BARE International Review: Global Mystery Shopping Since 1987

This BARE International review covers one of the world’s largest mystery shopping firms. BARE International works in 165+ countries with over 500,000 shoppers. They co-founded the MSPA and hold Elite status.

BARE International mystery shopping has been around since 1987. They’re family-owned and based in Fairfax, Virginia. The firm finished over 104,000 client reviews in 2025 alone.

But shopper feedback is mixed. This BARE International review digs into the payment issues, shop types, and whether this global giant is worth your time.

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Company Background

Dale and Michael Bare founded BARE International in 1987 in Fairfax, Virginia. They started as “Restaurant & Hotel Services” with a focus on hotels and dining.

The firm went global in 1999 with their first overseas office in Antwerp, Belgium. That’s when they became Bare Associates International. Today they have 13 offices worldwide.

BARE now works in over 165 countries. They finish more than 250,000 reviews per year with a 99% completion rate. The firm is still family-owned, with Jason Bare now serving as President.

Field Leadership

Mike Bare co-founded the Mystery Shopping Providers Association (MSPA). He remains on the MSPA board today. That matters — it means BARE helped write the rules for the whole field.

BARE holds MSPA Elite status. They’ve earned this badge for 10+ straight years in both the Americas and Europe/Africa chapters. They also hold ISO/IEC 27001:2013 status for data safety.

Key Clients

BARE mystery shopping works with major brands across many fields:

• Papa John’s Pizza
• Shell
• Glory Days Grill
• Waterway Gas & Wash
• BI Worldwide

In 2025, they added 91 new clients worldwide. Breakdown by field: 46% retail, 40% auto, and the rest from hotels and solar power.

How to Sign Up for BARE Mystery Shopping

Signing up is free but has more steps than most firms. Here’s what to expect.

Sign-Up Process

1. Visit bareinternational.com and click “Evaluator Login”
2. Create an account with your details
3. BARE suggests getting a tax ID number from the IRS first
4. Finish your sign-up as a freelance worker
5. Log into the APOLLO portal to view the job board
6. Finish any required BARE basics testing

What You Need

• Must be 21 years or older in the United States
• Must be 18 years or older outside the US
• Sharp eye for detail and solid writing skills
• Computer or smartphone with web access
• Steady transport for in-person shops

BARE calls their mystery shoppers “evaluators.” Once signed up, you can search the job board by zip code, state, or country. You can also opt into email alerts for jobs in your area.

BARE International Review: Payment Details

Payment is the most hotly debated topic in this BARE International review. Many shoppers report problems.

Payment Methods

BARE mystery shopping offers three payment options:

• Direct Deposit: Open to US shoppers who’ve earned under $500
• PayPal: Open in most regions
• Paper Check: Mailed (slow, sometimes in USD for global shoppers)

European shoppers can also use bank transfer (EUR) or TransferWise.

Payment Schedule

Payment goes out by the end of the month after the month you finished the project. So a January shop pays by the end of February.

For European accounts, the payment timeline states: “This must be done by the end of the month following the month in which the projects were completed and received according to the project requirements.”

Payment Issues Reported

This is where this BARE International review gets tricky. Many shoppers report payment problems:

• Payments not showing up despite “paid” status online
• Hard time reaching the payment team
• Global shoppers getting USD checks that are hard to cash
• First payments sometimes sent by check even when direct deposit is set up
• $2 fee taken out if direct deposit is turned down and they cut a check

Some long-term shoppers say BARE pays on time. Others report ongoing issues. Results seem to vary a lot.

Types of BARE Mystery Shopping Jobs

BARE mystery shopping covers many fields and review types worldwide.

Fields Served

• Retail: Stores, niche retail, consumer goods (46% of new clients)
• Auto: Car lots, service centers, car washes (40% of new clients)
• Hotels & Dining: Hotels, food spots, travel
• Fast Food & QSR: Quick service spots, pizza chains
• Money Services: Banks, insurance
• Gas Stations: Fuel sellers, corner stores
• Solar Power: A growing field for BARE
• Schools: Learning centers

Review Types

• In-person mystery shops: Visit spots as a buyer
• Phone reviews: Call-based checks
• Web-based checks: Online and digital tests
• Brand compliance audits: Check that standards are met
• Honesty audits: Test staff conduct and process
• Price audits: Check pricing across locations
• Buyer surveys: On-site interviews

Each project is different. BARE builds custom programs for each client. When you’re picked for a project, you’ll get a brief with goals and guidelines.

The APOLLO Platform

BARE mystery shopping uses their online portal called APOLLO. Some shops may also use the Sassie platform.

How It Works

Once signed up, you can search the job board for open projects. Filter by location to find shops near you. Each listing shows project details and due dates.

To apply, click on a project and submit your request. BARE reviews requests daily. You should hear back within 48 hours if you’re picked.

Shopper Rating System

BARE rates shoppers on a 1-10 scale for each project. Factors include:

• On-time report turn-in
• Report completeness
• Correct details
• Quick replies to follow-up questions
• Grammar and writing quality

Higher scores mean access to better jobs. Poor work can lead to BARE picking a different shopper — which hurts your pay.

Field Credentials and Awards

MSPA Co-Founder 10+ Years Elite Status ISO 27001 Certified

BARE holds strong credentials. They co-founded the MSPA and remain field leaders.

Their MSPA Elite status spans over a decade — given in both the Americas and Europe/Africa regions. This honors firms that support the field’s mission and show new thinking.

BARE also holds ISO/IEC 27001:2013 status for data safety. They’re one of few mystery shopping firms with this badge.

BARE International Review: What Shoppers Say

Shopper feedback on BARE mystery shopping is sharply split. Glassdoor shows a 2.5/5 rating from mystery shoppers.

The Payment Debate

The biggest issue in this BARE International review is payment trust. Trustpilot reviews mention payments not showing up despite “paid” status. Some shoppers report issues starting in mid-2025.

BARE replies to complaints and offers direct contact to fix things. But many shoppers describe a hard time reaching the payment team or getting issues sorted out.

Shop Cuts

Some reviewers mention shops being cut after they’re done. This means doing the work, spending money, and not getting paid. BARE says they take quality control to heart and sometimes need to cut reports.

One positive review notes: “I have worked with many other mystery shopping companies, but BARE sets the gold standard in the industry.” So results clearly vary.

Tips for BARE Success

• Start small. Try shops without large upfront costs first.
• Check payment before ramping up. Make sure your first payment lands right.
• Read briefs fully. Guidelines are detailed — follow them to the letter.
• Contact project leads during work hours. Get your questions answered before the shop.
• Check your shopper log often. Don’t rely only on email alerts.
• Keep bank info current. Old details cause payment delays.
• Save everything. Keep receipts and confirm emails.
• Don’t take on too much. Only accept projects you can finish well.

BARE International Scam Alert

BARE International is a legit company. But scammers often use their name.

Real BARE mystery shopping never sends payment upfront. Legit payments come via PayPal, direct deposit, or live check — never cashier’s checks. Sign up only through their official website.

Contact Details

Final Verdict: Is BARE Worth It?

Here’s the bottom line of this BARE International review.

BARE mystery shopping offers unmatched global reach. With 165+ countries and major brand clients, they have shops others don’t. Their MSPA standing is top-tier.

But the payment issues are a concern. Too many shoppers report problems getting paid, cut shops, and contact troubles. Glassdoor’s 2.5/5 rating from mystery shoppers shows real letdown.

My take? Move forward with care. BARE mystery shopping can work well for some. Start with low-risk jobs. Make sure payments land before taking shops that need big upfront spending.

If you travel abroad or want global shop range, BARE offers options others can’t match. Just protect yourself by building a payment track record with smaller jobs first.

BARE isn’t a scam — they’re a field pioneer. But their uneven shopper results mean you should go in with eyes open.

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