The Secret of Mystery Shopping—Bring Your Kids Fun Places For Free (or really cheap)

You have heard of mystery shopping, but you may think grocery and retail stores. Did you know that mystery shopping also includes amusement parks, museums, aquariums, bowling and just about any fun place you can think to bring your family?

I have been in Mystery Shopping for many years. It is a great way to make extra cash. Also, it gives you the opportunity to bring the kids really fun places on a budget.

The Complete Guide to Getting Started Mystery Shopping and How to Maximize Your Earnings

If you are thinking about getting involved in Mystery Shopping, it can be overwhelming and difficult to figure out where to start. There are also many things to watch out for to stay away from scams.

Don’t Get Scammed, Get Started HERE with my Insider’s Guide to Mystery Shopping.

Why Start Mystery Shopping?

These days, it can cost a small fortune for families to go anywhere. Indeed, entertainment and recreation can really add up. 

When I discovered mystery shopping, I could not believe there were companies out there that would pay for me to bring my kids to places we wanted to go. I could get reimbursed to take my children to amusement parks, movies, trampoline parks, museums, and restaurants. Also, with certain assignments, I could even earn a little extra too. Consequently, we were free to adventure without strain on our budget.

Make Extra Cash

In addition to entertainment assignments, there are plenty of jobs that pay you money to shop! With a little bit of planning and some insider tricks, it can add up to a nice bit of extra money.

After doing this for many years, I have learned the secret to making money mystery shopping. Click HERE for my Complete Guide To Getting Started Mystery Shopping and How to Maximize Your Earnings.

How to Avoid Scams

Does it sound too good to be true? You do have to be very careful. It is important to know how to safely and successfully start mystery shopping. There are many legitimate companies. Unfortunately, there are also many scams in the mystery shopping world.

That is why I have put together The Complete Guide to Getting Started Mystery Shopping and How to Maximize Your Earnings It contains insider information on how to avoid scams, which companies to start with, and how to increase your earnings and make good money mystery shopping.

How To Protect Yourself

Red flags to look for are companies asking for money upfront or luring you in with offers that seem too good to be true.

As a general rule of thumb, check to make sure the company is listed on the MSPA website. This is the Mystery Shopping Provider Association which lists only verified members. There you will find hundreds of vetted companies. So many in fact you may find yourself completely overwhelmed. My guide will give you 6 excellent top recommended companies to start with as well as additional red flags to look for to avoid fraudulent companies.

What You Need to Know Before You Start

It is not all fun and games. You still have a job to do. Your job is to report back your findings to the company because it ultimately ends up back with the client. Though mystery shopping is fun, your job is important. Here are some things you need to know before getting started:

1. You must be a good report writer. Many companies will have you submit a writing sample as part of your application. Therefore, you must take this seriously. Review and edit your work. Make sure it is free of grammatical and spelling errors, for example.

2. You must be able to follow very detailed and sometimes lengthy instructions. Each shop is different because the client is looking for specific criteria for their business. You may have to read the instructions several times before your shop.

3. An editor will be reviewing your work. Be prepared to have some corrections made or more information requested. Furthermore, your report goes directly to the client. Therefore, it must be top quality and exactly what they are looking for. The editor knows exactly what their client is looking for. The better your report, consequently the better relationship the secret shopping company will have with their client.

4. If you submit top-quality and well-detailed reports, you will build a good reputation with the company. Additionally, each company has its system to evaluate you as a shopper. Some use a badge system, others use a score or rating.

5. If you do not conduct the shop exactly the way the instructions detail, you may not get paid for your work. For Example, if you conduct your shop on a different date or time than you are scheduled, or if you fail to evaluate all of the areas detailed in the instructions, you may not get compensated.

6. Payment/Reimbursement can take a while. Don’t expect a weekly paycheck. Some companies take up to 60 days to make payment. The use of Paypal helps get payment to shoppers a little quicker. Therefore, if you have the option for electronic payment, it is worth it to get that set up.

Just Have Fun

Mystery Shopping is a really fun side job with the potential to make good money. Equally as important, it allows your to save money doing fun things with your family. For Instance, spending a few hours at a Trampoline Park may usually cost you $30-$40, but with Mystery Shopping, you get reimbursed for your time there in exchange for your services. It is truly a great gig!

No matter what your work schedule is,  there are assignments to fit all schedules. You can find assignments during the week, on weekends, during the day, and also evenings. Some you can bring your children and some require you to be solo. You simply decide when you are free, and work when you want.

If you are serious about mystery shopping, a few dollars spent on The Complete Guide to Getting Started Mystery Shopping and How to Maximize Your Earnings could save you from falling victim to scams, and will get you started earning money right away. The tips contained in my guide took many years for me to learn. Why not skip ahead and start successfully right from the beginning!

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Check out another adventure you can do with your family on a budget! Camping on a Working Farm: An Unforgettable Family Experience