5 Best Mystery Shopper Jobs (Plus Top Legitimate Sites to Find Them)

If you’re reading this article, the thought of being a mystery shopper must have already struck your mind.

Mystery shopping is an excellent career choice for those seeking part-time work or a decent side gig to supplement their income.

It may not be as glamorous as you think, but it makes up for it in flexibility. You get to work with various companies that provide mystery shopping services to clients. 

Let’s take a look at some of the best mystery shopping jobs you can find and the top websites where you can find mystery shopper jobs.

What Is a Mystery Shopper Job?

Businesses use market research companies to obtain information about their services and products. They evaluate and assess the quality of the products or services and ensure the company follows regulations.

Market research companies hire mystery shoppers to complete various tasks and collect data on those businesses.

These shoppers pose as customers and act as regular customers – make a purchase, ask questions, interact with the staff, etc. – but with a twist. They submit a detailed report of their overall experience based on their observations.

You can do shops in-person or in a work-from-home setup and complete shops through phone, chat, instant messaging, etc.

Remember, mystery shoppers don’t look for what’s wrong but are paid to report their observations regarding their experience.

Types of Mystery Shopper Jobs

Here’s a detailed look at the five best mystery shopper jobs you can consider:

1. Retail Store Mystery Shopper

Mystery shoppers are often paid to visit retail stores, including specialty stores, supermarkets, department stores, boutique stores, and more. They engage with sales personnel and other staff and report their findings and overall experience to management.

2. Hospitality Mystery Shopper

These shoppers get paid to dine at hotels or high-end restaurants to provide valuable feedback on the restaurant’s customer service, food quality, and ambiance. They submit their findings on a simple report form or a questionnaire.

3. Healthcare Mystery Shopper

They pose as patients, friends, or family members to assess medical facilities and healthcare providers to ensure proper care is offered. Mystery shoppers evaluate an organization’s adherence to their prescribed values and standards.

4. Automotive Mystery Shopper

Mystery shoppers could also visit car dealerships or service centers as customers to provide an objective view of their experience and identify weak points. Their insights help measure the quality of customer service, staff efficiency, and customer satisfaction.

5. Leisure & Entertainment Mystery Shopper

Some of the most interesting mystery shopping works involve places like museums, bowling alleys, recreational centers, event venues, theme parks, and other entertainment venues. The mystery shoppers in disguise as real customers evaluate those venues’ service quality.

Top 5 Websites to Find Mystery Shopper Jobs  

To get you started, here are some of the best platforms that connect mystery shoppers with great job opportunities:

1. Market Force

Market Force is the undisputed leader in providing customer experience management, analytics, and financial KPIs solutions.

Established in 1972, Market Force is one of the esteemed mystery shopping companies with a growing global presence.

Pros of Market Force

• Complete tasks on the go from the mobile app.
• The company is BBB-accredited and a member of the Mystery. Shopping Provider’s Association (MSPA).
• Free to sign up.
• Has over 100,000 mystery shops each month.

Cons of Market Force

• Applicants must pass a few tests to become a mystery shopper.
• Some users complained that the company sometimes refuses to pay.

2. BestMark

BestMark is one of the largest mystery shopping and customer experience companies with an extensive network of independent contractors.

The company connects clients from several industries with the most experienced mystery shoppers to create the ultimate customer experience.

Pros of BestMark

• Chance to perform tasks both online/by phone or in-store.
• Provides comprehensive resources, such as training videos and certification courses.
• An elite member of the MSPA.
• Legitimate and has been in business since 1986.
• Covers several industries compared to other platforms.

Cons of BestMark

• Deadlines can be tight for some jobs.
• Some tasks require a lot of travel.

3. A Closer Look

A Closer Look is a customer experience marketing company that offers customized, in-depth mystery shopping solutions for different industries, including hospitality, senior living, entertainment, retail, residential, and self-storage.

Pros of A Closer Look

• Chance to work both part-time and full-time.
• Flexible schedules.
• Comes with free meals, hotel stays, etc.
• Work with a wide variety of products and brands.
• Free to join as a mystery shopper.

Cons of A Closer Look

• Pay could be inconsistent.
• Some assignments are time-consuming.

4. IntelliShop

IntelliShop is a legit mystery shopping company that hires independent mystery shoppers for retail stores and other top businesses.

They’re partnered with some of the world’s leading brands, helping companies evaluate and improve their customer service and product quality. 

Pros of IntelliShop

• Serves many industries.
• Provides diverse domains and assignments.
• Offers custom programs and strategies that cater to specific clients’ needs.
• Utilizes modern technology and online platforms for the mystery shopping process.

Cons of IntelliShop

• The fees can be a little high.
• Easy work, but the pay could be inconsistent.
• Task availability depends on your location.

5. Secret Shopper

Secret Shopper is a premier mystery shopping company that’s been in business for over two decades.

They maintain a vast network of mystery shoppers and offer many mystery shopping assignments in fields such as retail, hotels and restaurants, entertainment venues, and more.

Pros of Secret Shopper

• A legitimate company with many positive reviews.
• Offers many tasks, so you can find the ones that fit your interests.
• They’re a member of the MSPA.

Cons of Secret Shopper

• Assignments could require frequent travel.

What You’ll Need to Do Mystery Shopper Jobs

While you might think of mystery shopping as some freelance marketing gig job, this is far from the truth. A mystery shopper’s job is to observe and file reports on their experiences.

Here are some important skills you need to do your job effectively:

• Be anonymous: Because the job often requires visiting a location multiple times, you must learn to stay anonymous to avoid getting detected by the staff or other employees.
• Be detail-oriented: You get paid to report your findings and share as much information as possible, including the little details regarding your shopping experience.
• Stay organized: You may have to juggle multiple assignments for various companies with specific requirements and deadlines. This requires excellent organizational skills.
• Be objective: You should look at all the facts before providing your feedback or opinion. Have the integrity to do the shop right and ensure your findings are unbiased. 

Tips to Succeed at Mystery Shopping

Most mystery shopping companies don’t have any strict requirements. However, if you want to succeed at this gig, here are some insider tips you can consider:

• Consider a certification: While it’s not required, some companies will likely hire those who have completed the Silver or Gold Certifications offered by the MSPA. These programs give you a solid on the ins and outs of mystery shopping.
• Find shops and register with companies: Find and register with the best mystery shopper companies. They come in all shapes and sizes, so do your homework and find a reputed provider with years of experience. Seek out companies that specialize in fields that interest you.
• Avoid mystery shopping scams: Remember, a legit mystery shopping company will not charge a fee to work with them or pay you before the assignment. Look out for possible red flags when researching a mystery shopping company to filter the scammers out from legit ones.
• Follow written guidelines: Clients have specific requirements about how assignments are to be completed and when. You must complete the shops before the set deadlines while complying with the guidelines set by the client.

Frequently Asked Questions

Wrapping Up

Mystery shopping is an excellent strategy for businesses that care about their customers.

As a mystery shopper, you’ll give valuable insights to help businesses take corrective action where necessary and improve their customer experience.

Become a mystery shopper and help influence customers’ buying decisions by giving valuable feedback about a product or service.

Love our article? Share your thoughts in the comments section below. Feel free to share it with others who’d be interested in this profession.