Thoughts on Secret Shopping

Hi, I'm Karen, the owner of the become-a-secret-shopper website. On this blog I will sometimes talk about getting paid to shop, but it's basically a place to share information that I think will be of interest to my website visitors and others. I'm always on the lookout for new and interesting opportunities! Readers are invited to contact me through the contact form on my website.

Jul 5, 2008, Free or Paid Ads for Mystery Shopper Providers

Free or Paid Advertising for Mystery Shopper Job Providers

Jun 24, 2008, Get free gas for your mystery shopping trips.

Get free gas for your mystery shopping

Jun 23, 2008, Mystery Shopper Job Opportunities

Mystery shopper job opportunities are waiting for you.

May 15, 2008, Retirement Jobs

Retirement Jobs Available As A Secret Shopper

May 4, 2008, Using a Digital Camera when Secret Shopping

Some secret shopper jobs require using a digital camera.

May 4, 2008, GPS Deals

Best deals on GPS systems

Apr 24, 2008, Do you just buy stuff when mystery shopping?

The types of mystery shopping jobs now available are varying more and more. Today I used "My Easy Little Mystery Shopper Job Finder" software (found at http://www.become-a-secret-shopper.com/mystery-shopper-job-opportunities.html) to explore what types of jobs are now available.

There were a bunch of shopper jobs at banks - visiting them and inquiring about their services and then reporting on their customer service. Also there were jobs where you visit fast food places and record prices of items listed on their posted menus. Also there was one where you visit a bank and apply for a loan - again reporting on their service. I even found some shopper jobs that involved taking a pet for a vaccination!

Another mystery shopping job involved posing as a mother who is looking for a preschool for her child. Another one involved interacting with sales associates at a store, but not making a purchase. Another one involved getting a hair cut.

As you can see, mystery shopping does not always mean buying a product. There are so many different kinds of shopper jobs available that almost anyone can find something he or she would enjoy doing.

Apr 21, 2008, After Tax Planning

Now that your taxes are done (unless you filed an extension), it's time to plan ahead to make tax season a bit easier to get through next year. Set up a good record keeping system to take advantage of all the tax deductions you can get while doing your mystery shopping business. And faithfully keep your records up to date so that you don't miss out on any deductions that you can claim.

You might do some long term planning also. For instance, plan a vacation that includes several locations where frequent mystery shopping jobs are available. Then when it's time to leave, sign up for some shopper jobs, and you'll be able to write off at least part of your travel expenses because of doing secret shopping jobs as you go from city to city or even state to state. Make sure you save your receipts!

With good record keeping and good planning, you can reduce your taxes by claiming every deduction that you are eligible to take.

Apr 3, 2008, Are Gas Prices Influencing Your Secret Shopping?

With gas prices rising, some secret shoppers are re-evaluating which jobs they can take. When mystery shopping jobs are a bit far away from where you live, you need to analyze whether the pay you'll receive will be enough to make the expense of getting there and back worthwhile.

When finding a shopping job that you'd like to do, but which will cost you too much in travel expenses, there are two things you can do:

1. Contact the company offering the job and explain the number of miles you will need to travel and the cost of gas to get there and back. Ask if they'll pay you more to help cover your expenses. If they are having trouble finding a shopper to cover the job, they just might do this!

2. Check with several companies that provide mystery shopping jobs to see if you can find more than one job in the same area. You can outweigh the cost of gas by combining two or three mystery shopping jobs into one trip.

And don't forget, you can claim the mileage as a tax deduction!

Mar 31, 2008, Extra Income Mystery Shopper

Quick, easy extra income as a mystery shopper

Mar 23, 2008, Self Education Tax Deductions

Claim your self education tax deductions for your secret shopping business

Mar 21, 2008, Mystery Shopping Benefits Business

Mystery shopping improves the bottom line for business. This article explains how and why.

Mar 21, 2008, College Student Mystery Shopping

College Students and Mystery Shopping Jobs

Mar 11, 2008, Secret Shopper Fun Page

Take time out from making money by secret shopping and have a little fun

Mar 11, 2008, How Much Do You Get Paid To Mystery Shop?

This is a question often asked by those who are considering getting started with mystery shopping. There is not a set rate. Each company that hires mystery shoppers pays by the job, and their fees are set in part by what they are being paid by the business that wants a visit from a mystery shopper.

Because there are so many mystery shopping companies, it's pretty competitive for those companies to get business. So if they have to negotiate low to get a contract with a particular business for mystery shopping visits and reports, the result may below pay for the shoppers.

However, as you explore different companies and different jobs, you will find varying rates. For visiting a fast food place, you might get just a refund of $2.00 for food and a fee of $5 - $8 for doing the shop and the report. On the other hand, if you are applying for a bank loan or doing some other secret shopping assignment that requires a lot of time and detailed reporting, you might get paid $50 - $100.

You'll probably find that you need to build a good track record doing a number of lower paying jobs. Once you have proven that you are reliable and can submit an accurate, thorough report, you may be offered higher paying jobs than other people are getting.

Mar 4, 2008, My Answer Was Chosen As the Best!

I have heard about Yahoo Answers for awhile and decided to check it out. Since (of course) one of my favorite topics is Secret Shopping, I decided to see if people were asking questions about it. They certainly were!

In looking at some past questions, I was disappointed to see that many of the answers given to people were just opinions by people who have never done mystery shopping and who have just written it off as a scam without checking it out.

So I decided to look for a current question to answer, which I easily found. I wrote an answer and was picked as having the BEST answer!

Hey! That was sort of fun. Maybe I'll do it again.

I encourage those who have successfully secret shopped to go give your opinion to these questions. Let's help the world know what secret shopping is really about.

Feb 29, 2008, Why Do People Mystery Shop, Part 2

As we discussed in the last post, people become mystery shoppers for different reasons. Some just need some extra cash. Others like to shop. Others like to get free stuff.

However, a reason that is not always understood is that some people want to increase their tax deductions. They know that they need to have a business or be an independent contractor in order to get more deductions. Secret shopping is an easy way to do this without incurring a lot of expenses to set up a business.

The smart shopper can arrange secret shopping assignment trips to areas where he or she is going to do other things. It might be into town to do some errands or across the state or nation for a vacation. If done right, and with correct record-keeping, a lot of mileage can be written off.

Also things such as a GPS, a cell phone, a computer, internet access, a digital recorder, and/or a digital camera may be able to be written off as business expenses if those things are regularly used in the course of doing mystery shopping assignments.

Good record keeping is the key, and must back up the claim that these items are needed and used to do the job. Consulting with a tax adviser is recommended so that you only claim what can legally be claimed.

By scheduling and completing mystery shopping jobs on a regular basis, and keeping good records, you should be able to maximize your tax deductions.

Feb 24, 2008, Why Do People Mystery Shop, Part 1

Mystery shoppers are unique individuals, and their reasons for being a secret shopper vary.

One reason is simply because they want an easy way to earn some extra cash. Another reason is that they need a way to earn money without being locked into a firm schedule. They may need a flexible schedule that allows them to pick and choose the dates and times they will work. Some people mystery shop because they love to shop. They can do one or two shopping assignments while they are out doing what they love to do.

Some do it so they can get free stuff or at least get a discount. In my next post, I'll discuss another reason that may be less known.

Feb 21, 2008, Secrets of Cutting Your Income Taxes

Here in the U.S. it's tax time. Employees are looking at their W-2's and trying to find some tax deductions to squeeze out so that they can lower their tax bills.

What many people don't know is that by being self-employed as an independent contractor or as a home business owner, you can receive many tax deductions that the average employee cannot claim.

Since mystery shoppers are independent contractors, we have added new information to the tax related pages on this website - just in time for you to maximize your deductions!

We also have links to two FREE ebooks that will give you many secrets to cutting your taxes and let you know about little known tax deductions for independent contractors and business owners. You will find these links at our main tax deductions page on this Become a Secret Shopper website.

Technorati Profile

Feb 18, 2008, Tax Deductible GPS

When can you deduct the cost of a GPS on your tax return?

Feb 17, 2008, Travel Tax Deductions

Claim travel tax deductions related to your mystery shopping

Feb 17, 2008, Tax Deductions for Supplies and Services

Claim your tax deductions for your secret shopping supplies and services.

Feb 17, 2008, Tax Deductions for Secret Shopping

Claim your tax deductions for secret shopping

Feb 17, 2008, When You Are on the Road

A mystery shopper does a lot of driving. You normally have to drive to each location where you'll be doing your evaluation for your secret shopping job provider. With wintery weather conditions and traffic jams, it's important to stay alert. The worst thing would be to have an accident on the way to a scheduled mystery shop and not be able to complete the job.

It's good to be aware of defensive driving techniques that will help you avoid accidents. By clicking the above link, you can read some great online defensive driving tips. It's always good to review defensive driving strategies. They are easy to forget if you don't go over them now and then.

Drive safely!

Jan 19, 2008, Free Secret Shopper Videos

Enjoy these free fun and informative videos about secret shopping

Jan 14, 2008, Mystery Shopper Terms and Conditions

It is important to know the mystery shopper terms and conditions if you plan to do this work.

Jan 14, 2008, Mystery Shopper Training

It is easy to get mystery shopper training. You can educate yourself.

Jan 13, 2008, Listen to an audio about mystery shopping

An audio about secret shopping and blogs show a growing interest in mystery shopping.

Jan 12, 2008, Become A Secret Shopper

Sort out all the secret shopper info. Get the facts here.

Jan 4, 2008, Earn Points for Free Gifts and Rewards

Earn Rewards Points for Free Gifts and Rewards for Shopping and Reading Email

Jan 3, 2008, Mystery Shopper Scams

Beware of these mystery shopper scams. Don't be fooled.

Dec 31, 2007, Australia Mystery Shopping

Mystery Shopping in Australia is becoming common.

Dec 30, 2007, Is Mystery Shopping Legitimate Work?

Is mystery shopping legitimate work? Too good to be true? Find out.

Dec 30, 2007, Articles in the news about secret shopping

Articles on secret shopping that are in the news

Dec 30, 2007, How To Begin as a Secret Shopper

Need to know how to begin as a secret shopper? Get started now.

Dec 18, 2007, Secret Shopper Myths

New secret shoppers often believe common myths about mystery shopping.

Nov 17, 2007, What Is a Secret Shopper?

Wondering what a secret shopper is and does? Definition is here!

Nov 3, 2007, Mystery Shopping Saves You Money

A few days ago I got an eye exam as a mystery shopper. Not only will I receive the cost of the exam plus money for doing the shop, but also the company that assigned me this job gave me a membership to an eyewear discount plan. That card is good for the next two years, so I can use it in the future for any eyewear purchases.

I'm also planning to do another mystery shop to order a pair of glasses. I will get paid for doing the shop and will be able to get my glasses at a discount.

Soon we'll be getting an oil change for our car as a mystery shop also.

Even if you aren't interested in making money by being a secret shopper, you can still do occasional shops just to save money for things you would normally buy.

Oct 23, 2007, Several Web Pages Have Been Updated

Recently several of our become-a-secret-shopper pages have been updated. Click the links on the side and check out our pages to learn more about how to become a secret shopper and earn extra money for shopping.

Oct 1, 2007, "My Easly Little Secret Shopper Job Finder" Is Now Available

Just click the "Job Opportunities" button on the website and learn how this new software can take you quickly to posted secret shopper job listings Also it contains links to training, articles, and news items concerning mystery shopping.

This software will help you become a secret shopper quickly.

Sep 24, 2007, Part Time Jobs for Students

Part Time Jobs for Students Available from Secret Shopping Companies

Sep 23, 2007, Mystery Shopper Books

Read mystery shopper books for success in the secret shopping business

Aug 1, 2007, My Friend's Mystery Shopping Experience

Recently my best friend registered with a mystery shopping company that sends people out to grocery shop. She and her husband have been to several grocery stores in her area to purchase a few items and send in a report to the company. Each time they get reimbursed for their groceries plus get paid a fee for doing the mystery shop.

Also recently she did a mystery shop for a company that wanted a report on shopping for eye glasses at a certain retail store. She was able got paid $100 and got her new glasses at half price in return for doing the shop.

She is definitely enthused about secret shopping, because it is saving her money!

Mar 30, 2007, What to do if people beat you to the jobs?

22secret+shopping%22" alt=" " />"secret shopping" A question was asked about how to get secret shopper jobs if others in your area are getting the assignments before you do. This might help: Register with a whole bunch of companies that assign secret shopper jobs in your area. Then you'll be able to compete to get more jobs. Check the websites of the companies often so that you can sign up quickly. Some companies will put you on an email list also so that you can find out about the available jobs as soon as they are released. So sign up for their emails.

Mar 24, 2007, Squidooing

squidoo

Squidoo is a fun place - lots of people post all kinds of interesting things in "lenses." In addition to my lens on secret shopping: http://squidoo.com/secret-shopper, I've put up another one on credit scores: http://squidoo.com/credit-scores

I appreciate those who visit my lenses and click on the little stars to rate my lenses!

Squidooing is kind of addicting. I will probably put up another lens soon.

Mar 20, 2007, Squidoo

mystery shopping I have become a lensmaster! What's that, you may ask? A lensmaster is someone who publishes a "lens" on Squidoo.com. A lens is, simply put, a type of webpage. Visitors to Squidoo can rate the lenses by clicking on the stars above each lens.

How about visiting my secret shopping lens at http://www.squidoo.com/secret-shopper? I'd appreciate your vote! You vote by clicking on the stars at the top.

Jan 27, 2007, An Ideal Business for a Stay at Home Mom

A stay at home mom can make extra income through mystery shopping jobs

Jan 27, 2007, Regularly Assigned Secret Shopping Jobs

If you do a thorough job when you do your mystery shopping assignments, you may end up with regularly scheduled assignments. For instance, I know one secret shopper who is scheduled by a company to have his oil changed every three months at the same business. The company sends him a date and assignment automatically, so he always gets reimbursed for oil changes.

A couple that I know work together on assignments and have several regularly scheduled ones. Since they like to travel, sometimes they have to notify the company that they will not be available during certain dates. Once they get home, they usually have several new assignments waiting for them.

Jan 27, 2007, Verification

Dec 11, 2006, How To Begin As a Secret Shopper

Due to questions from subscribers to my website, I have added a page on how to begin as a secret shopper. This webpage reveals how to find out about secret shopper jobs and how to register for them. Also included is a special bonus offer for a report on how to get mystery shopping assignments sent to your email box every day.

Anyone who wants to get paid to shop and does not know how to start, or who wants more info on what to do should visit this page of the website!