Q: How are you supposed to get leads and how much can you realistically make?
A: Realistically, it is nearly impossible to find a secret shopper position open, and there's a long line of people wanting that job as well. Most only make around 50 a day, if they work for it. There are those who have gotten into the bigger stores and are making even more, but many are working long hours to do it. There are a few real places that offer employment as such and they hand out the leads. Kind of like working for a temping company really. It's hard to get the bigger stores and they want you to have the right look, which i think kind of messes up the system they are going for. Often, companies are tipped off that a secret shopper is coming, another problem within this system. Anyway, there are many ads that will mislead you and cost you a fortune to call that claims they have secret shopping positions available... don't be misled. The phone companies are in on the deception and will enforce the payment. I have done it a few times, and it's not a bad job, just not much money at it, and if you deal in food, you have to have your own money up front and then get reinbursed.