Mysteriously addictive - shopping for a living (Retail Eyes)

Member Name: HonestBob

Product:	Retail Eyes
Date:	15/02/09 (243 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Get paid to shop

Disadvantages: I've become a lot more aware of the condition of toilets in pubs!

I 'Mystery shop' for a couple of companies, but find Retail Eyes is the easiest to work for.

Initially on joining the site I had to complete some profile questions and provide a passport style picture. The picture is for the purpose of an ID card so that you can show retailers you are there on behalf of Retail Eyes. I have never had to show an ID card however, but as I often have to take a photograph of the entrance to shops that I have mystery shopped it is good to have something that could be presented to a curious security guard!

Retail Eyes do not contact their shoppers individually to provide work. You have to check their website for jobs available in your defined areas. This means it is necessary to check the site throughout the day to see if new jobs have been uploaded, which can be a pain but, strangely enough, can also be quite exciting when you log on and find 20 jobs have suddenly appeared! You have to be quick though as those jobs will rapidly disappear as other shoppers claim them. I frequently log on to a dozen available jobs, download the assignment details for one job and then return to the home page to find most of the other jobs have already gone.

There are various types of jobs available, some can even be done without leaving home as they involve receiving a telephone call from a company providing a particular service. I have never done one of these though. I tend to select jobs at cafes, pubs and shops, although I have also done a couple of power sales jobs.

The payments are not very high, generally about £5 and many involve the shopper making a purchase, the cost of which is also reimbursed. Often you need to take a picture of the location to prove that you went to the correct site. I find this quite embarassing to do, especially if the location is busy. Almost all shop jobs require that you upload a picture of your receipt. Taking a photo of the receipt on a mobile phone is fine though, provided the receipt can be read.

After completing a mystery shop there is a questionnaire to be completed. These usually take about 20-30 minutes to do. They are generally closed questions with a comment section afterwards so that you can give reasons for your answers. I have a little knowledge of how human memory works (Psych teacher) and it always amazes me how much they want shoppers to remember without being able to take notes. How can anyone be expected to recall word-for-word the conversations they had with sales assistants!

Mystery Shopping won't make anybody rich, but it adds a few more pennies to the pot. Just remember to factor in transport and parking costs before you choose each job..... even short term parking at an airport may make the job an expense rather than an income!

Summary: If you can fit the work in around your other activities it's a nice little earner.