What is the purpose of a mystery shopper?

Do you think you are an observer 🔎, someone who pays attention to details 🔬? Today on the blog, I will explain to you why and how to become a mystery shopper. It’s a method that many of my readers use to earn extra money, and surprisingly, it’s the first time I’m talking about it on this blog. It’s never too late, right?

What is being a mystery shopper?

A mystery shopper allows companies to evaluate their operations in relation to the service offered to customers and the work protocols used. A mystery shopper must therefore assess the quality of a service, its organization, and its management, pretending to be an ordinary customer of the establishment.

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Obviously, no one should know that this “customer” is evaluating the service.

Note: to write this article, I consulted 2 of my readers, who shared their experiences with me: Violaine and Quentin. Thanks to them 😉

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What is it?

First, you logically need to create your profile on a mystery shopper website. Sometimes, there are opportunities available on classified ad pages, but that’s quite rare.

The information you will be asked for is often basic: your age, your gender, and your place of residence. Some companies will ask for more information, such as your preferences, your consumption habits, and the number of people in your household, but they will never ask you to make an initial payment.

Companies then choose the profile(s) that best match the typical customer of each institution. You will be selected based on your profile. They probably won’t send a retiree to try on clothes at Bershka.

If you’re selected, you will receive an invitation (usually by email) to participate, containing the necessary instructions to carry out your mystery visit.

When you arrive at the designated location, your main mission will be to observe, evaluate, and identify the treatments and services offered to customers by the establishment’s staff. You will also need to analyze the environment and see the condition of the facilities (cleanliness, etc.).

In some cases, you may be asked to do other things: for example, ask an employee for help with a specific issue, ask a few specific questions, or even make purchases or consume something (for example, in a restaurant). In this case, don’t worry: the company will clearly tell you what to buy or the maximum amount you can spend, and then you will be reimbursed.

After the visit, you must fill out a report with neutral and objective observations about the service received.

What is this report for?

Let’s clarify one thing: companies that use this service have a goal: to gather information about the overall functioning of the company and detect areas for improvement. Moreover, thanks to this information, companies can assess the actual service provided to customers in an institution and the level of customer satisfaction with this service. All this is achieved through authentic experiences.

But don’t worry: these reports are not aimed at identifying employees so they can be fired later.

Update October 9, 2018: According to a survey conducted by Chained Duck, some companies that hire mystery visitors use the information provided to identify employees and their “tracking of suspenders.” A very sad practice, so if a mission asks you to provide specific information about someone, let it go… (because it’s simply not legal!)

How much can I earn?

Becoming a mystery shopper will allow you to earn a few euros or dozens of euros per month, but it will never replace your salary. The idea is rather to enjoy the moment when you shop to be a mystery shopper — and if you want to go to a restaurant, take advantage of it to do so as a mystery investigator.

Each company pays differently, depending on the institution and the customer. In most cases, you will receive a minimum of 8 euros for each mystery visit (and thus the report of that visit). Sometimes, you are paid with free products, vouchers, or discounts. Before each assignment, you will be informed about the payment methods.

You will often be led to visit clothing stores.

What are the requirements?

To become a mystery shopper, you must meet certain criteria. Some are quite obvious:

Be responsible and honest
Seriousness and commitment
Observation skills
Be of legal age
Be a resident of France
Have free time
Have an internet connection
Some companies may require you to participate in a brief training, usually online, provided by the company itself.

Some clients will also take into account your age or gender, so don’t be surprised if you are not selected.

What type of establishment employs mystery shoppers?

This service can be used by all types of businesses, from SMEs to multinationals. However, the most sought-after sectors are: banking, catering, hospitality, food, automotive, retail, shopping centers, franchises, travel agencies, driving schools…

Examples of missions

Here are 4 examples of missions (some from the Qualimetrie site, see below), to better understand what you need to do and what is expected of you.

Do a survey on Coca-Cola drink rates: 5€ per outlet for a questionnaire of about 10 minutes to fill out on the site’s smartphone app. For 10 outlets, that’s a nice bonus of 50 euros (and you must add to that the mileage costs).
Simulate the purchase of a new car at a car dealership: check if you can get financing for it, see the reception at the dealership, the pickup by a salesperson, the presentation of the vehicle, the negotiation phase…
Visit a ready-to-wear store: you talk to the search for pants, and must check the cleanliness and organization of the store, the crowd of customers, the number of salespeople, the quality of the advice provided,…
Go to a restaurant: book a table by phone, the atmosphere of the restaurant itself, the service received, the quality of the products… (the restaurant is obviously reimbursed).

Fortunately, you can also try bars and restaurants… at the expense of the “princess” 🎉

Which sites can I become a mystery shopper?

Are you interested? And so you are probably wondering where you can sign up.

Generally speaking, know that all sites operate more or less the same: you have access to a brief description of the mission (and where it takes place). If you decide to participate, once you are accepted, you will receive all the details of the mission.

However, after a while, missions will tend to repeat. Violaine told me, for example, “I know all the car garages in my area.”

Qualisens

Qualisens is quite well done and notably offers to search for opportunities to become a mystery shopper in each department. Quentin, for his part, quickly earned 40 euros through two mystery surveys, a few days after signing up on this site. He had to travel about a hundred kilometers but received a small bonus to compensate for it.

Bare International

The Bare International website is in English, but the registration form is in French.

And for most surveys, the instructions and questionnaire are in French. Violaine was personally contacted for 10 professional quotes at several car dealerships not far from her home, paid a total of 290 euros for about 15 minutes per quote. In December, she earned 90 euros for an interview with customers of a jewelry store and a quote for a car.

According to Violaine, if you are comfortable in English, you can also take an English test on the site (after registration, of course). If your level is sufficient, you will receive missions in English for the French site. Since there are many fewer applicants, you will be selected more often. Bingo!

However, Quentin had a slightly different experience: according to him, there are really too few missions in France on this site.

Be careful if you use this site: you will receive mission proposals by email, which you won’t always find in your personal space… a bit confusing.

BVA Mystery Shopping

The BVA Mystery Shopping site is also a classic in mystery surveys, which is very successful. Violaine, for example, had the opportunity to earn 1000 euros (yes, yes!) by performing short missions (so, no need to hide) for supermarkets. A kind of check in this case.

Qualimétrie

The Qualimetrie site is often used and I recommend it. Violaine, for example, was solicited for a job at a car dealership, paid 20€, and was very satisfied with it.

The importance of loyalty

After a few missions, organizations get to know you well and don’t hesitate to call you when they need a mystery shopper, especially for missions a bit further away.

In these cases, it is even possible to negotiate mileage fees (or bonuses). Violaine, for the previously mentioned mission at the car dealership, requested compensation for the trip (60 km from her home). Result: an additional 45 euros, on top of the 20€ compensation for the mission.

A few tips…

… before the visit:

Remember that, unless otherwise stated, you pay for travel expenses.
Prepare for the visit: carefully read the information and instructions given to you. The objectives of the mission should be clear.
If you need to make a purchase, don’t forget to have cash on you.
In fact, don’t forget everything you will need: a pen and notebook (if you want to jot something down during your visit), your camera or charged phone (if you need to take photos)… You need to be very attentive but remain discreet!
Don’t forget to plan the visit: most of the time, you have a few days to make the visit, so don’t forget and schedule your calendar accordingly.

… during the visit

Again: remain discreet. It’s not for nothing that it’s called a mystery shopper 😂
Follow the instructions to the letter.
Pay attention to every detail and take notes so you don’t forget these details. Remember that if the report is incomplete, you may not get paid and you will have wasted your time.
Don’t draw attention with your appearance or behavior, act naturally. You need to remain under the radar.
When you finish the visit, don’t hesitate to note everything interesting you saw in a small notebook (even if you need to go to the restroom to do it discreetly). And as soon as you can, fill out the report. The longer you wait, the more likely you are to forget the details.

… after the visit

Read the instructions carefully and do what you are asked.
In the report, you must be honest and clear. Watch out for spelling, punctuation, and grammar before sending the report.
Meet the deadlines for submitting the report. You must be a pro.

Be careful about what you say, as your opinion will be taken into account.

And remember:

To become a mystery shopper, you should NEVER pay for it.
Be careful to avoid scams. I read that some companies ask you to go to stores like Western Union to get a fake check. Once you try to deposit this fake check, the bank will refuse it and you will have to pay that money.
This job is just a supplement to earn some extra cash; very few people (in fact probably no one) live off it. It’s not a fixed job and you won’t receive benefits.
Read the terms and conditions of each collaboration that you will undertake as a mystery investigator carefully. You must clearly understand the payment conditions (payment method and payment period), your responsibilities, duties, and other important information.
Pay particular attention to the payment conditions. They must always be specified before making visits, and obviously fulfilled.
Do not disclose information about the establishments you will be evaluating. It’s a violation of the collaboration agreement you signed — and it’s not really professional.
Do not tell the establishment staff that you are a mystery shopper.
Your report must be objective and neutral.

Not convinced?

After everything you just read, do you think being a mystery shopper is not for you?

That’s fine… There are other good ideas to earn a nice little bonus each month.

Here are some ideas:

Paid surveys, which involve getting paid to give your opinion on a topic or share your consumption habits. Same thing, it won’t make you rich, but you won’t have to think too much. Here’s my take on Toluna, the most well-known paid survey site.
Reading paid emails, which involves reading emails and signing up for offers… For example, the Moolineo site, in my opinion the best of its kind, allowed me to earn 23 euros extra in a few weeks. It doesn’t bring in a lot, but it’s super easy! Just read the emails and sign up for paid offers.
Betting online on sports competitions. I even suggest you easily win 350 euros by betting on sports, but for that, you first need to click here.
Cashback, or how to get money back on your online purchases. If you want to know more, go read these 2 articles to know my opinion on iGraal, and my opinion on eBuyClub, the 2 leading cashback sites.
Rent your accommodation to travelers on Airbnb, either entirely or just a room, and pocket a few dozen euros per night (this simulator allows you to estimate what you could earn). This idea works in France, Belgium, Switzerland, and around the world!

And have you ever worked as a mystery shopper?

Tell us about your experience! And if you know of other websites that would allow other readers to become a mystery shopper, and that I haven’t mentioned, feel free to share them with us in a comment 😋