Getting paid to shop may sound too good to be true but this is exactly what mystery shopping is all about.

What is mystery shopping and how do you earn money from it?

The entire concept of mystery shopping is based on measuring customer service. In order to be successful, companies have to ensure that customers are satisfied with their service and product.

Intangible aspects of customer service may be much more difficult to define and evaluate. The staff may display unnatural behaviour when the company bosses walk in to supervise operations. This is the reason why companies send out mystery shoppers to help measure the intangibles. The company chooses and hires mystery shoppers but the staff are unaware that an individual maybe a mystery shopper.

In order to evaluate their customer service in an objective and unbiased manner, companies like to recruit mystery shoppers. In order to become a mystery shopper, you have to suit certain predefined profiles. For example, for certain products, the company may prefer candidates between 20 and 25 years of age and female.

Companies who are interested in feedback from mystery shoppers hire independent contractors who recruit prospective shoppers through their websites. When you opt for mystery shopping, you are a shopper with a specific agenda. Mystery shopping is a fun and interesting way to earn some extra money.

You may want to be aware that you will receive assignments that correspond to your profile. For example, a dental equipment manufacturer may want mystery shoppers for denture cleansing liquid. For this mystery shopping assignment, they may prefer elderly customers who would be more likely to use dentures.

Ideally, mystery shopping websites prefer people who are flexible with time and days. This is the reason that mystery shopping is an ideal opportunity for homemakers, students and elderly people. You may be asked to visit a store or place of business at a specific time and specific place.

Important tips for beginning mystery shoppers:

1. Register only with trusted, well-reputed websites; there are a lot of scams on the internet

2. Never divulge details of your bank account; reputed websites never request you to give confidential information

3. You always have a choice whether to accept an assignment or not; if you feel uncomfortable, you have the option of declining.

Mystery shopping is a fun and interesting way to earn money. Have you tried mystery shopping? How did it work for you?