So You Think You Want to Be a Mystery Shopper?

So you think you want to be a mystery shopper?

Here are a few things you should know before you begin.

It takes money to make money.
You will need money before you begin taking on mystery shopping assignments. Most assignments require you to make a purchase of an item that can cost anywhere from $5 to $200, depending on the nature of your shop.
Your shop fee will generally be only enough to cover the cost of the item purchased. Few assignments pay a fee and offer a reimbursement of the purchased item. More often than not, you will get one of the two, not both.

Be patient, you will not get rich quick.
You will not be reimbursed or paid immediately. As with other work, the mystery shopping companies make scheduled payments. Most often, you will be paid for your work the month following the date of the actual assignment. For instance, if you were to complete a shop on May 25, you would not receive payment for the shop until after June 15th.

You are an independent contractor.
As a mystery shopper, you are considered an independent contractor. You are not an employee of the mystery shopping companies. Therefore, you are responsible for any all taxes on the income you earn. Some companies will issue a 1099 statement if they pay you more than $599.99 in a year. Others will not. Regardless of this, you will be required to report your earnings on your taxes.
You are not entitled to benefits and the companies do not guarantee that work will be available on a daily or even monthly basis.

You work at your own risk.
As a mystery shopper, it is your job to evaluate the customer service that has been provided. This means that you will be subject to some very poor customer service. This could translate into something as simple as a rude attendant to a bad haircut, or, at worst, damage to your vehicle or property. You must be prepared to accept this risk if you want to do these kinds of shops. The company you are shopping for cannot be held liable for any damages you may incur. Be sure to read the independent contractor agreement carefully before signing on as a shopper.