Is Anyone A "Secret Shopper"?

[FrostyBoy]

I keep getting these emails asking me to be a secret shopper. Now, not being an idiot, if I was to respond to one of these "offers", they wouldn't get any confidential info from me (SSN, credit card #, etc). But if this is a real offer, I could use the money. Am I being an utter doofus for even considering this? Has anyone else responded to one of these? Is this just another "Nigerian billionaire" scheme, in different clothing.

Realizing that the comedy is about to ensue, I would like a serious answer to crop up sooner or later.

 

[Kingfisher]

I have never met, known of anyone at all who was a secret shopper. As far as I know, it's another scam like stuffing envelopes.

 

[knowone]

It seems like a scam to me.

 

[izabelplayer]

I have heard from friends whose friends are secret shoppers. Basically they shop for items at a store, fill out a few forms and they get reimbursed by the company for the items they bought. I think they also get money for their time. I,myself have never done it though.

 

[Tittyman5000]

Most of the people in Medicinal Marijuana Dispensary's are secretly shopping

 

[Bloodshot Scott]

I keep getting these emails asking me to be a secret shopper. Now, not being an idiot, if I was to respond to one of these "offers", they wouldn't get any confidential info from me (SSN, credit card #, etc). But if this is a real offer, I could use the money. Am I being an utter doofus for even considering this? Has anyone else responded to one of these? Is this just another "Nigerian billionaire" scheme, in different clothing.

Realizing that the comedy is about to ensue, I would like a serious answer to crop up sooner or later.

I'm not sure what you mean. A real "secret shopper" has the term LP (Loss Prevention) associated with them. They go to school, do an internship (usually) and then are employed by places like Macy's, Target, Cub, etc. and they monitor store security for thieves. Sometimes they get in their street clothes and grab a cart and go around the store trying to bust people. My girlfriend's best friend was one and it ain't no scam; it's a serious deal that stores take very seriously trying to catch thieves to prosecute to the fullest extent of the law.

What you're talking about, well, I don't know what that is. :dunno:

 

[squallumz]

when i was unemployed. i responded to a few of those ads.

fucking scams.

bad scams.

they send you checks to cash and you're supposed send them back a portion of it. guess what, its a bunk check. it bounces, they get your money, you get nothing.

 

[FrostyBoy]

I'm not sure what you mean. A real "secret shopper" has the term LP (Loss Prevention) associated with them. They go to school, do an internship (usually) and then are employed by places like Macy's, Target, Cub, etc. and they monitor store security for thieves. Sometimes they get in their street clothes and grab a cart and go around the store trying to bust people. My girlfriend's best friend was one and it ain't no scam; it's a serious deal that stores take very seriously trying to catch thieves to prosecute to the fullest extent of the law.

What you're talking about, well, I don't know what that is. :dunno:

Excellent question Scott, and I should have answered it in my OP.

This is from Hanceforth USA LTD:

How are you ,

We need a shopper in your city.

Payment TERMS:

Your Salary would be sent weekly ($600) weekly.
Also the crew is in charge of providing you with all expense cash for the shopping and other expenses incurred during the course of your assignment.
All the aid you will needing would be provided to you with details every week you have an assignment.

Task DESCRIPTION :
1} When an Job is given to you,You would be provided with details to execute the assignment and in a timely fashion.
2} You would be asked to visit a company or store in your city and they are mostly our competitors as mystery and shop with them to know more about this.

Job PACKET :

Before any Task we would provide you with the resources needed {capital} Mostly our company would send you a check which you can cash and use for the Employment.
Included to the check would be your Position packet .Then we would be providing you details on here. But you follow every single order given to you as a mystery.
You can earn more which involves nothing more than shopping at a number of selected retailers and assessing their customer service and reporting back .

COMPLETE YOUR INFORMATION BELOW IS CORRECT FOR ASSESSMENT :

Full Legal Name :
Address :
City :
State :
Zip code :
Country :
Age:
Nationality :
Home and Cell # :

I will await your prompt answer.
Best Wishes and Regards
Donald Anderson

E-mail ID # : TUYJFDPXDG

 

[fallacy]

I will await your prompt answer. - sounds like a scam. Those be scamming words. I can always pick out scamming words.

 

[Petra]

The email sounds like a scam, but companies really do look for secret shoppers.

http://articles.moneycentral.msn.com/SavingandDebt/SaveMoney/how-to-become-a-mystery-shopper.aspx

I used to get sent out as a secret shopper when I worked at McDonald's for other franchises. Since it was for work, I didn't get paid extra (I was on the clock though). The main reason companies employ a secret shopper is to check on customer experiences and quality assurance.

 

[squallumz]

The email sounds like a scam, but companies really do look for secret shoppers.

http://articles.moneycentral.msn.com/SavingandDebt/SaveMoney/how-to-become-a-mystery-shopper.aspx

I used to do secret shopping when I worked at McDonald's for other franchises. The main reason companies employ a secret shopper is to check on customer experiences and quality assurance.

she speaks the truth. some are legitimate but often any craigslisty or random emailed ones are always scams.

 

[jod0565]

I secretly shopped mypayones and bought nothing.

 

[Kingfisher]

That Hanceforth USA name pops up on this list.

http://www.spaminform.com/spam-email-list/

It's simple, if they ask you for any kind of money at all, or confidential information like your social, it's a scam...

 

[TheOrangeCat]

That Hanceforth USA name pops up on this list.

http://www.spaminform.com/spam-email-list/

It's simple, if they ask you for any kind of money at all, or confidential information like your social, it's a scam...

What he said .... demand for Secret Shopper jobs are understandably in demand. They usually don't have to solicit like that ...... I'd be very cautious.

 

[FrostyBoy]

^^^ I see it on the site, but it's not telling me anything.

I'm going to think about this and do some digging tomorrow. And yes, if they ask me for any info, My last reply to them will be colorfully worded.

 

[OzzieOz]

We call them mystery shoppers in Australia, i know a few people who have done it in the past. I'm a bit of a bastard when shopping, i don't expect the red carpet treatment, however i don't expect to spoken to in a rude manner. If people who work in those sorts of jobs are going to be miserable while doing it, they may as well not work in that environment.

** We also call the e-mail ones like the original poster mentioned: spam mail or a scam.

 

[TheOrangeCat]

^^^ I see it on the site, but it's not telling me anything.

I'm going to think about this and do some digging tomorrow. And yes, if they ask me for any info, My last reply to them will be colorfully worded.

I suspect these emails may have been sent to you by the same eastern European funsters responsible for 'we only need your credit card to verify age' websites, or the African entrepreneurs that keep finding millions in abandonded bank accounts they need help getting rid of :eek:

 

[squallumz]

We call them mystery shoppers in Australia...

my ad was also called mystery shoppers.

 

[ThatRedWing]

I've been a secret shopper many times. So secret in fact that they never noticed all the stuff that I "bought".

 

[STDiva]

Secret shopping is a legit job.

Your email is probably a scam.