Guest Post: Make Extra Money As A Mystery Shopper

This is a guest post by Nirra, Mystery Shopping Expert!

If you are one of the countless people who are looking for a way to make a little extra money or if you need more money to make ends meet, mystery shopping is an option that you might want to consider. Mystery shoppers are people who evaluate the services that businesses provide their customers. We play a valuable role for businesses because we help them to see the average experience that customers have.

Mystery shoppers go into a business and perform an evaluation discreetly. Their goal is to see what most customers experience. Mystery shoppers do not reveal that they are doing the evaluation unless the company specifies that. I would have to say that a majority of mystery shops are done “undercover”. Employees of the business may know that there is a mystery shopper coming but they don’t know when or who the mystery shopper will be.

Lots of different businesses use the services of a mystery shopper. Some businesses that use mystery shoppers include hotels, grocery stores, restaurants (fast food and sit-down), and there are even shops where you can get your oil changed. There are so many different types of shops available that you can do just about anything you can think of and get paid! I’ve done mystery shops where I pretend that I want to rent an apartment and it is like being an actress. I enjoy trying different types of shops.

So why is mystery shopping important? Businesses have a plan for the way they want their customers to be treated. All businesses want repeat customers and you and I know that if we go to a place and the customer service is awful, we might not go back.

If you go to a restaurant and the food is not prepared correctly, that might be the only chance the restaurant gets. We went to a restaurant (that will remain nameless) in Destin about a month ago. It was just opening up and we were super excited. It was awful. Awful. I was not mystery shopping but I wish I was so I could have at least gotten my money back. We paid without complaining and are never going back. Never.

Sure, some people will complain to management and maybe get a gift card or some other form of apology, and they may give the company a second chance. Others may never say anything and just choose to never do business there again. If there is a problem with any aspect of customer service, a mystery shopper can let a company know so they have the chance to fix the problem.

Here is how it works. Mystery shoppers go into a business and evaluate the services they receive. They observe discreetly and give a report to the business. They don’t walk in and announce that they are a mystery shopper and they try not to make anyone suspect that they are the mystery shopper. If you blow your cover you might not get paid.

So, is mystery shopping something you might be interested in? It is a great way to make some extra money and I tell my friends who are looking to make extra money about mystery shopping. This is a good “job” for students, stay at home moms or dads, or anyone who wants to make a little extra money. I have made anywhere from $100 to $600 in a week of mystery shopping. How much you make depends on a couple factors. Of course, it depends on how much time you want to put into it. How much money you make also depends on how much mystery shopping is available in your area. If you are in an area that is densely populated with mystery shoppers there will be more competition.

Honestly, I don’t think you are going to get rich mystery shopping. It is possible, however, to work full time as a mystery shopper if you are super organized. I think mystery shopping is a good part time job but I don’t know if I am organized enough to do it full time. Organization is just not my thing and it would be torture for me to try to get organized enough to keep up with mystery shopping schedules. But, if organization is a strength of yours you can definitely mystery shop full time.

If mystery shopping is something you’ve been thinking about, go ahead and give it a try. It might make a difference in your life.

Nirra blogs about mystery shopping on her blog, Mystery Shopping Teacher. Check out one of her recent posts about mystery shopping to learn how you can get started as a mystery shopper.

Are you interested in guest posting on Family Friendly Frugality? Please email me heather @ familyfriendlyfrugality.com. I’m looking for anything in the family friendly/frugal niche, but specifically how-to’s, DIY posts and RECIPES! Must be original content not posted elsewhere.