Mystery Shopping Jobs Near Me
How to find local mystery shopping assignments and build a steady stream of secret shopper jobs in your area.
How to Search for Local Mystery Shopping Jobs
Finding mystery shopping jobs in your area starts with registering with multiple companies. Each company has its own client base, so the assignments available to you depend on which businesses in your area use mystery shopping services. By signing up with five to ten companies, you maximize the number of local opportunities you can access.
Most mystery shopping companies have an online assignment board or job map where you can search by zip code, city, or radius. Some companies also offer mobile apps that make it easy to find nearby shops while you are out running errands.
Companies with the Most Local Assignments
Some mystery shopping companies tend to have more assignments in more locations simply because they work with larger, national clients. These companies are a good place to start if you want to find jobs quickly:
- BestMark — large assignment database covering restaurants, retail, automotive, and more
- Market Force — works with major fast food chains, grocery stores, and retail brands nationwide
- IntelliShop — retail, food service, and automotive assignments in most areas
- A Closer Look — retail, restaurant, and merchandising assignments across the US
- Secret Shopper — one of the oldest companies with broad geographic coverage
Types of Local Assignments You Can Find
The types of mystery shopping jobs available in your area depend on the businesses nearby. Common assignment types include:
- Restaurant evaluations — fast food, casual dining, and fine dining visits where you evaluate food quality, service speed, cleanliness, and staff friendliness
- Retail store shops — visiting department stores, clothing stores, electronics retailers, or specialty shops to assess the customer experience
- Bank and financial visits — evaluating customer service at bank branches, credit unions, or insurance offices
- Grocery and convenience stores — checking product availability, store cleanliness, and employee helpfulness
- Automotive evaluations — visiting car dealerships to evaluate the sales process and customer service
- Apartment and leasing shops — touring apartment communities and evaluating the leasing agent's presentation and follow-up
Tips for Finding More Jobs in Your Area
- Register with more companies. Each additional company you sign up with increases the pool of available assignments.
- Check boards daily. New assignments are posted regularly, and popular shops get claimed quickly. Morning checks are often best.
- Expand your radius. If your immediate area has limited options, consider shops within a 30- to 60-minute drive. Gas and mileage can be tax-deductible.
- Enable notifications. Most companies offer email or text alerts when new assignments matching your profile become available.
- Look for bonus pay. Shops that are close to their deadline often come with bonuses because the company needs them completed urgently. These can pay significantly more than the base rate.
- Be reliable. Companies prioritize shoppers with high reliability scores. Completing every assignment you accept on time and with quality reports makes you more likely to receive invitations for premium shops.
Remote Mystery Shopping Opportunities
Not all mystery shopping requires leaving your home. Phone mystery shopping involves calling businesses and evaluating how the call is handled. Online mystery shopping may involve evaluating a company's website, customer service chat, or email response time. These types of assignments are especially useful if you live in a rural area with limited in-person opportunities or prefer to work from home.
Sinclair Customer Metrics is particularly well known for telephone mystery shopping assignments that can be completed from anywhere.
What About Mystery Shopping Apps?
Several companies offer mobile apps that make finding and managing mystery shopping jobs easier. Market Force's Eyes:On app is one of the most popular, showing a map of available assignments near your current location. Other companies like IntelliShop and BestMark also have mobile-friendly platforms. Using these apps can help you spot opportunities while you are already out, making it easy to add a quick shop to your errands.