Shopping, eating out, watching movies. Mystery shoppers do all of this for free, and they get paid for it.

Organizations that employ mystery shoppers are now targeting students, with promises of earning $10 to $40 an hour. Mystery shoppers are self-employed shoppers hired by business organizations to check on their stores and ensure good customer service.

Recently, the mystery shopper Web site Quest2shop.com has contacted many students. An e-mail is sent out to selected students, offering them a part-time job opportunity.

Anabel Griffin, recruitment manager for Quest2shop.com, believes this opportunity is ideal for students.

“This opportunity can help them earn additional money to cover their academic costs and is convenient for them because of the shiftable working time,” Griffin said.

Quest2shop.com said its shoppers can make their own schedules. They can work during the week, during breaks or just on the weekends.

Brian Mathis, a freshman in political science, said he usually works three mystery-shopping jobs a week, and each pays between $10 and $20 dollars. Sometimes, the mystery shopper does not get paid for the job.

“I have done shops that don’t pay anything but do a reimbursement. These are usually at restaurants and I have eaten at a few for free,” he said.

According to Griffin, students have responded to the mystery shopper Web site with great interest, and the company decided to offer State students a special promotion.

“We know that many students are looking for a well-paid job that is both exciting and fun. We want to give them the opportunity to get one by joining our team. Therefore, we reduced our membership fee from $29.95 to $10,” Griffin said.

Mathis agrees mystery shopping is a great opportunity, but disagrees about the cost.

“Paying to become a member is a scam. You can get started for free. She’s [Griffin] probably selling a book or a guide,” he said.

Mathis became involved with mystery shopping while reading an advertisement in the paper over winter break. He did some research on the Internet and found free resources about how to get involved.

“I realized that you can get started for free and there is no need to buy into those ads you hear and see on TV,” he said.

Mathis signed up through the Mystery Shopping Providers Association, or MSPA. He said although it is free, a fee does apply.

“I became certified for a small price of $15. This certification allows me to gain access to other shops and be chosen over non-certified people,” he said.

Mathis shared what is required of a shopper. He said he is not allowed to bring in a clipboard or anything to write notes on, so he has devised a system that works for him.

“You have to keep detailed notes to record in your report. Remembering information such as the associate’s name, hair color and height can be daunting at first, but I pretend I am in a call with someone on my cell phone, but I am actually recording a voice memo on the phone of the description of the sales associate,” he said.

Mathis believes mystery shopping is a good job opportunity for students, but only if the student does a lot of research first.

“The number one thing that I stress is that you can do this for free,” Mathis reiterated.