Is this a Scam? "Mystery/Shadow Shopper"

iVillage Member
Registered: 04-08-2003
Is this a Scam? "Mystery/Shadow Shopper"
5
Thu, 04-01-2004 - 9:21am
Hello,

I really would like to earn some extra money since I'm a SAHM. DH makes a great salary but I would like to earn a little something extra just for me or to at least help a little bit.

I've read so many sites about "mystery shoppers".. Have any of you ever done this or known anyone who has?

Any advice or suggstions?

Thanks so much!
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-24-2004
Thu, 04-01-2004 - 12:39pm
i have been mystery shopping for 2 years now, when my daughter was about 6 mos old. i read up on it and thought it sounded good since it was mystery shopping at stores in the malls that i already go to (2-3 times a week just to get out of the house.) anyways, it's great for a SAHM since it's so flexible however everyone who does it will tell you that unless you're doing 10 or more shops a day/5 or 6 days a week that it really won't be like an income...extra money, YES. the main reason i do it is to sign up for the REALLY nice restaurant shops, like DH's favorite restaurant. basically we get to go out for a really nice dinner pretty much for free. i also do other shops such as mall shops, cell phone shops, bank shops, these each pay about $10 each to do. that money, which isn't alot mind you...only because i'm in MA and it's tough to fill a day with shops because there are alot of other mystery shoppers, but i use that extra money for coffee, or to buy lunch for me and DD when we're at the mall, or to pay for a bottle of wine i want to have with dinner for me and DH. some of the retail shops are good in that if you do have to purchase something, they'll reimburse you for up to a certain dollar amount, usually 10-20 dollars. so i look at it like getting a really good deal on a cute spring shirt or a pair of earrings. this is a link to a really good site for mystery shopping that i belong to http://pub111.ezboard.com/bmysteryshopresources. it's not a scam unless you fall prey to paying a fee to a website that states it will get you jobs. you can do alot of legwork on your own without paying anyone and find yourself lots of shops. Good luck if you decide to do it. ~ kim
iVillage Member
Registered: 04-08-2003
Thu, 04-01-2004 - 1:40pm
Kim - I'm in MA too.. Shrewsbury, is a matter of fact.. where are you?

Thanks for the info..i'll look into it. I'm always up for even an extra $20.. hey,its $20 i don't have now! :)

Thanks!
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-24-2004
Thu, 04-01-2004 - 1:54pm
WOW, that's funny. i'm on the South Shore, Marshfield. 31 and i stay home with my 2-1/2 yo DD. i've been home since she was born so it's a long time to be home, i'm always looking for things to get me out of the house and break up my day, the mystery shopping definitely does that and like you said, even an extra $20 is better than nothing.
iVillage Member
Registered: 04-08-2003
Thu, 04-01-2004 - 2:26pm
Thats even funnnier..one of my best friends lives in Marshfield..she's 33 with 2 children... Prince Circle..know where that is?
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-24-2004
Thu, 04-01-2004 - 4:38pm
i only know of a prince rogers not sure if it's way, circle, lane, etc. that's so funny. amazing the people you can meet out of all the millions online.