Mystery shopping is a technique used by retailers, market research firms, and consumer watchdogs to evaluate the quality of customer service provided by various businesses. It involves individuals, known as mystery shoppers or secret shoppers, posing as regular customers to assess factors such as employee interactions, store cleanliness, product displays, and overall customer experience. Mystery shopping has been around since the 1940s and continues to be a popular practice in 2023.
Mystery shoppers typically visit businesses such as car dealerships, movie theaters, restaurants, retail shops, banks, or hotels, and may even take photos of products and displays. They often use their own money to purchase the products or services they are reviewing, with the understanding that they will be reimbursed by the mystery shopping firm later on. In some cases, they may also receive additional payment for their work.
Despite its popularity, there are some disadvantages to mystery shopping, including insufficient data, biased data, and workforce anxiety. However, it remains an effective way for businesses to gain insights into their customer service and make improvements where necessary.
Mystery shopping is still very much alive and thriving as a side hustle for those looking to earn extra money. Opportunities exist for individuals to become mystery shoppers and work with reputable companies such as Sinclair Customer Metrics, Market Force Information, IntelliShop, Elite CXS, and Mystery Shopping Service. These companies offer a variety of assignments, ranging from in-person visits to phone and video mystery shopping gigs.
To become a successful mystery shopper, one must possess qualities such as attention to detail, good communication skills, and the ability to follow instructions and meet deadlines. Payment for mystery shopping assignments varies depending on the company and the specific task, with some offering direct deposit, checks, or PayPal payments.
Mystery shopping is a valuable tool for businesses to assess and improve their customer service, and it continues to provide opportunities for individuals to earn extra income in 2023. With a wide range of assignments available and reputable companies to work with, mystery shopping remains an attractive side hustle for those looking to make some extra cash while providing valuable feedback to businesses.
