Note (6/27/11): This legitimate mystery shopping company, BARE International, said that they are in urgent need of someone to shop in International Falls, MN, even though they are also recruiting folks nationwide. There is a bonus tied with that shop, but it must be completed within the next few days. If you are able to complete that particular shop, then register and contact Adrianne at ataylor@bareinternational.com. Please let her know that you found her name on Pocket Your Dollars.
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Last week I was contacted by a rep at BARE International, a legitimate mystery shop company, that is looking for more shoppers. They offer mystery shops nationwide and pay a small stipend per shop, plus reimburse you for purchases you’re required to make during your shop.
They have been in business since 1987 and are affiliated with the Mystery Shop Providers Association, which is a non-profit trade-type organization for valid mystery shopping companies.
To sign up, complete the form here and enter code 29503 in the “referred by” field. Then, check your email and click through a link in an auto-generated email to finalize your registration.
After your registration is complete you can log in to their system and visit their “Job Board” to find shops in your area. You’ll also start to receive notice of shops via email.
Details of what is involved with each shop are listed on the job board or in the email. After every shop you’ll have to complete a survey that details your experience.
Your turn: Have you done mystery shopping before? What do you think about it?
Disclosure: This post contains one or more referral links that may yield commissions for Pocket Your Dollars.com at no cost to you. See Pocket Your Dollars’ disclosure statement for more details.
About Carrie Rocha
I went to sign-up on their website, but they ask too many personal questions on the initial application. I could understand having to know our bank routing numbers after we apply for a job, but not before.
I have shopped for this company. If you like to shop and eat out this is a great way to do it.
When signing up there normally is not an “interviewing” process. You sign up, they post the jobs on thier website and send out emails and you sign up. Signing up does not confirm you got the shop. That is why they want the banking info right away. Some places pay through Paypal, others do direct deposit, which I believe Bare is a direct deposit payer.
When you mystery shop it is a lot of work, you need to remember details, names, etc. But
it is a lot of fun too.
Agreed that it is a lot of work. I strongly recommend that anyone new take one shop at a time until you really understand what is involved. A lot of newbies over commit and end up burning bridges with good companies when they get over their heads.
Like Jenny above, I was not comfortable putting in bank acct numbers and social security numbers.
You don’t have to enter the bank account/social security numbers until after they send you your first check.
they need to know your social security number because you get a 1099 at the end of the year. We have done one of these companies in the past. It was a good company. It is just way to much work and not worth the 1099. (You have to pay taxes on what you get reimbursed.)
You do not pay taxes on reimbursements. You have to report your reimbursements, but you are not taxed on them.
Thanks for the info, will check this company out. I love mystery shopping, my husband and I have been able to eat out at many places we could not otherwise afford. My best advice is to pay attention to detail and work on sharpening your memory. I have been with A Closer Look mystery shopping for several years and completed numerous shops. They are a great company! For someone who is really looking to learn more about mystery shopping, check out the MSF Mystery Shopping Forum. Lots of good advice on there, from folks who mystery shop for a living.
I have to admit I’m kind of intrigued by the idea of being a mystery shopper. This may seem like a weird question, but do you have to shop in disguise? Not sure how I would feel about that. I suppose I could grow a mustache or something.
I also was put off by the requests for too much personal information, so I’m out.
is thier anywhere in the twin cities that does this, i would love to try it having 4 years of retail experience. plus extra cash would be amazing seeing as im out of work for the sumer.,,, any ideas?
Take a look at Volition.com They have a lot of information about how to get started.
I strongly advise you to take it slow at first – it’s very easy to over commit. You also should set a limit for out of pocket costs – particularly since you are out of work – and stick to it. Many companies are slow as molasses to pay/reimburse.
I’ve shopped for BARE for a while now – they’re good, legit and pay reliably.