Best Mystery Shopping Companies in Colorado Springs
Mystery shopping is one of the easiest ways to make some extra cash in Colorado Springs without committing to a regular job. You basically get paid to shop, eat at restaurants, or visit businesses and report back on your experience. Most assignments pay between $10 and $50, though some higher-end retail jobs can pay more. The real benefit? You're often reimbursed for your purchase on top of your fee, so you can grab lunch and get paid for it.
The catch is that mystery shopping requires patience. You won't get assigned every day, and you'll need to complete applications with a few companies to build up your opportunities. But if you're flexible and willing to do small tasks throughout the month, you can realistically earn $200 to $400 monthly without much effort.
Use Mystery Shopping Networks to Find the Most Jobs
Your best bet in Colorado Springs is to register with mystery shopping networks rather than individual companies. These platforms connect you with dozens of different mystery shopping clients, which means more job availability in your area.
Coyle Hospitality is one of the largest networks and consistently has assignments available in Colorado Springs, especially at restaurants and retail locations. You can earn $8 to $25 per assignment depending on the task.
BestMark also operates heavily in Colorado and typically posts jobs paying $10 to $35. They focus a lot on fast-casual restaurants and local retail stores. Check their job board regularly since good assignments fill up fast.
Sassie is another solid option that has regular postings for Colorado Springs locations. Their app makes it easy to see available jobs near you, and you can usually complete reports on your phone right after the shopping trip. Most jobs pay $10 to $20 before reimbursement.
The strategy here is to sign up for multiple networks. You're not locked into any of them, and having access to different job boards significantly increases your chances of finding assignments in your area.
Understand What You'll Actually Make
Be realistic about earnings. If you pick up 3 to 4 mystery shopping assignments per week in Colorado Springs, you're looking at $40 to $160 in fees alone. Add in reimbursements for meals or small purchases, and you might push it to $200 to $300 monthly.
Here's what typical Colorado Springs jobs look like:
- Fast casual restaurant visit: $12 to $18 fee, plus $15 to $20 reimbursement for food
- Retail shopping assignment: $15 to $25 fee, sometimes with a product purchase reimbursed
- Gas station evaluation: $8 to $12 fee, usually no reimbursement
- Hotel check-in evaluation: $20 to $35 fee, sometimes partial room cost covered
The best-paying gigs are usually for nicer restaurants or full-service retail stores, but those are also more competitive. You'll need to be quick when they post. Most companies won't reimburse you upfront, so you'll cover costs and get paid back later, usually within 2 to 4 weeks.
Stay Organized and Complete Reports Carefully
The difference between getting regular assignments and struggling to find work comes down to your reliability and report quality. Always submit your reports on time and answer every question thoroughly. Companies use your reviews to decide whether to assign you future jobs.
Keep track of:
- Which companies send you the most assignments
- How long reimbursements typically take
- Which types of jobs you complete fastest
- Assignment deadlines and report submission dates
Some shoppers in Colorado Springs recommend starting with restaurant and retail assignments because they're straightforward and you get reimbursement for something you'd buy anyway. As you build a track record, you'll get access to better-paying opportunities.
One more tip: avoid any mystery shopping company that asks you to pay upfront fees. Legitimate networks like the ones listed above are free to join. If someone's charging you money to become a mystery shopper, they're scamming you.
Mystery shopping works best when you're not counting on it as your primary income. Treat it as a flexible side gig that fills in gaps throughout your month. Some months you'll land more assignments than others depending on client demand in Colorado Springs.
Ready to start? Search whopaysmenow.com/mystery-shopping to find mystery shopping opportunities and other money-making options near you in Colorado Springs.