Shops are done at night for all sorts of businesses so that the evening staff is assessed as well as the daytime staff... A mystery shopper who does his/her job well, will not be suspected at any time of day.

I figure it is so they can be assured about theoretic bench at different times of the day. Colette @ Jan 15, 2020 6:03:58 PM

^^Michelle,

Is it possible that some shops are done at night so that the management / staff would not suspect a Mystery shopper?

This was my thought.

I performed a mystery shop where your reimbursement was exactly what you paid for the meal. I looked at it as a free meal but am less inclined to doing that in the future. I would prefer the difference between fee and reimbursement to be greater than the cost of the meal.

I don’t know. I thought it might be because business want to see how staff does at night.

I've been out of shopping for a few years and thinking about going back to it. Why would anyone do a shop that doesn't pay you for your time and efforts?

Maybe I'm getting fussy in my old age, but I expect a [proper] fee to go, all my expenses reimbursed in full, and my bus fare. (I don't drive so don't ask me to figure out mileage.) And not interested in buying something I can't use or return. In exchange you'll get a well-written and accurate report.

I don’t know why that would make a difference.