Are you looking for a flexible and interesting way to make extra money? Mystery shopping jobs are a fun and popular side hustle that offers many opportunities. I tried mystery shopping several years ago and didn’t stick with it long. But recently, I started mystery shopping again to see if it was legit and worth my time, and it’s been a great experience.
The mystery shopping industry is booming in my area and many other cities and states. There is a lot of work available if you’re willing and able to take it. During my first month of getting serious with mystery shopper jobs, I completed eight assignments.
Now, I try to do anywhere from 10 to 15 assignments each month on a part-time basis. Mystery shopping can be a fun way to make money, anywhere from a few hundred dollars to over $1,000 per month.
Here’s what you need to know about becoming a mystery shopper today and the best legitimate mystery shopping companies to help you get started and find jobs.
What Are Mystery Shopping Jobs?
Mystery shopping jobs are a form of market research. Companies hire mystery shoppers or secret shoppers to assess customer service, product quality, and other aspects of their business. Hired shoppers work as independent contractors and visit restaurants, retail stores, and other businesses undercover, posing as regular shoppers or customers.
However, your job is to evaluate the level of service and your overall experience. As a mystery shopper, you may be required to make a purchase, and you will receive a reimbursement later when you receive your payment (so be sure to keep track of all your approved expenses). To successfully complete a mystery shopping assignment, you must submit a detailed report of your experience online – usually 24 hours afterward.
Evaluators or ‘shop editors’ review your reports and give them a rating based on how well you followed instructions and paid attention to details. Shoppers are usually compensated around 30 days after submitting their report, but it could be more or less, depending on the company. You will always know how much money you’ll make upfront when you apply for the assignment.
What I like about mystery shopping is the variety. During my first few months, I completed secret shopper jobs at local restaurants, a grocery store, auto repair shops, gas stations, family entertainment centers, electronics stores, shopping malls, and more.
Requirements for Mystery Shopping Jobs
Mystery shopping is not just about getting free food and store items. You need a special set of skills to be successful and continue getting booked for jobs. You’ll need to be at least 18 years of age, but some restaurant shop assignments may prefer you to be 21 and up.
Here are some other things that legitimate mystery shopping sites typically look for in candidates:
- Attention to Detail: You need to be detail-oriented, highly observant, and capable of noticing the small things.
- Reliability: Deadlines must be met and instructions followed meticulously. Remember, you often need to submit your report within 24 hours or sometimes even that same day.
- Strong Communication Skills: Writing detailed reports is a standard part of mystery shopping.
- Access to Technology: Most work is assigned and submitted online, so a computer or smartphone with access to the Internet is essential.
- Reliable Transportation: For in-person assignments, you’ll need a way to get to your destinations.
Joining the Mystery Shopper Providers Association
If you’re serious about mystery shopping, consider joining the Mystery Shopping Providers Association (MSPA). This is an organization that supports and certifies legitimate companies in the industry. By becoming an MSPA member, you can:
- Access assignments from reputable mystery shopping sites that connect you with paying jobs.
- Gain credibility through training and certification.
- Network with other mystery shoppers.
It’s a great first step toward establishing yourself in this field.
7 Best Legitimate Mystery Shopping Jobs
Not all mystery shopping companies are created equal. To protect yourself from mystery shopping scams and find reliable assignments, stick to legitimate businesses. When in doubt, always check out third-party review sites like Trustpilot and check to see if the company has a rating with the Better Business Bureau.
Here are seven of the best mystery shopping companies that are respected and trusted in the industry—including ones that I personally use for mystery shop assignments on a regular basis.
1. Reality Based Group
Reality Based Group was the first mystery shopping site I signed up for. They hire mystery shoppers for assignments in retail, dining, and healthcare, among other sectors. Once you create a profile, you can browse jobs online to see which ones are near you that you’d like to apply for.
When you apply, you can choose when you’d like to perform the shop from the available day options. You’re usually notified that same day if you were selected for the assignment, and you’ll receive guidelines for the shop. Reality Based Group is also the leading founder of video mystery shopping. Video mystery shopping is a little more complex, so it tends to pay more. The variety of opportunities makes this site great for flexibility, though.
- Reality Based Group gets a 3.3-star rating out of 5 on Indeed
2. BestMark
BestMark is one of the largest mystery shopping companies in the U.S. They offer mystery shopping and mystery shop revealed audits across a variety of industries like retail, automotive, and hospitality. Revealed audits are when you perform a mystery shop assignment as usual, but you then reveal that you’re a shopper toward the end of the experience and speak with a manager on staff if someone is available.
BestMark is very popular and has been more competitive in my area, but I have been able to do a few apartment shops which involved me taking a tour of an apartment and getting a quote sheet covering the rates. BestMark also offers a broad range of assignments, including phone and online evaluations. Payments are issued around 30 days after completing an assignment and submitting your report.
- Bestmark gets a 2.8-star rating out of 5 on Indeed
3. Ellis Partners in Management Solutions (EPMS)
Ellis Partners assigns shops based on your location and availability. Ellis specializes in mystery shopping services for the real estate market. They focus on evaluating apartment communities to ensure leasing teams provide quality service to prospective residents.
You visit an apartment community as a potential renter while discreetly noting specific details about the interaction. After the shop assignment, you must complete the report online within 24 hours of visiting the property. Each project pays a flat fee, and payment is sent through PayPal, usually within two weeks.
- EMPS gets a 2.7-star rating out of 5 on Indeed
4. Ipsos
Ipsos is a global market research leader that offers in-person and remote mystery shopping opportunities. They have a large international presence, but this company makes it easy to find local mystery shopping jobs as well. It also pays quickly – in less than 30 days.
Ipsos also has its own shopper app called NEXT that you can use to fill out your shop reports on the go for convenience. You can also use the app to search for secret shopper jobs and review the requirements before starting an assignment.
- Ipsos gets a 3.4-star rating out of 5 on Indeed
5. IntelliShop
Intellishop offers a variety of mystery shopping opportunities that span categories like retail, service, automotive, and hospitality sectors. They have a strong reputation for fair treatment of shoppers and prompt payment.
Like many other companies on this list, Intellishop makes it easy to find available assignments in your area. They also offer extensive training resources for those new to mystery shopping. I remember having to take a short quiz before being allowed to apply for available jobs in my area. These assessments just test your comprehension and ability to follow basic instructions. Each assignment will have specific guidelines you’ll need to follow in order to successfully complete the shop and get paid.
- IntelliShop gets a 3.4-star rating out of 5 on Indeed
6. Secret Shopper
Secret Shopper has been in the business for over 30 years, making it one of the most reliable names in mystery shopping. Their mystery shop assignment opportunities include dining, travel, entertainment venues, and more.
This company’s wide variety of jobs helps keep the work fun and interesting. They also have a strong reputation for fair treatment of shoppers. When you complete an assignment, and your report is accepted, you’ll receive payment via PayPal on select days each month.
- Secret Shopper gets a 3.9-star rating out of 5 in the Google Play App Store
7. The Jack Network
The Jack Network connects its shoppers with high-end brands and luxury establishments. This is a great option if you enjoy elevated dining or shopping experiences. I’ve done shops at a few more upscale restaurants, such as tapa bars and rooftop dining experiences, through The Jack Network. The team has always been really easy to work with and communicates well with shoppers.
The Jack Network also pays competitive payment rates for their jobs, although you do have to wait around 30 days after submitting your report to get paid via PayPal. But if you’re looking for a steady flow of assignments at high-quality locations in your area, you should consider signing up to shop with this company.
Mystery Shopping Jobs Wrapup
Mystery shopping can be an exciting way to earn extra income while making an impact on the customer experience of industries you care about and do business in. To get started, make sure you meet the basic requirements, can follow directions closely, and can pay close attention to details. The only way you’ll run into trouble with mystery shopping is if you don’t follow the guidelines for each assignment since the company has the right to deny your report and refuse payment if you don’t follow instructions.
This hasn’t happened to me yet, and most sites I have worked with are very easy-going and understanding. Still, though, I have to follow the guidelines to the best of my ability. Consider joining reputable organizations like MSPA and apply to proven companies such as Reality Based Group, BestMark, and others from this list. Once you’ve taken that first step, the ease of scheduling and unique experiences make mystery shopping a fun, flexible extra income opportunity worth exploring.