This Secret Shopper review covers one of the oldest names in the industry. Secret Shopper has been around since 1990. They’re a charter member of the MSPA and have nearly 700,000 registered shoppers.
Secret Shopper mystery shopping is run by Sights on Service, Inc. They’re based in Golden Valley, Minnesota (part of the Minneapolis metro area). With over 30 years in the business, they’ve built a solid reputation.
But is Secret Shopper right for you? This Secret Shopper review covers pay rates, payment options, and what real shoppers say about their experience.
Quick Facts
Sign Up for Secret Shopper Visit Website
Company Background
Secret Shopper was founded in 1990. The company operates under Sights on Service, Inc. Paul Ryan serves as President.
They’re headquartered at 620 Mendelssohn Ave N in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The company has about 29 employees and generates around $5.8 million in annual revenue.
Secret Shopper mystery shopping is a charter member of the MSPA. That means they helped found the Mystery Shopping Providers Association. They’ve also won the MSPA Shopper’s Choice Award.
Nearly 700,000 shoppers have registered on their website. They’ve performed millions of mystery shops across North America and internationally.
How to Sign Up for Secret Shopper Mystery Shopping
Signing up is free. Go to secretshopper.com and click “Apply to Shop.”
You’ll provide basic info including name, date of birth, gender, phone, and email. You can skip the SSN and address at first if you just want to browse available shops.
Sign-Up Process
- Visit secretshopper.com and click Apply to Shop
- Enter your personal information
- Sign three agreements (privacy and independent contractor)
- Access your shopper portal
- Browse recommended shops based on your location
One nice feature? Secret Shopper recommends shops right away based on your profile. The more demographic info you provide, the better the recommendations.
Pro Tip
Fill out your profile completely. Secret Shopper mystery shopping assignments are matched to specific demographics. More details mean more shop offers that fit you.
Secret Shopper Review: Payment Details
Let’s talk money. This is a key part of any Secret Shopper review.
Payment Methods
Secret Shopper offers more payment options than most companies:
- Direct Deposit: Available for US and Canadian shoppers
- Physical Check: Mailed to your address
- PayPal: For international shoppers only
Having direct deposit is a big plus. Many companies only offer PayPal. With Secret Shopper mystery shopping, you can get paid straight to your bank account.
Payment Schedule
Payments go out monthly, around the 20th. The timeline from shop completion to payment is typically 4-6 weeks.
Example: You complete a shop on January 15th. You’ll likely see payment around February 20th.
Check Payment Concerns
Some shoppers have reported issues with checks getting lost in the mail. Secret Shopper charges a fee to reissue lost checks ($40 if under 60 days, $15 if over 60 days). Consider setting up direct deposit to avoid this.
Typical Pay Ranges
| Shop Type | Fee | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Basic retail shops | $10-$20 | Most common pay range |
| Restaurant shops | $15-$25 | Plus meal reimbursement |
| Phone evaluations | $10-$15 | Can do from home |
| Online evaluations | $10-$15 | Remote assignments |
| Hotel stays | $40-$100+ | Plus room reimbursement |
| Premium/urgent shops | $50-$120 | Bonuses for fast turnaround |
One reviewer found shops ranging from $10 to $120, with most paying around $20. Reimbursements can go up to $99 on top of the base fee.
The Bidding Feature
Here’s something unique about Secret Shopper mystery shopping. On some listings, you can bid on the fee you think is fair. If your bid is accepted, you get the shop right away.
Note: Reimbursements can’t be negotiated. Only the shop fee is open to bidding.
Types of Secret Shopper Mystery Shopping Available
Secret Shopper covers a wide range of industries and evaluation types.
Industries Served
- Dining: Restaurants, fast food, cafes
- Retail: Stores, boutiques, big box
- Grocery: Supermarkets, specialty food
- Banking: Financial institutions, credit unions
- Fitness: Gyms, health clubs
- Automotive: Dealerships, service centers
- Events: Venues, entertainment
- Property: Apartments, real estate
- Hotels: Lodging, resorts
- Healthcare: Medical offices, patient experience
Evaluation Types
- On-site shops: Visit locations in person
- Phone evaluations: Call and assess phone service
- Online evaluations: Test websites and digital experiences
- BOPIS shops: Buy Online, Pick Up In Store evaluations
- Competitor shops: Compare competitors to clients
The Job Board Experience
Secret Shopper has one of the better-organized job boards in the industry.
Job Board Features
- Visual icons: Each shop type has its own icon (house for property, car for automotive, running man for fitness)
- Sort options: Filter by distance, city, detail, or location
- Detailed listings: See location, shop type, distance, fee, and reimbursement at a glance
- Recommended shops: Personalized suggestions based on your profile
One reviewer found over 100 shops available in their area. That’s more variety than many competitors offer.
Scheduled Shops Feature
This is a standout feature for Secret Shopper mystery shopping. The Scheduled Shops tab lets you sign up for routes—multiple shops in one day.
This helps you maximize earnings by grouping nearby assignments together. Smart shoppers use this to plan efficient shopping days.
MSPA Membership and BBB Status
Secret Shopper is a charter member of the MSPA. That means they helped establish the Mystery Shopping Providers Association back when the industry was forming.
They’re also in good standing with the Better Business Bureau. The BBB profile shows they’re a legitimate company that’s been operating since 1990.
One note: Some reviewers couldn’t find current MSPA accreditation documentation online. However, Secret Shopper is listed on the MSPA Americas website as a Shopper’s Choice Award winner.
Secret Shopper Review: What Shoppers Say
Feedback on Secret Shopper mystery shopping is mixed but generally positive. Glassdoor shows a 3.3 out of 5 star rating.
What Shoppers Like
- Higher pay than many competitors ($20 average)
- Direct deposit available (not just PayPal)
- Well-organized job board with icons
- Scheduled Shops feature for route planning
- Mobile app for on-the-go shopping
- Reports aren’t too long or repetitive
- Helpful, available staff
- 30+ years in business
Common Complaints
- Check payment delays/lost mail issues
- Fee to reissue lost checks
- Some strict requirements for first-time shoppers
- Account cancellation for failed first shops
- Limited reviews on third-party sites
- Some areas have fewer shop options
First-Time Shopper Warning
Secret Shopper has strict rules for new shoppers. If you fail to complete your first shop, your account may be cancelled.
Start with simple assignments. Read all instructions twice before accepting your first Secret Shopper mystery shopping assignment.
What Long-Term Shoppers Say
Many experienced shoppers have positive things to say. One forum user who’s worked with them for years says they’ve always been paid on time.
The mobile app gets good reviews. Shoppers like being able to view, schedule, and submit shops from their phone.
The Secret Shopper Mobile App
Secret Shopper has a free mobile app for iOS and Android. Features include:
- View and schedule available shops
- Review shop instructions
- Get driving directions to locations
- Take and upload photos directly
- Submit completed surveys
- Search for shops by location
- Sync between phone and desktop
The app makes Secret Shopper mystery shopping convenient. You can handle everything from your phone without needing a computer.
Tips for Secret Shopper Success
- Set up direct deposit. Avoid check delays and lost mail issues.
- Complete your profile fully. Get better shop recommendations.
- Start with easy shops. Don’t fail your first assignment.
- Read instructions twice. Follow every requirement exactly.
- Use the mobile app. Submit reports on the go.
- Try the Scheduled Shops feature. Group shops into efficient routes.
- Check the job board daily. Good shops go fast.
- Consider bidding on shops. You might get a higher fee.
Secret Shopper Scam Alert
Secret Shopper is 100% legitimate. But scammers heavily target their name.
Known Secret Shopper Scams
- Fake checks: Secret Shopper NEVER sends unsolicited checks in the mail
- Wire transfers: Never asked to wire money or buy gift cards
- Fake websites: Watch out for secretshoppers.com (note the extra “s”) and mysecretshoppers.com
- Email solicitations: Real Secret Shopper doesn’t recruit via unsolicited email
- Credit card requests: They never ask for credit card information
- Observati confusion: secretshoppr.com (missing “e”) is a different company called Observati
The only legitimate website is https://www.secretshopper.com. Apply only through their official site. Real Secret Shopper mystery shopping never involves cashing checks or sending money.
Contact Information
| Contact Type | Details |
|---|---|
| Website | secretshopper.com |
| Shopper Portal | secretshopper.com/shoppers |
| Coordinator Email | coordinator@secretshopper.com |
| Mobile App Email | mobile@secretshopper.com |
| Phone | (763) 525-1460 |
| Headquarters | 620 Mendelssohn Ave N, Minneapolis, MN 55427 |
| Parent Company | Sights on Service, Inc. |
Final Verdict: Is Secret Shopper Worth It?
Here’s the bottom line of this Secret Shopper review.
Secret Shopper mystery shopping is one of the most established companies in the industry. Over 30 years in business. Charter MSPA member. Nearly 700,000 registered shoppers.
The pay is above average—most shops pay around $20 versus the industry standard of $10-15. The job board is well-organized. And having direct deposit as a payment option is a real plus.
The downsides? Check payment issues have frustrated some shoppers. First-time shopper requirements are strict. And some areas have limited shop availability.
My recommendation? Sign up and set up direct deposit immediately. Start with easy shops to build your track record. Use the Scheduled Shops feature to plan efficient routes.
Secret Shopper is a solid choice for beginners and experienced shoppers alike. The higher pay and flexible payment options make it worth adding to your lineup.