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If you are asked to put up money first, then it is probably a rip off. Most places that ask you to pay a fee is only after YOUR money and YOU get nothing in return. And if it sounds to good to be true, it probably is a rip off so beware.

My ex did mystery shopping for two fast food chains. They kept her so busy that I started doing some of them for her. After we split, I was hired by the company to shop one chain and later another one. I didn't have to pay a fee to start or buy anything. They sent me all the material I needed and provided me with an 800 number and email address to get information to them in real time.

I would rate the business on their drive through service, how long it took to be waited on, how long it took the food to arrive, if the order was correct and hot, and if the server was friendly and acting appropriately. Checked the lot for trash and overfilled trash cans.

On inside visits, it was the same, except I checked the rest room to see if it was cleaned and when it was last cleaned by the chart on the wall. I looked to see if the inside was clean. On an inside visit to a business at night, an off duty worker, came and climbed over the counter and helped himself. I might have caused someone to be fired over that.

The idea is to not give your self away and be seen taking notes or timing the workers.

It was fun, I enjoyed it for a couple years. My kids and I got so tired of fast food, that I had to pay them at times to go with me and eat whatever I had to get.

It paid well. I got reimbursed for what I spent plus $10. I could make well make over $100 a month. I haven't mystery shopped for over 6 or 7 years. I only stopped because I had my kids and my job became demanding . I can only be spread so far. I wish I could remember the name of the company. I'd do it again......after I retire.

The best advice is to do your homework, research and try to find out all you can before joining a company. I was lucky. I just kind of fell into through my wife at the time, who had been asked by a friend of hers to join.

Learn more about this author, Charles W Straw.
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