Mystery shopping is the process of measuring and recording specific elements of the customer experience using pre-recruited and qualified people (typically independent contractors) who serve as mystery shoppers.

A mystery shopper is a person who visits an establishment (typically a retail store, bank, restaurant or other such places where the public does business) for the purpose of observing and measuring customer service, product quality and the environment of the establishment in general.

Shoppers are given details, by the mystery shopping company responsible for the shopping programme, about expectations for making specific observations during their visits to, or interactions with, the establishment (some shops are online and/or via telephone) and the shoppers complete reports, often using an online form, after leaving the establishment. Shoppers serve as the eyes and ears for those clients as part of their efforts to enhance the quality of the customer experience. Many times, the information collected during mystery shopping programmes is used to help mystery shopping company clients improve training programmes, better articulate expectations they have of their staff and otherwise improve the ways in which the client serves its customers.

Contrary to what you may read on the Internet, mystery shopping is not a quick way to make a lot of money, nor is it a way to "get paid to shop."  Mystery shopping is a serious enterprise intended to gather information about the customer experience in a specific environment.  It requires time, attention, and effort.  Mystery shoppers are in business for themselves; while they get paid for the work they do while posing as shoppers, they are not paid to shop; they are paid to gather data.  Mystery shoppers know, before deciding to request or accept an assignment, what they will be paid.  

The length of time a mystery shop takes depends on the type of assignment, but usually a shop is likely to take considerably less than an hour. The fees a mystery shopper may earn from a specific shop vary just as greatly as the time required, but often a shopper might expect anywhere between €8 and €20 for the "typical" shopping scenario. In some cases the shopper might also receive free meals, discounts and savings on merchandise, or other such benefits. However, shoppers should be wary of promises of extraordinary "freebies" that sound too good to be true. If that's the way it sounds, it is probably really too good to be true.

MSPA member companies go through an extensive vetting process to ensure that they are legitimate businesses.  Among the requirements for MSPA membership are: 1) a company may not charge shoppers for access to shopping opportunities and  2) members must agree to adhere to a code of ethics that includes agreeing to pay shoppers in a timely manner and not to withhold pay simply because the company has not been paid.

While MSPA cannot intercede on behalf of individual shoppers in disputes with a company, the Association can take and has taken action in cases when it learns a company makes a regular practice of failing to pay shoppers or paying late.  So, shoppers can be confident that companies that belong to MSPA are monitored to ensure that the reputations of MSPA member companies are maintained.

Another reason shoppers want to contract with MSPA member companies is the fact that MSPA member companies have taken the step of affirmatively committing to the industry by participating in their industry trade association.  Just like MSPA certified shoppers have taken the step to demonstrate that they are serious about mystery shopping, so have companies that belong to MSPA made the same commitment.

By signing up to be a certified shopper of MSPA, you are not registering to be a mystery shopper. You must still register with mystery shopping provider companies to be a mystery shopper. MSPA does not hire shoppers directly. We connect you with our member companies who can post assignments online and we offer certification to increase your potential as a mystery shopper.
 
If you have received cheques or communication recently concerning conducting a mystery shop for which you purchase products and send them to a specified address or wire money from cheques that were sent to you in the mail, it is a scam and we strongly suggest that you do not waste your own time and money carrying out the illegitimate assignment.
 
We also do not send solicitous emails to potential shoppers requesting personal information or promising payment for jobs that have not yet been completed. If you have received something like this, please note the above.

However, if you do apply directly to a mystery shopping provider, please note it is usual for them to ask for personal information so that they can ensure you receive information regarding appropriate work availability in your area, and also so that they may pay you for the work you carry out.

More information about scam assignements http://www.mspa-eu.org/shopper-scams.html

This depends on the companies’ terms and conditions; it would normally be at the end of the month once all of your visits have been approved. You may receive a cheque or be paid directly into your bank account.