Companies want to know what you, the customer, think about the way they are doing business.  They want to know if you think their facilities are clean and welcoming.  They want to know if you feel the service is good, excellent or poor.   They want to know if you like the way the burgers and fries taste.  They want to give you free groceries for telling them if you were able to get prompt assistance at the grocery store.

Some of the shops will pay up to $25 but most are in the $12-$15 range.  If you plan your time well and commit a few hours each week, you can make or save an extra $100 by doing very little.   If you want work your mystery shopping business a little more seriously, you can make a nice stay at home income.

Mystery shopping is especially suited for stay at home moms, students, extra income or supplementing a fixed income.

You must have access to a computer to work this business from home.  You must have access to a fax or scanner to work this business from home.  You will have to sign up for shops online.  You will have to submit your reports online.  You will have other paperwork that can be faxed or scanned.

You will need to have transportation or access to public transportation.  Most mystery shopping assignments will be accessible by public transportation.  You will need to be reliable. This means you will have to keep to a schedule and make sure you handle the shops as scheduled.  Good recordkeeping is very helpful.

Mystery shopping is easy and fun.  You just have to commit to doing it.  Are you ready to make a little money doing the things you would do anyway?

Get ready to enter the exciting world of mystery shopping and earn a great work from home income.

Here are a few tips for mystery shopping while traveling.

Tip #1
Plan Ahead
You should plan in advance for shopping while traveling.  You should think about your route and the type of shops you would like to perform while traveling. Consider the stops your normally make while traveling – dining, shopping, lodging.  Try to get as much of your normal expenses covered as possible.

Tip #2
Keep Good Records
You need to keep a schedule of the shops your have accepted.  Print out any questionnaires and instructions and keep them organized. If you are doing shops off your normal route, you may need to map the destination.  Keep a file for all notes and receipts.  You can study instructions and questions along the way to pass the time.

Tip #3
Things You May Need
Keep a bag or box with everything you will need for mystery shopping as you travel.  As stated above, you will need a folder for all questionnaires, instructions, receipts and notes. You might also pack transparent tape needed for affixing receipts to paperwork. If you are doing any shops that require photos or video, make sure your cameras are charged.

Tip #3
Don’t Forget Reporting
You will need access to a computer and fax in order to complete the paperwork and reporting. You can use computers and fax machines at local libraries.  You can also find computers and fax for use at most hotels.  If you are in a rural area and none of these options exist, ask friends or family about using computers and faxes at their business or church.  There are also stores like Mailboxes, Etc.  and FedEx Kinkos that offer fax and computer use for a small fee.

Enjoy the holidays with family and friends and maintain your income during your travels.

Happy shopping and safe travels.

Yesterday, I was planning to go to Panera Bread for lunch. It was chilly and rainy and the soup was just what I needed to warm my bones. But this is beside the point….. I decided to do a search to see if there was a company out there providing mystery shoppers for Panera Bread.  Getting paid to shop could only make my soup taste better.  I did a few searches for restaurant mystery shopping and Panera Bread and found the company in just a few minutes.

The company providing mystery shoppers for Panera Bread is Satisfaction Services Inc.  You can sign up to shop for this company at http://www.satisfactionservicesinc.com/join.html  Panera Bread shops pay $10 and offer a $10 reimbursement.

Other restaurants where you can get paid to shop or get paid to eat include Friendly’s, McDonalds and Five Guys Burgers.

For Friendly’s, you can sign up with National Shopping Service at http://www.nationalshoppingservice.com  This mystery shopping company will you a $19 reimbursement for the meal and pay is $6. For $25 you can feed a family or at least put a nice dent in the bill.

The same company manages shadow shoppers for McDonalds and Five Guys Burgers. You can sign up at http://www.shopnchek.com./home.html to accept shops for McDonalds or Five Guys.  The pay and reimbursement for Five Guys is $8 shopping fee and $10 reimbursement.  The pay and reimbursement for McDonalds can vary. The basic fee is $8 with actual purchase reimbursement.  This company will increase the fee for McDonald’s shops if they are having a hard time getting shoppers. Shop fees will usually increase to $9 or $10 but I have seen them as high as $18 or $20.

As you can see, being a mystery or shadow shopper and getting paid to shop with restaurant shops can save a little money for your family.

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