Mystery Shopping Required Supplies: What You Actually Need (and what you don’t)

Mystery shopping required supplies don’t have to be expensive or complicated—just reliable.
When shoppers struggle, it’s rarely because they don’t have “fancy gear.” It’s because they’re missing a few basics that prevent mistakes: dead phone batteries, lost receipts, blurry photos, forgotten details, or late reports.

This guide breaks down the true essentials, the “nice to have” upgrades, and the supplies that only matter for specific shop types (like hotel, retail audit, or video work). The goal is simple: spend a little, save a lot of time, and protect your pay.

If you’re still getting oriented, start with the Mystery Shopping for Beginners for the bigger picture.

The core idea: supplies should reduce friction, not add it

A good supply kit does four things:

1. Helps you capture accurate details (times, names, observations)
2. Helps you store proof safely (receipts/photos)
3. Helps you submit faster (less scrambling after the visit)
4. Helps you avoid revisions (missing proof is a common reason for QC kickbacks)

If an item doesn’t improve one of those outcomes, it’s probably not part of your actual mystery shopping required supplies.

Mystery Shopping Required Supplies: The “do 90% of shops” checklist

1) A reliable smartphone (with enough storage)

Your phone is your notes tool, camera, timer, portal access, and upload device.

Checklist:

• Enough storage for photos (and sometimes short videos if authorized)
• A working camera that produces clear receipt photos
• Stable login access to your portals

Time-saver tip: Create a dedicated photo album or folder named “Mystery Shops” so proof doesn’t disappear into your camera roll.

2) A charging plan (car charger + backup power)

Nothing slows a day down like low battery—especially if you’re routing multiple shops.

Minimum setup:

• Car charger (or wall charger if you don’t drive)
• Charging cable that actually works
• Optional: small power bank for long days

This is one of the most overlooked mystery shopping required supplies, and it prevents avoidable “I can’t upload” panic.

3) A notes system you use every time (template-based)

You don’t need a special app—just a consistent template.

Simple template:

• Arrived time
• Greeted/acknowledged time
• Order/request time
• Received service/item time
• Staff name/description
• Required behaviors (suggestive sell, receipt offered, etc.)
• Left time

Consistency here reduces report-writing time and helps you avoid revisions.

4) A receipt keeper (don’t trust your pockets)

Receipts are proof. Lost receipts = lost reimbursement (and sometimes lost pay).

Choose one method:

• Small envelope in your bag or glove box
• Slim accordion file
• Dedicated wallet slot labeled “receipts”

If you do nothing else: take the receipt photo immediately (when safe) and store the paper receipt in the same place every time.

5) A simple “clean hands” option (wipes or sanitizer)

Many assignments involve food, retail products, or public spaces. This isn’t about being fancy—it’s about being prepared and comfortable so you can focus on the shop.

“Nice to have” supplies that save time (not strictly required)

These aren’t mandatory, but they often pay for themselves in reduced friction.

6) A small notepad + pen (as a backup)

Phones die, apps crash, signals drop. A tiny notepad keeps you functional.

This becomes more useful on:

• rural routes
• long days with multiple shops
• any shop where you need to capture precise times quickly

7) A simple watch (or using your phone clock consistently)

Many reports ask for timings. A watch helps you capture time without repeatedly unlocking your phone in awkward moments. Not required, but helpful.

8) A “shop kit” pouch

A zipper pouch with:

• charger cable
• backup pen
• receipt envelope
• small wipes

It prevents the constant “Where did I put that?” problem.

Supplies that depend on the shop type (don’t buy these too early)

This is where people overspend. Most shoppers can wait until they’re sure they’ll do these shop types regularly.

Hotel shops

Helpful additions:

• A dedicated folder for folios/receipts
• A checklist for each stage (booking, check-in, room, amenities, checkout)

Hotels tend to have longer forms, so organization supplies matter more.

Retail audit / planogram / display verification

Helpful additions:

• Extra phone storage
• A fast photo-sorting routine (file naming and folders)

These shops can be “low report time,” but only if your photos are easy to find and upload.

Video shops (only if explicitly authorized and compliant)

Video work can require specialized equipment, but what matters most is meeting the program’s rules and producing usable proof. If you move into video, prioritize reliability (battery, storage, upload plan) over gimmicks.

What is not a required supply (and can create problems)

A few things are often marketed as “must-have” but can be unnecessary—or risky.

• Anything that encourages breaking rules (if a company doesn’t authorize a method, don’t use it)
• Overcomplicated gadgets that slow you down or fail mid-shop
• Buying gear before you know your shop types (start simple; upgrade when your assignments justify it)

If your goal is steady extra income, the best mystery shopping required supplies are the ones that keep you accurate, calm, and on time.

A quick starter kit (budget-friendly)

If you want to start today with minimal spending:

• Phone + charger + cable
• Receipt envelope
• Notes template (in your phone notes app)
• Small pen/notepad backup
• Wipes/sanitizer

That’s enough for the majority of assignments—and it supports faster reporting and fewer mistakes.

Wrap-up

Mystery shopping required supplies are not about buying more stuff. They’re about removing friction: power, proof, notes, and organization. Start with the basics, build a routine, and only upgrade when your shop types demand it.

If this article "Mystery Shopping Lingo Explained" helped, read these next:

• What To Do After Approval
• Applying for Assignments Faster
• Building a Steady Assignment Flow
• How to Start Mystery Shopping Without Feeling Overwhelmed
• Mystery Shopping for Beginners

If you want beginner-friendly tips and honest guidance without hype, my book, "Take That Job And Mystery Shop It!" will give you the information you need to start.  I'll also give you a list of over 150 mystery shopping companies to contact.

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