March 25, 2025

140: How to Make $200–$500/Day as a Mystery Shopper

Ever wonder what it’s like to be a mystery shopper? To get paid to shop, eat out, and even gamble?

Mercedes has been doing it for 12 years and shares how you can earn $200–$500/day, what to expect, and how to get started.

Show Notes

You can catch it on video too:

What if you could get paid to shop, eat out, visit theme parks—or even gamble at a casino resort?

That’s the reality for Mercedes, a seasoned mystery shopper who’s turned this flexible gig into a consistent income stream for over 12 years.

In this episode, she breaks down exactly how mystery shopping works and how total beginners can start earning $200 to $500 a day.

You’ll learn;

the different types of mystery shops (from fast food joints to luxury cruises),
what to expect, and how to stay organized,
how to spot and avoid scams, and
the key difference between high-paying “anchor” shops and lower-paying “filler” ones.

Mercedes shares how to get your first few gigs, why building a reputation is key to unlocking premium opportunities, and how to strategically plan your day to maximize your earnings.

Whether you're curious about mystery shopping as a fun side hustle or serious about building it into a full-time income, this conversation will give you the insights—and confidence—to get started. Plus, Mercedes reveals where to find legit mystery shopping jobs and 3 of the platforms she recommends to her own students.

Do you like what you're hearing? Consider giving it a caffeinated thumbs up. We'd really appreciate it!

Need a little (and sometimes big) push to start and stay focused to grow your side hustle? Dive into my online Masterclass: How To Turn Your Thoughts Into Wanted Things.

What You’ll Hear:

02:00 Getting Paid to Gamble

03:30 Understanding Mystery Shopping

04:37 Earnings For Mystery Shoppers

06:00 Getting Started in Mystery Shopping

07:02 Providers: Gracehill, Amusement Advantage, Servimer

08:21 How To Get Great Gigs

11:38 Avoiding Scams in Mystery Shopping

13:56 Income Expectations Per Shop

15:19 The Process of Getting and Delivering a Gig

18:09 Buying and Returning Purchases as Part of the Process

18:29 Mystery Shopping Is Not Product Review