Becoming a Secret Shopper?

[countrygirl12]

I have been a secret shopper for a few years now.  I do a lot of shops for McDonald's, Hardee's, the post office, Texas Roadhouse, O'Charley's, Gold Star Chili, Staples, Aldi's, Radio Shack, AT&T, Verizon Wireless.  I use to do quite a few for Kroger but they are now doing customer feedback through the internet based on your receipt.  I only do the ones that are worthwhile.  Sometimes they get desperate to get shops done and will offer a nice bonus to do them.  There is a McDonald's I do every couple of months that they pay me $150 to shop because it is 90 miles away plus two free meals!

What company do you go thru?  I also hadn't seen one that paid based on how far it is away.  I have joined two, I think, and was told to only accept something that wasn't too far for me to drive to because it pays what it pays. lol
Oh wait, never mind.  They get desperate and add a bonus. lol.  I know that when you are good and have a high rating you get more perks.  Good for you!  Hope you keep getting awesome shops.   

[alice44]

I have been doing secret shopping for a while now and do most of mine with Market Force. It can be scary signing up because of giving your SS#.  But I have had no problems with and good response from them.  I am also just starting with Jancyn.  Good luck to you - it is fun.

[lvstephanie]

I signed up for one several years ago, but there weren't many offers available in my town, and those that did come up were not for my demographic (either age range or sex). I was also told that when you first start, there won't be that many offers available to you. Some companies want an experienced secret shopper that has completed several tasks. They may even want a sample of a questionnaire that you filled out for a previous task in order to determine how detailed you were when you wrote your report.

As for the SSN, I wouldn't feel that nervous about it, esp. if it is a legit company. Every job that I've had requires your SSN so that they can a) see if you are allowed to work and b) to issue taxes correctly. I guess if you are not listed as an actual employee of the secret shopping company, then they may not really need your SSN, but would rather like to use it as a way of distinguishing people (eg a father and son have the same name (eg the son is "Jr") and live in the same house can easily be distinguished by their SSN). If you are really unsure, check out the BBB for that company.

[countrygirl12]

I signed up for one several years ago, but there weren't many offers available in my town, and those that did come up were not for my demographic (either age range or sex). I was also told that when you first start, there won't be that many offers available to you. Some companies want an experienced secret shopper that has completed several tasks. They may even want a sample of a questionnaire that you filled out for a previous task in order to determine how detailed you were when you wrote your report.

As for the SSN, I wouldn't feel that nervous about it, esp. if it is a legit company. Every job that I've had requires your SSN so that they can a) see if you are allowed to work and b) to issue taxes correctly. I guess if you are not listed as an actual employee of the secret shopping company, then they may not really need your SSN, but would rather like to use it as a way of distinguishing people (eg a father and son have the same name (eg the son is "Jr") and live in the same house can easily be distinguished by their SSN). If you are really unsure, check out the BBB for that company.

But, if no one will give you a chance then how can you prove you would be a good shopper?  It is frustrating.  And I have no problem giving a company my SS number if I am working for them.  But the secret shopper companies you sign up with online you have no way of knowing if they are really for real, who they are, or what they will do with your information.  I am so broke I can't even afford to pay attention right now so someone stealing my SS number to open credit card accounts would be a waste of their time.  I have no job and can't find one and there is no way anybody could get a credit card approved with MY information. lol