company.

1. Never give a mystery shopping agency money up front.
Ever. Period. Do not surrender a registration fee or job list fee or any other disguised fee, as it is most likely a scam. Genuine quality control agencies need smart shoppers to give them a solid picture of how a retail store is doing on a number of fronts. Authentic gigs don't need your money--they are being compensated by the company who hired them.

2. Be ready to pay for the services up front and receive reimbursement later.
Mystery shopping isn't exactly a lucrative venture. The forms you'll need to complete are lengthy and you'll have to pay for any merchandise or meal first before being compensated. Good news is you get to take advantage of some great services and products that you normally couldn't afford and you'll get a little extra cash on the side.

3. Stick with a reputable company.
Not sure who you can trust to give you assignments? Check out the Mystery Shopping Providers Association (MSPA) to see a list of over 150 quality control companies around the globe. If you're on the fence with a fishy, potential scam, contacting the MSPA will let you know if they're an active member. Plus get the scoop on the latest industry scams and how to avoid them.

4. Get the good gigs by writing clearly.
Who doesn't want to get an assignment for a five-star hotel? To kick your game into the big leagues, prove that you can write well and give accurate, well-rounded observations. The sweet gigs come to those who express themselves well, put in the time, and meet deadlines. Follow your assignments during the time frame given and give specific reports.

5. Play the part well.
Unfortunately (or fortunately if you missed your calling as an actor) you'll need to fib a bit while on assignment. Some companies will send you a script or scenario to follow, but most aren't too specific. If you're shopping for a craft project, think through what your project is so you can articulate it to the associate. Incognito is the order of the day.

6. Set up your "business".
Most agencies pay via PayPal, so get a PayPal account if you don't have one already. Many companies want exact times of how long a service request took to complete--you'll need a digital watch or timer to calculate exact wait times. Buy a small notepad to take your notes in--and always complete them discretely onsite (not openly for employees to see).

You'll actually need to put in some elbow grease. But if the thrifty 007 in you can't resist, get those ducks in order and start getting some freebies. The longer you participate and complete excellent reports, the more high-class options will open up.