5 Easy Steps to Mystery Shopping and Eating Free All Year

I started mystery shopping back in 1999, when people were just starting to get internet service in their homes. I saw an ad online and signed up. Here's how it works:

1. Search the internet for mystery shopping companies.
2. Sign up on as many websites as you can. Do not ever pay. Legitimate mystery shop companies do not ask you for money. Take your time to make the application neat and type detailed, quality answers. Companies will be judging the quality of your application to decide if you can do the job.
3. If offered a shop, any shop, take it. I started out doing shops for McDonald's and Arby's and now shop some of the finest restaurants and hotels in the United States. You have to build your reputation as a quality, reliable shopper.
4. Read all instructions carefully and perform your assignment within the allocated time and date frame. Submit online reports and receipts as promptly as you can. Shoppers who are quick and accurate get noticed and often get offered better assignments.
5. Be ready for shopping companies to reimburse you for the assignment. For instance, if they send you to a restaurant, you pay for it and submit the receipt to the shopping company. They pay back usually within 60 days.

Mystery shopping is not a scam. I've been a mystery shopper for almost 10 years and commonly get $1000 a month in reimbursements for fine dining and hotel stays. I am a contractor and shop for dozens of companies. I could eat out free every night of the week if I wanted to because I have built up a good reputation with so many companies. I do not make money mystery shopping, though. You can make small amounts of money by picking up retail assignments but I do not find it worthwhile myself.

Remember, when applying with companies online, never pay to sign up, and try not to provide your social security number until you are contracted to do a job. It will take some time to get the ball rolling. Be patient and take anything that comes along. I've helped several friends get started and it commonly takes several months before they get to go anywhere 'good'.

Do you have what it takes to be a mystery shopper? Read my post on the 10 Traits of a Good Mystery Shopper. [END OF POST]