Best Mystery Shopping Companies in St. Louis

Mystery shopping is one of the easiest ways to make extra cash in St. Louis, and the best part is you're getting paid to do something you'd do anyway: eat out, shop, or visit stores. You won't get rich doing this, but you can realistically make $100 to $300 per month with minimal effort. The key is signing up with the right companies and understanding how the process actually works before you start.

How Mystery Shopping Actually Pays in St. Louis

Here's what you need to know upfront: mystery shopping gigs typically pay between $8 and $25 per assignment, with occasional higher-paying jobs hitting $40 to $75. Most jobs are in the $10 to $15 range. You'll spend anywhere from 15 minutes to 2 hours on a single assignment, and you usually need to buy something (a meal, groceries, gas) out of pocket first. You get reimbursed for that purchase, plus your fee.

For example, you might get $12 to shop at a clothing store for 45 minutes and write a report, plus you get reimbursed for the $25 item you bought. Some restaurant shops reimburse your full meal plus $10 to $15 for your time. The reimbursement process takes anywhere from 2 to 6 weeks, so you need a little cash on hand to float the expenses.

Top Mystery Shopping Companies Hiring in St. Louis

BestMark is one of the largest mystery shopping networks in the country and they're active in the St. Louis area. They handle assignments for big chains like CVS, Walgreens, restaurants, and hotels. Jobs typically pay $10 to $25 per visit. You'll need to submit detailed reports through their portal within 24 hours of each shop. The approval process is strict, so take thorough notes.

Shoppers Inc. regularly posts assignments around St. Louis, especially for grocery stores, gas stations, and fast-casual restaurants. Their jobs usually pay $10 to $20, and they're known for having decent communication and relatively quick reimbursement (around 3 to 4 weeks). They also have some repeat routes if you do well, which means steady work.

Market Force focuses on retail and food service locations across the St. Louis metro area. You'll find assignments at national chains, and they typically pay $12 to $30 depending on the complexity. Market Force is user-friendly and their app makes it easy to find available shops nearby.

Infoquest is smaller and less competitive, which actually works in your favor. You'll see fewer available assignments, but that also means less competition. They pay $8 to $18 per shop and cover restaurants and retail throughout the region.

A Closer Look is worth joining because they have consistent restaurant and retail opportunities in St. Louis. Their reimbursement and fees tend to be fair, and they'll pay you within 4 to 5 weeks typically.

What You Actually Need to Do

Getting started is straightforward. Sign up with at least 3 to 4 companies to maximize available work (don't expect much from just one). Most applications are free, though a few charge a small one-time fee ($5 to $10) that's not worth it honestly.

Once approved, download their apps or check their websites regularly. The best jobs get claimed fast, especially on Monday mornings and Thursday evenings when new assignments post. Set phone notifications so you don't miss out.

Before you accept any job, read the requirements carefully. Some assignments are strict about photo documentation, timestamps, and the level of detail required in reports. Shops with restaurants or retail purchases typically require itemized receipts and sometimes photos. Be prepared to spend 30 to 45 minutes writing reports, even for quick 15-minute visits.

Most companies will verify a few of your early shops to make sure you're doing the work correctly. After that, you'll get more assignments if you're reliable.

The Bottom Line

Mystery shopping won't replace your job, but it's a legitimate way to make $50 to $100 every week with minimal effort in St. Louis. You're already shopping and eating out anyway, right? Might as well get paid for it.

Ready to find mystery shopping opportunities near you? Search whopaysmenow.com/mystery-shopping to discover companies and locations hiring mystery shoppers in your St. Louis area right now.