Mystery Shopping 101

Yes, you can make a little money for a little effort and make more money with a lot of effort, just like you can with any other home based business! Mostly, you can get reimbursed for meals, bowling, and small retail purchases for providing the mystery shopping firms with a completed questionnaire detailing your visit.

I live in the Minneapolis, MN area and found it to be a part time opportunity for me. My set up includes the minimum requirements: dial-up internet service, a fax machine, a digital camera, a printer, and a PayPal account. You also need to be able to produce good photographs (usually snapping a store front, a retail display, a bathroom, or a pizza!) and be able to upload them correctly. You must be able to accurately and objectively produce a high quality report that will be submitted for each job.

How to Get Started

Your first step should be to head to http://www.mysteryshop.org/shoppers/, which is the Mystery Shopping Providers Association (MSPA) website. This is chock full of information regarding what it takes to become a mystery shopper, becoming "certified" as a mystery shopper, and most importantly, lists of providers' links along with current assignments in your area. Check out the website before signing up with any one provider because you will got lots of helpful hints and of course learn that you never should have to pay to become a mystery shopper. You may decide to sign up for just one promising mystery shopping provider who does many shops in your area, or you may choose to sign up with hundreds of providers. It's your business and you are the boss!