Secret Shopper: Score or Scam?

Filed in archive Home Based Businesses on January 8, 2010

© jmv


I've got to admit, I'm skeptical. Anything that sounds too good to be true, probably is. And getting paid to shop sounds like a dream job.

I've heard from both side. Some people claim secret shopper is a great way to make extra cash and others have had terrible experiences. Probably it has more to do with what company provides the job. One way to check if a job is legitimate is to compare them to the MSPA (Mystery Shopping Providers Association). They offer helpful hints and advice for those starting and a list of companies that offer real jobs.

The second question is, will mystery shopping pay your bills? A number of jobs seem to be for such a small amount of money that it would be hard to make a living off of it. You'd probably need to spend all your time weeding through offers, or you'd spend a lot of time waiting for an email. So maybe it makes more sense to use it as an income supplement.

But be careful, secret shopping is a great way to start a scam. Some start as "testing" western union or a bank by transferring money. Always be wary of these.

So, if you're considering a secret shopper job, make sure to do your research. Also, be conservative about how much you plan to make from your shopping exploits and plan other work accordingly.

Have you taken a secret shopper job? What was your experience like?