Secret Shopper?
About This Page: This is a discussion on Secret Shopper? within the The Office: Budgeting and Reward Programs, part of the PassPorter Community - Boards & Forums on Walt Disney World, Disneyland, Disney Cruise Line, and General Travel; Has anyone ever done shopping as a Secret Shopper and earned money for it? If so I'd like to know ...

TINKN · 07-30-2002, 08:43 AM

Has anyone ever done shopping as a Secret Shopper and earned money for it? If so I'd like to know about it.

kadterp · 07-30-2002, 10:21 AM

I know that I just got an email for it but decided not to do it. Im kinda leary on those things, I guess it sounded too good to be true. But would love to hear from someone that does!

Jsbalcio1 · 07-30-2002, 10:37 AM

I would love to be a secret shopper. DF and I were just talking about that the other day. She works for the Olive Garden and each one of their restaurants is shopped 4 to 5 times a week.

Boiler Joanne & Tim · 07-30-2002, 11:12 PM

When I worked in a department store, we had secret shoppers in once each month. They used store credit cards, and from my understanding, they were allowed to keep the merchandise they bought at a discount. I would suggest contacting mgmt. at the restaurant or store you're interested in "shopping". Their HR dept. may be able to help you.

Boiler Joanne

Shell_of_the_South · 07-30-2002, 11:43 PM

You mean people get paid to shop? I knew there was a career for me out there somewhere!

**reinstructor** · 07-30-2002, 11:45 PM

I have "shopped " a few places for a company here in Dallas. Since I am a REALTOR, I was asked to shop two of our builders. They wanted to know if their salepeople were covering everything they should. (No, I didn't buy a house). I also shopped the Loews Anatole Hotel. They did reimburse us for our meal and other expenses. We didn't spend the night, just shopped services. It was fun, and as I remember paid anywhere from $50 to $100 per shop. These took quite a bit of time plus filling in the report. I was also required to tape all the conversations. Sort of like being a spy!

TINKN · 07-30-2002, 11:49 PM

I've gone to a couple of sites to sign up, but always stop when they ask for a SS# or something I don't feel comfortable giving out. Would like to know who the reputable ones are.

Lady and the Tramp · 07-31-2002, 05:21 PM

I have done one shop so far. It was for a local drugstore. I got paid $10 for the job plus a reimbursement of $2 for the purchase I had to make. I am going to be doing my first restaurant shop next week! I love the idea of getting paid to shop and eat, so this is right up my alley. I have found a site that does shops for amusement parks as well and Disney is supposedly on their list of parks for visits. I can't wait to sign up for it.

From what I have seen, most of the jobs pay $10-$20 for a shop. Some pay extra for purchases or mileage. Just make sure you read the shop description carefully. On most of the jobs, you have to wait a month before you receive your pay. I have found one that uses PayPal to pay their shoppers, so I am assuming that it will come through quicker. (I'll let you know after my Restaurant shop) If you are willing to travel and do shops in lots of zipcodes or area codes around you, you might make some decent money.

If you would like some good sites to go to let me know and I can send some to you.

Good luck if you try this out!!

DisneyFan · 07-31-2002, 06:24 PM

Lady and the Tramp,
I'm sending you a message. I'd love to hear more about this.
Thanks,
DisneyFan

**LilMarcieMouse** · 07-31-2002, 08:59 PM

Never done it ,But I've been rated by them [img]images/icons/rolleyes.gif[/img] ,I always got good marks ,I like to treat every custermer as I want to be treated.

Babymoon · 08-01-2002, 06:37 AM

I've been doing a lot of mystery shopping over the past year. It's a good way to make some extra spending money if you're organized and pay attention to details.

I have done restaurant, fast food, transportation, bank, video and retail shops. I won't accept any shop that pays less than $15. Some of the reports are very labor intensive and I don't want to waste my time on anything less.

The best way to get shops is to apply at mystery shopping company's websites. I always use 555-55-5555 as my social security number until I actually do a shop for them. Then I will give them my real SS#. One word of caution: you need to claim this money on your taxes because you are working as an independent contractor.

You can do a search at yahoogroups.com for mystery shopping or secret shopping and it will get you started. Once you see what companies are posting jobs, you can apply at their site.

I'd be happy to answer any questions!

Shell_of_the_South · 08-01-2002, 09:01 AM

Lady and the Tramp, I sent you an email about the websites you mentioned. Do you have the address for the theme park shoppers? I'd like to check it out too.

Lady and the Tramp · 08-01-2002, 02:56 PM

DisneyFan and MichelleC,

I just sent you both some sites to check out. I made sure to list the Amusement Park site as well! [img]images/icons/grin.gif[/img]

iloverags2 · 08-01-2002, 03:19 PM

Lady and the Tramp...do you think you could send some information my way also? This sounds like it would be perfect for me while I'm in school.

Thanks!!!

Lady and the Tramp · 08-01-2002, 04:03 PM

Cindy,

I just sent them to you! This is perfect to fit into any schedule. That's part of the reason I got into it.

[ 08-01-2002, 05:05 PM: Message edited by: Lady and the Tramp ]