Chicago Finds, Food & Recipes, Smart Shopping, Suburban Chicago Finds

Mystery shopping 101

April 25, 2025
Shopping with Big Sunglasses Woman Keeping a Secret

Mystery shopping: It’s an urban legend, where someone dines at a great restaurant, or shops at a nice store, and gets it all for free, right?

Well, no. It’s actually true. But, it’s not as simple as critiquing your waiter or writing up that snotty sales clerk. Some shops can take a great deal of time, sometimes the pay isn’t commensurate with your time outlay, and reimbursements can take up to 90 days or more.

I started mystery shopping because I enjoy the various perks, and I’m glad to give feedback when it fits in my schedule. But I’ve learned a lot and hope it’ll help you in your own quest:

First: What is mystery shopping?

Mystery shopping is when companies hire you to pose as a regular customer and evaluate specific aspects of their service. You might check:

  • How friendly the staff are
  • Cleanliness of a location
  • Whether promotions were mentioned
  • The accuracy of your receipt

In exchange, you’re paid a flat fee and/or reimbursed for what you spend—if you follow the instructions exactly.

What to expect

It’s not always a quick buck. Some shops are short and sweet. Others require detailed reports (yes, we’re talking 8-20 pages) with timestamps, itemized notes, and even narrative writing. Think:

“Did the host greet you within 30 seconds?”

“Did the server tell you about promotions? What did they say, exactly?”

“Describe the tone and professionalism of your server.”

Some gigs don’t pay much. And reimbursements can take up to 90 days or more. But if you’re organized, selective, and treat it like a legit side hustle, it can really be worth your while.

Getting started: Tips for newbies

Research reputable companies

Not every company is trustworthy. Start by visiting these forums and sites for real, crowdsourced reviews of mystery shopping companies (MSCs):

Avoid any company that asks for money to join.

Sign up with multiple MSCs

The more companies you’re signed up with, the more opportunities you’ll see. Some shops are location-specific, while others let you search by zip code or even when you’re traveling. Some trusted options include:

Tip: Traveling? Search for airport shops, hotel stays, or even theme park evaluations in the MSC platforms.

Follow instructions to the letter

Many shops are “pass/fail.” If you forget a detail—like not ordering the exact item or failing to get a receipt—you may not be reimbursed at all.

Pay attention to:

  • Required purchases or interactions
  • Specific wording to look/listen for
  • Time tracking (down to the second)
  • Whether photos or receipts are required
  • Being discreet (no note-taking or obvious recording in public)

Smartphones and smartwatches make time-logging easier, and using your phone is usually fine in public settings.

Track everything

I find it’s best to create a simple spreadsheet to track:

  • Shops scheduled
  • Shops completed
  • Submission status
  • Payment/reimbursement status
  • Notes on how the shop went

This helps you follow up if you don’t get paid or need to answer questions later.

Final thoughts

Mystery shopping isn’t a get-rich-quick scheme. But it is a clever way to earn side cash, get free meals or experiences, and flex your observation skills. If you’re organized, detail-oriented, and enjoy people-watching with a purpose—it might just be your ideal hobby-hustle combo.

Have a favorite MSC or a wild mystery shopping story? Share it in the comments below—I’d love to hear how others are making this quirky side gig work!