Talk For Money!

Talk for MoneyDo you love to talk on the telephone and earn extra cash at the same time!?

Some people just love talking to people and mystery shops pay for people to chat on the telephone.

 

Many mystery shops offer telephone shops where you can conveniently stay home, simply dial a number, ask a person several questions, and just record their answers.

These shops pay anywhere from $5 to $15 a call and the best tip is that when you sign up for these telephone jobs during the middle to the end of the month, many companies might pay bonuses to get these jobs done. So you sometimes can make an additional $5 bonus, and if you only make three telephone calls, you can make almost $50 for talking to only a couple of people!

The calls only take about 15 minutes and the total process should not take more than an hour or so. These telephone numbers are toll free so you do not have to pay for these calls since the company pays for them. After the recorded call is made, the company would require you to submit an on-line questionnaire where you answer certain questions based on the call and, in some cases, one might need to write a small summary of the call.

Most telephone calls can be made anytime during regular business hours and generally only takes several minutes. You can make these telephone calls while your children are at school, or outside playing, or whenever you have free time. This is an easy, inexpensive way to make extra cash since just about everyone has a telephone, and there is no charge to the shopper to call any telephone number. So pick up the telephone, make several calls, and get paid to talk!

Fight Weekend Boredom with Mystery Shopping

Weekend BoredomNothing seems interesting on TV except endless reruns of the same shows from last season and you called all your friends, and no one is home.

 

It is one of those days where you have some alone time, but nothing seems like fun and the thought of cleaning the house sounds as pleasant as scrubbing the toilet. In these types of situations, experts advise that when you are not motivated into doing anything, then breaking up your time into small intervals of time can get you interested into accomplishing something for the day.

If you can think of spending just 15 minutes of your day on how to earn some extra cash, then log onto the computer and search for some mystery shopping websites for available jobs. Mystery shopping websites are easy to navigate and you can simply log on to the Shoppers login page, sign up, and within a few minutes, a list of numerous job opportunities is available for you to assign to yourself.

The sign-up process can take as little as fifteen minutes and you can sign up for numerous jobs for the week. The best part of mystery shopping jobs is that they only take a couple of hours to perform and are very flexible with an individual’s schedule. Most jobs can be done throughout the week and generally, within 30 days, you can get a paycheck for a couple hours of work.

So, when those days come and there seems like there is nothing to do, a great motivation for people is to mediate on the word “money” since that idea creates a huge incentive for most people. Just spending 15 minutes or more of your time registering for mystery shopping jobs can motivate your day into a stimulating productive day with thoughts of how you are going to spend that extra hundred dollars or more.

Invite Friends For Cash!

Invite Friends for CashMany mystery shopping companies want to attract as many shoppers as possible to complete their job inventories for the month.

Often, I get emails from companies that need more shoppers to complete their monthly job listings. If you already perform mystery shopping jobs for a company, sometimes these companies will offer bonuses to their current shoppers if they bring new shoppers to their businesses. An added bonus for referring friends to a particular mystery shopping website could make a difference in a regular shopper’s pay and help you earn extra cash.

Referring a couple of friends could easily earn $50 and up for a shopper and only takes a couple of minutes to contact some of your acquaintances or colleagues and have them sign up for various mystery shopping websites. This could make a big difference in a shopper’s regular pay for just referring friends. If you are a shopper, take advantage of this potential extra cash opportunity and inquire with your mystery shopping website customer service team, and ask if they will provide bonuses for referral of friends.

You might be surprised that many mystery shopping companies will offer special bonuses for referrals. All it takes is for a shopper to send a simple email to customer service regarding any bonus opportunities for referral of friends to their website. With so many different types of mystery shopping websites available, you can easily earn  extra cash for just referring a couple of friends to become regular shoppers.

As always, you want to ensure you refer reliable and responsible friends to your regular job sites since you always want to create a favorable impression on your own character and contract record.

Why You Are a Mystery Shopper

Why you are a mystery shopperA relative asked me why I became a mystery shopper. I thought for a moment and told her that it was fun and I really enjoyed making sure people had nice customer service experiences.

Not to mention, I added the person I shopped would receive an unbiased opinion on how they performed their job.

Since that first answer, I have elaborated my reply to others who ask the question why. Hopefully, my answers will help you to satisfy those who are inquisitive about being a mystery shopper. Remember though, never tell anyone the company you work for, as that is something you promised you would not do – check your confidentiality agreement.

That said, here are a few reasons I am a mystery shopper: I am able to keep my pay up to $600.00 tax-free. Yes I don’t pay taxes on the first six hundred dollars I make. I am able, with the help of a good accountant, to get my expenses reduced. I am able to write off part of my Internet bill and even the time I use my car getting to and from assignments. As a 1099 worker I am responsible for my own taxes and I try to make full use of my position.

I am flexible and I can work when I want. I am not on anyone’s set schedule. Yes, sometimes I work long hours. Sometimes I even work overtime, and I even have to give up my weekends or evenings. But overall I do have more time for myself than if I worked a 9-5 job. I am able to spend time with my family and my friends.

Furthermore, I am able to put aside the money I make on the side to buy things for my family and myself. I have learned to budget my money and get shops that fit my lifestyle. For instance, I have shopped apartments to get great decoration tips, and I have shopped gas stations for some free gas.

In other words I shop things I can use in my life. I make a difference in many ways!

Why Become a Mystery Shopper?

Why Become a Mystery ShopperHave you ever wanted to share your suggestions about a restaurant, apartment, or retail store? Have you always wanted to try a new restaurant or look at an apartment complex yet couldn’t justify it?

Mystery shopping offers flexibility to work as little or as much as desired, allowing you to make money doing what you would normally do on a daily basis.

Make sure to check into the background of the mystery shopping companies that you decided to work with as there are scams in every industry. With that said, there are plenty of great mystery shopping companies who are eager to have you on their roster.

Most mystery shopping companies have initial online forms that take less than 20 minutes to complete. It has never been easier to become a mystery shopper.

You will be able to complete shops when your schedule allows, without the constraints of clocking in or clocking out and a permanent schedule. You can still work your full time job and complete shops over the weekend.

Remember, you have the flexibility to choose when you complete a job and most importantly, when you want some extra cash in your pocket.

If you want to try a new restaurant, shop at a cool retail store or check out apartment complexes in your area, consider becoming a mystery shopper. Remember you can do as many or little jobs as you choose.

Calling All Students For Extra Cash!

Calling Student for Extra CashSchool has begun for many students and finding part-time employment that will work around their class schedule can pose problems for parents to fund those extra incidentals, like drinks and other event expenses.

Mystery shopping jobs are a great opportunity for students to earn extra cash and have flexible working hours.

One mystery shopping job generally takes an hour or two to perform and a student can quickly drive to a mystery shopping location in between classes and still make it back in time for their next class. Instead of hanging out at the coffee house waiting for your next class, students can make a couple of hundred dollars working mystery shopping jobs in between classes. Students already have access to computers or laptops for school, and that already allows them to search for job opportunities during their breaks from classes.

Performing just a couple of hours of mystery shopping jobs can help students earn cash for those unforeseen school expenses and help parents overall budgets too. Gas, coffee, and snacks all add up while students have to study and mystery shopping jobs can help families support their students through school. If making extra cash is not enough, students also engage in learning about various working environments and opportunities for future employment. Students only need to register on-line for various mystery shopping sites, search for job opportunities, and assign themselves jobs. There is no cost to join these mystery shopping sites. So let those mystery shopping companies buy you that free café latte on them!

Why Mystery Shop?

Why Mystery ShopWhy mystery shop? Of course you can say, I know the answer: money, money and money. But there are some more compelling reasons to join the team and start to mystery shop.

First of all, yes you are correct – you could make some money on the side to supplement your income. You can even make a part time job of being a shopper.

Besides the money; however, think of the company you are working for when you evaluate their workers. Companies rely on good and great customer service to keep their business running. Too many times a bad employee makes a customer leave and never return. Your job when you mystery shop is to let the manger know, through your report, exactly how you were treated. Good or bad the manger would use your report to reward the better employee.

Moreover, after some time you would see what characterizes better than regular customer service. This is a useful skill and you could carry the knowledge to your own job and make yourself a better employee. In time your newly found skills can even give you insight to a better outlook at work. Hopefully this gives you a raise or some type of advancement.

Your other abilities, such as accurate note taking and observation skills in a clinical manner, will also open more doors for you in your professional life. Entering reports in a timely manner is very useful to employers as well as strong writing skills. As you know all mystery shoppers do these types of things on a regular basis.

So, instead of seeing yourself as just a “mystery shopper”or as a part time gig for some money think of all the new found skills you have now learned to lead a better life.

Weeding Out a Scam

Weeding out ScamsGuaranteed six-figure income your first year!!  Make $40,000 a month from home! It is easy to see how this type of advertisement for becoming a mystery shopper is likely leading you into a scam.

Many shoppers have been taken in by much less of a paycheck, and it is important to do your checking before taking on a job.  If a company sends you money orders to cash and send them back $50.00 while you keep the other $4,000.00, beware it is a scam.  The money order is fake, and your bank will have you paying for the money order.  It is possible you could be criminally charged as well.

If a company offers to pay you up front for a shopping assignment, this could be legit.  To be on the safe side, check it out first.  See what other shoppers have to say on forums and discussion boards. Check out reviews of the company online, and always check the companies rating and reputation with the Better Business Bureau (BBB).

Many people make a decent living as a full-time mystery shopper.  Do not be discouraged, but be realistic about how much money you can really make.  Always be cautious about giving your social security number to a company or your checking account information, even for direct deposit.

Again, confirm the company is legit and do an Internet search regarding the company.  Find out what other shoppers are saying about the company.  Many companies offer the option of being paid via a paper check. If they do, try them out for a few assignments.  Make sure they pay as they promise, and then decide if you want to provide checking account information for direct deposit.

The most reliable and best way to get paid from companies is through PayPal. This way you do not have to give them your checking information.  However, most reputable companies will eventually ask for your social security number. Again, make sure they are legitimate first.  If something about what they are doing does not seem quite right and you think it is a scam, trust your gut and move on to another company.

Technology and Mystery Shopping

0010882705V-565x849Mystery shopping is becoming more and more technologically advanced, just like everything else we do.  While many companies have been using video and/or audio recordings for shops for many years, the equipment is becoming much cheaper for shoppers to own themselves. This means a company does not have to invest as much by providing shoppers with the equipment.

It also means as a shopper, if you have your own equipment and experience in using it, you can get more shops. Ironically, the recorded shops typically pay more and the reports are often shorter as you are submitting a video of the entire encounter.  An audio shop will also typically pay more, but still involves nearly as much reporting as a non-audio shop.

Other advances have come about with the use of smart phones.  Shoppers can check-in by using a mobile device and confirm the shop location.  The company can also verify the shopper went to the location and the length of time the shopper was on-site.  Many companies have also developed mobile platforms for entering shop reports, making the use of smart phones and tablets a very convenient method of reporting for shoppers and companies alike.  This allows companies to receive the reports sooner, and confirm certain details rapidly. For the shopper, it is primarily a time saver.  And in the world of a mystery shopping, time is money.

Another great way to maximize the use of a smart phone and/or tablet in a mystery shopper’s operation is to use the device as a stopwatch or timer, take photos with it, and possibly record audio or video.  While it is usually not advocated to use these devices to record audio or video, it can help in some cases.  However, they should only be used if you can do it inconspicuously. In cases where the company you are mystery shopping for does not have a mobile platform, it is easy and convenient to use your smartphone to jot down your shop notes.  As often as the average person uses a smart phone throughout the course of a day, it is nothing out of the ordinary that would call attention to you or identify you as a shopper.

 

Preparing for School

Preparing for SchoolNow that school is beginning soon for many students, some mystery shops combine shopping various department stores for school supplies and allow you to be paid for this trip! There are numerous mystery shops that want shoppers to visit their department store and pretend to shop for school supplies or they may want them to price compare several items with their employees and record their responses.

This is a good way to make one trip to obtain your yearly school supplies for your children and, at the same time, you get paid to evaluate a company’s employee.  You also get expert opinions from the company employee’s on the latest trend, gadgets, or best pricing of school supplies.

After your conversation and evaluation with the employee, you can then just pick up what you need for your children for school all at the same time.  Basically, you get paid to shop for school supplies, which you have to buy anyways for your children.  However, if you conduct a mystery shop, the shop fee will pay for these supplies.  Therefore, your total costs for school supplies could possibly amount to zero or could be a small cost out of your budget.

The shops are easy to do and only require you to fill out an online question and answer form.  You submit the form to your mystery-shopping website and most shops will pay you in 30 days.  This year, make it an effort to devote two hours to perform a mystery shop and get free school supplies.  It’s that simple!