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My mother was a mystery shopper for Safeway once. She had to go to the store, and go to each section and ask questions, but in a casual way (did you know that you have the right to taste ANYTHING in the store? Of course raw meat is excluded. They have to cut open a watermelon if you ask to taste it. If they say no, they're lying). She did stores all over the area. You can go at any time of the day, so its good for college students.
Mystery Shopper jobs last as long as you don't get "recognized". For example, my mother went for I think 8 months or so before someone reported a suspicion. If they suspect a person as a MS, then you can't do it anymore. Its no hard feelings, its just not effective if they know who you are.
Also, you have to be able to think off the cuff. You can't go in there with any papers, and you can't sound rehersed. Taking folks or kids with you helps to cushion your cover.
As for the time thing, I know some MS have to target a specific person, so you have to work it around their schedule. But please check them out before you pay anything. Read all the fine print. I know someone who paid for one and it was legit, it came back to them. They sometimes do that to weed out the serious folks from the jacklegged fools.
EDIT: The pay depends on the company. My mother got paid by the hour and I think mileage. Good side money, but not enough to pay your rent unless you mystery shop ALLLLLLL the time.
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