Mystery/Secret shopping

  • Start date
  • Replies 11 Comments
  • Views 1,166 Views

IAG

R.E.M. enthusiast
Since
Apr 9, 2010
Messages
12,597
Score
192
Tokens
0
Anyone know anyone who has done this? I've accepted a few "shops" in the last week for extra cash and for something to get me out of the house. I'm not looking to do anything too serious right now...allowing myself grief time. If in a large city, looks like one make this a decent part time job. No real commitment, along with free meals, oil changes, etc.

I did my first one for a national fast food chain yesterday...I was a little nervous, but it was kind of fun/ny.
 
There are a ton of different contractors. I have only signed up for 2 so far, but plan to work my way up to 30 or so as there are not as many jobs here as in the bigger cities. The two that I have signed up for are Trendsource/MSI and Bestmark. I just filled out an online application and you may have to watch a video or take a quiz for particular assignments. I also got a background test so I can do some online inspections thru them also, and got certified for the Medicare ones also (just watch a short couple videos and take a test) It's really pretty simple.

Once you sign up you can enter your zipcode and it gives you a list of available assignments that you can ask for (some you can assign yourself.) I assume that you get the better ones the more you have done. I have seen pay from $5 to $60 for diferent assignments. There are some scam companies out there (never pay fees for assignments) but it is actually a legit deal it appears. Next week I am going to a store where I just go and take a few pictures of displays and upload them. It only pays $7 or something, but it's just a mile from me, and should only take about 15 minutes. Some I see are at grocery stores. They give you $5 and you are required to buy $10 in groceries and then they reimburse you $15 so you are basically getting paid in groceries. I see many thru Bestmark for mystery shopping of car dealerships. If my car was two years newer I could make $30 to get a free oil change. ..stuff like that.

You are an independent contractor so responsible for your own taxes. I'm trying very hard to not have to return to the grind of corp/office work, so would like to end up actually enjoying this and making it doable. I'm going to be doing some volunteer work also, so I like the schedule flexibility.


http://abcnews.go.com/GMA/Moms/story?id=1730166&page=1
 
my brother and his wife do a few casino shops in tunica each month... some for gambling and some for restaurants... they go down there and gamble some anyways, so they figured they would do them... they get anywhere from 100-200 bucks and sit on the cheap slot machines for a few hours or eat... the slot play gets them free lunch and points towards rooms.. etc.. bro said it takes about half an hour to fill out the info.. they have to ask the slot host a few questions and all the waitresses or managers that come by... its easy and being that its at a casino, makes it more fun
 
my brother and his wife do a few casino shops in tunica each month... some for gambling and some for restaurants... they go down there and gamble some anyways, so they figured they would do them... they get anywhere from 100-200 bucks and sit on the cheap slot machines for a few hours or eat... the slot play gets them free lunch and points towards rooms.. etc.. bro said it takes about half an hour to fill out the info.. they have to ask the slot host a few questions and all the waitresses or managers that come by... its easy and being that its at a casino, makes it more fun

One of those places asked if I go to casinos, but haven't seen any shops for them. You should find out which company it is that they go thru to do the casinos and let me know. I think a lot of those companies specialize in certain sectors. There are many that are for car dealerships but I'm afraid I might make $50 but come out of there with a car. Might be a similar scenario..lol.
 
Can you drive Uber/Lyft where you live, IAG?
 
Can you drive Uber/Lyft where you live, IAG?
. i just read that after months of negotiations with the city, Uber is coming here soon. I don't see myself doing that for a living, but people keep suggesting it to me, so who knows? dunno: I'm contemplating starting an senior advocacy/companion company, but not sure my head is completely where it needs to be yet.
 
You need a new-ish car for Uber. Get some kitties for the senior companions.
 
So this morning I made $35 in 20 minutes (probably will be hour total investment after ppw) by evaluating a National pawn shop.

Last night I got two free adult entrees at national bbq place (really good btw)

I made $30 Friday for evaluating an employee at big name company *had to pretend to be buying tv

$15 for taking tour of national gym

$5 plus lunch at fast food place

$3 for web inquiry at car dealership. This one was a PITA..never again.

$8 for audit at national office supply store

On deck:

$25 plus 8 pieces of chicken for restaurant

$22 another gym

$40 sports equipment store

$15 furniture store

$35 Medicare sales evaluation




I've found several sites that merge all (or a lot of) the diff companies which makes hunting easier. What I've learned..

...how much I value my time. I will never do another one of these things for under $15... Depending on the client, some of the surveys are exhausting to fill out, and it's harder than you think to remember all the things you need to keep track of...different wait times, employee names etc...
This is a good thing to do here and there I think, but would be exhausting trying to make a real living at it. I'm going to pick my spots for lunch money, while I get experience so that I can get assigned some of the better paying jobs and easy jobs. If it comes naturally like touring a gym or going thru a drive-thru it's not bad, but pulling off some of the scenarios is awkward. I saw one listing that paid like $70 to go in and take a test at a testing center. Sounded easy enough...then I read you have to pretend to sneak in notes and see if you get caught. No way I'm doing that!
 
I saw one listing that paid like $70 to go in and take a test at a testing center. Sounded easy enough...then I read you have to pretend to sneak in notes and see if you get caught. No way I'm doing that!

The fuck.




IAG, does backpage.com have an escort section in your town?