Expect to hear back on mystery-shopping applications within hours or within days or weeks. Times vary greatly from company to company and depending on the needs of the company at any given time. Most do respond fairly quickly, but a few will only make contact when a good shopping match is spotted. A few may never respond.
In some cases, the online application is an initial step, and follow up documents which may be downloaded by link (email or on site) or mailed out may be required. Many companies, especially those with big client loads and lots of jobs, will require tax forms from the beginning while others only request that sort of data only if you’re working on a fairly regular basis with the company down the line.
If you earn more than $600 per year from any given company, they are required to turn in a tax form 1999 indicating earnings and to also provide you with a copy at the end of the year. As a private contactor (most mystery-shopping jobs are classified as such), it is then you’re responsible for the taxes at the end of the year. After the first year, high-earning mystery shoppers may be required to make estimated quarterly income-tax payments to the IRS and state tax department.
Once you’re in the door and have completed any required paperwork, most contact is by email and typically on a monthly or bi-monthly basis. Occasional, special assignments may also be noted. Many of the jobs are first-come, so check email often and click in quickly, or the jobs (especially the more appealing ones) will be taken. Do be sure that you can and will be able to cover the job though, because taking a job and then turning it down later will not endear you to the company.
Initial listings sent out by mass email are generally the easier and lowest paying gigs. Most schedulers will (for obvious reasons) want to evaluate your work before making additional and bigger assignments. New mystery shoppers may need to specifically apply for an open job (by email) while long-term shoppers may be given the option of automatically taking the job on the spot with an online click. This means that new shoppers must be quick, or the old timers will scoop the jobs. If you want the assignment, respond quickly and professionally. Then, follow up and do a good job.