text: why is there not a mystery shopper program you can join for free? why do you have to pay money to join a mystery shopper program? i mean you don't have to pay money to get a normal job in a warehouse or a hospital or even the police department? you can join shadow shopper for a 5 buck trial for 30 days. if you find lots of jobs, then u can sign on for the $60 membership. i tried it just because it was $5 and actually made $120.00 on my first job, which was at 6 or 7 different sites for the same company so it was all on one check and this place paid quickly. well, i joined in feb so i missed canceling my membership by 1 day so had to pay the $60 but made about $500 last year mystery shopping, so i guess it was worth it. plus you can write it off as a work expense on your taxes.