Mystery shopping may be the perfect opportunity for you if you’re looking for a fun and exciting way to make some extra money!
This is a popular way to make money while at the same time providing feedback on customer service experiences.
Mystery shoppers pose as customers and secretly evaluate businesses – from restaurants and retail stores to hotels, banks, spas.
In exchange for their services, mystery shoppers are usually paid an agreed-upon fee or provided with a free product or service.
This blog post will list the 11 best mystery shopping companies to work for today.
These companies offer great opportunities for people who want to make some extra cash on the side.
So, if you’re interested in becoming a mystery shopper, then be sure to read on!
Table of Contents
11 best mystery shopping companies to work for currently
There are many more companies out there that offer mystery shopping services.
This should give you a good starting point for researching which ones might be the best fit for you.
However, when it comes to finding the right company to work for, it pays to do your research and ensure that you get the best deal.
1. Elite CXS
Description: Elite CXS is an international mystery shopping provider specializing in customer experience management.
They have offices in the U.K., USA, Canada, Australia, and Singapore, offering a wide range of mystery shopping services designed to evaluate customer service experiences and help companies improve their performance.
This company partners with other companies to conduct mystery shopper evaluations of things such as the cleanliness of their establishment, speed of service, and the quality confirmed through purchases.
Some notable partner companies include Porsche, T-Mobile, Gold’s Gym, and Burger King.
How to get started: To become a mystery shopper with Elite CXS, sign up on their website and complete an application form.
Once your application is approved, you’ll be able to browse through the available assignments and apply for ones that interest you.
You can also set up email alerts so that you know when new projects become available.
What makes them great: Elite CXS pays well and offers mystery shopping assignments in various industries, from retail stores to restaurants, banks, and more.
They also offer flexible working hours so you can take on as many or as few assignments as possible.
Potential Earning: $9-20 per hour
2. BestMark
Description:
BestMark is a market research company that provides professional mystery shopping services.
They partner with many well-known companies, such as Applebee’s, Subway, and Dunkin’ Donuts, to help them get honest feedback from customers about their experiences.
BestMark is one of the world’s largest mystery shopping companies, with more than 600,000 shoppers worldwide.
How to get started: To become a BestMark Mystery Shopper, register on their website and complete a few short paperwork assignments.
You’ll then be able to browse through the available projects and apply for ones that interest you.
This company is looking for abundant individuals who can easily communicate with others and are dedicated to meeting deadlines and satisfying customer expectations.
What makes them great: BestMark offers mystery shoppers competitive pay rates, as well as bonuses and incentives based on performance.
They also provide excellent support to their mystery shoppers, with a dedicated customer service team available to answer any questions.
Potential Earning: $10-$25 per hour
3. Secret Shopper
Description: Secret Shopper is one of the largest and most well-known mystery shopping providers.
They offer evaluations for various industries, including retail stores, restaurants, banks, hotels, casinos, car dealerships, salons, and more.
The company has been in business since 1990 and offers online and in-person assignments.
How to get started: To become a mystery shopper with Secret Shopper, you must fill out an online application form and attend a training session.
Once your application is approved, you’ll be able to browse through the available assignments and apply for ones that interest you.
You can also set up email alerts so that you know when new projects become available.
What makes them great: Secret Shopper pays well and offers a variety of assignments to choose from.
They also train new mystery shoppers so you can get up to speed quickly.
Finally, they offer flexible working hours so you can work when it suits your schedule.
Potential Earning: $15-$25 per job.
While free meals and reimbursement for expenses may not be the only compensation you receive, mystery shopping can still provide you with an opportunity to gain experience or visit new places, like casino resorts or cafes
4. Market Force
Description: Market Force is a leading mystery shopping company that helps businesses improve their customer service experiences.
They offer a wide range of services, including in-store visits and online surveys.
Some of their partner companies include Walmart, McDonald’s, Subway, and Pizza Hut.
How to get started: To become a mystery shopper with Market Force, you must complete an application form on their website.
Once your application is approved, you can start browsing and applying for assignments.
You can rank as a shopper by completing your profile and accessing more shops and features.
Also, completing and submitting your reports will improve your ranking to qualify for more jobs.
What makes them great: Market Force pays well for their assignments and has various projects available.
They also have an easy-to-use website where you can browse through all the open tasks and apply for ones that interest you.
Potential Earning: $10-$15 per hour
5. IntelliShop
Description: IntelliShop is an online mystery shopping company operating for over 25 years.
They offer store-based and telephone mystery shopping projects in countries worldwide, focusing on customer service assessments.
Some of their clients include Pizza Hut, McDonald’s, and Target.
How to get started: You can become an IntelliShop member by filling out their online application form with a copy of your ID and other relevant documents.
Then, you can log into the website and look at available assignments if your application is approved.
You can also set up email alerts to notify you when new projects appear on the site.
What makes them great: IntelliShop pays well and offers flexible working hours, allowing you to take on as many or as few assignments as you like.
They also have a wide range of projects available, so there’s always something new.
Additionally, they offer training and support to help you become a successful mystery shopper.
Potential Earning: $8-$15 per hour.
6. Sinclair Consumer Metrics
Description: Sinclair Consumer Metrics has been a mystery shopping provider for over 25 years.
They are one of the industry’s most respected mystery shopping companies and have worked with some of the top names in retail, restaurant chains, grocery stores, hospitals, banks, and more.
In addition to in-person gigs, Sinclair offers video mystery shopping to clients with a hidden camera.
How to get started: To become a mystery shopper with Sinclair Consumer Metrics, you must register on their website and fill out an application form.
Furthermore, fill out a survey and read the terms and expectations for your role as a shopper.
Additionally, it would be best if you took the Sinclair New Shopper Challenge, a short questionnaire confirming that you know and understand the provided information.
What makes them great: Sinclair Consumer Metrics pays above-average rates for their assignments and offers flexible working hours so you can take on as many or as few jobs as you like.
They also provide detailed reports after each project so you can track your progress.
Potential Earning: $10-$20 per hour
7. Mystery Shopping Service
Description: Mystery Shopping Service is a U.S.-based mystery shopping provider that offers comprehensive evaluations to help businesses improve their service, increase customer loyalty, and boost sales.
They provide various services, including restaurant, retail, financial institution, lodging, and entertainment evaluations.
The company’s primary clientele is in the industries of real estate, senior living, healthcare, retail, and hospitality across America.
How to get started: To become a mystery shopper with Mystery Shopping Service, you need to complete an online application form, including a background check and credit check.
Once your application is approved, you can browse the available assignments and apply for the ones you like.
What makes them great: Mystery Shopping Service is a great company to work for because they offer mystery shopping assignments in various industries, such as restaurants, retail stores, banks, hotels, and more.
They also pay well and have flexible working hours, so you can take on as many or as few assignments as you like.
Besides, they also offer generous referral bonuses for successful referrals.
Potential Earning: $10-$25 per hour
8. Service Evaluation Concepts
Description: Service Evaluation Concepts is an international mystery shopping provider with offices in the U.K., USA, Canada, and Australia.
They provide customer experience management services by engaging independent contractors who pose as customers to evaluate businesses on customer service, product quality, and store cleanliness.
How to get started: To become a mystery shopper with Service Evaluation Concepts, you must sign up on their website and complete an application form.
Once your application is approved, you’ll be able to browse through the available assignments and apply for ones that interest you.
You can also set up email alerts so that you know when new projects become available.
SEC mystery shoppers are put through two rounds of certification.
The first level is for the policies and procedures of SEC. Those who pass become brand agents and can complete more challenging tasks with a higher earning potential.
Research participants, or those who do not pass the initial test, can still mystery shop but have less control over what assignments they receive.
What makes them great: Service Evaluation Concepts pays well and offers flexible working hours.
They have various mystery shopping assignments in different industries, from retail stores to restaurants and banks.
They also provide training materials for new mystery shoppers so you can learn the ropes quickly and earn money immediately.
Potential Earning: $8-$20 per hour
9. Signature Worldwide
Description: Signature Worldwide is an international mystery shopping company specializing in improving customer experience.
Their services include mystery shopping, market research, and customer feedback surveys.
They have offices in the U.S., Canada, the UK, Australia, and New Zealand.
How to get started: To become a mystery shopper with Signature Worldwide, you must register on their website and create a profile.
Also is necessary to submit a resume and a job application to humanresources@signatureworldwide.com.
What makes them great: Signature Worldwide offers a wide range of assignments for mystery shoppers, ranging from retail stores to restaurants, salons, banks, hotels, and more.
They provide detailed information about each assignment, so you know exactly what’s expected of you before accepting it.
Plus, they pay well – up to $20/hour!
Potential Earning: Up to $20/hour!
10. AboutFace
Description: AboutFace is a Canadian-based mystery shopping company that offers services to companies across North America.
They provide various services, from customer experience evaluations and secret shopper reports to surveys and new product launches.
How to get started: AboutFace offers an opportunity to become a mystery shopper by signing up on their website, completing an application form, and waiting for approval.
Once you’re approved, you can browse through assignments that fit your interests and set up email alerts for future opportunities.
What makes them great: AboutFace pays well for their assignments and has many projects available.
They also offer flexible hours so you can work when it’s convenient for you.
Potential Earning: $25 -$45 per task.
11. Amusement Advantage
Description: Amusement Advantage is a leading provider of customer experience evaluations at amusement parks, family entertainment centers, and other leisure locations.
They offer mystery shopping services that help companies measure customer satisfaction in an entertaining environment.
How to get started: Amusement Advantage is always looking for new mystery shoppers!
To join, register on their website and fill out an application form.
If your application is accepted, you’ll get access to browse through available assignments and apply for the ones that interest you.
What makes them great: This is the company for you if you’re looking for fun assignments.
Mystery shoppers with Amusement Advantage get to visit amusement parks and other venues while secretly evaluating the quality of service they receive.
This company also offers flexible working hours, so you can take on as many or as few assignments as you like.
Amusement Advantage mystery shopping jobs are perfect for anyone looking for a fun way to make some extra money.
Some tasks you may be asked to do include visiting aquariums, bowling centers, trampoline parks, waterparks, and more.
Potential Earning: $10-$15 per hour
What is mystery shopping?
Mystery Shopping is a form of market research that involves hiring people to pose as customers and evaluate a business’s service and product quality.
It helps companies identify areas for improvement in their customer experience, sales process, employee behavior, and overall product quality.
Watch this short video where it is didactically explained what it is Mystery Shopping:
What mystery shoppers do is provide feedback on their shopping experiences and offer honest evaluations.
Mystery shoppers are typically asked to complete tasks such as observing staff behavior, recording interactions between themselves and the staff, evaluating the quality of products or services, taking pictures of store displays or other areas, and providing detailed reports to employers.
Mystery Shopping can be a valuable tool for businesses looking to improve customer service and increase profitability.
By using mystery shoppers, companies can assess customer satisfaction levels, identify potential issues before they become serious problems, and make necessary changes to remain competitive.
Overall, Mystery Shopping is an effective way for businesses to gain insights into how customers interact with them daily so that they can better serve their customers in the future.
How is it work?
The first step in a Mystery Shopping program is to find and hire qualified mystery shoppers.
Qualified shoppers should have a keen eye for detail, excellent customer service skills, and good communication abilities.
Once shoppers are hired, they will be given detailed instructions on how to complete their mission. They may also provide them with questionnaires to fill out after their experience.
Once the task is completed, the data collected by the mystery shopper is submitted to the company that hired them.
The company then evaluates this information and uses it to make improvements or changes to its services or products if necessary.
Mystery Shopping programs aim to help companies understand how their customers view their services and products to meet their future needs better.
Mystery Shopping is an invaluable tool for businesses looking to improve customer service and increase profitability.
By hiring mystery shoppers to assess customer satisfaction, companies can identify potential issues before they become serious problems and make necessary changes to remain competitive.
How to get started in mystery shopping?
The first step to getting started in the mystery shopping world is finding a reputable company that offers the service.
This is a Youtube video of Lovely Lasean:
Here she guides us in a detailed and simple way on how to start being a mystery shopper.
Many companies provide Mystery Shopping services, so it is vital to research and make sure you choose a legitimate company.
Once you have found a suitable company, you can register as a mystery shopper with them and start taking assignments.
You will be given specific instructions on what tasks must be completed during each project. It is essential to read these instructions carefully and follow them strictly to ensure accurate results.
Finally, once an assignment has been completed, you must submit the data collected by the mystery shopper back to the company they hired them through.
The company then evaluates this information and uses it to make improvements or changes to its services or products, if necessary.
How much money can earn a mystery shopper?
The money a mystery shopper can make depends on the company they are working for, the type of assignments they take on, and their skill set.
Generally speaking, most mystery shoppers range between $10-30 per hour, depending on the assignment.
On average, mystery shoppers in the U.S. make $975 per week. However, some companies may offer different rates depending on the job’s complexity.
In addition to hourly pay, mystery shoppers may be eligible for bonuses or rewards if they quickly and accurately complete assignments.
These bonuses can add up over time and help increase overall earnings as a mystery shopper.
You can also look for companies offering more elaborate or detailed assignments requiring specific skills to increase your earnings.
Those assignments usually pay higher rates and can be a great way to make additional money as a mystery shopper.
Note that, as a mystery shopper, you are an independent contractor.
Therefore, you will be responsible for your taxes; however, you can keep track of deductible expenses (like the gas required to reach a gig) to help lessen your tax burden next year.
Benefits of mystery shopping
As a mystery shopper, you can make extra money while also gaining valuable experience.
You’ll be able to take on assignments that interest you and get feedback from clients directly. Additionally, many companies offer additional bonuses or rewards for completing tasks on time.
Finally, as a mystery shopper, you can provide valuable feedback to help businesses improve their customer service and products.
You’re assisting companies to become more successful and profitable by actively participating in the process.
How to be great in mystery shopping?
There are several things you can do to become a great mystery shopper.
Above all, read the instructions for each assignment carefully and follow them closely. This will ensure that you get accurate results and complete tasks promptly.
Nikki Connected, give us tips to kill it as a mystery shopper in this YouTube video:
Be sure to take detailed notes during each shop and use any forms or software provided by the company as directed.
It is also essential to remain professional throughout the assignment; this means being polite and friendly with staff members, even if they are difficult or unhelpful.
You must be detail-oriented and stay organized. It is important to remember and adhere to all deadlines to remain a valued mystery shopper.
Also, it is essential to provide honest feedback about the experience you had with each company.
Finally, remember that you should never reveal yourself as a mystery shopper when completing an assignment; most companies require shoppers to remain anonymous to avoid bias in their findings.
However, if at any point you feel like you are being made aware of your identity, end the assignment and contact the company immediately.
How to avoid scams and fake mystery shopping companies?
Unfortunately, there are several fake or fraudulent mystery shopping companies out there.
One way to avoid these scams is to research the company before signing up for any assignments.
Ensure the website looks legitimate and has a good reputation on review sites such as Trustpilot and Glassdoor.
Additionally, be wary of companies requiring you to pay upfront; most legitimate mystery shopping companies will never ask you for money before assigning you to work.
Lastly, ensure that the company is affiliated with the Mystery Shopping Providers Association (MSPA). This organization provides protection and verification services to ensure that all mystery shoppers are treated fairly.
In summary, if you take the time to research and remain aware of potential scams, you can be a successful and safe mystery shopper.
