Summary:
Mystery shopping can be a great way to make some extra money, but it is important to understand all that is involved. This article provides some practical advice for mystery shoppers, and some tips to avoid getting scammed.

Details or Sample:
We all know that there is lots of money to be made on the internet, and there are plenty of unique business opportunities available online. One of the most unique business opportunities is known as mystery shopping, and it is easy to see why this niche is so appealing.

In essence, mystery shoppers get paid to shop – certainly a dream job for many avid consumers. Of course it is not all fun and games, and mystery shopping is serious business. Companies pay mystery shopping providers a great deal of money to evaluate their customer service and tell them what their employees are doing well (and not so well). The companies who hire those services take the process very seriously, and the companies who hire mystery shoppers expect the same seriousness and professionalism from those they hire.

In order to be a successful mystery shopper, individuals will have to have a number of qualities, including:

 Attention to detail
 Internet access
 Good observational skills
 The ability to judge customer service and other factors fairly
 The flexibility to shop days, nights and weekends as needed

In addition, would be mystery shoppers will need to know how to find a reputable mystery shopping company, and how to avoid the scams that this segment of the marketplace seems to attract so much. Some red flags to watch for when seeking mystery shopping jobs include:

 A request for up front payment – whether the requested payment takes the form of a membership fee, subscription service or security deposit, the request for an up front payment is a major red flag. Reputable mystery shopping companies do not require payment from their shoppers.
 Being assigned a job you did not apply for – mystery shopping companies are very selective about whom they assign to their jobs, and a legitimate mystery shopping service will never assign a job to a shopper without some sort of application process.
 Receiving an unsolicited email about mystery shopping opportunities. While some legitimate mystery shopping companies advertise through email and banner ads, in most cases these unsolicited advertisements are the mark of a scam artist.
 A check in the mailbox – a scam has recently been uncovered in which the victim receives a check in the mail along with a number of mystery shopping assignments. Those who receive this unsolicited payment are instructed to complete their shops, keep a portion of the money and wire the rest to a Western Union account. The scam, of course, is that the check is a counterfeit, and those who fall prey to this scam will be on the hook for the missing funds.

In addition to the red flags above, it is important for any would be mystery shopper to have a realistic idea of how much money can be earned in this manner. While many scam mystery shopping sites offer easy riches, legitimate mystery shops rarely pay more than extra spending cash. While mystery shopping is a great way to make some extra money for doing what you love, few mystery shoppers will be able to quit their day jobs to hang out at the mall.

It is also important for mystery shoppers to be aware of the time that each assignment will take. The shopper must take into account not only the time it takes to complete the shop but the time required to enter the online report, download any needed paperwork and complete any other associated tasks. Mystery shopping can provide a good hourly wage, but it is important to understand how much time will be involved before taking on an assignment.

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Written by: beconrad
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