Mystery shopping, marketing research, etc ...

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I was recently looking at a site that employs a variety of mystery shoppers and other forms of market research.

Basically, you're paid to shop. What it is is that you're given an assignment, which includes a form that must be filled out. You are asked to go into a store, eat at a restaurant, etc... and give details about the service received, about how things are set up, about the cleanliness of the place, etc...

This is all self-employment type of stuff. I'm wondering if any aspies have ever been involved in things like this.

- Ray M -

It sounds as this self employment business is a cooperation business with other companies.

In a way, yes. You really need to apply to a variety of different marketing firms, which can be found on the Internet, and there are many that are national. You can get lots of assignments, or so I hear. It's really geared to stay at home moms and people on that order.

It's not in cooperation with other shopping centers, restaurants, or other kinds of things. This sort of stuff is done for research for marketing purposes, which can also include consumer report organizations. You're like an undercover agent sent out to a specific location and asked to write down the layout, the service, how you enjoyed the visit, the parking lot, whatever.. Each assignment has a different form to fill out, filled with different information.

- Ray M -

You also have to be careful about who you apply to - there are plenty of secret shopper scamsout there.

This is very very true. One marketing research firm actually said: "you must have a checking account or a credit card." in its job description. WTF? That alone is a giveaway that this thing is a scam. Do they even reimburse you for the assigned shopping trips?

Places like Walgreens and Safeway (supermarket chain) have secret shoppers. I've considered it.

Ray - please PM me some web links on where to sign up!