Sinclair Customer Metrics Review: Paper Checks, Video Shops & Pay

If you’re trying to decide whether to add Sinclair Customer Metrics to your mystery shopping mix, this review covers what you need to know. You’ll learn how Sinclair Customer Metrics handles payment (which is different from most current competitors), what shops they offer, and the trade-offs to weigh before signing up.

Sinclair Customer Metrics has been measuring customer experiences since 1987. Today Sinclair Customer Metrics operates as a division of Reality Based Group, but maintains the Sinclair brand, the shopper portal, and the NetReports platform. For shoppers, that means you’ll see Sinclair Customer Metrics branding throughout your assignments while the parent company handles administrative functions.

This Sinclair Customer Metrics review covers the payment process, shop types, the NetReports platform, and what shoppers report from working with Sinclair Customer Metrics over time.

Why Sinclair Customer Metrics’ Track Record Matters to You

When you commit time to a mystery shopping company, longevity carries practical value. A company that’s been around for decades has proven payment systems, stable reporting infrastructure, and client relationships that don’t collapse with the next industry shift. Sinclair Customer Metrics has been operating since 1987, placing the company in a small group of mystery shopping firms still active after nearly 40 years.

Sinclair Customer Metrics was founded in 1987 by Robert O. Sinclair in San Antonio, Texas. The company started as Sinclair Service Checks, originally part of his Sinclair & Associates advertising agency, before becoming a standalone mystery shopping firm.

What the Reality Based Group Connection Means for Shoppers

Sinclair Customer Metrics now operates as a division of Reality Based Group, Inc. From a shopper’s perspective, the day-to-day experience hasn’t shifted in obvious ways. You still sign up through the Sinclair shopper portal at scmshoppers.com, see Sinclair-branded shops on your job board, and submit your reports through the NetReports platform.

The corporate change shows up in details. Contact emails route through the realitybasedgroup.com domain, and administrative functions sit at the parent level. The Sinclair Customer Metrics brand, schedulers, and shopper community remain distinct from other Reality Based Group operations.

What Industries You’ll Shop With Sinclair Customer Metrics

Sinclair Customer Metrics maintains client programs across several industries:

• Banking & financial services: Major banks and credit unions
• Convenience stores & gas stations: National chains and regional brands
• Grocery & retail stores: Grocery and general retail
• Quick service & dine-in restaurants: QSR and full-service dining
• Artisan services: Specialized service providers
• Online & in-app shopping services: Website and mobile app evaluation

The in-app category reflects an expansion beyond traditional website testing. With Sinclair Customer Metrics, you may be evaluating mobile app experiences alongside brick-and-mortar locations.

How to Sign Up for Sinclair Customer Metrics

Sign-up with Sinclair Customer Metrics is free. The process takes about 15–20 minutes if you have your basic information ready.

Step-by-Step Sign-Up Process

1. Visit scmshoppers.com/NewShoppers, or click “Become a Shopper” from the main Sinclair Customer Metrics website.
2. Enter your name and email address.
3. Review the introduction documents carefully. Questions on the new shopper test come directly from these materials.
4. Read and sign the independent contractor agreement.
5. Complete the online shopper profile form.
6. Receive your Shopper Login ID and password.
7. Take the Sinclair New Shopper Challenge test.
8. Complete the New Shopper Survey.
9. Add your zip code and travel range under your profile settings.
10. Browse “Open Shops” through “Online Scheduling” to see available shops in your area.

Basic Requirements

• 18 years or older
• U.S. resident
• Computer or smartphone with reliable internet
• Reliable transportation for in-person assignments
• Clear written communication for reports

How Sinclair Customer Metrics Pays

Payment is where Sinclair Customer Metrics differs most from current industry norms. The details below shape how you should plan cash flow if you accept Sinclair Customer Metrics shops.

Payment Method

Sinclair Customer Metrics pays by mailed paper check only. There’s no PayPal option. There’s no direct deposit. This is unusual in the current mystery shopping landscape, where most companies have moved to digital payment systems.

Payment Schedule

Sinclair Customer Metrics issues payments during the last week of the month following your completed shop. The cycle is the same regardless of when in the month you finished the shop.

Whether you complete a Sinclair Customer Metrics shop on the 1st or the 28th of the month, both fall into the same payment cycle. Shops completed earlier in the month mean a longer effective wait.

Typical Pay Ranges at Sinclair Customer Metrics

Reimbursement amounts for required purchases are stated before you accept a Sinclair Customer Metrics shop. Bonused shops appear on hard-to-fill assignments, particularly in remote locations or for last-minute coverage.

The Paper Check Reality: What It Means for Your Cash Flow

The paper check structure has practical effects on how you work with Sinclair Customer Metrics:

• Plan for 4–8 weeks between shop and money. Add mailing time to the last-week-of-month cycle. Use our Income Estimator Calculator to model how this delay affects your monthly cash flow.
• Consider a dedicated mailbox or PO Box. A separate address keeps mystery shopping income organized and protects privacy.
• Keep a running log of submitted shops. You’ll need it to verify checks arrive as expected.
• Allow extra time around holidays and weather events. Mail delays compound the standard wait.
• Contact your scheduler if a check doesn’t arrive. Don’t assume it’s lost — reach out before the next pay cycle.
• Factor the wait into shop selection. A marginal shop becomes harder to justify when payment is two months out.

Sinclair Customer Metrics pairs naturally with companies that pay faster digitally. The mix can smooth out cash flow if you’re running a multi-company roster.

Types of Sinclair Customer Metrics Shops Available

Evaluation Styles

• In-person mystery shops: Visit locations as a regular customer
• Video mystery shops: Record visits with hidden camera equipment provided by Sinclair Customer Metrics
• Telephone mystery shops: Evaluate call center and incoming call interactions
• Online/in-app mystery shops: Test websites, mobile apps, and chat services
• Compliance audits and inspections: Verify brand standards and operational requirements
• Employee morale monitoring: Workforce feedback collection (a newer service category)

Video mystery shopping is one of Sinclair Customer Metrics’ distinctive offerings. The company provides the camera equipment, and footage captures interactions from a customer’s point of view. Video shops typically pay more than standard evaluations because of the added complexity and equipment handling.

Working on the NetReports Platform

Sinclair Customer Metrics built and operates the NetReports® platform for client reporting. Shoppers interact with the related portal at scmshoppers.com for accepting shops, submitting reports, and managing their profile.

The shopper-facing portal carries an older visual design compared to newer mystery shopping platforms. Functionally, shoppers report it works for accepting shops, submitting reports, and tracking earnings. The Sinclair Customer Metrics product family also includes NetReports e-Coach for client training, DiMetric Scoring for evaluation analytics, and advanced analytics tools that clients use to interpret shop data.

MSPA Membership and Industry Standing

Sinclair Customer Metrics is an active member of MSPA Americas, the regional industry association for mystery shopping. MSPA membership signals adherence to industry standards for shopper relations, client work, and ethical practices. For more on how MSPA standards affect shoppers, see our MSPA certification guide.

The American Marketing Association is also listed among Sinclair Customer Metrics’ professional affiliations.

What Shoppers Say About Sinclair Customer Metrics

Tips for Working With Sinclair Customer Metrics

• Read the new shopper documents in full before taking the test. Questions come directly from the materials.
• Complete your profile thoroughly. Incomplete profiles limit which Sinclair Customer Metrics shops appear on your dashboard.
• Set a realistic travel radius based on actual driving routes, not maximum range.
• Check the job board frequently. Desirable shops fill quickly, especially in active markets.
• Use forward scheduling for shops you can plan around your existing routine.
• Watch for bonus shops in hard-to-fill locations or near deadlines.
• Open a separate account or PO Box for mystery shopping income and mail.
• Combine with faster-paying companies to balance the monthly paper check cycle.

Watch Out: Sinclair Customer Metrics Scam Alert

Sinclair Customer Metrics is a legitimate mystery shopping company. Scammers regularly impersonate Sinclair Customer Metrics (along with other established firms) to run check deposit scams targeting new shoppers. For broader scam awareness, see our guide on whether mystery shopping is legitimate.

The real Sinclair Customer Metrics mails checks only for completed and approved shops booked through your shopper account. If a check arrives unexpectedly, treat it as suspicious. Report fake checks to the FBI Internet Crime Complaint Center, the FTC, and your local law enforcement.

Sinclair Customer Metrics Contact and Reference Info

Frequently Asked Questions About Sinclair Customer Metrics

Is Sinclair Customer Metrics legitimate?

Yes. Sinclair Customer Metrics has been operating since 1987, is an MSPA Americas member, and operates as a division of Reality Based Group. Sinclair Customer Metrics is one of the longest-running mystery shopping companies in North America.

How does Sinclair Customer Metrics pay shoppers?

Sinclair Customer Metrics pays exclusively by mailed paper check. There is no PayPal or direct deposit option. Checks are issued during the last week of the month following your completed shop.

How much can you earn with Sinclair Customer Metrics?

Pay ranges from $5 for simple Sinclair Customer Metrics shops to $20 or more for complex evaluations. Video mystery shops and hard-to-fill bonus shops typically pay more than standard assignments. See our broader guide on how much secret shoppers make for context across the industry.

How long does Sinclair Customer Metrics take to pay?

Checks are mailed during the last week of the month after your completed shop. Add mailing time, and expect a total wait of about 4–8 weeks depending on when you finished the shop.

What’s the relationship between Sinclair Customer Metrics and Reality Based Group?

Sinclair Customer Metrics operates as a division of Reality Based Group, Inc. The Sinclair Customer Metrics brand, shopper portal, and NetReports platform continue operating under the Sinclair name, while corporate functions sit at the parent level.

Deciding If Sinclair Customer Metrics Fits Your Setup

Sinclair Customer Metrics offers a specific combination: a long-running company with steady payment, responsive schedulers, a distinctive video mystery shopping service, and an unusual payment method. Each of those features cuts both ways depending on what you’re optimizing for.

The trade-offs are concrete. Paper check payment means longer waits and more administrative overhead than digital-payment competitors. Pay rates run on the lower end of industry norms. Shop volume varies by geography. The shopper portal looks dated. On the other side: payments arrive consistently, schedulers are reachable, video shops add variety, and the company’s track record suggests systems that work.

Whether Sinclair Customer Metrics belongs in your mix depends on what you value. If you prioritize fast cash flow and easy digital payment, other companies may fit your needs better. If you’re building a multi-company roster and can absorb the monthly mail cycle, Sinclair Customer Metrics may be a workable addition. The decision is yours — this review is meant to give you the facts to make it. For help finding additional companies that fit your goals, our guide to finding mystery shopping jobs walks through how to build a multi-company roster.