Here are a few to get you started:

1.  Shop’n Chek Int. (www.shopncheck.com):  They have been providing mystery shopping services for over thirty-four years. They are known for their innovative technologies like voice activated surveys and they provide both web and phone surveys.

2.  Ellis Property Management Services (www.epmsonline.com): Since 1984 they have been providing executive level management along with marketing consulting services to multifamily industries. They serve investors, apartment owners and property management companies.

3.  Check Mark Inc. (www.checkmarkinc.com): They are located in Cincinnati, OH and are a national organization. They have clients in places like Puerto Rico, Canada, and the US. They work with industries like banking, entertainment and leisure, restaurants and retail.

4.  Mystique Shopper (www.mystiqueshopper.com): Some of their clients are specialty chains, wireless providers, clothing chains, jewelry stores, hotels, auto dealerships, and national restaurant chains.

5.  Sensors Quality Management Inc (www.sqm.ca): They provide evaluations on issues of quality, value, cleanliness and service. They have employed mystery shoppers in over 18 countries all over the world.  SQM has clients such as banks, retailers, restaurants, hotels and airlines.

6.  Service Check (servicecheck.com): They offer mystery shopper services to a lot of different industries like general retail, restaurants of all kinds, convenience stores, gas stations, and fast food places.

If you seriously want to make extra money then you need to be careful of scams that involve mystery shopping agencies. Legitimate agencies will provide you with credible information on how to spot the ones that scam you. You should never pay an up front fee to be a secret shopper. Being a secret shopper is a good way to make extra money and eat a free lunch too!

So now let’s go make some money. You are simply put the eyes and ears of a company that wants to ensure a high level of customer service in its stores. They are typically large chains that have multiple stores. You are contract quality control for a company and you should treat the shop as a professional.

As a secret shopper you will find yourself getting haircuts, your vehicles oil changed and a few meals – on the house! Well, sort of on the house. You may first have to pay for the oil change but when you complete your post shop evaluation you will scan the receipt and submit it for reimbursement. There is typically a fee on top of the reimbursement but not always so read the detail section for the shop before you accept assignment.

Another shop that’s one of my favorites and one of the more lucrative shops is banks. Seriously, bank shops pay well! My experience with doing these shops has been a blast. I guess it’s because I get to let the closet actor out in me.

The shop details will give the secret shopper multiple roles they can play. You might have a checking account with another bank but you are here and are asking about a savings account.

The company will want to know if they ask you “prompting” questions to try and get you to shift all of your business over to them. Much fun begins with the back and forth with them.

A secret shopper can make some decent money doing mystery shops. You will also get to practice those not so lost acting skills you developed back in high school!