Any "Secret Shoppers" Out There?? - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

tv star collector · 09-13-2008, 04:28 PM

While I was shopping for groceries at Food Lion yesterday, I overheard the manager tell one of the
employees that they would be receiving a visit from some Secret Shoppers. Later I saw an ad in the local newspaper for Secret Shoppers. So, I called the 800 number and they asked for my zip code
and told me that I would be paid to shop at stores in my local area. I would be trained online and
paid $50 for each survey that I completed and submitted. He gave the website address. It sounded
like a good opportunity, so I logged onto the website. But there is a charge (it didn't say how much).
I haven't pursued the matter any further. Does anyone know how much the charge might be? If you
can supply any information, I would greatly appreciate it.

BarneyFife · 09-13-2008, 04:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tv star collector

While I was shopping for groceries at Food Lion yesterday, I overheard the manager tell one of the
employees that they would be receiving a visit from some Secret Shoppers. Later I saw an ad in the local newspaper for Secret Shoppers. So, I called the 800 number and they asked for my zip code
and told me that I would be paid to shop at stores in my local area. I would be trained online and
paid $50 for each survey that I completed and submitted. He gave the website address. It sounded
like a good opportunity, so I logged onto the website. But there is a charge (it didn't say how much).
I haven't pursued the matter any further. Does anyone know how much the charge might be? If you
can supply any information, I would greatly appreciate it.

TV Star, never pay for information like that. If you're interested in Secret Shopping, google "It's Free!- Home". This web site is totally free and you can get all the information you need about Mystery Shopping, including places to sign up at. And like I said, It's all free.

Brieannas21 · 09-13-2008, 05:42 PM

Like Barney said, you NEVER pay to become a Secret Shopper, it's a job and you should never pay for a job. I went to a website years ago when I was in College, and you had to take test and whatnot in order to become a SS with them. Once you passed they sent you jobs to go to. Every company is different. But you NEVER EVER pay to become a Secret Shopper.

Hollow · 09-13-2008, 05:53 PM

sounds similar to a "lottery" i once magically won and had to sign up for something that cost $10 a month to retrieve my money.

Schmoopie · 09-13-2008, 06:04 PM

I would love to be a mystery shopper. That sounds like such a cool job, and I think that the advice given here is good. But don't feel bad; at least you are smart enough to know to seek advice before persusing it any further.

So if I want to become a mystery/secret shopper, what's the best way to do it?

Andrea

Brieannas21 · 09-13-2008, 06:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Schmoopie

I would love to be a mystery shopper. That sounds like such a cool job, and I think that the advice given here is good. But don't feel bad; at least you are smart enough to know to seek advice before persusing it any further.

So if I want to become a mystery/secret shopper, what's the best way to do it?

Andrea

You can search Secret Shopping online, I believe the one that I went to years ago was Secretshopper.com. I'm not sure but you can search for one.

tv star collector · 09-13-2008, 06:21 PM

But I did call the telephone number provided in the local newspaper, and I
logged onto the website that they instructed me to use. I don't think they
would give me bogus information since it was in the local newspaper. Maybe
I misunderstood the instructions. I'll check it out again.

BarneyFife · 09-13-2008, 06:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Schmoopie

I would love to be a mystery shopper. That sounds like such a cool job, and I think that the advice given here is good. But don't feel bad; at least you are smart enough to know to seek advice before persusing it any further.

So if I want to become a mystery/secret shopper, what's the best way to do it?

Andrea

Hey Schmoopie, Google search "It's Free! Home". It's a really cool website that gives you a list of Mystery Shop companies you can sign up with, all for free.

tv star collector · 09-13-2008, 06:49 PM

Pro Shoppers Online is the service that they use in my home town. They
have been running ads in the local paper about once a week for a while. Here is some info about them ...

If you want to become a secret shopper ProShoppersOnline can help you get started. ProShoppersOnline has been helping, preparing, and implementing thousands of clients throughout the United States for many years.

We are owned and operated by Omni Computer and Information Management. We have been in business since December 1996 and are located in Goleta, California.

The purpose of our company is to introduce you to the secret shopping industry, train and educate you, and expose the resources and assignments available to you, so that you can become a successful secret shopper.
In other words, we will help you get started. We will let you know where and how to get the assignments coming to you and we will prepare you to accept the assignments that will be offered to you. If you feel that you no longer need our assistance and you can continue receiving assignments on your own, you can cancel at anytime.

BE SURE TO VIEW THE TERMS OF USE FOR OUR COMPLETE CANCELLATION POLICY.

Terms of Use

2. CHARGES

(a) MEMBER agrees to pay for his/her subscription at the point of purchase by using an acceptable and valid credit card at point of purchase. It is recognized that credit card authorizations on the internet, starting in the year 2002, may require an additional verification code. MEMBER agrees to provide that code at such point as it is requested.

[I guess I wouldn't be able to participate anyway, since I don't even have a
credit card; although I do have a debit card. ... And this is off-topic, but why
do I keep getting annoying recorded phone calls about my "high credit card
balance" when I don't even have one? ]

Schmoopie · 09-13-2008, 08:21 PM

Thanks for the info on the sites, everyone! I checked a few of those out, but there are so many, that they were making me

I'm not sure who to trust.

Has anyone here had any luck with a particular mystery shopper outfit? I sure as heck don't want to pay to be a mystery shopper. The idea is to MAKE money,isn't it?

Andrea

Jude The Obscure · 09-13-2008, 10:14 PM

TVStar--DO NOT GIVE THIS COMPANY ANY MONEY!!!!!! SCAM ARTISTS!!!!

There are helpful websites like mysteryshoppers.org and volition.com that explain and show you legit companies.

I've done these jobs for over 10 years.

if you want to e-mail me, I can lead you to good companies that I do jobs for.
jhc86@hotmail.com

Jude

Tweety · 09-14-2008, 06:20 AM

Legitimate companies also send people out to check out many different kinds of businesses. Banks, for example, have "shoppers" come in to open accounts (or to get information regarding the opening of accounts) and they test to see how knowledgeable the Customer Service (C.S.) people are.

An experienced C.S. Rep can usually spot a shopper from a mile away, because the shoppers are instructed to ask a ton of questions, many of which would not be asked by someone who is merely looking for info on opening an account.

But you should never have to pay for information about a job. If they demand money up front, stay away from them.

tv star collector · 09-15-2008, 02:56 PM

I went to one of the websites someone here suggested and signed up for
the free membership to Secret Web Shopper.com. From that site, I signed
up with SurveySpot (also free) and took my first survey. I just want to supplement my meager income. I'm not interested in getting rich, just getting by; and every little bit helps nowadays. Thanks to all for your assistance!

Jude The Obscure · 09-15-2008, 07:45 PM

Plenty of survey companies out there too that pay!

Opinion Outpost
Lightspeed Panel
NFO Family Opinion
Synovate Consumer Opinion

to name a few

tv star collector · 09-16-2008, 09:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jude86

Plenty of survey companies out there too that pay!

Opinion Outpost
Lightspeed Panel
NFO Family Opinion
Synovate Consumer Opinion

to name a few

I also joined Opinion Outpost (and Paid Surveys.com). There might be some
others that I joined; so many, I can't keep track of all of 'em. I have to admit
I was a little overwhelmed when I saw so many to choose from. I just don't
want to get in over my head, y'know. But I figured if it's free (and all of the
ones that I joined are free), I figured what have I got to lose (as long as it
doesn't become too time-consuming)? Again, I appreciate all the help.

09-13-2008, 04:28 PM	#1
tv star collector I Love Susie Forum 4000 Club Member Join Date: Oct 18, 2005 Location: South Carolina Posts: 4,486	Any "Secret Shoppers" Out There?? While I was shopping for groceries at Food Lion yesterday, I overheard the manager tell one of the employees that they would be receiving a visit from some Secret Shoppers. Later I saw an ad in the local newspaper for Secret Shoppers. So, I called the 800 number and they asked for my zip code and told me that I would be paid to shop at stores in my local area. I would be trained online and paid $50 for each survey that I completed and submitted. He gave the website address. It sounded like a good opportunity, so I logged onto the website. But there is a charge (it didn't say how much). I haven't pursued the matter any further. Does anyone know how much the charge might be? If you can supply any information, I would greatly appreciate it.

09-13-2008, 06:04 PM	#5
Schmoopie Keep Calm and Love Snoopy Forum Star Join Date: Jul 13, 2008 Location: Lynnwood, Washington Posts: 15,697	I would love to be a mystery shopper. That sounds like such a cool job, and I think that the advice given here is good. But don't feel bad; at least you are smart enough to know to seek advice before persusing it any further. So if I want to become a mystery/secret shopper, what's the best way to do it? Andrea
	__________________ In memory of my wonderful husband. I love and miss you more than words can say, but I will always and forever keep you in my heart. September 23, 1961-January 14, 2019

09-13-2008, 05:42 PM	#3
Brieannas21 Member Forum Fanatic Join Date: Apr 05, 2004 Location: Texas Posts: 9,792	Like Barney said, you NEVER pay to become a Secret Shopper, it's a job and you should never pay for a job. I went to a website years ago when I was in College, and you had to take test and whatnot in order to become a SS with them. Once you passed they sent you jobs to go to. Every company is different. But you NEVER EVER pay to become a Secret Shopper.

09-13-2008, 05:53 PM	#4
Hollow Member Forum Superstar Join Date: Dec 16, 2001 Posts: 30,406	sounds similar to a "lottery" i once magically won and had to sign up for something that cost $10 a month to retrieve my money.

09-13-2008, 06:21 PM	#7
tv star collector I Love Susie Forum 4000 Club Member Join Date: Oct 18, 2005 Location: South Carolina Posts: 4,486	But I did call the telephone number provided in the local newspaper, and I logged onto the website that they instructed me to use. I don't think they would give me bogus information since it was in the local newspaper. Maybe I misunderstood the instructions. I'll check it out again.

09-13-2008, 06:49 PM	#9
tv star collector I Love Susie Forum 4000 Club Member Join Date: Oct 18, 2005 Location: South Carolina Posts: 4,486	Pro Shoppers Online is the service that they use in my home town. They have been running ads in the local paper about once a week for a while. Here is some info about them ... If you want to become a secret shopper ProShoppersOnline can help you get started. ProShoppersOnline has been helping, preparing, and implementing thousands of clients throughout the United States for many years. We are owned and operated by Omni Computer and Information Management. We have been in business since December 1996 and are located in Goleta, California. The purpose of our company is to introduce you to the secret shopping industry, train and educate you, and expose the resources and assignments available to you, so that you can become a successful secret shopper. In other words, we will help you get started. We will let you know where and how to get the assignments coming to you and we will prepare you to accept the assignments that will be offered to you. If you feel that you no longer need our assistance and you can continue receiving assignments on your own, you can cancel at anytime. BE SURE TO VIEW THE TERMS OF USE FOR OUR COMPLETE CANCELLATION POLICY. Terms of Use 2. CHARGES (a) MEMBER agrees to pay for his/her subscription at the point of purchase by using an acceptable and valid credit card at point of purchase. It is recognized that credit card authorizations on the internet, starting in the year 2002, may require an additional verification code. MEMBER agrees to provide that code at such point as it is requested. [I guess I wouldn't be able to participate anyway, since I don't even have a credit card; although I do have a debit card. ... And this is off-topic, but why do I keep getting annoying recorded phone calls about my "high credit card balance" when I don't even have one? ]

09-13-2008, 08:21 PM	#10
Schmoopie Keep Calm and Love Snoopy Forum Star Join Date: Jul 13, 2008 Location: Lynnwood, Washington Posts: 15,697	Thanks for the info on the sites, everyone! I checked a few of those out, but there are so many, that they were making me I'm not sure who to trust. Has anyone here had any luck with a particular mystery shopper outfit? I sure as heck don't want to pay to be a mystery shopper. The idea is to MAKE money,isn't it? Andrea

09-13-2008, 10:14 PM	#11
Jude The Obscure Retired Eternal Member Forum Veteran Join Date: Dec 10, 2006 Posts: 7,519	TVStar--DO NOT GIVE THIS COMPANY ANY MONEY!!!!!! SCAM ARTISTS!!!! There are helpful websites like mysteryshoppers.org and volition.com that explain and show you legit companies. I've done these jobs for over 10 years. if you want to e-mail me, I can lead you to good companies that I do jobs for. jhc86@hotmail.com Jude

09-14-2008, 06:20 AM	#12
Tweety Member Forum Veteran Join Date: Jan 18, 2002 Location: Florida Posts: 6,804	Legitimate companies also send people out to check out many different kinds of businesses. Banks, for example, have "shoppers" come in to open accounts (or to get information regarding the opening of accounts) and they test to see how knowledgeable the Customer Service (C.S.) people are. An experienced C.S. Rep can usually spot a shopper from a mile away, because the shoppers are instructed to ask a ton of questions, many of which would not be asked by someone who is merely looking for info on opening an account. But you should never have to pay for information about a job. If they demand money up front, stay away from them.

09-15-2008, 02:56 PM	#13
tv star collector I Love Susie Forum 4000 Club Member Join Date: Oct 18, 2005 Location: South Carolina Posts: 4,486	I went to one of the websites someone here suggested and signed up for the free membership to Secret Web Shopper.com. From that site, I signed up with SurveySpot (also free) and took my first survey. I just want to supplement my meager income. I'm not interested in getting rich, just getting by; and every little bit helps nowadays. Thanks to all for your assistance!

09-15-2008, 07:45 PM	#14
Jude The Obscure Retired Eternal Member Forum Veteran Join Date: Dec 10, 2006 Posts: 7,519	Plenty of survey companies out there too that pay! Opinion Outpost Lightspeed Panel NFO Family Opinion Synovate Consumer Opinion to name a few