Mystery Shopper Reimbursement (Ask The Coach)

Question:

Do the companies that hire a mystery shopper pay that person before they "shop" or does that person only get reimbursed?

Answer From Coach Melanie:

The term "shopper" is not exactly an accurate term. Mystery shoppers--especially the ones that make the top money--don't always actually shop a store, nor due they always make a purchase. Top-earning mystery shoppers usually do a lot of service category shops for apartment complexes, new home builders, car dealers, financial services companies, gyms, testing centers, etc. Or they may do shops that involve the use of audio or video technology.

It is often a lower-paying retail shop that has a purchase requirement. In the case of a purchase and return shop, the pay is usually higher because you may have to wait anywhere from a half-an-hour to a day to return the item. There you are returning the item so you don't really lay out the money. In other cases, where you are supposed to make a purchase that you keep, you are given a certain item and/or a spending limit upto which you will be reimbursed. A restaurant shop is often a reimbursement-only situation where you will receive a meal for two and that is the compensation for your time. Overall, you are always paid after the shop and your subsequent report has been filed and accepted as valid. If there was a reimbursement due, that is also post-shop.

Have a great day and happy shopping!

Taking the mystery out of professional mystery shopping--Melanie Jordan http://www.mysteryshoppercoach.com

Copyright 2005 Melanie R. Jordan E-Publishing