A required purchase is an item or service you must buy during a mystery shop to complete the assignment. The company reimburses this cost on top of your shop fee, so the purchase doesn’t come out of your earnings.
Many mystery shops include a buying component. The client wants to know what the full customer experience feels like — and that includes making a transaction. Your purchase triggers specific employee behaviors the client wants evaluated, like upselling, order accuracy, and checkout speed.
Understanding required purchases helps you pick shops that fit your budget and preferences. It also prevents costly surprises if you miss a detail in the shop guidelines.
How Required Purchases Work
When you accept a shop with a required purchase, the guidelines spell out exactly what you need to buy. This might be a specific menu item, a product within a price range, or a particular service.
You pay out of pocket during the visit. Use your own money, credit card, or debit card just like any regular customer would. The company reimburses you after your report is approved — usually on their standard payment schedule.
Reimbursement has a cap. Most shops set a maximum dollar amount for the purchase. If the cap is $15 and you spend $18, you’re covering that extra $3 yourself. Always check the limit before you order or buy anything.
Some shops require very specific items — “order a medium combo meal” or “purchase any item from the seasonal display.” Others give you a range — “buy any entree and one drink, up to $30 total.” The specificity depends on what the client is testing.
Types of Required Purchases
Food and drink orders. The most common type. Restaurant shops, fast-food evaluations, and coffee shop visits almost always require you to order something. The client wants to evaluate food quality, presentation, and service timing.
Retail products. Some retail shops ask you to buy a specific product or choose from a category. You might need to purchase a shirt, a phone case, or a home item within a set price range.
Services. A few shops require you to pay for a service — a car wash, an oil change, or a haircut. These tend to have higher reimbursement caps to match the cost.
Gift cards or specific tender. Some shops test how employees handle certain payment methods. You might be asked to buy a gift card or pay with cash to evaluate the cashier’s process.
Key Warning: Buying the wrong item or skipping the required purchase can get your entire report rejected — and you won’t receive the reimbursement or the shop fee. Read the purchase requirements twice before your visit.
How to Handle Required Purchases
Read the guidelines carefully. Know exactly what you need to buy before you walk in. Note the specific item, any price caps, and whether you have flexibility in your choice.
Budget for the upfront cost. You won’t get reimbursed until after your report is approved — which could take days or weeks depending on the company’s payment cycle. Make sure you can cover the cost in the meantime.
Keep your receipt. Every shop with a required purchase needs a receipt. Most companies want a photo or scan uploaded with your report. A lost receipt can delay or void your reimbursement.
Stay under the cap. If the reimbursement limit is $25, don’t spend $26. That extra dollar comes from your shop fee, which cuts into your profit. Treat the cap as a hard ceiling.
Pro Tip: When a shop says “purchase up to $20,” think of it as a free $20 worth of food or product plus your shop fee on top. Pick shops with required purchases that match things you’d buy anyway — that’s where the real value is.
Common Questions
What if the item I’m supposed to buy is out of stock?
Contact your scheduler right away. They’ll either adjust the requirement or reschedule the shop. Don’t substitute a different item without approval — it could void the assignment.
Can I return the required purchase after the shop?
This depends on the company’s policy. Some allow returns after the report is submitted. Others prohibit it because the return could alert staff to the mystery shop. Check your guidelines or ask the scheduler.
Do all mystery shops have required purchases?
No. Many shops — like phone shops, retail browse evaluations, and some service audits — don’t require you to buy anything. The listing always states whether a purchase is needed.
Is the reimbursement taxable income?
Generally, reimbursements are not considered taxable income because they replace money you spent. However, the shop fee is taxable. Consult a tax professional for your specific situation.
Learn how to calculate whether a shop is worth your time in our earning strategies guides.