Common Misconceptions About Being A Mystery Shopper  

Mystery shopping is something that the vast majority of people will have heard of these days. Many understand the basics and that mystery shopping or ‘secret shopping’ involves going into a business, mirroring common consumer behaviour and providing feedback on the experience. However, not a lot of people actually know what it’s like to be a mystery shopper and how mystery shopping companies usually work.  

For this reason, there are numerous misconceptions surrounding mystery shopping and many of which will put people off registering to become a secret shopper. This is a real shame because there is actually a multitude of benefits to being a mystery shopper and it is undeniably a role that is worthwhile looking into. So, to set the record straight for anyone who is considering this line of work, below we have debunked some of the most commonly heard misconceptions about being a mystery shopper.  

“Mystery shopping is a scam” 

It is easy to see why people think that mystery shopping is a scam because unfortunately there are some mystery shopper sites out there that do scam people, so it is important to find a genuine agency to work for. When you do, you won’t have to worry about getting fake checks or not being reimbursed for pre-approved expenses, everything will be legitimate and by the book.  

“There isn’t much work out there for mystery shoppers” 

This is another misconception that can sometimes be true, but again, when you register at a well-trusted agency with lots of clients, you shouldn’t struggle to get regular work. You will have to be matched to the right assignments though, so some people will get more work than others. That being said, mystery shopping is still a great way to earn some extra money every month.  

“Mystery shopping jobs are always in big cities” 

Lots of people assume that only big-name brands and large corporations use mystery shopping services, but this really isn’t the case. Lots of smaller businesses will also use these services to improve their customer experience too, so whilst there are plenty of assignments in big cities, you will find that mystery shopping really can take you anywhere and everywhere.  

“There is no progression as a mystery shopper” 

More often than not, people will have mystery shopping as their part-time job or something that they do in their free time, but it is possible to progress in this industry. Lots of agencies have grading schemes and you will be rewarded for your time and efforts. If you work hard and earn a good reputation for yourself, you will likely be picked for more exciting assignments too.  

“Mystery shopping is boring and repetitive” 

It is a huge misconception that mystery shopping is all about going into retail stores on your local high street. So many different industry sectors will use mystery shopping services these days, so assignments might involve going to a restaurant, booking a class at a gym or staying at a holiday park. When you’re a mystery shopper, every day will be different.  

“There is no flexibility with mystery shopping assignments” 

This couldn’t be further from the truth, arguably, being a mystery shopper is one of the most flexible job roles you can have. You can choose which assignments you apply for and whilst they will need to be completed in a certain time frame, you can decide when you’d like to complete them. So, you can work around your schedule and whenever’s most convenient.  

Becoming a mystery shopper in the UK  

All in all, it is fair to say that not many people know much about what mystery shopper jobs entail and this really does lead to there being numerous misconceptions surrounding this line of work. If you have come across any of the misconceptions mentioned above when looking into mystery shopper opportunities, you really shouldn’t let them put you off. It goes without saying that working for a mystery shopper company is actually incredibly rewarding.  

If you’re interested in becoming a mystery shopper in the UK, be sure to visit the Proinsight website. As a well-established and trusted mystery shopping agency, we can help you to become a successful mystery shopper and we can provide you with all of the basics you need to get started. You can find out more about becoming a mystery shopper over on our website and if you have any questions at all before registering with us, feel free to get in touch. We’re more than happy to answer these for you.