Mystery Shoppers

[orchid2]

Does anybody know anything about mystery shoppers? I got an email through my university email account about this. You are supposedly paid to shop and try out different restaurants and stuff and report back to this agency about the service, quality, etc. of the different establishments I would love to do this, and I could sure use the extra cash, but they charge a one-time starter's fee of $40.

I am reluctant to do this because $40 is a little bit of a strain on me, as a near-broke college kid. My main question is, is this legit? Do any of yall have any experience with this? I would be willing to make the investment if I knew for sure that I could make it back.

Any insight would be much appreciated! Thanks!

[TheEpitome1920]

I've seen a lot of ads for this lately and I've been wondering the same thing. I'm leery of any job that I have to pay for. What does the $40 go towards?

[WCUgirl]

Supposedly the $40 goes towards a "membership fee." I looked into this a few years ago...I never saw one with such a low membership fee. All the ones I saw were like $200 or $300. So I didn't sign up. Don't know much else about it.

[valkyrie]

I've heard about mystery shopping, but I'd never pay for something like that. It sounds way too shady to me -- like those "work at home" places that make you pay before they give you any information. I find it hard to believe that a legitimate business wanting to hire people would make them pay. I wonder if there's any information on them with the Better Business Bureau.

[honeychile]

I've known some mystery shoppers and ghost riders (on airliners). None of them have ever had to pay a fee to get involved in this, though.

Btw, you may think this is easy money, but it does take a special talent to do this. You are usually told upfront which salesperson or flight attendant is a problem, and you must make their life hell to see if they'll break. Your report will probably cost someone their job - which they may not deserve!

[PhiPsiRuss]

I HATE SHOPPERS!!!

And yes, they are real. I don't know if this particular outfit is legit, but it is a legitimate part of the retail industry. There is nothing worse than having a nightmare client piss you off, and just as you are about to go on a 5 minute break to cool off, you see someone who needs help. So, with your now terrible mood, help that person. Later in the week, you learn that this was a shopper.

Anyway, get a list of establishments, and contacts, for referals. Check up on it, and then part with your $40.

[The1calledTKE]

It has to be a scam. I almost did the mystery shopper thing while in college but the one I signed up for I paid for nothing. If I would have done it they would have given me small amounts of money to go places and buy thing I can keep then report back on how I was treated.

[gphib_95]

When I was a mystery shopper, I never had to pay any fee. I did it for two different stores. It does not sound like it's legit.

[G8Ralphaxi]

My friend does this sort of thing for a job - among other things. She models, does promotional work, serves as a hostess/presenter at trade shows/awards/galas, performance art, etc. When I was in college, I did some part time work with one of the companies that hires her.

DO NOT do this unless they tell you upfront WHO they are. It should either be the store itself or a reputable promotion company/talent agency. In other words, they should tell you the NAME of their company, you should know a phone number and address, be able to look them up on the web, etc. If it's just a "respond to Shopper, Inc. at P.O. Box 123456" then don't waste your time or money.

There are good opportunities for people interested in doing promotional work/mystery shoppers/etc., and it is a great way to make extra money, especially as a part time job. But there are lots of scams out there too.

ETA: I have NEVER heard of a reputable promotional company/talent agency that requires you to pay a fee for this type of work. You may have to spend money to get head shots/comp cards made (if that level of professional photos are required) and create a resume, but you should just have to submit your info to them. Then they decide if they want to interview and then hire you. No normal job requires you to pay money to interview or get hired - I don't know why the scammers in this business can get away with it so often.

[Thrillhouse]

Places like that here don't charge a fee to be a mystery shopper either. I'm curious to see what that fee goes towards

[cash78mere]

a good rule of thumb: Never take a job that you have to pay money for upfront. it is always a scam.

[Honeykiss1974]

I am currently a mystery shopper and I didn't have to pay anything when I signed up.

I'd say its a scam too.

[preciousjeni]

Originally posted by gphib_95
When I was a mystery shopper, I never had to pay any fee. I did it for two different stores. It does not sound like it's legit.

I was also a mystery shopper and didn't have to pay a fee. But, it was A LOT of work for a little money. I don't think it's worth the cost of gas/transportation and the time it takes to fill out all the paperwork. PLUS, they can refuse to pay you if they feel like you haven't given enough information!! It's all a mess! The people who make the money are the recruiters...it's kinda pyramid scheme-ish to me!

[norcalchick]

i know jack in the box has mystery shoppers/eaters. go to thier website and look for it. it may take awhile to get a reply back if they need anyone. and it's like an actual job interview process. check out the website, i don't remember all of the stuff, that is if you want to be a mystery eater for jack in the crack.

[crystalline]

It sounds fishy to me. I wouldn't play with it.