Any mystery shoppers out there?

DollyTheSheep

A job from IPSOS for a mystery shopper has come up that I might apply for. Seems interesting.

How much can you earn per shop and are they any other good mystery shopper companies that may be worth looking at?

Would love to hear some stories about people who have done this and their experiences

Comms69

Not enough to survive on....

Quasar

I have been mystery shopping for 21 years, during 10 of which I was regional allocator for two companies, one huge, the other small and highly specialised.

Up to about 15 years ago you could just about live on mystery shopping if you picked your companies and projects carefully, as on top of the fees you got useful freebies - haircuts, supermarket shopping, cinemas, restaurants, pubs, even flights and other stuff.

Nowadays there are far too many companies in on the act, all competing by slashing quotes to clients, possible only by paying low fees to mystery shoppers, AND too many mystery shoppers which means the supply often exceeds the demand, a fact contributing to the low fees. Even the London transport surveys I now do (not interviewing ones), as well as ms, do not afford a livelihood unless one works from 6am to 10pm (ok, I personally don't need to work THAT much because of other considerations).

Saying that, today there are still some nice ms surveys going on out there, but you have to see it as a little extra on the side, not as a full time occupation.

Oh, and you have to factor in all the admin work you need to do. After a mystery shopping visit, you have to fill in the report in the shape of a questionnaire online, and depending on the company/project, it can take a good slice of your time. On average, look for £7-10 per visit, less tax, taking anywhere from 1 to 2 hours if you include travel, visit, report time. Some take much less, some much more, some pay less, some pay a bit more.

Dox

Much over-rated both in terms of interest and potential earnings/samples etc.

suki1964

And on top of all Quaser has to say, Ipsos Mori are a nightmare of a company to work to

Mystery shopping is no longer viable for a living wage, it has to be a little side earner