Introduction
Getting paid to shop can be a very fun experience and is so easy you wouldn't believe it. It's a dream job for many! It can be great to go shopping at popular stores and dining in nice restaurants...and getting paid for it all! You will most likely find secret shopping as something you love to do. Do you have a keen eye, attention to detail, and the ability to be impartial and reliable? mystery shopping may just be the right job for you!
Now, let's discuss more of what mystery shopping is and how you too can soon become one.
A mystery shopper is like an undercover agent. You might accept assignments for restaurants, grocery stores, automobile dealers, retail stores, or amusement parks. Just about any type of business you can think of could benefit from the services of a mystery shopper. You receive a specific assignment for your shop. For example, you may be asked to describe the parking facilities, cleanliness, friendliness of staff, and your wait time at a restaurant.
Whenever you are on an assignment you must never be detected. The staff should not suspect that you evaluating them or they would treat you differently. You are not suppose to spy on employees,
or try to find things wrong or right but simply follow the script that comes with your assignment and provide a fair and impartial evaluation.
You are the one who will be keeping the corporate headquarters informed and they need you to maintain yourself in a professional and appropriate manner. For a business to be successful, they must maintain customer satisfaction. They can better please the customer if they understand how the customer is being treated and if their product is being sold as they intended.
You will have the benefit of working around your schedule, which can be beneficial for a housewife, mother or part time worker. Some places may want you to go to their establishment only during certain hours, i.e. happy hour, early bird specials, moonlight madness sales, etc. You may be able to request certain hours of the day that are best for you, such as early mornings for mom’s with small children in preschool or late afternoons-early evenings for those who already hold down a part time job.
Getting Started
There are many companies which hire mystery shoppers. You can apply online to most of these companies. Make sure you visit and read the message boards to keep up to date on new assignments in your area. These message boards have hundreds of assignments posted all the time.
Mystery shopping is big business, so don't just apply to those companies located in your area. Most mystery shopping companies are nationwide. Their clients and stores are nationwide. Just because a company has its offices in New York does not mean you can not work for them because you live in Texas. These Mystery Shopping companies contract with retail and restaurant chains. These chains are located Nationwide, therefore they need shoppers nationwide.
Never feel pressured into a job. It will not be held against you if you are unable or unwilling to take a particular assignment. Some things will just not appeal to you. Sometimes the job will just not fit into your schedule or may not be something you are comfortable with. If that happens to you, just be honest with the company and be sure to decline the particular assignment. This allows the company to find someone else. Companies are not concerned if you decline assignments as long as you do it promptly. If you do not decline promptly you will probably not be sent many assignments after that. All it takes is a quick email saying you can not complete this assignment.
Completing an Assignment
Many mystery shopping companies operate almost entirely over the internet now. You will most likely receive your assignment notices via email. It is important to apply with an email address you use often as you may need to respond within 24 to 48 hours to be accepted for an assignment. If you set up a dedicated address for your assignments be sure to check it regularly and it's best that it is separated from any 'busy' inbox such as one receiving a lot of spam or other types of offers. You may also be notified through fax or phone.
You will be given the particulars of the assignment and you will have the opportunity to accept or decline. If you accept, you will download or receive via mail or fax, the scenario that is to be
used for your evaluation.
For example, you may be asked to go to a retail outlet and ask the salesperson for help on locating an item or to evaluate service in a restaurant. You will be given a form with specific instructions before you shop. You will be told who to speak to and all areas that are to be included in your evaluation.
Your instructions may include: Looking at the displays to see if they are kept neat and well put together, asking the sales clerk for information about a certain item, and how they could assist you in getting a certain size not readily available. They may ask you to try on several items and check the dressing rooms for neatness.
Does the sales clerk offer to assist you with additional sizes? Are the shelves well stocked and neat in appearance? Was the sales clerk helpful? They will want you to actually purchase something they suggest or of your choice and will want you to observe the actual transaction and note how easily or difficult it was performed.
They may also ask you to question the sales clerk on several different items. What was his/her response? They may ask you to visit the restrooms and make sure they are clean and well stocked. Use a public telephone and comment on its accessibility.
Study your scenario before you begin the shop, because you can't take your notes with you. Remember you must remain undetected! Do your best to remember names and pertinent details, and as soon as you get to your car you can quickly jot down important notes.
You will usually be given a deadline of between of 24 to 48 hours. Be punctual! This could determine whether you will get any future assignments with this company. Most likely you will be able to file your report online or fax it in. Simply follow the instructions you were given.
It is very important that you be as accurate as possible, giving only the facts requested. If your assignment was to evaluate cleanliness at an establishment, don't make comments about the staff either good or bad. Don't interject personal thoughts of your experience unless asked.
Apply to as many companies as you like. That way you can pick and choose assignments that you like. If you have 10 offers one week you might only like or be able to perform 5 or 6. If you only work for one or two companies it will be much harder to be as picky about assignments or find ones that pay enough or are at stores or locations you prefer.
That's it! You are now ready to become a full fledged mystery shopper. Just continue to our database below and start signing up!
Company Comments A&A Merchandising Ltd
http://www.aamerch.comAnonymous Shoppers & Assessments of Pittsburgh (A
http://www.asapittsburgh.com
Eyes R Us, Inc
http://www.eyesrusinc.com
Greet America, Inc
http://www.greetamerica.com
Experience Exchange
https://www.experienceexchange.com
Shoppers, Inc
http://www.shopperjobs.com
Ellis Partners in Mystery Shopping
http://www.epmsonline.com
Second to None
http://www.second-to-none.comA fully integrated marketing services company that implements marketing programs at the retail level. (Australia, Canada, USA)
Quick Service Restaurants
Full Service Restaurants
Petro-Convenience (gas stations and convenience stores)
Telecommunications
Financial Services
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