Second To None Review: Nearly 40 Years of Mystery Shopping Experience

If you’re trying to decide whether to add Second To None to your mystery shopping roster, this review tells you what you need to know. You’ll learn what shops Second To None offers, how often they pay, and what to watch out for before you sign up.

Second To None has been measuring customer experiences since 1989. Today Second To None operates as part of CX Group, the parent company that also runs BestMark. For shoppers, that means you sign up and accept Second To None assignments through the ShopperHub platform — but you’ll still see Second To None branding on the jobs Second To None manages.

This Second To None review covers pay structure, the types of shops Second To None offers, what shoppers say about working with them, and the policies that can affect whether you actually get paid.

Why Second To None’s Track Record Matters to You

When you’re putting time into a mystery shopping company, you want to know they’ll be around when payday comes. Second To None has been in business for nearly 40 years. That kind of longevity is rare in mystery shopping and signals consistent payment, stable systems, and real client demand.

Second To None was founded in 1989 by Jeff Hall in Ann Arbor, Michigan, where the company is still based. Hall now serves as Founder and President of Second To None and is in the MSPA Hall of Fame — a recognition only a handful of mystery shopping leaders have earned.

Second To None is also a founding member of the International Mystery Shopping Alliance, an industry body focused on raising standards for shoppers and clients alike.

What the CX Group Connection Means for Shoppers

Since Second To None now sits under the CX Group umbrella, you’ll sign up through ShopperHub. From a shopper’s perspective, that’s a logistical change. You’re joining a shared platform that handles assignments for both Second To None and BestMark, with one login and one payment process.

The shops, clients, and editor standards still flow through Second To None. So when you see a Second To None–branded shop on your job board, that’s who you’re working for.

What Brands You’ll Shop With Second To None

Second To None partners with well-known national brands. The Second To None client roster has included companies like Starbucks, Krispy Kreme, Citibank, Patagonia, Bose, Target, Staples, and Harris Teeter. Specific assignments rotate, but the brand mix gives you exposure to retail, restaurants, financial services, and consumer goods.

If you want branded shops at familiar national chains, Second To None offers one of the stronger rosters in mystery shopping.

How to Sign Up for Second To None

Signing up with Second To None is free and takes about 10 minutes if you have your basic info ready.

Step-by-Step Sign-Up Process

1. Visit second-to-none.com and click “Become a Shopper.” You’ll be routed to the ShopperHub apply page.
2. Create your account using email, Facebook, Google, or Apple sign-in.
3. Enter your name, email, mailing address, and phone number.
4. Accept the independent contractor agreement and confidentiality terms.
5. Complete your full shopper profile, including demographic and availability questions.
6. Browse the job board and start applying for Second To None shops.

Basic Requirements

• 18 years or older
• U.S. or Canada resident
• Strong observation skills and clear written communication
• A computer, tablet, or smartphone with reliable internet
• Reliable transportation for in-store assignments

How Second To None Pays

Payment timing is where many shoppers get tripped up, so here’s exactly what to expect from Second To None.

Payment Methods

Second To None pays through ShopperHub. You can choose direct deposit or PayPal. Check the fee policy in your shopper account before selecting — direct deposit is typically the cheaper option for U.S.–based shoppers.

Payment Schedule

Second To None payments are issued between the 15th and 20th of each month for shops completed in the previous calendar month. February shops, for example, are paid by March 20th.

There’s no minimum threshold to cash out. One shop earns you a payment on the next Second To None cycle.

Typical Pay Ranges at Second To None

Second To None pay tends to run on the lower end of industry averages. Watch for end-of-month bonused shops — that’s where the real money tends to show up. Use our True Hourly Rate Calculator to compare Second To None pay against your actual time investment.

The Policy That Can Cost You: 12-Hour Clarification Rule

This is one of the strictest response policies in mystery shopping. Other companies often give 24 or 48 hours. The 12-hour ShopperHub window means you should:

• Turn on email notifications from your ShopperHub account, on both phone and computer
• Check your email at least twice a day after submitting a Second To None shop
• Keep your shop notes and receipts handy for a few days in case clarification is needed
• Plan submissions around when you’ll be reachable — not right before a long trip or vacation

Types of Second To None Shops Available

Industries Covered

• Food & Beverage: Coffee shops, restaurants, fast casual
• Retail: Grocery, specialty retail, convenience stores
• Financial Services: Banks, credit unions, insurance
• Healthcare: Medical practices, wellness centers
• Hospitality: Hotels and travel services
• Automotive: Gas stations and car services
• Telecommunications: Phone and cable providers

Evaluation Styles

• In-store shops: Visit a location as a regular customer
• Phone shops: Call businesses and rate the interaction
• Online shops: Test websites and digital experiences
• Drive-thru evaluations: Assess service speed and accuracy
• Compliance audits: Check brand standards and regulations
• Competitive intelligence: Compare a client to its competitors

Second To None is particularly strong on phone shops. If you prefer working from home, you’ll find a steady stream of call-based Second To None assignments.

Working on the ShopperHub Platform

ShopperHub is the platform Second To None shoppers use day-to-day. Each job listing shows you the job ID, scenario details, required completion window, pay amount, and any special requirements.

Some Second To None shops you can self-assign immediately. Others require you to apply and wait for a scheduler to approve you, usually within 24 hours.

BBB Rating and Industry Standing

Second To None holds an A+ rating with the Better Business Bureau. Second To None is also an active member of the Mystery Shopping Professionals Association.

The company has been recognized multiple times as an Inc. Best Workplaces honoree. Second To None’s reputation among shoppers is generally positive, with consistent praise for fair treatment and on-time payment.

What Shoppers Say About Second To None

Tips for Getting the Most From Second To None

• Complete your full profile. More detail means more Second To None shop matches.
• Set up email alerts. The 12-hour clarification window doesn’t wait.
• Check the job board daily. New Second To None shops post throughout the day.
• Read deadlines before accepting. Don’t commit to shops you can’t finish.
• Try phone shops first. Great low-stress entry point if you’re new.
• Watch for end-of-month bonuses. Hard-to-fill shops pay more.
• Take clean, detailed notes. Reduces editor clarification requests.
• Follow scenario instructions exactly. Cleaner reports get accepted faster.

Watch Out: Second To None Scam Alert

Second To None is a legitimate mystery shopping company. But scammers regularly use the Second To None name in fraudulent check deposit scams targeting new shoppers. For more on spotting scams, see our guide on whether mystery shopping is legitimate.

The real Second To None pays only through direct deposit or PayPal in your ShopperHub account. They never mail you checks for unsolicited jobs. If you’re unsure, log in to your shopper account — legitimate Second To None assignments will appear there.

Second To None Contact and Reference Info

Frequently Asked Questions About Second To None

Is Second To None legitimate?

Yes. Second To None has been operating since 1989, holds an A+ BBB rating, and is an MSPA member. Second To None is one of the most established mystery shopping companies in North America.

How much can you make with Second To None?

Second To None pay ranges from $5 for simple phone shops to $40+ for complex evaluations. Most Second To None shops fall in the $10–25 range. End-of-month bonuses on hard-to-fill shops can boost individual pay. See our guide on how much secret shoppers make for broader context.

How long does Second To None take to pay?

Second To None payments arrive between the 15th and 20th of the month after your shop. Worst case, you wait about 7 weeks from an early-month shop to payment day.

What is ShopperHub and how does it relate to Second To None?

ShopperHub is the shopper platform run by CX Group, the parent company of Second To None and BestMark. You sign up through ShopperHub but you’ll see Second To None–branded shops there.

Is Second To None worth it for new shoppers?

Second To None is a solid starter company. The brand-name client roster, steady phone shop volume, and reliable payment make it a low-risk way to learn the ropes. Just plan around the 12-hour clarification window and the monthly payment cycle.

Final Verdict: Is Second To None Right for You?

Second To None earns its spot on most shoppers’ rosters. Nearly 40 years of operation, recognizable clients, and a stable payment process make Second To None a reliable choice. The integration with ShopperHub gives you access to a larger combined pool of assignments alongside BestMark.

The trade-offs are real. Second To None pay sits below some competitors, the monthly payment cycle won’t help with short-term cash needs, and the 12-hour clarification window punishes shoppers who don’t check email regularly.

If you want variety, brand-name shops, and home-based phone work, Second To None is worth adding to your active companies list. Use direct deposit to skip potential PayPal fees, set up email alerts so you never miss a clarification request, and watch for end-of-month bonuses to lift your effective hourly rate.