Hey Consumer Reports is hiring actual mystery shoppers to do actual mystery shopping. You can earn some coin, help out other consumers at the same time, and help with the results that end up in the Consumer Reports magazine. Pretty swell. The job posting is inside.

Consumer Reports, published by Consumers Union, is currently looking for Mystery Shoppers throughout the United States. These freelance mystery shoppers are called on to survey stores for product information; buy and ship products; and act as our “in the field” representative of consumers in a variety of marketplace situations.

To be a Mystery Shopper you must have a means of transportation from your home to stores in your assigned area; be organized, detail-oriented, reliable, flexible, reachable, able to meet tight deadlines, and be proficient with email and spreadsheets (Excel). Much of the work consists of seeking out specific products and writing down label details, including dates and lot codes. You may be required purchase and ship large quantities of products, sometimes using dry ice for perishables

We are currently looking for people who live in the metropolitan areas of the states listed below.

Arizona
California
Connecticut
Florida
Georgia
Illinois
Missouri
Michigan
Nevada
New York (North and West of Albany)
New Jersey
Ohio
Pennsylvania
Texas
Virginia
Washington

As part of your application process, please submit the following:
• Name, address, city and state, plus nearest metropolitan city(ies)
• Resume (optional but helpful)
• If currently employed, include name of employer and indicate full-time or part-time; or indicate if you are a student.
• 3-5 retailers for each of the following, all within 20 miles of your home: supermarkets, drugstores, discount or department stores, and 1-2 warehouse clubs.
• A paragraph (up to 300 words) on why you think you would make a great mystery shopper for Consumer Reports. Include the challenges you think you’ll face.
Assignments can be sporadic. Our mystery shoppers may receive 1-2 projects a month, or none at all. Projects generally take several hours and often require fast turnaround, so you’ll need to be flexible, reachable during the day by email and telephone, and available when called upon. Results need to be emailed to us, often with Excel attachments. If you are selected as a candidate, you will be given a test assignment to assess your skills in accuracy and following directions.

Mystery shoppers are paid at a rate of $12/hour for their work, and are reimbursed for travel and any purchases. They are required to follow project guidelines very carefully. As part of their role, shoppers are required to demonstrate the highest ethical behavior, which includes never using the name of Consumer Reports to obtain special or preferential treatment. Because of the highly sensitive and confidential nature of this role, all offers are contingent upon you signing a Confidentiality Agreement.

Interested? Please send the above requested information to shoppers@cro.consumer.org. Because of the volume of emails we receive, we cannot respond to all emails received.

(Photo: geoff_hazel)

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