First and foremost, what you should never expect from companies that hire secret shoppers is for them to require that you pay a fee. A legitimate company that hires mystery shoppers will never charge you for a job. Likewise, there is no need to pay a fee to a service that will find mystery shopping jobs for you. Simply apply with any or all of the five legitimate companies listed below.
Another thing that you should not expect from a secret shopper job is to get rich. Mystery shopping should be viewed as more of a hobby or a part-time job for pocket money. You will be paid for your services, provided you follow the company's shopping and reporting instructions to the letter. You might also enjoy some great perks, such as free meal and lodging at hotels and motels.
In order to become a successful secret shopper, you should expect to do a lot of reading and must be able to comprehend and remember what you read. You should be a fairly good writer, as you will need to write and submit reports about your experience. You will probably need access to a computer with Internet access as well as a copier, scanner and/or fax machine in order to submit receipts, written reports and other required paperwork. You should also have a reliable form of transportation.
You must require certainly personality traits and work ethics, as well. Dependability, discretion and the ability to meet deadlines is imperative. You should also be observant and able to recall experiences in detail, typically without the assistance of notes or recording devices.
Now that you know a bit more regarding what to expect, check out the following list of five companies that hire secret shoppers, in alphabetical order.
