General Description:  How would you like to get paid to shop?  Better still, how would you like to receive payment for dining out, going to a spa or staying overnight in a hotel?

For those of you unfamiliar with the concept of mystery shopping, a  mystery shopper is someone who visits an establishment (typically a retail store, bank, restaurant or other such places) for the purpose of observing and measuring customer service, product quality and the environment in general. Shoppers are given details by the mystery shopping company responsible for the shopping program about  specific observations they should note during their visits.  Following the visit, the shopper completes a report (often using an online form) and sends their findings back to the mystery shopping company.

Mystery shopping is a relatively easy way to make a few extra dollars, but don't plan on it paying for the children's college tuition for quite some time.  Most shops pay a nominal amount and it takes time to build up a reputation and steady business.  

To get a feel for the types of shops you might eligible for, take a look at the shoppers section of www.mysteryshop.org.

Options for Flexibility:   Very flexible, especially because you might be able to bring your children along with you on the shop.  Some travel is required, particularly for higher-priced assignments. 

Resources for Further Exploration:

Associations:

The Mystery Shopping Providers Organization

Instantly Downloadable E-Books:

Other Books: