What's with this mystery shopper? curious if it's true. ?

Question

always see it on job searches but have no knowledge about it. i'd really appreciate any additional info you can give. thanks!

Answer 1

My son does it!

He does assignments for a market research company as an "independent contractor" assessing customer service standards in retail outlets such as supermarkets, DIY stores, garages, car showrooms, restaurants, fast food places etc.

The market research company either offer him suitable assignments direct, or they send out emails with available assignments to their contractors who then pick what they want to do.

He might for example, be asked to go to a specified shop to buy a particular item such as alcohol, in order to find out whether the store asks for ID etc (he's 18). He is given specific details of the task they want him to do and instructions on how he is to carry out the task and upon completion he fills in and returns a detailed report on what happened during his visit.

Travelling expenses (up to a stated maximum) are paid, plus reimbursement of any items purchased (again up to a stated maximum cost) plus a small payment for his time (most visits don't take very long - the ones he does are less than 30mins on average)...sometimes no payment is made as such but if say, the assignment was to visit a restaurant, the cost of a meal would be refunded etc.

The work is classed as self-employment, so no tax or National Insurance is deducted so you need to sort that aspect out yourself.

He says it's interesting...and you can pick and choose what you do and do it when it suits you...but it's not the type of thing that's going to provide you with a "proper" income :)