This Domain For Sale. Contact us for more information.

Put Some Mystery in Your Life

Mystery shoppers. For some it conjures up images of private eyes and undercover detectives. That's fair. In Nevada, a mystery shopper is required to register with a firm that is in association with the Private Investigative Licensing Board. Somewhat funny, but true. If you shop, and I'm sure you do, you have probably bumped into someone on a shopping assignment. Did you notice them? Doubtful. Or you may have found yourself on the receiving end of an evaluation by a mystery shopper. Did you realize it at the time? Probably not. But what is mystery shopping exactly? And can you really make money for shopping?

Mystery shoppers are primarily independent contractors. They receive their assignments from mystery shopping companies. These companies have been contracted by various businesses in need of mystery shoppers. Mystery shoppers handle a wide range of assignments. They may be required to order a personalized bracelet at a fine jewelry store and then return it. (Not an easy assignment. I actually had that one once). They may be asked to gamble at a local casino, or take in a popular movie. They may be asked to take their dog to a groomer, visit an auto dealer, or go to a spa. The possibilities are truly endless. A mystery shopper doesn't know from day to day what new adventure may land in their inbox. And some assignments truly are an adventure. Cruise ships use mystery shoppers.

Any adult can be a mystery shopper. Both men and women are shoppers. Shoppers may be employed, unemployed, self-employed, or retired. There are programs for shoppers that offer certification, but it is in no way required to be a mystery shopper. Mystery shopping companies provide any special training that may be needed. Internet access is becoming more and more necessary to work with most mystery shopping companies, but there are some small companies that don't require it.

The Assignments.

Each shop has detailed instructions, so it's very important to be able to follow instructions. It's equally important to be observant and reliable. While you are mystery shopping, you will be observing customer service, product knowledge of the salesperson, quality, and other standards important to both the business and its customers. After a shop is finished, a report is completed. It may take a few minutes, an hour, or even longer. If the thought of completing a report makes you wince in pain, then mystery shopping is definitely not for you. In some cases, you will perform video shops. In these instances, you will be trained on how to use special video shopping equipment. (Video only...no audio for legal reasons). This sort of shop really does make you feel like a private detective and is quite fun.

How much a mystery shopper earns depends on the type of shop, time required to perform the shop, and the difficulty of the shop. Note: Mystery shoppers use their own money on assignments. They are not always reimbursed for items not returned. Payment for the shop may take as long as two months.

Sample assignments and fees:

* Retail Stores: Payments typically range from $5 - $40.

* Supermarkets: $5 - $10.

* Fast Food: $5 - $10 Cost of the meal.

* Dine in Restaurants: $15 - $50 Cost of the meal.

* Haircuts: $10 - $40 Cost of the haircut and styling.

* Banks: $10 - $50.

* Furniture or Appliance Stores: $10 - $20.

* Apartments or New Homes: $25 - $50.

Many shoppers do this in their spare time. They may earn $100, $200, $500, or more per month. Some shoppers make their living as full time mystery shoppers. It's not easy though. It usually requires working with a large number of mystery shopping companies -- perhaps 60 or more. Full time shoppers have their hands full -- juggling assignments, reports, and due dates. Full time shoppers must be very organized, but it can be financially rewarding. Full time shoppers can earn $40,000 per year and more!

Shoppers receive 1099's from the mystery shopping companies each year. Companies are required to send 1099's to contractors who are paid $600 or more per year, but some companies will send you a 1099 regardless of the amount you were actually paid.

Although you don't have to pay to mystery shop, you may consider joining a mystery shopping site. These sites charge a fee to access their directory of mystery shopping companies. You could probably find some of these companies on your own, but it is doubtful that you could find all of them.

Mystery shopping is not for everyone, but for those who want to put some mystery in their lives...without endangering themselves...it doesn't get any better than mystery shopping.

Doralynn Kennedy

About the Author: Doralynn Kennedy is the Founder and CEO of 'The Work at Home Network' and 'Affordable Advertising Solutions' located in Colorado. http://doralynn.net and http://doralynn.net/ad_solutions.html

More Resources

Unable to open RSS Feed $XMLfilename with error HTTP ERROR: 404, exiting

More Careers & Employment Information:

Salary, Raises, & Perks: Negotiate to Get Paid What Youre Worth!
Salary negotiation requires preparation and good timing. It's important to determine your salary needs and research the market value for the job you want.

Believe And Get Hired
Good things seem to come in bunches, especially in a job search. Ever wonder why?Example: ever know someone (perhaps you?) who, after many weeks in a fruitless job hunt, suddenly hit a "hot streak" and landed two or three interviews in a matter of days?What happened? What changed? Did the job market suddenly improve? Perhaps.

The Top 10 Ways to Manage Your Career
Many people in the last decade have experienced either a layoff or termination in their lives or the lives of somebody they know. While many of these people affected have experienced outplacement-consulting services, some have not and they may be in for a rude awakening - corporations no longer "take care of you".

Can Nurses Be Entrepreneurs?
Yes, Nurses can be entrepreneurs. In today's market place nursing has a unique service to offer not only to hospitals but nursing homes, private care and doctor offices.

Ten Great Careers That Don't Require A Four Year Degree
One of the great myths associated with the "American Dream" is that you need to have a four-year college degree to be successful. As the economy has shifted to the information age, with a greater reliance on technology and services, this belief applies less and less.

Don't Be Too Passionate About Your Work
Of course, she then offered me a six-month process, costing thousands of dollars to get me back on track. However, I must say she was ethical in her approach and suggested I get a medical check up to rule out any physical or mental-health issues.

So you want to work at home
There are several ways to work from home. Some of the more popular ways are affiliate programs, direct marketing and starting your own business.

Genes and Work Ethic
If you have good genes, you are blessed. If they are exceptional, you might be successful on that alone.

Conduct An Informational Interview
Informational interviews are designed to get as much information as you can about the industry and career you're seeking a job in from people who are already in that career.Many job seekers don't conduct informational interviews because the purpose of this type of interview is NOT to ask for a job.

Personality Testing; Myth and Realities
It is commonly believed myth that personality testing instruments can measure your personality and predict your future behaviors. The pre-employment testing mechanism has been following this creed without any solid evidence.

Surprise! Accounting is the Hot New Major
There was a time when accounting was the boring college major that many people regretted signing up for. A constant barrage of numbers, statistics and spreadsheets was none too interesting.

Business Experience is YOUR Security Cover
Some may want to interpret "independent" to mean WITHOUT others. None of us are truly independent or able to make it in life alone.

Overwhelmed and Overworked: The Myth of American Productivity
Employment finally seemed back on track during the first few months of 2004. Politicians crowed that "Our tax cuts are working.

One Step at a Time in the Job Search
What is the first step to take in a job search?Let's start with "Who Am I?" If the job seeker can answer that question easily, then the rest of what to do, comes easily.It is often the hardest thing to do in a job quest, or anything else in life.

Put Some Mystery in Your Life
Mystery shoppers. For some it conjures up images of private eyes and undercover detectives.

Working as a Knowledge Worker in the Information Age
The old adages: "It's not what you know, but who you know" and "High Tech, High Touch" could be the mottos of knowledge workers in the 21st Century.Never before in the history of the world has both networking and interpersonal communication been potentially easier, broader, more wide-spread and paradoxically, more difficult.

Can You Tell Me Something About Yourself!
Interview Question, "Tell Me Something About Yourself?""Tell me about yourself" is the query, posted by one of the members and since yesterday I happen to go through many responses. I was just thinking?to give my opinion about the same.

The 4 Job Search Facts You Need To Know!
Are you harboring bitterness or anger towards your current or past employer?Do you find it difficult to be upbeat when interviewing or networking because of past job experiences?Have you spent sleepless nights worrying about how to explain your choppy resume?If you are currently in the job market, you need to dump this baggage fast!Here are 4 key job search facts you need to know:Fact #1:Your past employer is not investing hours in a personal vendetta against you.Fact #2:Employers know that the demise of dot.

Telecommuting Cover Letters
Question: How do I market myself online?Answer: With a stellar cover letter and resume.Okay, so let's get into the meat of this.

The 6 Stages of Modern Career Development
Career experts say that people will change careers (not jobs) 5-7 times in a lifetime. This being true, career management is an important life skill to develop and cultivate.