Hello everyone,

I am looking into starting a new "work from home" business and thought that iSecretShop maybe a good opportunity. Can you give me some feedback on the job in terms of how much money you can make?

Hayley -

How much mystery shoppers make varies greatly. It's all about what you put into it, your ability to travel, etc.

I work full time as a teacher and have largely taken the last three weeks off. So far this year, I've earned a little shy of $10,000, not including reimbursements and gambling winnings from casino shops. I have had individual months where I top $4,000 and weeks in which I've earned $2,000. I also recognize that I make more that most folks.

There are folks who do this full time as their primary income, but those folks are, by far, in the minority. Folks who do this full time do most/all of the following:

* Are signed up with 150-200 companies - most of which are not affiliated with iSS.

* Go on the road on overnight routes for days and weeks at a time.

* Purchase video equipment and do video shops.

* Attend conferences so as to get to know the owners of various companies.

Hi Hayley, I'd take MFJohnston's advice! I would also like to say that it all depends on where you live, if you can drive, and if you can afford to shell out some cash initially for some shops because most do require that. I've been mystery shopping for approximately two years now. I live in central NJ, approximately 45 minutes from NYC and Philadelphia so I am in a good location where I can actually get tons of work. I'm also only an hour from Atlantic City where a lot of gambling shops are available. I just haven't had the "drive" to do so much traveling. So I don't make much. I've only been accepting jobs within a 25 mile range up til now but it's because I've only recently become more serious with mystery shopping. I want to eventually make it a full time gig but that means I have to take more work from other mystery shopping providers, and I just started doing so. But in my experience I do that slowly so I get used to each company's rules and guidelines. I currently do work for approximately several mystery shopping companies on a regular basis but only make about $200 weekly from it. (after reimbursements) so I personally have a long way to go. It's hard, but if you enjoy the work and don't mind long days of driving go for it! It's possible, but is a lot of work. I forgot to add something important. Although I only make on average 200/week, I also only work a total of maybe 10 hours a week. I've tried to figure out how much I'd have to work to make like 500 plus per week, and it's hard since jobs change daily, but I'd estimate that I'd have to put in approximately 40-50 hours a week to make a steady 500 plus per week. But that's my estimate based on the providers I'm signed up with right now.

Hayley - Just my two cents, but I do love mystery shopping. It is NOT for everyone though. I have been shopping for over 20 years now. If you like administrative stuff, are detailed and don't mind travel, this could be a great way to make money. Years ago, I taught mystery shopping symposiums and everyone asked me if I was afraid these new people would take away jobs from me, but in reality, many fell away as it was just too much detail work of keeping receipts, checking for jobs, making sure you get paid, tracking your paperwork, returning emails, and being acutely aware when you are shopping. If this all sounds good to you, then you might be a good candidate. I have always been a part-time shopper as I also have taken care of my kids, the house, finances, etc. When company comes from out of town, I just don't schedule any work and I get the time off. I make anywhere from $1000-$3000 a month. I make the most with route shopping but typically only do that 2-3 times a week. Recently I traveled to Seattle for 3 days and made $700 so it does depend on location and what shops are around you. The more populated an area, typically means more shoppers are there as well. This can affect the fees and if the companies will bonus shops are not. I used to live in California where it was more populated and typically the shop fees were lower. I moved to Oregon and it's all about travel. But along with that means more shops are bonused as there just aren't as many shoppers in this location. MS is very flexible but you DO have to be organized to make some real cash. Hope this helps!

One more thing, the $1000-$3000 a month is not including food, gas, and merchandise reimbursements so that's an extra perk. When I state the amount of $1K-$3K, that is hard cash. You do have to sign up with lots of companies as was noted above. Oh, and no one starts out making this kind of money within the first month or two. Take it slow and build. You also need to build up your reputation with the schedulers in order to get the better shops or get more bonus'. Your reputation is everything when it comes to MS.

Hayley-

Welcome to ISS and mystery shopping. Yes, you can make money doing mystery shopping and how much is dependent on you. The MSPA has a list of member mystery shopping companies that you can use to shop which will require you to register with them. Also, I use ISS along with other companies and/or platforms so that way I can keep somewhat busy. By signing up with other companies, you might be able to do different shops for different companies in a day or in one week. I do mystery shopping part-time. The thing that has helped me stay organized is an appointment type calendar so that I know what I am doing and about when. It also helps me keep track of personal activities too. I know smartphones have apps for appointments but I prefer the paper kind. You will have to find what works for you.

Hi everyone!

I’m hoping to go full time. Is it true that the you have to start small to work up to being offered what are considered top shops?

Kristy

Kristy -

To a degree, yes. However, there is not going to be any hard-and-fast rule. There are hundreds of companies that offer shops and each has its own procedures. Well-established companies with long lists of trusted shoppers might be slow to trust more intricate shops to a new person. A company struggling to get shops completed might be more willing to take a chance on somebody that you don't know.

As a shopper, you need to recognize that your reputation is everything. Be professional. Be extremely reliable (i.e. NEVER cancel). Always do outstanding work. If you do this, you will quickly be recognized by the companies and schedulers with whom you work as somebody that can be trusted with the most complex assignments. You will also be the one that gets called at the 11th hours when they are desperate - and ready to offer significant bonuses.