Secret shopper jobs pay you to evaluate customer service and store operations.
In this article, we’ll explain how to become a secret shopper and what the role entails.
Best Secret Shopper Apps Online and Offline
Ipsos
Unlike many of the secret shopper platforms we’ve listed, Ipsos is available internationally. In addition to the USA, Ipsos is available in Canada, Chile, Australia, New Zealand, India, and many other European countries.
Secret shopper jobs can be done in person, through email, by phone or using web chat. Each task offers different rates of pay, depending on the amount of time needed and the complexity of the task. This can range from a dollar upwards.
Ipsos processes payments every second Monday of the month. You’ll receive a bank transfer with your earnings within three to four days.
You can sign up here. You’ll need to provide an email address, your address, contact details and some demographic information. Ipsos uses these details to match you with appropriate tasks.
iSay Summary
- You can earn as much as $50 each month
- Earn $1 for each friend you invite
- Low minimum cash out threshold of $5
- Instant cash out for e-gift cards
Secret Shopper
As the name suggests, Secret Shopper specializes in secret shopper jobs. The company has been around since 1990 and offers opportunities worldwide, including the USA and many European countries.
You can sign up through the Secret Shopper website by selecting your country and clicking “sign up to shop”. You will need to read and agree to the rules and guidelines and complete a basic test that verifies you understand all the rules.
Secret Shopper requires some of your personal information including your name, date of birth and address. You’ll then receive a shopper ID and password. You can then explore the list of assignments. The pay for each assignment varies, but it is typically $15 to $25.
Amusement Advantage
Amusement Advantage is a secret shopper company where you can earn to visit bowling alleys, museums, amusement parks, aquariums and zoos.
These can be more fun secret shopper jobs than just visiting a grocery store, but you will need to be more detail oriented.
Some tasks only offer to refund your admission, but others offer cash incentives. Additionally, there is a $5 bonus on some assignments if you complete the task by 10 am.
You can also boost your earnings by referring friends to the platform. Referrals can earn you $20 each.
The only downside is it can take up to 45 days to receive your payment. To sign up, you’ll need to go through the registration process online.
iSecretShop
iSecretShop is available as a desktop browser or app. It currently has over 1 million members. You can choose in store, web or phone secret shopper jobs.
Where iSecretShop is a little different from many of the companies and platforms we’ve listed here is that it doesn’t pay you directly. Shoppers receive payment from the Mystery Shopping Providers offering the jobs.
This job board offers opportunities from 1,000 companies. Although each MSP has different payment policies, most pay via PayPal.
To sign up, you’ll need to complete the online form on the iSecretShop website. This includes demographic information such as your address, gender and family dynamics.
KSS International
KSS International has been around since 1998. This is not a standard secret shopping company. Instead KSS connects secret shoppers with assignments from other companies. KSS has scheduled over 1 million assignments for 80 mystery shopping companies.
Typical assignments include retail, banking and alternative financial services. The rates vary according to the MSC, but most pay via PayPal You can expect to earn $8 to $20 per assignment.
To sign up, you’ll need a valid email address and some demographic details so KSS can offer you appropriate tasks.
Gigwalk
GigWalk is an app that offers various gigs. Not all of these are secret shopper jobs. They range from checking prices at a specific grocery store to taking pictures for an insurance company. The tasks can take a few minutes to several hours. You can expect to earn $3 to $100 per gig.
The Gigwalk app is available for Android and iOS devices. You can complete the gigs directly on the app. So there is no need to log on to your computer to finish an assignment.
When you download the app, you’ll need to follow the prompts to create your account and you can get started.
Merchandiser
Merchandiser is another app platform that relates to retail activities including secret shopping by Survey.com. You may receive an invite to put stickers on items, count inventory or even set up a promotional display.
The app is available for Android and iOS devices. After you download the app, you’ll need to complete your details and wait for gigs in your area. Most tasks take approximately 15 minutes and you can expect to earn $12 per hour or more. You’ll receive payment via PayPal.
Field Agent
Field Agent is a secret shopper app. There are assignments for members that include visiting Walmart stores, and other popular retailers. The app is available for iOS and Android devices.
After you download the app and create an account, you can receive assignments. There is the potential to earn $3 to $20 per task. The Field Agent team will review your descriptions and photos. You should expect payment approximately two days after you submit your report.
Phone Mystery Shopping
ARC
ARC has BBB accreditation and pays members via PayPal for every mystery phone call. The amount you’ll receive depends on the task’s specifics, but you can expect anywhere from $3.50 to $12.
ARC recruits from multiple countries and you may get priority for jobs if you speak multiple languages.
To begin working for ARC, you’ll need to complete the online form. This includes questions about your address, date of birth, and other demographics. You will also need to supply your PayPal information, so you can get paid.
Perception Strategies
Perception Strategies focuses on healthcare secret shopping. Since 1998, the company has performed over 150,000 secret shops, ranging from calling a doctor’s office to a full-length doctor’s visit.
The phone secret shops typically charge $12 to $17, but in-person tests are more expensive.
Perception Strategies has vacancies in various states across the U.S. To apply, you’ll need to complete the application. This includes your location and answers to a few basic questions.
Even if there isn’t an immediate opening in your area, Perception Strategies will keep your information on file. They will notify you in the future if an opportunity arises.
What Is a Mystery Shopper?
Mystery shopping or secret shopping is a flexible task that involves visiting businesses anonymously to check that standards are being met and that customers are being served. This isn’t just about visiting retail stores or shopping for groceries. You may be asked to visit restaurants, take in a movie, or even have your eyes tested.
The mystery shopping process varies from task to task, but most will supply you with a set of specific instructions that you need to follow before you enter a business or shop.
This could include guidelines for what you need to buy, a list of questions you should ask, details to look for, and whether you need to take photographs. After your visit, you may be required to write a report or fill in a questionnaire.
You may have questions about whether the store had adequate signage or need to rate the employee interaction.
How Much do Secret Shoppers Make?
The rates of pay for secret shoppers can vary dramatically. Depending on the project requirements, they can earn anything from $1 or $2 to hundreds of dollars.
Some projects don’t offer a cash payment, but you’ll have a budget to spend in store and be allowed to keep the items as freebies. However, you need to take care about what you spend, as if the brief may specify the total reimbursement. So, if you’re tasked to visit a restaurant, there is no point in ordering a three course gourmet dinner if you’ll only be reimbursed $20.
How to Become a Mystery Shopper?
For a complete beginner, finding mystery shopping jobs can be a little daunting, so it is a good idea to sign up for multiple platforms offering secret shopper jobs mentioned in this article. Although these may not be the highest paying gigs, they can help you develop experience and your skill set.
We’ll explore the best secure shopper jobs both online and offline, to help you to find the ones best suited to your circumstances.
Avoid Mystery Shopping Scams
How to not get scammed and sign up only with legitimate companies?
Secret shopper jobs can be a great side gig. Unfortunately, this industry also has more than its fair share of scams. So, it is important to avoid any mystery shopping scams.
Of course our list of secret shopper jobs only includes legit options. But, we also want to highlight what to watch out for.
Only Use a Trusted List of Companies:
When you’re looking for reputable secret shopping companies, ensure you sign up for one recommended by a trustworthy source. Most reputable companies, such as AboutFace and BestMark, are members of the MSPA.
This is a professional industry board that has the primary goals of establishing standards and industry ethics, educating providers and shoppers, improving the industry image and promoting members.
Over 450 companies worldwide are members of the MSPA, which provides a good benchmark for reputable companies.
You can also verify the company’s rating on Trustpilot or with the Better Business Bureau.
Never Wire Them Money:
No reputable secret shopping company will ask you to wire them money. If you’re asked to deposit a check and then wire funds to a third party, don’t do it. This is a classic scam and many scammers use the concept of mystery shopping to try to dupe people.
Some companies require you to make a purchase to evaluate the shopping experience. However, you’ll be reimbursed for this purchase. Be sure to check the terms and conditions of the platform before you make any purchase.