Brian Dolezal asked:




Have you ever heard of a professional shopper? Perhaps you would like to be one. Simply put, a secret shopper gets paid to work when they want, however often they want and where they want. For many, getting paid to shop for a living is nothing short of a dream come true. According to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), however, not all mystery shopping opportunities provide the dream job that they promise. The truth is that there are legitimate companies that hire secret shoppers to evaluate their business while posing as a customer, but it’s important to realize how to spot the real deal versus a real ripoff.

In most instances, a mystery shopper will be assigned a specific task within a business and will then provide the company with a written evaluation of their experience. Generally, the secret shopper will be reimbursed for their purchase, which means the product is theirs to keep at no charge. In addition, secret shoppers are paid for their time. The actual rate of pay will depend on the job, the time spent and the company’s policy.

Due to the popularity of the mystery shopping industry, scams are a growing problem. Because mystery shopping does not require any type of special certification, it is recommended that consumers remain cautious of any company that charges a fee in exchange for information relating to a certification program. A few of the most common places for these scams to appear include newspaper advertisements and in unsolicited e-mail. The FTC warns that, “The shopping certification offered in advertising or unsolicited e-mail is almost always worthless”.

As is the case with any industry, it’s nearly impossible to guarantee someone a job. The same is true with mystery shopping and consumers should be mindful of any business that promotes a guarantee of a job or a specific income amount. Every mystery shopping job is unique, along with its rate of pay, which is why it is especially beneficial for anyone interested in becoming a secret shopper to be familiar with realistic and legitimate advertising practices.

There is an old saying that says, “If something sounds to good to be true, it probably is”. Today, that saying rings true in almost every aspect of life, including business. If a mystery shopping opportunity sounds to good and promises to much, it would be wise to research the company before becoming a member. You can conduct your own, independent investigation by checking with the Better Business Bureau (BBB) for any potential complaints lodged against the company and/or to determine whether or not their record is satisfactory.

With the internet being a wealth of information relating to almost any topic, mystery shopping opportunities are easy to find. Legitimate companies looking to hire a secret shopper can easily be found with a few clicks of the mouse and, best of all, most accept applications via the internet. One of the best ways to learn about valuable mystery shopping opportunities is, much like the industry itself, through a third-party independent evaluation. If you have the opportunity to read one or more reviews about a particular mystery shopping company, this may provide you with the information needed to begin your career in professional and profitable shopping.



Stacey

Thomas Carroll asked:




Work in the Alaska commercial fishing industry is a great way to save up a lot of money in a short amount of time. After the fishing season many employees use the time and money that they now have for college, to buy property, to start a new business, or to travel the world. The industry employs over 65,000 people every year, so there is plenty of room for newcomers to get a job.

Work hours generally range from 12 to 16 hours a day, up to seven days a week. Typically processors make $750 to $1,500 a week. Fishermen earn around $1,000 to $2,500 a week (and sometimes more!). Besides the pay, many employers in the industry also offer free room and board and free round-trip airfare from the point of hire (usually Seattle, WA) to Alaska.

Throughout the year there are many different fishing seasons. But generally speaking there is the winter “A” season and the summer “B” season. It is best to apply for a job three months before the season starts, and be sure to send out applications to several companies to increase your chances of getting a job.

Processing jobs are the easiest to get. Usually no experience is required, but any experience working long hours or in factories is a big plus in convincing potential employers that you’re right for the job.

Potential employees are given an interview and are asked to attend an orientation meeting, which will help prepare you for the job and answer your questions. When hired you will need to sign a contract that details the conditions of the job, pay rate, duties, and length of employment.

Contracts usually run from one to four months, with the standard being three. After your contract is finished you will have the option of returning to the company for the next fishing season if you have done a good job. Most processing companies work almost all year long, so you’ll have a job waiting for you whenever you need it.

Work in Alaska whenever you need to raise cash quickly, work for six months then take six months off to travel the world, or make the Alaska commercial fishing industry your career. Alaska fishing jobs allow for a lot more freedom over traditional day jobs and you will have an experience that you’ll never forget.

Some of the bigger employment companies in Alaska are:

http://www.americanseafoods.com

http://www.icicleseafoods.com

http://www.starboats.com

http://www.tridentseafoods.com

http://www.unisea.com

http://www.westwardseafoods.com



Brad

Mel Otero asked:




Mystery shoppers were first used as a tool to test the honesty and integrity of company employees. Since the first shopper appeared on the scene in the 1940s, mystery shopping has grown into a multi-billion dollar industry. Almost any business in existence is a candidate for mystery shopping. Shoppers are frequently used by all kinds of retail stores, restaurants (from fast food to fine dining), banks, apartment communities, new car dealers, new home builders, healthcare, bars, casinos and on and on goes the list.



So, can you really make money shopping? Yes, you can. It is a great way to earn an honest part time income. But it must be approached as a serious business. The first assignments will most likely be on the low end of the pay scale. Just as you would in any job or business, you begin at the bottom and work up. Start your endeavor by organizing your applications and searches for shops. When you get that first assignment, do your very best. Perform each shop according to the instructions, meet the deadline and provide quality reports. Giving your best on these first lowly shops will give you the experience you need as well as earning a great reputation among the shopping companies. Yes, they do talk to each other and if you demonstrate excellence in your work, that good news will spread. Before long you can look forward to shops that pay well. You will be on the road to building a worthwhile part time income.

To avoid scams, use common sense. First of all, you should never pay for the privilege of shopping. Secondly, if someone offers you an outrageous amount of money to perform a simple task, watch out. If you are sent a check for a large amount of money and asked to return the major portion to “the company”, you are being targeted for a scam. There are honest companies that expect completion of a shop for a fee or reimbursement. You will not become rich as a mystery shopper but you can earn a decent part time income.

Your location plays a huge role in the number of available shops. Large cities, of course, have more of everything including mystery shops. And, no matter where you live, be patient. You are building a small business as an independent contractor.

If you enjoy shopping and want some flexibility in your schedule, mystery shopping is perfect for you. It is well worth the effort needed to get started in your own endeavor. Not only will this result in extra cash, it provides reimbursement on some shops for products and services. How about reimbursement for that long overdue plumbing job? Or, a full service car wash? Maybe a great dinner at a very nice restaurant? The possibilities are endless. If you have the determination, you can definitely turn this into a profitable home business.



Dennis