KANSAS CITY, Mo. - How would you like to earn a little extra money every week and maybe get a free pair of blue jeans, a free dinner or even a free movie?
You can if you become a mystery or secret shopper.
The hardest part of becoming a mystery shopper is avoiding all the scams to find the real shopping jobs, so we talked with two mystery shoppers to find out some of the trade secrets in determining the real deal from the scams.
Most of us would never notice Lynn Ratliff walking into the mall and strolling into a clothing shop. She looks like everyone else.
But that's the idea, because Lynn is a professional mystery shopper. She is paid to write down what she observes in stores.
Lynn tells us she doesn’t think you can make a full-time career out of it, but you can definitely make some extra money doing it.
Lynn says the best part of the job for her is the freebies. She once bought and was reimbursed for a $300 pair of Sara Palin eyeglasses. She has also enjoyed free dinners at upscale chain restaurants.
Some take secret shopping very seriously.
Jim is also a mystery shopper, but he takes his job so seriously, he did not want us to use his last name out of fear of "blowing his cover."
Jim says he earned more than $1,000 last year inspecting stores, restaurants, car dealers and even model homes.
"Some of the assignments are $10, $12 dollars, some are $30," he tells NBC Action News. "I recently did a ‘shop’ of new model homes and it was $30 a visit."
How to Find the Jobs:
Lynn’s most important clue involves companies who ask you to pay them upfront.
"I shouldn't have to pay to become a mystery shopper,” Lynn said. “I am offering a service to them, and I am employed by their company, there should be no reason I have to pay for them to hire me."
Instead, Jim and Lynn suggest starting with the
Mystery Shopping Providers Association, the top trade group. It offers advice and helpful links. It offers online training to become certified as a mystery shopper. The cost is $15 to become silver certified.
No certification is required currently by any professional mystery shopper service, however, the industry certification can help you get your foot in the door.
MSPA advocates not having to pay to shop, but says training is not “paying” to shop. They say the certification process is an opportunity to gain education about the tricks of the trade to give you an edge over other mystery shoppers.
MSPA recently launched a blog that offers answers and tips to other mystery shoppers. Mystery shoppers received no healthcare benefits and must file their own taxes as independent contractors.
Two other legitimate Web sites are
Volition.com, and
Intelli-Shop.com, which list companies hiring.
To be a mystery shopper, you will need Internet access,e-mail and Pay Pal accounts, plus a babysitter if you have young children. You won't get rich, but Jim and Lynn say it’s worth it, if just for a free night out on the town!
"I could get free dinner for me and my husband, free movie for my husband and me, spend 10 minutes to fill out a survey and get paid $15 to do it for a Saturday night date," Lynn says with a big smile.
As you hunt for jobs, the most important tip to remember is that legitimate stores won't charge you $100 or some similar upfront fee to work for them. Nor will they send you a check before you do anything to become a secret shopper.
You will be asked to take a test and fill out an extensive personal profile. This is so companies can better match you with your intended shopping target.
