[2023] Make Money Becoming a Mystery Shopper

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If you’re in the market for a new side hustle or second job, remember that there are fun options out there that also help you to make some money on the side. One of my favorite options is to work as a mystery shopper.

Anytime you can pair fun with work, you’ve got a potentially winning combination. And that is exactly what mystery shopping can feel like!

In this article, I’m going to show you how to make thousands of dollars extra per year working as a mystery shopper.

What is mystery shopping?

Mystery shopping, also known as secret shopping, is a process that companies and market research firms use to understand how well a company is doing. By hiring mystery shoppers to go undercover and get a gauge on in-store experiences, brands can get an accurate look at company’s:

Customer experience
Employee performance
Compliance
Competitors

And while you may not have heard about mystery shopping before, it is a technique used by most companies, since it will lead to more accurate results than sending recognizable executives into a store.

By disguising and hiring mystery shoppers, companies feel like the experience a shopper will have will be much more like what the typical customer experiences, rather than an artificial type of experience. Shoppers are usually given specific tasks to perform while they are at the location, such as:

Making a purchase
Taking pictures of the store’s appearance
Observing how employees interact with customers

Afterwards, your assignment will likely include writing and filing a report about your findings.

Best mystery shopping companies

Predictably, there is no shortage of mystery shopping companies that you can work for. Businesses have needs for intelligence, after all. In 2023, though, I have a few favorites that stand out above the crowd. This year, my favorite mystery shopping companies are:

IntelliShop
BestMark
Market Force Information (MFI)
Sinclair

1. IntelliShop

IntelliShop is currently my favorite mystery shopping company. They offer a streamlined application process, which will ask for your name, address, payment information, and other demographic information.

From there, you’ll be able to start conducting evaluations. IntelliShop is known for having a wide array of jobs to choose from at any given time, which workers appreciate. Additionally, they offer a highly digital experience to both find gigs and upload your reports.

2. BestMark

Another great option for mystery shoppers is BestMark. You’ll need to be over 18 years of age to be eligible, and you’ll potentially be able to take advantage of a number of perks, including:

Free meals or services
Performance bonuses
Bonuses for referring family and friends

Additionally, BestMark has an extensive network of mystery shoppers across the United States that enables them to provide feedback from different markets. Additionally, their pay rates are highly competitive compared to other companies in their space.

3. Market Force Information (MFI)

Another popular option for mystery shoppers across the country is Market Force Information (MFI). Your goal with MFI is really simple – you are out to evaluate whether brand standards and expectations are being met.

Shoppers online acknowledge MFI’s flexibility, but also mention that improvements could be made, mostly in terms of pay transparency. It is also important to note that any work you complete will be as an independent contractor, meaning that you will receive a tax form 1099 if you earn over $600 over the course of a calendar year.

4. Sinclair Customer Metrics

Sinclair Customer Metrics is another huge player in the mystery shopping space. If you work for Sinclair, you’ll be employed as an independent contractor, which will allow you to accept or reject any gigs that may pop up in the your area.

The company provides detailed guidelines and instructions on how they should complete their assignments, as well as access to their secure website where they can track progress on their projects and receive payment once the assignment is completed.

Your ultimate pay will depend on a couple of variables:

Time spent on an assignment
The quality of your report

I do like to mention one downside to shopping for Sinclair. First, you may need to wait awhile for your payouts, since Sinclair only pays out once per month.

Mystery shopping pros and cons

Are you wondering whether mystery shopping is the right choice of a side hustle for you? Check out a couple of the associated pros and cons to help you decide whether this a side gig or second job that may be right for you.

Pro: Flexible work and good pay

Working as a mystery shopper is a side hustle that offers a good amount of flexible work with the potential of good pay. Working for one of the companies I listed above can be a great way to build some supplemental income without having to commit to a full-time job.

Oftentimes, shoppers can choose when and how often they want to take on assignments, so you can more easily work around your other scheduled commitments.

Pro: “Free” perks and product discounts

As a mystery shopper, you may be able to access other benefits, such as:

Discounts on products or services purchased during an assignment
Free meals
Being invited to exclusive events

This means that shoppers will be able to enjoy additional perks while doing something they love!

Con: Lack of predictability

While the flexibility that mystery shopping offers can be a notable pro, the lack of predictability may mean this isn’t the right side gig for those looking for a more stable second income.

And depending on what company you work for, assignments are often sporadic and require quick turnarounds when submitting reports afterwards.

Con: Time-consuming at times

Another con to working as a mystery shopper is that the work can be time-consuming at times. Each of the assignments that you agree to work will be a little different, and you may be expected to turn in a report after your visit.

You’ll want to learn how to work more efficiently, since every extra hour you spend on a task lowers the average hourly rate you’ll earn from a shopping gig.

How much do mystery shoppers make?

The amount of money you’ll earn depends on a number of variables, including your:

Experience level
Pay structure
Type of assignment

Experienced mystery shoppers can make between $15 to $20 per hour, or more, depending on the complexity of their assignments. Some companies also offer bonuses or incentive programs for completing certain assignments which can help increase overall earnings.

We typically hear from mystery shoppers that they earn somewhere between $500-$2,000 per month, depending on the number of hours they are able to work.

Mystery shopping FAQ

I hear a fair amount of questions about the mystery shopping side hustle experience. Here are some answers to the most popular questions I receive.

1. Will anybody know I am a mystery shopper?

No! One of the best parts about mystery shopping is that nobody will really know the real reason you’re visiting a store. As long as you don’t seem too obvious or tell anybody, it is highly unlikely that anybody will know (or honestly care) what you’re up to.

2. Are there any eligibility requirements?

Each company or business is a little different, but in most instances, you’ll need to be 18 years of age to work. Given that you are likely to be hired as an independent contractor rather than an actual employee of the business, there are limited other criteria that you’ll need to meet.

These are company specific, however.

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