This Quest for Best review covers a family-run mystery shopping firm based in Memphis, Tennessee. Quest for Best has quietly built one of the best names in the field since 1990.
Quest for Best mystery shopping is a rare find. Forum shoppers praise this firm across the board — pay, contact, conduct, and shop quality. That kind of wide praise almost never happens.
But shop access can be thin. This Quest for Best review breaks down what you need to know before signing up, and whether the firm is worth adding to your lineup.
Quick Facts
Company Background
Quest for Best mystery shopping began in 1990 as a small family-run business in Memphis, Tennessee. Owner Charles N. Roam built the firm from the ground up. Over 35 years later, it serves clients across all 50 states and Canada.
Despite growing into a nationwide outfit, Quest for Best keeps its family feel. That hands-on touch shows up in how they treat shoppers — with kindness, respect, and real thanks.
The firm’s strongest reach is in the Midwest and Southwest. Still, they do work in all 50 states. Shop access depends on your location and current client needs.
Family Values
Quest for Best stands out for how often shoppers praise their conduct. On mystery shopping forums, you’ll find words like “respectful,” “helpful,” “patient,” and “friendly.” That kind of feedback is very rare in this field.
The firm started small and kept its values as it grew. That’s the upside of family ownership — choices focus on bonds, not just profit margins.
How to Sign Up for Quest for Best Mystery Shopping
The sign-up process is a bit different from most mystery shopping firms. Quest for Best mystery shopping uses its own in-house system rather than Sassie or another third-party platform.
Sign-Up Process
- Visit questforbest.com
- Click “Shoppers,” then “Mystery Shopper Map” to check shop access in your state
- Review the color-coded map split into six regions
- Click “Become A Shopper,” then “Online Shopper Profile”
- Fill out the short form
- Wait for an approval email with next steps
Pro Tip
Check the Mystery Shopper Map before signing up. If your state doesn’t show open shops, you may not get approved right away. The firm only brings on shoppers when they need help in certain areas.
What You Need
- Must be 18 years or older
- US or Canadian resident
- PayPal account for payments
- Steady transport
- Able to follow shop guidelines
Quest for Best Review: Payment Details
A key point of this Quest for Best review: payments are called above average, on time, and correct. That’s a combo most mystery shopping firms struggle to hit.
Payment Method
Quest for Best mystery shopping pays via PayPal. This is the only payment option right now.
Payment Schedule
Payments go out around the 17th to 20th of the month after the finished shop.
| Work Period | Payment Date | Wait Time |
|---|---|---|
| Any day in January | February 17th-20th | ~3-7 weeks |
| Any day in February | March 17th-20th | ~3-7 weeks |
Pay Rates
Shoppers call Quest for Best pay above average for the field. Bonuses are said to be strong for hard-to-fill shops.
| Shop Type | Typical Pay | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Fast food reviews | $10-20 + payback | Quick visits, common access |
| Retail shops | $15-25 | Clothing and other retail |
| Phone surveys | $10-20 | Done from home |
| Auto sales | $20-40+ | Car lot visits |
| Fun spots | $15-30 + payback | Bowling alleys, movie theaters |
| Audio/video taped | $20-40+ | Niche jobs |
The above-average pay paired with on-time payments makes this firm stand out to seasoned shoppers.
Types of Quest for Best Mystery Shopping
Quest for Best covers a wide range of fields and job types.
Fields Served
- Fast food: Quick-service food spot reviews
- Retail: Clothing, pet stores, and general goods
- Auto: Car lot sales reviews
- Fun spots: Movie theaters, bowling alleys
- Pets: Pet supply stores (Hollywood Feed)
Job Types
- In-person mystery shops: Standard store and food spot visits
- Phone surveys: Rate customer service by phone
- Audio taped shops: Record talks for quality review
- Video taped shops: Film the customer visit
The range here is solid for a family-run firm. Audio and video taped jobs offer higher pay but need some extra prep.
The Quest for Best Platform
Quest for Best mystery shopping uses its own in-house system instead of Sassie or another major third-party platform.
How It Works
After approval, you’ll get email alerts about open shops in your area. The firm uses a regional setup — their Mystery Shopper Map splits the country into six color-coded zones.
Jobs are described as easy and clear. Guidelines are simple, and the reporting process won’t swamp you with needless steps.
Regional Focus
While Quest for Best works in all 50 states and Canada, their strongest reach is in the Midwest and Southwest. If you’re in these zones, you’ll likely see more chances than shoppers in other areas.
Field Standing
Quest for Best mystery shopping has something almost no other firm can claim: zero real complaints on mystery shopping forums. After over 35 years in the field, that track record is rare.
The firm is listed with the BBB in Memphis, Tennessee under Quest Associates, Inc. Owner Charles N. Roam has kept the firm’s good name through steady quality and hands-on care.
Quest for Best Review: What Shoppers Say
This Quest for Best review found very strong feedback. Shoppers are nearly one voice in their praise.
What Shoppers Like
- Above-average pay rates
- On-time, correct payments via PayPal
- Big bonuses on hard-to-fill shops
- Kind, courteous staff
- Prompt, quick-to-reply contact
- Useful, on-point feedback on reports
- Easy, clear-cut jobs
- Shoppers feel truly valued
- No real complaints on forums
Common Complaints
- Thin shop access in many areas
- Strongest reach in Midwest/Southwest only
- May not approve sign-ups without local client needs
- In-house platform (not Sassie, so no JobSlinger)
- Smaller firm means fewer total chances
- Stray payment disputes reported (rare)
The Access Challenge
The biggest drawback of Quest for Best mystery shopping is thin shop access. Many shoppers who sign up report finding no jobs in their area. This is most common outside the Midwest and Southwest zones.
This doesn’t mean the firm is bad — it means they’re picky about where they work. They only take on shoppers when they have active client needs nearby.
Tips for Quest for Best Success
- Check the map first. Review the Mystery Shopper Map before applying to see if your zone has active shops.
- Be patient after signing up. Approval depends on local client needs. You may wait weeks or months.
- Set up PayPal early. Payment is PayPal only — have your account ready before your first shop.
- Follow guidelines closely. The firm values shoppers who follow steps to the letter.
- Keep contact info current. Shop alerts come by email — make sure you get them.
- Try audio/video shops. These pay more and help you stand out as a go-to shopper.
- Be open with scheduling. Taking shops others pass on builds your name with the firm.
Quest for Best Scam Alert
Quest for Best mystery shopping is a legit firm that has run since 1990. But like all real mystery shopping firms, scammers may use their name.
Red Flags of Scams Using This Firm’s Name
- Getting a check before doing any work
- Told to wire money or buy gift cards
- Promises of $200+ per basic shop
- Contact through social media or Craigslist only
- Emails from generic domains (Gmail, Yahoo) instead of firm domains
- Asked for banking details upfront
Real Quest for Best jobs only pay after work is done, and only via PayPal. They never send advance payments. Sign up through their website at questforbest.com.
Contact Details
| Contact Type | Details |
|---|---|
| Website | questforbest.com |
| Main Office | Memphis, Tennessee |
| Founded | 1990 |
| Owner | Charles N. Roam |
| Business Name | Quest Associates, Inc. |
| Payment | PayPal only, monthly around 17th-20th |
Final Verdict: Is Quest for Best Worth It?
Here’s the bottom line of this Quest for Best review.
Quest for Best mystery shopping is one of the most well-liked firms in the field. Above-average pay, on-time payments, big bonuses, and truly kind treatment. Zero real forum complaints in over 35 years. That combo is almost unheard of.
The downside? Thin shop access. If you’re outside the Midwest or Southwest, you may struggle to find jobs. The in-house platform also means you can’t use tools like JobSlinger to find their shops.
My take? Sign up no matter where you live. Quest for Best mystery shopping may not have shops in your area today, but clients change. When a chance does pop up, you want to be on their roster and ready to go.
This is the rare firm where shoppers truly look forward to the work. If you can get jobs, count yourself lucky.