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3 On Your Side: Paid To Shop

By Jim Donovan

PHILADELPHIA (CBS) - We've all heard the expression, "Shop till you drop." Well we've got a new one for you, "Post and you profit". 3 On Your Side consumer reporter Jim Donovan shows us the latest way people are cashing in when shopping, and all it takes is a click of a mouse.
Amy Pollutro loves to shop.

"I love the jacket it's beautiful," said Pollutro.

When she finds that perfect piece she can't wait to share it with all her friends, her Facebook friends.

"It's really fun because my friends can see what I'm buying real-time and then if they like it too they can purchase it too right from the site," said Pollutro.

By using Beso.com, Amy can now make money every time she posts.

"Not only do you get to share your fashion inspiration but you also get rewarded for it," said Pollutro.

Amy earns rewards by browsing Beso. When she finds an outfit she likes, she posts a link.

Each time one of her friends clicks on that link she collects between .14 and .60 cents. No one even has to buy anything.

"Very easy with just one click," said Pollutro.

Websites and apps like Beso.com, TheFancy.com and Pose.com offer shoppers rewards for posting what they like.

After just a few days, Amy had $1.50 in her Beso account.

"Over a month's time that could be $25- $50 dollars and any extra is great," said Pollutro.

"You want to make sure you're transparent, otherwise you may not have friends at the end of the day," said social media expert, David Gerzof.

Gerzof says you can expect to see more of this type of marketing from your friends.

"In social media, word of mouth is one of the most important ways to spread and sell anything," said Gerzof.

For Amy it's not all about the money.

"It's more for the love of what you're doing and sharing your ideas and your inspirations with other people," said Pollutro.

Blurring the lines between shopper and saleswoman with just one click.

If you're interested trying this, be aware that when the shopper becomes the seller, they need to upfront about the rewards. Under federal guidelines users must disclose if they are getting paid for a post. Now that almost never happens and it's nearly impossible to enforce but it's a warning to consider.

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