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How to Get Paid to Have a Free Lunch

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by glenop (subscribe)
So much to see...so little time to see it all.
Published July 19th 2013
Free home delivered Pizza

They say there's no such thing as a free lunch. Well, thanks to mystery shopping, there sort of is. You'll have to do a little bit of work, but hey, you're being paid to have it.

There are several mystery shopper organisations that offer hundreds of eating opportunities at a host of fast food eateries and restaurants across Australia every month. The aim is to assess customer service skills, food quality and most importantly, your experience.

Payments vary but you can expect anywhere between $10.00 to $50.00 per report depending on the company, restaurant and the detail required in the report.

The cost of the meal is usually reimbursed but occasionally included in the payment.

A free hamburger at Hungry Jacks

So how does it work?

After registering and being accepted as a Mystery Shopper, you will need to apply on-line for assignments available in your area.

[ADVERT]Each Mystery Shopper company website job allocation work slightly differently. You will either be allocated the assignment straight away, wait to be allocated the task, or be sent an assignment and be asked to accept or decline.

Every assignment has a set of instructions and a questionnaire. All you need to do is follow these and submit an online report that is an honest and constructive assessment of your experience.

Your feedback will provide the fast food franchise or restaurant with valuable information on the performance of their staff and the overall experience of the shopper. You get a meal and an opportunity to share your views.

The following is a list of some of the mystery shopping companies and who they currently represent. Some pay so poorly I have not included them - believe me, they are not worth your time and effort.

Bon appetit!

Hoed: Bondi Pizza.

Mystery Shopper: Nando, Boost Juice, Sizzler, Sumo Salad, Hogs Breath Café, Crust Pizza

Personally Recommended: Oporto

Realise Group: Red Rooster

Capeesh: Hungry Jacks

Creative Activation: Gloria Jeans

Free lunch at Sizzler
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maybe like putting brochures in letterboxes - sounds like money for jam until you realise how little your hourly rate of pay is for what is expected

haven't done this, but I have read that some reports may require an hour and a half of documentation - in exchange for a $6 free meal - so maybe check how long it's likely to take you to fill out all the required paperwork before you commit too heavily to this one ...
by ultim (score: 2|436) 3618 days ago
I love this idea! However I have applied for heaps of mystery shopping jobs but have yet to be successful :(
by thriftyfrugalfun (score: 1|37) 3607 days ago
Nice one Glenop!
by Dave Walsh (score: 4|11309) 3616 days ago
Great Article! Great lil gig for actors and artists too.
by Vanessa de Largie (score: 3|1343) 3617 days ago
Nice one Glen. I have thought about it, but never applied before. Might try it out when I get some spare time. Would prefer restaurants and cafes to fast food though. Not big into the grease ;)
by Katy Holliday (score: 3|1133) 3594 days ago
I am now retired, but I was a quality assurance auditor and quality assurance manager in the food industry. Can I help you.
by johnp6 (score: 0|4) 3617 days ago
thankyou for explaining this.
by Irenke Forsyth (score: 3|2723) 3115 days ago
Great idea I love it.
by salim (score: 0|2) 3441 days ago
I have done 'assignments' for Mystery Shopper before. It was awhile ago. And yes of course you do have a criteria to fill. That is a time frame. Sometimes you have to ask a specific question, take note of the obvious customer service, quality of food etc.... cleanliness, uniforms. And once done you come home log in & fill in your comments sheet. If its for your local shops not a big deal since you would generally go anyway for something! So really its just the time taken to fill in your comments on the page. Doesn't take all that long from memory. Bit of fun! If you can get the assignment:)
by aland (score: 1|10) 3589 days ago
it sounds wonderful.How could it not be, what an incredible exhillarating experience to encounter.I look forward to it, everytime.
by lisar2 (score: 0|2) 3616 days ago
Being a food taster
by a.mil (score: 0|2) 3611 days ago
FANTASTIC
by jenny (score: 0|2) 3614 days ago
The Northern Beaches have a Myriad of places and some don’t measure up at all.
But many are four star.
Girdlers for Breakfast!
by jfree (score: 0|2) 394 days ago

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