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How to Get Set Up as a Mystery Shopper



You don't need to spend any money to get set up as a mystery shopper.

It is just a case of signing up with the mystery shopping companies as an independent contractor and you are well on your way!


To see a list of the 25 mystery shopping companies that are registered with the MSPA, click here.


However, if you are looking for tips to make the road a little smoother for you, feel free to check out some of the information below.

Create a separate e-mail account



I highly recommend creating a separate e-mail account dedicated exclusively to mystery shopping.


Depending on how many companies you sign up with you may receive dozens of e-mails a day. Having a separate e-mail address is a great way to keep them all organized and in one place.


Yahoo, Hotmail and G mail offer free e-mail accounts to the general public. They are quick and easy to set up.


Even within your new e-mail address, I recommend setting up separate folders for each stage of the process.


Your inbox can house all the incoming potential shopping opportunities. Then from there, one idea is to separate them as follows:




1. Your assigned mystery shops. This where all the mystery shops that you have been assigned to can go. Don't forget to also mark these assigned shops in your calendar!

2. Your completed mystery shops.

3. Your Registration folder. This is the perfect place to put the mystery shopper registration e-mails from all of the companies that you have registered with.

I have noticed that organizing my e-mails in this way keeps my inbox free of confusing clutter, leaving room for new shops that I can look over at a glance.


Set up a Paypal account



The next thing you may want to do is set up a Paypal Account.

Most Mystery Shopping companies pay their contractors via Paypal, although many of them offer other methods of payment such as Direct Deposit or receiving a check via mail.

I always recommend Paypal simply because it's easy to set up and secure.

Paypal is also free!

If you already have an existing account with Paypal, you can simply add your new mystery shopping e-mail address to your profile in Paypal. Simple as that!

If you don't have an account with paypal it is very easy to register one.

You will then get contacted via e-mail by Paypal when you have been paid.


Quick tip.

Never click a link on an e-mail purporting to be from Paypal.

It is hard to know whether it is a real e-mail or a scam e-mail.

Many times, these may be scam e-mails purporting to be from paypal and once you click on that link, you may be infecting your computer with a malicious Virus.

Instead, when you receive an e-mail from Paypal, just go to www.paypal.com and log in with your Username and Password.

Create some writing samples


The last thing you may want to do to get set up as a mystery shopper is to create a few writing samples. Many Mystery Shop applications will ask you for writing samples.

For an example of a mystery shop writing sample, click here

I recommend writing out your samples and saving them in a word document. This will save you quite a bit of time because all you will have to do when this is requested on an application is to copy and paste them in!

What kinds of writing samples should you create?

A paragraph on why you would make a good mystery shopper.

A paragraph on a great customer service experience.

A paragraph on a not so great customer service experience.

A paragraph on why mystery shopping is relevant today.

Once you have done these few things, you are well and ready to apply to mystery shopping companies!



Now that you know how to get set up as a Shopper, click here to see a list of Mystery Shopping companies that are certified with the MSPA!




Are you looking for other types of work at home jobs? Click here to go to the home page: Finding Work at Home Jobs!




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