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1Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitches2Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errors3Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteYou can get paid to shop by completing mystery-shopping assignments: follow a company’s instructions, evaluate a customer experience, and submit a report. An assignment may offer a cash fee, reimbursement for a required purchase, or both. Reimbursement covers a specified expense; it is not automatically earnings. Providers do not publish a reliable, comparable industry average, and the available official information does not verify a list of 19 companies, so compare individual offers rather than relying on a headline pay-rate figure.
How mystery shopping works
Mystery shopping is project-based evaluation work, not a regular job with guaranteed hours. A provider or its client posts an assignment with instructions—such as visiting a location, making a purchase, observing service, taking photos, or answering questions. You complete the shop and submit the required report. Payment may depend on the assignment being completed correctly and the report being approved.
BestMark describes offering assignments project by project, with no minimum number of shops shoppers must accept. That means assignment availability and earnings can vary; signing up does not establish a steady income stream. See its shopper FAQ.
How much do mystery shoppers get paid?
There is no source-backed average pay rate across the providers covered here. The official pages reviewed do not give enough consistent information to calculate a meaningful cross-company average or hourly wage. A posted offer is more useful than a generic average, but assess its cash fee separately from any purchase reimbursement.
#1 Best Overall
Fee and reimbursement are different
A fee is compensation for doing the assignment. Reimbursement offsets an eligible expense you incur to complete it, subject to the assignment’s rules; it is not necessarily money left over for you. BestMark says a shop may pay cash, reimburse a meal or purchase, or combine the two. Secret Shopper notes that some restaurant assignments may reimburse the cost of a meal for two. Check the specific offer for what is covered and what you must spend. See the BestMark FAQ and Secret Shopper FAQ.
Compare the full workload, not just the advertised amount
- Cash fee: Identify the amount paid for the work itself.
- Required spending: Determine what you must buy, which costs are eligible for reimbursement, and whether reimbursement is capped.
- Time and travel: Account for the visit, travel, purchase, photos, and report writing. Without total time and expense information, an hourly rate cannot be reliably calculated.
- Approval and payout: Read what makes a report acceptable, how corrections are handled, and when and how approved work is paid.
- Location and availability: Confirm the offer is available where you live and fits your schedule; signing up does not guarantee local assignments.
Official mystery-shopping providers to check
These are examples with shopper information on the providers’ own websites, not a verified ranking or complete list of 19 companies. The pages reviewed do not establish a universal per-shop average for any of them. Confirm current terms and geographic availability on the official site before applying or accepting a shop.
Rank #2
- The Taste for Wine and Murder Mystery Party Game is a dinner party in a box
- A body was discovered at California vineyard, and you must solve the murder before the killer strikes again
- Invite your friends to dress up and play the roles of the devious suspects, each with his or her own character booklet with roles and background info
- Includes 8 character booklets, 8 party invitations, 8 nametags, 8 crime scene clues, party planning booklet
- Access to Audio/Video with an Introduction, summary of events, clues and solution to the crime online
| Provider | What its official information says | Payment information stated |
|---|---|---|
| Market Force | Free signup for shopping, dining, and other opportunities. Its Eyes On Global app supports viewing nearby shops, scheduling, completing assignments, reporting, and submitting photos. | Approved shops are paid monthly, normally by the 20th business day of the following month, by ACH or PayPal, according to its shopper guidance. |
| BestMark | Recruits independent-contractor evaluators. Assignment compensation may include cash, reimbursement, or both; assignments are offered project by project. | Its FAQ says processing generally takes three to four weeks after completion and describes a monthly payment window for approved shops from the previous month. Timing is assignment- and approval-dependent. |
| Secret Shopper | Some restaurant shops may reimburse the cost of a meal for two; the reimbursement is tied to the required expense, not a general earnings figure. | Its FAQ gives the example of a June shop being paid on July 20. The page does not establish a general average rate. |
| IntelliShop | Provides an evaluator application page; the reviewed page does not establish a universal average rate. | It says payment is made via PayPal on the 20th of each month for opportunities completed during the preceding month. |
Payment schedules above are provider descriptions, not guarantees that every assignment will be approved or paid on the same date. Check the provider’s current terms, particularly the approval rules and the point from which its payment clock starts.
How to find and evaluate assignments
- Apply through an official provider site. Start with a provider’s own shopper or evaluator page, such as the examples above. Do not rely on an unsolicited message, an unfamiliar application link, or a logo as proof that an offer is genuine.
- Review the assignment before accepting. Check the required visit, purchase, observations, photos, report deadline, reimbursement limits, and payment terms. Keep a copy of the assignment instructions.
- Decide whether the offer is worthwhile. Separate the fee from reimbursed spending, then consider your expected travel and time. Decline assignments whose costs, requirements, or payout terms are unclear.
- Complete the instructions and submit the report. Keep receipts and any other requested documentation. Follow the provider’s reporting process and respond to requests for corrections so you know whether the shop has been approved.
- Track the expected payment date and method. Payment terms differ: for example, Market Force describes ACH or PayPal, while IntelliShop describes PayPal. Use the provider’s current policy for the assignment you accepted.
How to spot a mystery-shopping scam
The Federal Trade Commission’s guidance is direct: “If you have to pay an upfront fee to become a mystery shopper, that’s always a scam.” The FTC also warns: “Never deposit checks into your bank account and send money back.” A check-forwarding scheme may ask you to deposit a check, send part of the money elsewhere, and keep some as payment; do not do it. Read the FTC’s Mystery Shopping Scams guidance.
Rank #3
- 🔎 IMMERSIVE MURDER MYSTERY GAME NIGHT – Become a detective in this cold case style crime investigation game, designed to feel like a real police file. Perfect for Christmas!
- 🛳️ SOLVE A CELEBRITY CRUISE SHIP MURDER – Collect evidence, analyse suspects, and crack the case of the famous soprano found dead aboard the Aurelian Empress.
- 📂 REALISTIC HIGH QUALITY COLD CASE FILE & EVIDENCE PACK – Includes over 25 pieces of evidence, including autopsy reports, letters, photos, receipts, and more – plus digital access to hidden files and online clues.
- 🎭 FOR SOLO OR GROUP PLAY – Perfect as a date night game, family activity, or large group murder mystery party.
- 🎁 UNIQUE GIFT FOR MYSTERY LOVERS – Ideal for fans of detective games, escape rooms, and true crime – unforgettable gift for birthdays, Christmas, or holidays.
- Do not pay to join. Market Force also says shoppers should never pay money to become a shopper.
- Verify the offer independently. Market Force warns that scammers may misuse its name or logo. Find the provider’s official website and contact details yourself rather than trusting the sender’s link or branding.
- Reject check-and-return instructions. Do not deposit a check and wire, transfer, or send money back to the sender or a third party.
- Be cautious of promised income. Mystery-shopping assignments are project-based; a claim of guaranteed, regular earnings is not supported by the provider terms described above.
What to know about “19 legit companies” and average rates
The official provider information available here supports examples, not a verified roster of 19 companies or an industry average pay rate. A company appearing on a third-party list is not, by itself, proof that its current shopper program is legitimate. Verify its official application page, the locations it serves, assignment requirements, compensation terms, and payment details before signing up.
For a practical decision, compare the actual assignment’s cash fee, eligible reimbursement, total effort, approval conditions, and payout schedule. That gives you a clearer picture of what you may keep and when you may receive it than an unsupported average would.
Quick Recap
Best Value
- Ditch the TV, and re-ignite family night with the get-together amusement of a Hasbro game
- Party it up, and surprise guests at your next event with laugh-out-loud game from Hasbro Gaming
- Nostalgic tabletop gameplay meets interactive digital content for an immersive gaming experience
- Hasbro Gaming imagines and produces games that are perfect for every age, taste, and event
Rank #4
- RACE AGAINST THE CLOCK — Work together in a frantic real-time rush to identify the culprit before the 5-minute timer runs out.
- SOLVE THE CASE TOGETHER — Search scenes, mark matching symbols in your Codex, earn clues, and eliminate suspects until you find the culprit!
- PERFECT FOR FAMILIES AND GAME NIGHTS — Easy to learn, exciting and fast: ideal for kids, adults, busy families, and game groups looking for a warm-up, filler or party game.
- UNIQUE CODEX MECHANIC — Use the included detective codex to record hidden symbols found in the museum and unlock new clues.
- HIGH REPLAYABILITY — With 19 case files, 50 scene cards to investigate and 36 potential culprits to catch, no two mysteries are solved the same way.
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
