on information: http://www.mysteryshop.org/shoppers/certification.php

2) Real companies will not make promises about riches available by working for them.

How active you can be as a mystery shopper depends on many things. If you live in a small town, the hopes of getting lots of

If I owned and operated a legitimate mystery shopping company, I would be irate at the messages being spewed over the Internet:

Make thousands and keep what you buy!

Earn $50,000 as a mystery shopper.

Companies pay thousands for your opinions.

The reality is that you can earn money as a mystery shopper, but you will not get rich. Mystery shopping or secret shopping should never be considered the as the only source of income. It can, however, be an excellent source of extra income. Or it can be a way for someone to enjoy fine dining experiences or movie treats.

There are hundreds of legitimate mystery shopping companies. An Internet search will provide the names and contact information about these companies.

There a few simple ways to discover whether or not a mystery shopping company is legitimate:

1) The real companies do not charge an applicant to join. Since this is a job, there is an application to complete. Many companies require testing. And some even insist on certification. That does cost money, but certification also helps an applicant get assignments at hotels and resorts.

For certification information: http://www.mysteryshop.org/shoppers/certification.php

2) Real companies will not make promises about riches available by working for them.

How active you can be as a mystery shopper depends on many things. If you live in a small town, the hopes of getting lots of s

you can earn money as a mystery shopper, but you will not get rich. Mystery shopping or secret shopping should never be considered the as the only source of income. It can, however, be an excellent source of extra income. Or it can be a way for someone to enjoy fine dining experiences or movie treats.

There are hundreds of legitimate mystery shopping companies. An Internet search will provide the names and contact information about these companies.

There a few simple ways to discover whether or not a mystery shopping company is legitimate:

1) The real companies do not charge an applicant to join. Since this is a job, there is an application to complete. Many companies require testing. And some even insist on certification. That does cost money, but certification also helps an applicant get assignments at hotels and resorts.

For certification information: http://www.mysteryshop.org/shoppers/certification.php

2) Real companies will not make promises about riches available by working for them.

How active you can be as a mystery shopper depends on many things. If you live in a small town, the hopes of getting lots of

treats.

There are hundreds of legitimate mystery shopping companies. An Internet search will provide the names and contact information about these companies.

There a few simple ways to discover whether or not a mystery shopping company is legitimate:

1) The real companies do not charge an applicant to join. Since this is a job, there is an application to complete. Many companies require testing. And some even insist on certification. That does cost money, but certification also helps an applicant get assignments at hotels and resorts.

For certification information: http://www.mysteryshop.org/shoppers/certification.php

2) Real companies will not make promises about riches available by working for them.

How active you can be as a mystery shopper depends on many things. If you live in a small town, the hopes of getting lots of

ot charge an applicant to join. Since this is a job, there is an application to complete. Many companies require testing. And some even insist on certification. That does cost money, but certification also helps an applicant get assignments at hotels and resorts.

For certification information: http://www.mysteryshop.org/shoppers/certification.php

2) Real companies will not make promises about riches available by working for them.

How active you can be as a mystery shopper depends on many things. If you live in a small town, the hopes of getting lots of

on information: http://www.mysteryshop.org/shoppers/certification.php

2) Real companies will not make promises about riches available by working for them.

How active you can be as a mystery shopper depends on many things. If you live in a small town, the hopes of getting lots of shopping experiences are few. While you may be able to get an assignment at a restaurant and retail store this month, the shopping company (and client) may have rules about how often you can perform that shop.

Serious mystery shoppers are often signed up with more than one company. One company might specialize in restaurants; another might focus on large retail stores. And the really experienced shopper (and usually the certified ones) can be assigned to cruise ships, large hotel chains, and amusements.

My very first mystery shopping experience was almost 30 years ago. Back then, there were not many shopping companies. I worked for a private detective, and my assignments were to visit and grade leasing offices at large apartment complexes in Houston, Texas. I was paid $25 for about two hours of my time, which, back then, was quite unusual. Today, apartment shops in my location (Cincinnati) pay $40.

Later, as a single mom, I supplemented my income by mystery shopping. I regularly shopped two different large retailers. One month my assignment was to grade on cleanliness; the next month I graded on customer service.

I also regularly sho