How to Make Money Mystery Shopping in the UK

Fancy getting paid to shop, eat out, or visit stores — all while pretending to be a regular customer? That’s exactly what mystery shopping is all about. It might sound too good to be true, but it’s a real side hustle that thousands of people in the UK do every day to earn extra money (and even enjoy a few free treats along the way!).

In this post, I’ll explain exactly how mystery shopping works, who it’s good for, how much you can earn, and which companies are worth signing up with.

🕵️‍♀️ What Is Mystery Shopping?

Mystery shopping is when companies pay everyday people (like you and me) to visit their stores, restaurants, or websites and report back on the customer experience.

You might be asked to:

• Ask specific questions to a staff member

  
  

• Time how long it takes to be served

  
  

• Check for cleanliness or signage

  
  

• Make a small purchase (sometimes reimbursed)

  
  

• Write a short report after the visit

  
  

These reports help companies see what’s really happening at ground level and improve their customer service — without staff knowing they’re being observed.

🛍️ What Kind of Assignments Are There?

Mystery shopping tasks vary a lot depending on the company. Some examples include:

• Visiting a high street shop and asking about a product

  
  

• Dining at a restaurant and reviewing the service

  
  

• Using a car dealership or booking a test drive

  
  

• Shopping in a supermarket and checking staff interactions

  
  

• Calling a business and reporting on how your query was handled

  
  

• Testing the experience of a website checkout

  
  

Some tasks are in person, while others are done over the phone or completely online. You’ll usually be told exactly what to do, what to say (if anything), and what details to include in your report.

💷 How Much Can You Earn?

Mystery shopping isn’t a full-time income, but it can bring in some nice extra money — especially if you’re flexible with time and location.

• Small online tasks: £2–£5

  
  

• In-store visits: £5–£20

  
  

• Dining or larger assignments: £15–£50+

  
  

• Car dealerships or financial services: £30–£100+

  
  

You’ll usually be reimbursed if you need to make a purchase (like a coffee or meal), so it can feel like a free day out plus a bit of extra cash.

From my own experience, I once did a mystery shop at a restaurant with my partner and we got a free meal and £20 for our time — not bad for just doing what we’d have done anyway!

🕰️ How Long Does Each Task Take?

Most mystery shops take 15–60 minutes, plus a bit of time to write the report. Online or phone assignments can be even quicker.

Some companies give you 48–72 hours to complete the task after accepting it, so you have time to plan around your schedule. If you’re organised, you can even do a few in one day and boost your earnings.

📍 Do You Need to Travel?

You’ll get to choose which assignments you want to do, based on your postcode. Most platforms let you filter by distance so you’re only shown shops nearby.

If you live in or near a city, you’ll likely have more options. But even in smaller towns, there are still chances to do supermarket checks, phone call assignments, and online evaluations.

🧠 Skills Needed (Spoiler: Not Many!)

You don’t need any special skills or qualifications to get started — just:

• A good eye for detail

  
  

• The ability to follow instructions carefully

  
  

• Decent spelling/grammar to write a short report

  
  

• A reliable phone or computer with internet access

  
  

That’s it! Mystery shopping is open to anyone over 18 who can be discreet and thorough.

📝 Where to Find Mystery Shopping Jobs

Here are some trusted UK-based mystery shopping companies you can sign up with:

Company Name	Website	Notes
Market Force	marketforce.com	Great for restaurant shops
Grass Roots	grassrootsmysteryshopping.com	Lots of in-store tasks
ESA Retail	esaretail.co.uk	Frequent supermarket shops
Tern Consultancy	tern.co.uk	Fashion & retail-focused
Proinsight	proinsight.co.uk	Gyms, leisure, and more

💡 Note: Be cautious of any “mystery shopping” ads that ask for payment upfront — real companies never charge you to join.

💬 Tips for First-Time Mystery Shoppers

• 📌 Read the brief properly before accepting any task

  
  

• 🕵️‍♀️ Act natural – staff shouldn’t guess you’re a mystery shopper

  
  

• ⏰ Submit your report on time – deadlines are usually strict

  
  

• 💬 Take mental or actual notes discreetly during the visit

  
  

• 💸 Keep receipts if you need to upload them for reimbursement

  
  

• 🌟 Start with smaller tasks to build confidence

🙋‍♀️ Is Mystery Shopping Worth It?

Yes — especially if you enjoy people-watching, love a freebie, or want to earn some extra money without being tied to set hours. It’s flexible, fun, and gives you a unique peek behind the scenes of how businesses operate.

You probably won’t get rich from mystery shopping, but the little boosts of cash and perks like free meals or products can really add up — especially when combined with other side hustles like Qmee or InboxPounds.

✨ Final Thoughts

Mystery shopping is a fun and flexible way to earn extra money — and it fits beautifully into busy lives. Whether you're popping into a shop on your way to school pick-up, treating yourself to a free meal, or completing a task from your phone at home, every little assignment counts.

It’s also incredibly satisfying knowing your feedback helps improve real-world customer service. You’re not just earning — you’re helping brands get better, and that feels good.

So if you’ve got a bit of curiosity and a decent eye for detail, why not give it a go? You might be surprised how much you enjoy it — and how quickly the pounds (and perks!) start stacking up.