[BeccaBoo88]

I would love to keep a little bit of extra money coming in but still be able to be flexible as a new mum.
I was wondering if anyone had done mystery shopping in the past?
What were your experiences like? Would you recommend it?

[Sassy Dingo]

Have done, wouldn't recommend.

Usually for a shop you'd only get $15ish or so - and you usually have to buy something there to do the shop, and you have to be extremely quick! Once you put down your preferences (regarding area) when a job comes up all people who have said they're available for that area get an email and the first to respond gets it. As I was working full time when I was doing the shopping and gmail was blocked at work, I only got a few jobs that no one wanted. This was before smart phones became popular though, so maybe you'll do better than I would.

Haven't done it for a couple years now, but I'm still on the mailing list. Here is an email giving details of a job so you can see the money we're talking about:

"There are 2 Noodlebox outlets in Brisbane International Airport to be completed one day next week, i.e. between Monday 12th and Sunday 18th November, any time the outlets are open, so from around 7am til 10 pm I think.

Payment is $15 per outlet + reimbursement of parking costs.


Purchase is any rice or noodlebox box, not a side.


If you are available, please let me know so I can send you the job offer email.


One of these outlets is airside, so we need to arrange for someone in security to escort you."

Clearly we're not talking big money here. I'm unsure how much a main from noodlebox costs but perhaps $10 - so you'd be making $20 at this visit after stuffing around getting security, actually going to the airport etc.

But if you really want to do it, the website I used to go through (which has always been prompt with payment and above board) is www.capeesh.com.au

Hope that helps.

[jaluke]

I do (but in NZ) and it gives me a bit of extra money but not heaps. I find the money ok as I am in a small town so it doesn't take longer than 5 minutes to drive to any of the shops and parking is pretty much free (if you are happy to walk two blocks).

Not sure if it would be worth your while if you had to spend time getting to and from the shop. Also the surveys can often take up to half an hour to complete depending on how fast you type and how good your recall is.

You can always give it a go for a month or so and see how you go. Good luck

[jaluke]

also most surveys require you to shop without children (and I see you have one on the way if I read your signature correctly - new to all this!) so you can give the interaction your whole attention (I admit sometimes I did take the kids in a pram bribed with food to keep them quiet but it was not ideal!).

[luke's mummu]

I do 2-3 mystery shops a week. It's not big money ($12-$15 each), but I only do ones I can take a child with me. It helps to live closeby to a lot of shops! Otherwise if you live in the country, you may be able to negotiate a good travel allowance. My tip is to have a set idea of your travel costs per km (petrol, wear and tear on your car, your time) and stick to it!

[bjk76]

This isn't mystery shopping, but is a way of making a small amount of money. You can apply to be a Nielsen Homescan person and all you do is scan all your groceries with one of their scanners, as soon as you get home. It's pretty straightforward and you get points for each week you scan all your shopping (they compare you to other similar households, so they know if you're more or less scanning everything). You also get extra points for each year you've been a member and for every birthday of everyone in your household. They also have competitions where you can earn extra points/win prizes.

I started about 1-1.5 years ago and have earnt about $200 in points (yes, not a lot of money!) but I also won $200 in one of the competitions. You can use your points for products they have on offer or for gift cards.

Here's the registration form, if you're interested.
http://www.nielsen-onlinereg.com/?cpid=1C01C0

[mum to1]

This isn't mystery shopping, but is a way of making a small amount of money. You can apply to be a Nielsen Homescan person and all you do is scan all your groceries with one of their scanners, as soon as you get home. It's pretty straightforward and you get points for each week you scan all your shopping (they compare you to other similar households, so they know if you're more or less scanning everything). You also get extra points for each year you've been a member and for every birthday of everyone in your household. They also have competitions where you can earn extra points/win prizes.

I started about 1-1.5 years ago and have earnt about $200 in points (yes, not a lot of money!) but I also won $200 in one of the competitions. You can use your points for products they have on offer or for gift cards.

Here's the registration form, if you're interested.
http://www.nielsen-onlinereg.com/?cpid=1C01C0

Don't do this I got onto the homescan n the amount of time it takes to scan everything n add the price in not worth your it would take me at least 1/2hr a wk to only make $100 a year not worth it IMO.

[Monket]

I do some Mystery Shopping and probably make about $500 per month, so not a lot. I do however get lots of free stuff like jewellery, car servicing, clothing, groceries, flights (both domestic and international) so as a hobby, it is ok. Most companies insist you shop alone though so I am not sure how successful you would be with a small baby.

[Bacongirl]

We're a retailer and we use a Mystery Shopping company. We do not ask that the shoppers buy anything. Visits to our stores need to be about 10 minutes and you wouldn't be able to do the shop with a baby/child due to the nature of our products (nothing naughty!!!). After the visit you have to fill in an electronic form with approx 30 questions about your visit. 80% of the questions are just drop down answers.

We are very happy with the company we use and if you send me a PM - I"ll be happy to send you their details.

[BeccaBoo88]

Thanks guys.

I started doing some assignments just to pass the time and it's seeming pretty good so far.
Nice and easy.
I have only registered for 2 agencies and only agree to an assignment if I'm in the area, but the feedback has been great!