Monday, December 2nd
2024 Mystery Shopping Company Reviews
Second To None
- Pay around $10 per job
- Monthly payment through PayPal or direct deposit
- Make a free account by answering quick questions
- Phone shopper opportunities
- Accredited by the MSPA
- "A+” rating and accreditation from the BBB
Second To None is a member of the CX Group which works with brands across the US and Canada. Second To None has been around for 35 years, and offers mystery shopper jobs through the CX Group Shopper Hub. When you join their independent contractor network, you'll be able to score gigs that take you to restaurants and your favorite retail locations on a flexible schedule. The company works with popular businesses like BP, Xfinity, Krispy Kreme, YETI, Kroger, Chipotle, Citibank, and more. With accreditation from the Mystery Shopping Providers Association (MSPA), you can feel confident that you're working with the real deal.
Nearly 200 jobs in our area
To see the job listings, you'll need to become a shopper for Second To None. You can sign up with your email, Facebook, Google, or Apple accounts. You'll be asked for your name, email, address, and phone number. You'll also need to accept the contractor's terms of agreement. Before you see jobs (also known as shops), you'll need to answer a few questions for your profile. These may be state-specific. Some questions that might be universal include whether or not you would use your smartphone to do call-in shops or if you've been part of the military. Once you complete the questions, you'll be able to see the different types of shops available. For our test application, we were offered 172 different call-in shops, 9 shops for the ESRB (the video game rating system), and 1 shop for a standard food restaurant through DoorDash.
Shop types not found elsewhere
There are tons of different shops, and some of Second To None's offerings are unique from competitors. Call-in shops are simple and can be completed in the comfort of your home. Online shops are similar, but you'll be browsing online stores. ESRB rating shops (a type of shop we didn't see at other providers) are sometimes limited by age group, and you'll be going into a location to review a game. Some of these types of shops aren't available at other sites, and Second To None offers unique categories, so you can see which type of shops are available at any time.
Detailed role plays for calls
The job listings themselves have all the basics. You'll get a job ID number, a scenario, a required completion time, and any notes you need to complete the shop. For example, one call-in shop on our list asked the shopper to call the company and role-play as someone asking for info on an IID install after a recent DUI. A vehicle is listed for you to use in your role play. In the notes, there are further details: the caller should use a particular city and zip code, and document all costs while answering questions.
Most jobs pay $10 each
Payment is one area where Second To None could level up a bit. The company only offered shops at $10 per job. This is about average, but with some sites offering $20+ each, this was a little on the low end. It was not clear if there would be higher-paying opportunities as you progress with Second To None. In terms of how you get your payment, Second To None offers PayPal and direct deposit. You will be paid every month, and direct deposit is free of charge. If you choose PayPal, a $1 processing fee will be taken out of your monthly payment (another downside for STN, since most rivals don't charge that fee). If you don't work in the US, you are only able to use PayPal.
No applications or waiting for jobs
There are no extra applications to fill out at Second To None. Some shops you can easily complete right away, while others require a request to be submitted. This depends on your rating as a shopper. If you maintain your 5-star rating (which is what you'll start with), you can always sign up for jobs right away. If you offer high-quality work, you'll have your pick of jobs.
Feedback is middle-tier
Second To None holds an impressive "A+” rating and accreditation with the Better Business Bureau. It's the ratings from current and former mystery shoppers on third-party job boards that are pretty average. For example, Indeed shows a 3-star rating for Second To None. Contractors praise the flexibility, but most feel that the short time limits at Second To None are more difficult to manage than at other mystery shopper websites. Regrettably, reviews from mystery shoppers don't mention the pay or if it increases over time.
Best for call-based shops
Second To None is a middle-of-the-road mystery shopping option. Signing up is simple, and you can choose jobs as soon as your profile is set up. However, if you're looking for the most pay, you may be disappointed by Second To None. The reviews are about average, and that's our feeling for this company too. While its unique shops help it stand out a bit above the norm, Second To None earns an above-average rating in our review. But, if you like working from home, the high volume of call-based shops may make it worth a shot.
More Mystery Shopping Company Reviews
The 10 Best Mystery Shopping Companies
Where is the Best Place to Start Mystery Shopping?
Ever wonder how different companies check that their stores are running the way they should? While most of us immediately think of watching Undercover Boss, many businesses actually choose to use mystery shoppers. Mystery shopping is a particular job where normal people like you are hired by a variety of different companies to get in-person, real-time data on what's happening inside local stores or restaurants.
As a form of market research, mystery shoppers visit brick-and-mortar businesses to check out things like customer service quality, cleanliness, and the overall shopping experience at a particular store. Sound like something you would enjoy? It's easier to make mystery shopping your next side hustle than you'd think.
Mystery Shopping Company FAQ
Continued from above...
You'll need good written and verbal communication skills to help you tell the higher-ups what's going on when you're browsing, but otherwise, as long as you're curious and are ready to use your great attention to detail, mystery shopping will be a great fit for you. The best part? Making purchases is usually part of the deal, so whether you're reviewing a car wash or a luxury hotel, you'll typically get reimbursed for necessary purchases. Plus, you get paid on top of that.
Here's how it works. Generally, you'll get hired through a third-party provider that will post opportunities to evaluate stores and chains near you. (Helpful hint: legit mystery shopping companies will be approved and accredited by the Mystery Shopping Providers Association.) Once a company approves your application, you'll be able to choose an assignment to start shopping.
You'll find restaurants, beauty salons, car maintenance shops, banks, makeup stores, and movie theaters (among many other stores) on the mystery shopper lists. Plus, many jobs let you do hotel stays or airline reviews, so you can travel without spending a dime. If you're someone who likes to explore your local area, try new things, and shop, shop, shop, you'll want to check out mystery shopping as your next side hustle.
The mystery shopping jobs (called "shops” in the biz) are usually listed on a job board on the particular website you work with. You'll be able to see the details like distance, job requirements, necessary purchases, and the reimbursement amount before you even accept the shop. Some gigs let you assign yourself (these are first-come-first-serve), and others require a little extra application to prove you're the right fit. These are usually high-quality or luxury shops that need that particular attention to detail. So if you keep up high quality services while you work, you'll be eligible for the good stuff.
But with so many places out there offering mystery shopping jobs, how can you pick the right one? If you've never applied for mystery shopping before, or you want to get a leg up on the competition, we've put together some factors that'll help you find the best fit for your shopping skills:
- Payment. The best mystery shopping sites offer solid payment and reimbursement for your services while shopping. Stay away from companies with startup fees, as these can be illegitimate sites. Pay can range from $5 per job to over $100 per job. Finding the right balance of good pay and solid opportunities that match your interests is a great way to pick between similar companies.
- Number of jobs. Hey, if you can't work, it's not worth it. Make sure the mystery shopping job site you choose offers a range of jobs in your area, so you don't feel like you need to be double-dipping or managing multiple sites to make enough to get by. Some job boards have almost nothing in some states, while others regularly offer hundreds of opportunities. When it comes to making some extra cash, having more options is always the better choice.
- Method. In this day and age, there are multiple types of mystery shopping. You can work with a company that offers all of them or go with a company that focuses on the area you prefer most. You can pick from in-person (the standard "going in and shopping” method), telephone (where you evaluate call centers), and hybrid (often used for hotels where you would evaluate all parts of your customer experience, from making the reservation to staying overnight). There are even some online companies that have you check websites.
- Reputation. Check out reviews from other mystery shoppers on sites like Glassdoor or Indeed. Make sure that you can trust a particular company to treat you right. Keep an eye out for sites that don't have a lot of buzz or feedback on job boards. These might not be the right fit for you. Look for services that are approved by the Mystery Shopping Providers Association (MSPA). These are always legitimate businesses. And, of course, check out the companies on the Better Business Bureau, for that extra layer of security.
To help you start making some extra cash buying the things you already love, Top Consumer Reviews has reviewed and ranked today's top mystery shopping platforms. We hope this helps you get into your next side hustle, all while enjoying the things you love (like shopping, traveling, or visiting your favorite car wash!).
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