One of the favourite methods for many to make money online in the UK is mystery shopping. But with reduced payouts and a drop in the number of firms offering mystery shopping assignments, is mystery shopping worth it? Some...
One of the favourite methods for many to make money online in the UK is mystery shopping. But with reduced payouts and a drop in the number of firms offering mystery shopping assignments, is mystery shopping worth it?
Some swear by it and depend on the supplemental income, while others have moved on to bigger and better things.
With that in mind, this post will look at what mystery shopping is, how you can get involved and whether it’s worth your time.
What Is Mystery Shopping?
Mystery shopping is where companies pay people to pose as customers in order to gather information about a service. This could be anything from checking out how well staff treat customers to the quality of the products on offer.
The information that mystery shoppers provide is then used to help improve the service offered by the company.
It’s an excellent way for companies to get an insight into how their customers are being treated as well as seeing how efficient their staff are.
How Do You Become A Mystery Shopper?
Despite falling out of favour as a side hustle, plenty of companies are still looking for mystery shoppers.
One of the best ways to find out about these opportunities is through online forums and websites such as this one that are dedicated to making money online.
Another way to become a mystery shopper is by signing up with a company that specialises in providing people with these types of assignments.
Many of these companies will have an online application process that you can complete in order to become a mystery shopper. Some of the most popular mystery shopping companies/apps today include:
Once you’ve been approved, you’ll be able to start browsing the available assignments in your area and decide which ones you want to take on.
As well as being able to pick and choose the assignments that you want to do, being a mystery shopper also offers a great deal of flexibility. You’ll usually be given a set period to complete the assignment, meaning that you can fit it around your other commitments.
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Is Mystery Shopping Worth It?
So, is mystery shopping worth it? Unfortunately, these days mystery shopping isn’t really worth it. Unless you want to fill out a detailed report for a free meal or spend your days scouring mystery shopping opportunities on several apps/sites at once, you’re not going to make much money.
The payouts for mystery shopping assignments have been steadily decreasing over the years, and with the rise of gig economy apps like Uber and Deliveroo, there are now much better ways to make money in your spare time.
So what are some of the significant drawbacks associated with mystery shopping? Why is it no longer worth the effort?
Problems Associated with Mystery Shopping
There are several issues that users of mystery shopping sites and apps report time after time, which include:
Dwindling Payouts
Mystery shoppers have never earnt massive sums for their tasks. However, the payouts have been steadily decreasing over the years to the point where they’re now barely worth the effort.
This is likely due to the number of people who are willing to do these tasks for very little money increasing and the number of assignments available decreasing.
It’s now not uncommon for mystery shoppers to be offered as little as £5 per task (in addition to any reimbursements), which is hardly worth the effort when you consider the amount of time it takes to complete each assignment.
Too Much Competition
Another issue is that, no matter who you sign up with, you’ll find that there are far more people than there are available jobs. When jobs are posted, you have seconds to claim them before someone else does.
As a result, you have to have all of your mystery shopping tabs open at what feels like all hours of the day to ensure that you don’t miss out on an opportunity.
Even if you do manage to claim a job, there’s no guarantee that you’ll be chosen to complete it as some companies will pick the shopper who lives closest to the store/restaurant in question.
This means that mystery shopping is often only worth it if you live in a big city where there are plenty of opportunities, and you can be quick enough to claim them.
Unreliable Payments
Another problem that mystery shoppers face is that the payments can be very unreliable. This is because, as well as waiting to be reimbursed for any purchases you make, you also have to wait for the company to process your payment which can take weeks.
Imagine going out, spending £40 on a meal to review, and then waiting weeks to receive your money back, never mind any compensation you’re owed for your detailed report.
Some mystery shoppers have even reported being paid late or not being paid at all, which obviously isn’t ideal.
Many of the Tasks Are Complex
Another trend taking place in the industry that’s making mystery shopping less and less attractive is that the tasks are becoming increasingly complex.
This change is likely driven by companies wanting to get more bang for their buck and not willing to pay mystery shoppers very much for their time.
So, rather than simply going into a shop or a supermarket and asking a few questions, you may now be required to make a purchase, use a voucher, return an item, and fill out a very detailed report – all within a specific time frame.
This obviously makes the task much more complicated and time-consuming, which means that it’s not really worth doing unless you’re being paid quite a lot of money.
Is Mystery Shopping Worth it? No, But There Are Plenty of Alternatives
As you can see, there are several reasons why mystery shopping may no longer be worth your time. Unless you’re desperate for a free meal (which comes with a detailed report requirement) or you happen to be going to the same place as the assignment location, it’s probably not worth bothering with.
If you’re looking for ways to make some extra money, there are now much better alternatives available. Selling items you no longer need, signing up to alternative money-making apps like Amazon Flex, Deliveroo, and Uber Eats or taking part in online surveys are all much better options that won’t take up nearly as much of your time.
If you’re looking for inspiration for easy side hustle money, why not read one of my related posts – 7 Ways to Make Money Using Your Phone – where you might just find a better option for you.