Want to become a mystery shopper?
If so, weve found the five best mystery shopping companies to work for.
Workers can score everything fromfree foodto extra money when they work for a mystery shopping company.
Mystery shopping jobs are pretty plentiful, too.
The mystery shopping industry has been around since the 1940s and is anearly $1.5-billion-dollar industry.
Ready to learn how to get paid to shop?
While it makes a great side hustle, why not maximize the extra income you make in 2025?
What Is Mystery Shopping?
Mystery shopping is a job where a company pays you to pose like a regular customer.
You will know that amount before you buy.
Many mystery shopping trips entail visits to retail stores, food markets or phone shops.
However, for some gigs, you might visit local restaurants (free food!)
or even theme parks.
There are also phone mystery shopping companies where you interact with call centers and gauge the setup.
From there, youll get paid.
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How Do You Get Started as a Mystery Shopper?
Some pay via direct deposit, but most will mail you a check at the end of the month.
For assignments around liquor or alcohol, youll need to be at least 21 years old.
Some gigs also have ranges.
Some mystery shopping jobs also require you to have reliable transportation.
Especially since not following the rules means you wont get paid.
How Much Money Can You Get Paid for a Mystery Shopping Job?
It varies based on the company and assignment.
Its important to note that, as a mystery shopper, youll be anindependent contractor.
That means youre responsible for paying your own taxes.
How Do You Get Paid?
Many mystery shopping companies pay via PayPal, though some do direct debit and physical checks, too.
Some offer gift cards in lieu of cash payment, as well.
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Sinclair Customer Metrics
Sinclair Customer Metricshas been in the mystery shopping game since 1987.
It specializes in the banking, retail, grocery store, (quick-service) restaurant and convenience store spaces.
People looking for a mystery shopping assignment can sign uphere.
Better Business Bureau rating:A+.
How payment is distributed:Check.
What you should probably get paid:Submit completed assignments on time and adhere to all specifications.
People looking for mystery shopping gigs can sign uphere.
How payment is distributed:Direct deposit.
When payment is sent:Monthly, on the 15th.
IntelliShop
IntelliShopis a customer experience research and improvement firm.
The firms specialties are in the customer experience, online reputation management, and loss prevention and compliance sectors.
IntelliShop provides coverage in more than 18K cities in the U.S. and Canada and 180 countries.
Prospective shoppers seeking a mystery shopping assignment can find more informationhere.
Better Business Bureau rating:Not rated.
How payment is distributed:PayPal.
anything required for a particular task) must be submitted to receive payment for the shopper challenge.
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Mystery Shopping Service
Mystery Shopping Servicehas been around for 25 years.
Prospective mystery shoppers can get more information on available gigshere.
How payment is distributed:PayPal or check.
When payment is sent:End of the month.
What you oughta get paid:Submit completed assignments on time as outlined in the assignment instructions.
These jobs take anywhere from five minutes to a couple of hours to complete.
Youll need to register with Intouch to get started and of course, get paid.
Plus, you could work whenever you want.
People who do this regularly tend to earn about $200 to $300 dollars a week.
Intouch has been around for 25 years.
Whats Life Like for a Secret Shopper?
you might become a mystery shopper in a number of ways.
In fact, our CEO started mystery shopping as a teenager.
(Hes also completed more than 5,000 mystery shops to date!)
Hes since hung up his mystery-shopping boots.
But back in the day, he was usually paid between $8 and $25 per secret-shopping trip.
Your mileage may vary, of course.
But it can be a semi-lucrative and fun gig for the right person.
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A few rules of thumb:
Still confused about an opportunity?
Also, check out online reviews for any company before you work for them.
There are a ton ofrealmystery shopping companies, so do your due diligence to stay away from the scams.
The short answer: It depends.
Overall, though, its worthwhile to sign up for a couple different companies and see whats out there.
If you choose more involved tasks, the pay tends to go up with the workload.
The five companies listed in this article are all legitimate mystery shopping companies.
(Also, note that BBB ratings do not necessarily mean that a business is BBB accredited.)
Mystery shoppers can make anywhere from a few bucks to several hundred a week.
She owns a content-writing business and her work has appeared in U.S. News, Clark.com and Well Kept Wallet.
