Mystery shopping is when a company hires you to shop in their (or a competitor's) store. Perform a task they require, observe and keep great mental notes. They might ask you to report on how well the customer service was or if your meal was prepared in a timely fashion. Once you have done the "mystery shopping" you send in your report via the Internet. You will get paid a preset amount, usually $7.50-$30 per job depending on the type of job it is. You also get reimbursed for your purchases up to a pre-specified amount. Can you make a living doing this...probably not. But you can earn some extra cash and get a free meal or a product. Keep in mind that you can also 'work' for more than one company, therefore increasing your income potential.
Now while there are many legitimate mystery shopping companies/sites, there are just as many if not more scams sites. So watch out. Be sure to avoid any that ask YOU for money. A legitimate company will NOT ask you for money. They will require your personal information, much the same as if you were applying for any other kind of job. There are a lot of scams associated with mystery shopping. Be careful. Don't ever respond to unsolicited requests for mystery shopping or get involved with check cashing. This is NOT legit.
Before you submit any of your information to a company that seems reputable, I recommend checking them out with the Better Business Bureau, especially if you weren't referred to that company by a reliable source.
A few sites that are Accredited by the Better Business Bureau are:
http://www.secretshoppercompany.com/ (AboutFace.com)
For more work at home ideas visit our sister site, ManyMoneySavers.com
