This Sinclair Customer Metrics review covers a mystery shopping pioneer based in San Antonio, Texas. Sinclair Customer Metrics has been in the field since 1987 and is said to be a founding member of the MSPA.
Sinclair mystery shopping focuses on banking, dining, retail, and auto. They have over 200,000 shoppers in their field network and offer unique video mystery shopping.
But is Sinclair worth your time? This Sinclair Customer Metrics review looks at their payment system, shop types, and what seasoned shoppers say about working with them.
Quick Facts
Sign Up for Sinclair View Services
Company Background
Sinclair Customer Metrics was founded in 1987 by Robert O. Sinclair in San Antonio, Texas. The firm started as Sinclair Service Checks, part of his Sinclair & Associates ad agency.
Shoppers fondly call the firm just “Sinclair.” They use the term “Customer Service Raters” (CSE) instead of mystery shoppers. The firm takes pride in being a leader in buyer insight and data.
Today, Sinclair mystery shopping serves clients across the United States and abroad. Their field network spans over 200,000 raters. They work with big banks, local chains, and indie retailers.
Field Standing
Sinclair is said to be a founding member of the MSPA. They’ve been serving clients for over three decades. One long-time shopper noted they worked with the firm for 18 years.
The BBB lists Sinclair Customer Metrics but hasn’t given a rating due to not enough data. The firm has 2 spots listed.
Small Firm Feel
Many shoppers say Sinclair mystery shopping has a “small indie-run shop” vibe. They praise the friendly, skilled schedulers and low-key dealings. This is different from larger mystery shopping firms with more stiff cultures.
How to Sign Up for Sinclair Mystery Shopping
Sign-up is free and simple. Here’s the process.
Sign-Up Process
- Visit sinclaircustomermetrics.com
- Click “New Mystery Shopper Sign-Up” tab
- Enter your name and email address
- Review the intro documents with care
- Read and sign the Independent Contractor deal
- Fill out the online form
- Get your Shopper Login-ID and Password
- Take the “Sinclair New Shopper Challenge” test
- Fill out the “New Shopper Survey”
After Sign-Up
Once signed up, you’ll need to fill out your profile. This sets which shops show on your dashboard. Add your zip code and travel range to see nearby jobs.
Go to “Open Shops” then “Online Scheduling” to view and self-assign shops in your area. Some jobs are first-come-first-serve while others need approval.
Pro Tip
Sinclair mystery shopping needs no prior work history. Read the “Info for Mystery Shoppers” document in full before taking the New Shopper Challenge — questions come straight from it.
Sinclair Customer Metrics Review: Payment Details
Payment is simple but old-school. This Sinclair Customer Metrics review found they only pay by paper check.
Payment Method
Sinclair mystery shopping pays by mailed paper check only. No PayPal. No direct deposit. This is a downside next to rivals that offer digital payments.
Payment Schedule
Payment goes out the last week of the month after your finished shop. Here’s how it works:
| Shop Done | Payment Mailed | Wait Time |
|---|---|---|
| September 1st | Last week of October | ~8 weeks |
| September 28th | Last week of October | ~4 weeks |
| October 15th | Last week of November | ~6 weeks |
Whether you finish a shop on the 1st or 28th of the month, both pay in the last week of the next month. Finishing shops early in the month means a longer wait.
Typical Pay Ranges
Pay for Sinclair mystery shopping varies by job:
| Shop Type | Typical Fee | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Standard shops | $5-20 | Plus payback |
| Bank shops | $10-20 | Ask-based, no purchase |
| Dining shops | $10-15 + payback | QSR and full service |
| Auto shops | $15-60 | Sales and service |
| Airport/bonus shops | $20+ bonus | Hard-to-fill spots |
Payback amounts for required buys are stated before you accept the shop. Hard-to-fill spots like airports may include bonus pay.
Low Pay Concerns
Some shoppers note that Sinclair mystery shopping pays fees like those from “the late 2000s.” The work-to-pay ratio may not be ideal unless shops are handy to your daily route.
Types of Sinclair Mystery Shopping
Sinclair mystery shopping offers many review types across a range of fields.
Fields Served
- Banking & Finance: Big and local banks, credit unions
- Dining: Quick service (QSR) and full service
- Retail: Grocery, c-stores, shoe stores, general goods
- Auto: Car lots, service centers
- Online Shopping: Website reviews
Review Types
- On-site mystery shops: Visit spots as a normal buyer
- Video mystery shops: Record visits with hidden camera gear
- Phone mystery shops: Rate call center and incoming call handling
- Online mystery shops: Test websites, mobile apps, and chat
- Rules audits: Check that brand standards are being met
- Rival research: Rate the client’s rivals
Video Mystery Shopping
Sinclair mystery shopping offers something unique — video reviews with hidden cameras. They provide the gear. The footage captures facial cues, attitudes, and steps from a first-person view.
These videos help clients spot problem areas and serve as training tools. Video shops may pay more than standard reviews.
The NetReports Platform
Sinclair uses their in-house NetReports® platform for reports and data. This system helps clients access mystery shop results, audit data, and other stats in one place.
For shoppers, the website is usable but dated. Many reviewers note it “looks like it has not been updated since it was built.” Despite the old-school look, shoppers say it works well.
Sinclair Customer Metrics Review: What Shoppers Say
Shopper feedback on Sinclair mystery shopping is mostly good, with some concerns about pay rates.
What Shoppers Like
- Steady, on-time payments
- Friendly, skilled schedulers
- “Small firm” vibe
- Easy shop forms to fill out
- Work with you on timing
- Book shops in advance
- 37+ years in the field
- Range of shop types
Common Complaints
- Low fees next to rivals
- Paper check only — no digital payment
- Long wait for payment (4-8 weeks)
- Dated website design
- Thin shop access in some areas
- Some clients have left
- Work-to-pay ratio concerns
Long-Term Shopper Views
Many seasoned shoppers praise Sinclair mystery shopping for being steady. One shopper worked with them for 18 years and was always paid on time. Another called them “great” and noted they “offer lots of shops.”
The “low-key friendly dealings” and pro treatment stand out. Schedulers work with shoppers on timing, unlike firms with rigid deadlines.
The Pay Issue
The main gripe in this Sinclair Customer Metrics review is pay. Many shoppers note fees haven’t gone up from “late 2000s” levels. Unless a shop is handy to your route, the work-to-pay ratio may not add up.
That said, some shoppers accept this tradeoff for steady payments and friendly working bonds.
Tips for Sinclair Success
- Read all documents in full. The New Shopper Challenge tests what you know.
- Fill out your profile. This sets which shops you see.
- Set a real travel range. Only accept shops on your daily routes.
- Check the job board often. Good shops go fast.
- Book shops in advance. Sinclair allows forward scheduling.
- Watch for bonus chances. Hard-to-fill spots pay more.
- Plan for paper check delays. Allow extra time for mail.
- Open a separate bank account. Helps with tracking mystery shopping income.
Sinclair Customer Metrics Scam Alert
Sinclair Customer Metrics is 100% legit. But scammers pose as them often.
Red Flags of Scams Using Sinclair’s Name
- Getting a surprise check in the mail
- Asked to deposit a check and wire money via Western Union or MoneyGram
- Out-of-the-blue emails offering mystery shopping jobs
- Being asked to pay any fee to sign up
- Asked for lots of private details upfront
Real Sinclair mystery shopping never mails checks before work is done. You sign up online, finish shops, submit reports, then get paid about a month later. Sign-up is always free.
If you get a shady check claiming to be from Sinclair, report it to the FBI Internet Crime Complaint Center (ic3.gov), your local police, and the FTC.
Contact Details
| Contact Type | Details |
|---|---|
| Website | sinclaircustomermetrics.com |
| Mystery Shopping | sinclaircustomermetrics.com/services/mystery-shopping |
| Main Office | San Antonio, Texas |
| Founded | 1987 |
| Founder/President | Robert O. Sinclair |
Final Verdict: Is Sinclair Worth It?
Here’s the bottom line of this Sinclair Customer Metrics review.
Sinclair mystery shopping is ideal for shoppers who value being paid on time over high pay. They’ve been in the field 37+ years. Shoppers praise their steady payments and friendly treatment over and over.
The “small firm” vibe draws those tired of big mystery shopping outfits. Schedulers are friendly and open to working with you. Shop forms are easy to fill out.
The downsides? Pay rates are stuck in the past. Paper checks only means long waits. Shop access varies a lot by where you live. The website looks dated.
My take? Sign up if you have Sinclair mystery shopping jobs handy to your daily route. Don’t drive out of your way for low-paying shops. But for easy jobs with a firm that treats shoppers well, they come through time after time.
Sinclair won’t make you rich. But for hassle-free shops with a firm that pays on time, they’re worth having in your lineup.