While many mystery shopping companies pay a fee and reimburse for any required purchases, some companies only reimburse for the purchase. Some shoppers refuse to work for companies that only reimburse. They feel that if they aren’t getting a fee in addition to being reimbursed for the purchase that it isn’t worth their time. Every shopper has the right to decide what types of assignments they want to accept.

Shoppers who only take assignments that pay a fee may be short changing their mystery shopping experience.

There are many great assignments that may not have a fee attached. Most upscale hotel or resort assignment will reimburse for a specified amount of time in the hotel and taxes. They normally don’t include a fee.

Many companies with fine dining or business casual shops may not pay fee for the visit. The shopper has to decide if it is worth having a really nice meal and having the expenses covered. Some shoppers supplement their entertainment budgets or don’t have to worry about a budget because of their assignments.

Some shoppers may learn about new restaurants because they decided to accept a shop in a new area.

Most salon assignment don’t pay a fee for the visit. Spa shops can include manicures, pedicures, haircuts, massages and other treatments. If a shopper has great writing skills, it would be worth the reimbursement to visit a spa and be pampered for a while. Insisting on a fee can limit where the shopper will be allowed to visit. Manicures can cost anywhere from $15 - $60. Pedicures can cost $25 - $75. Getting your hair colored at a salon can be $40 - $135 or more. It is practical to have a luxury treatment as a mystery shop since the reimbursement is usually quite generous and will cover the cost of one or two treatments.

Some theme park assignments will cover the cost of up to four admissions and even a meal or snack.

Shoppers who are willing to appreciate the saved expenses even without a fee, will be able to find more assignments available to them. Naturally the cost of your time and effort has to be evaluated. Sometimes being willing to be satisfied with saving money is enough. A fee is a nice way to save money, but so is the cost of a meal or other activity.