This Confero review covers the mystery shopping company named U.S. Chamber of Commerce Top Business of 2024. Confero has served major brands since 1986—nearly 40 years in the industry.
Confero mystery shopping works with Fortune 500 companies like AMC Theatres, Coca-Cola, Jiffy Lube, and Jersey Mike’s Subs. They’re a charter member of the MSPA and hold an A+ BBB rating.
But is Confero right for you? This Confero review breaks down their payment system, shop types, and what real shoppers experience working with this award-winning company.
Quick Facts
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Company Background
Confero was founded in 1986 by JoAnn Buxton in Cary, North Carolina. It started as a training consulting firm before shifting to mystery shopping.
Her daughter Elaine Buxton joined in 1987 and became President in 1999. Elaine was a founding member of the Mystery Shopping Providers Association (MSPA) and served as MSPA Americas President in 2010.
Confero mystery shopping serves over 130,000 independent contractors. Their headquarters remain in Cary, NC—part of the Raleigh-Durham metro area.
2024 U.S. Chamber of Commerce CO-100 Top Business
In October 2024, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce named Confero the #1 small business in America—selected from 14,000 applicants. They also won Top Honoree in the Enduring Business category, recognizing their 38+ years of growth.
Notable Clients
Confero mystery shopping works with major national brands including:
- AMC Theatres
- Coca-Cola North America
- Jiffy Lube (client since 1992)
- Jersey Mike’s Subs
- Shell Oil
- Capital One
- Staples
- Lenovo
This Confero review found that many client relationships span decades. Jiffy Lube has been with Confero since 1992—over 30 years of continuous partnership.
How to Sign Up for Confero Mystery Shopping
Signing up is free. Go to the Shopper Center on Confero’s website and complete the registration process.
Sign-Up Process
- Visit conferoinc.com and click “Become a Shopper”
- Choose a reporting platform (Compass/Sassie or ShopMetrics)
- Complete your Shopper Profile with address and PayPal info
- Read and accept the Independent Contractor Agreement
- Pass the certification test (up to 6 attempts allowed)
- Access the job board to view assignments
Basic Requirements
- Must be 18 years or older (21 for some shops)
- Must have a PayPal account (required for payment)
- Reliable transportation
- Smartphone, tablet, or computer with internet access
- Working email address
PayPal Required
Confero mystery shopping pays ONLY through PayPal. They never send checks. If you receive a check claiming to be from Confero, it’s a scam. Set up your free PayPal account before registering.
Confero Review: Payment Details
Let’s talk about how Confero mystery shopping pays shoppers.
Payment Method
Confero uses PayPal exclusively. They state clearly: “We will never send you a check.” This policy helps protect shoppers from check scams that misuse their name.
Payment Schedule
Confero pays twice monthly based on when you complete shops:
| Shop Completion Date | Payment Date | Wait Time |
|---|---|---|
| 1st – 15th of month | 25th – 30th of following month | ~4-6 weeks |
| 16th – 31st of month | 10th – 15th of second following month | ~4-6 weeks |
Example: If you complete a shop on June 20th, you’d receive payment between August 10th-15th. That’s about 6-7 weeks later.
Payment Issues to Know
This Confero review found some BBB complaints about payment timing. Some shoppers report waiting longer than the stated schedule. One reviewer said payments “took 90 days” to resolve.
The majority of shoppers receive payment on schedule. But if you need faster payment, consider companies with weekly or same-month payment options.
Typical Pay Ranges
| Shop Type | Typical Pay | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Restaurant shops | $10-30 + reimbursement | Varies by complexity |
| Retail audits | $10-25 | Often include photos |
| Phone evaluations | $5-15 per call | Recorded calls |
| Compliance audits | $15-40 | Age verification shops |
| Entertainment venues | $20-50 + tickets | Theaters, events |
| Automotive services | $15-35 + reimbursement | Oil changes, etc. |
Pay amounts are agreed before each assignment. Some shops include reimbursement for purchases—the client sets those limits.
Types of Confero Mystery Shopping Available
Confero mystery shopping covers a wide range of industries and evaluation types.
Industries Served
- Restaurants: Fast casual, QSR, full service, food service
- Entertainment: Movie theaters, amusement parks, venues
- Retail: Grocery stores, electronics, convenience stores
- Automotive: Oil changes, car services, dealerships
- Banking & Finance: Banks, insurance, financial services
- Healthcare: Medical practices, spas, wellness centers
- Hospitality: Hotels, airports, travel services
- Government: Public sector customer experience
Evaluation Types
- On-site mystery shops: Visit locations as a regular customer
- Telephone mystery shops: Call and evaluate phone service (often recorded)
- Online/website shops: Test digital customer experience
- Compliance audits: Check ID verification for alcohol/tobacco
- Competitive studies: Gather intel on client competitors
- On-the-spot rewards: Give instant recognition to great employees
- POP checks: Verify point-of-purchase display compliance
Confero mystery shopping is especially known for telephone evaluations. They record calls so clients can hear exactly how their staff interacts with customers.
Shopper Rating System
Confero uses a 1-10 rating system for shoppers. New members start at 5.
Your rating changes based on:
- Following shop instructions exactly
- Report quality and detail
- Meeting deadlines
- Photo quality (when required)
Higher ratings qualify you for more assignments. Some premium shops only go to top-rated shoppers.
Pro Tip
Read instructions carefully on every Confero mystery shopping assignment. Following the rules exactly is the fastest way to build your rating and access better-paying shops.
BBB Rating and Industry Standing
Confero holds an A+ rating with the Better Business Bureau. They’re BBB accredited and have won the BBB Torch Award for Marketplace Ethics.
They’re also a charter member of the Mystery Shopping Providers Association (MSPA). Elaine Buxton helped found the organization and still serves on the MSPA Americas Board of Directors.
Industry Awards
- U.S. Chamber of Commerce CO-100 Top Business 2024
- CO-100 Top Honoree, Enduring Business Category 2024
- MSPA Shopper’s Choice Award Winner 2021
- Multiple Stevie Awards for Customer Service
- Inc. 5000 List (fastest-growing companies)
- BBB Torch Award for Marketplace Ethics
Confero Review: What Shoppers Say
Feedback on Confero mystery shopping is generally positive, with some common concerns about payment timing.
What Shoppers Like
- Wide variety of shop types
- Works with major national brands
- Clear, detailed instructions
- Family culture—staff that cares
- Competitive pay rates
- 38+ years in business
- Strong industry reputation
- Helpful schedulers
Common Complaints
- Payment takes 4-6+ weeks
- PayPal only (no other options)
- Some late payment issues reported
- Must pass certification test first
- Availability varies by location
- Competition for popular shops
Long-Term Shopper Perspective
One shopper wrote: “I have been a shopper with Confero for almost 8 years. They offer competitive shopper compensation and a great variety of shop options that have exceeded my expectations.”
They added: “What I love most about Confero is the staff and the family culture. They truly care about their shoppers.”
The Payment Wait
The main downside in this Confero review is payment timing. Waiting 4-6 weeks feels long compared to companies offering weekly payment. Some BBB complaints mention delays beyond the stated schedule.
If fast payment is your priority, consider pairing Confero mystery shopping with companies that pay weekly.
Tips for Confero Success
- Set up PayPal first. You can’t get paid without it.
- Complete your full profile. More details help you get matched to shops.
- Pass the certification test carefully. You have 6 attempts.
- Check the job board regularly. Good shops get claimed fast.
- Enable email notifications. Get alerts when new shops post in your area.
- Follow instructions exactly. This builds your rating quickly.
- Take clear photos. Many Confero mystery shopping assignments require them.
- Submit reports promptly. Don’t wait until the deadline.
Confero Scam Alert
Confero is 100% legitimate. But scammers regularly misuse their name.
Red Flags of Scams Using Confero’s Name
- Receiving a check in the mail claiming to be from Confero
- Asked to deposit a check and send money back
- Asked to buy gift cards and share the codes
- Asked to shop Western Union or MoneyGram
- Contacted from Gmail, Yahoo, or AOL addresses
- Asked to pay any fee to join
Real Confero mystery shopping never sends checks. They never contact you from public email domains. All communication comes from @conferoinc.com addresses. Sign up only through their official website.
Contact Information
| Contact Type | Details |
|---|---|
| Website | conferoinc.com |
| Shopper Center | conferoinc.com/shoppers-center-get-started-here |
| Headquarters | 535 Keisler Dr, Suite 204, Cary, NC 27518 |
| Founded | 1986 |
| President/CEO | Elaine Buxton |
Final Verdict: Is Confero Worth It?
Here’s the bottom line of this Confero review.
Confero mystery shopping is one of the most established companies in the industry. Nearly 40 years in business. MSPA charter member. A+ BBB rating. 2024 U.S. Chamber of Commerce Top Business.
They work with major brands like AMC, Coca-Cola, and Jiffy Lube. Their shop variety spans restaurants, retail, entertainment, automotive, and more. The shopper rating system rewards good work with better assignments.
The main drawback is payment timing. Waiting 4-6 weeks for PayPal payment feels slow. Some shoppers report occasional delays beyond that.
My recommendation? Sign up if you want to work with a highly reputable company on major brand assignments. Just plan around the payment schedule and consider pairing with faster-paying companies for cash flow.
Confero mystery shopping won’t pay you quickly. But for variety, brand names, and industry reputation, they’re among the best in the business.