Taking the Mystery out of Mystery Shopping
Some of you have read in posts that I do mystery shops, and asked about it, so here goes.
There are several companies that I deal with from time to time, and I'm picky about what projects I'll do.
There are several different kinds of mystery shops, and they are as follows:
Purchase and reimbursement (sometimes the reimbursement is not 100%)
Purchase and return (using credit card and returning same day or next day or next week)
There are secret shops - where you assess the service, the facility, uniforms, and how the customer service rep (CSR) treats you.
There are reveal shops where you come in and identify yourself as a mystery shopper either in the beginning, or at the end of a transaction.
There are product placement shops - like the ones I did Friday night. I went out to the gas stations and checked to see if they had the new promotions posted, and if they didn't, then I'd install them for them with their permission.
There are integrity shops where you sit at the bar and watch the bartenders handle cash transactions. There are apartment shops where you'll see if they treat you any differently, or ask you to see a specific leasing agent when you go to see his/her treatment.
There are price check scenarios, there are store scenarios where you have to communicate with each department to see if they were helpful.
There are other gas station shops where you have to purchase something from the gas station and take pictures of the place - and sometimes that will include the ugliest bathrooms you've ever seen.
At a minimum, what is required is digital cameras, access to fax machines or scanners, cell phones, watches with a second hand, and a vehicle to go to these locations.
some pay well, others don't pay well, but using the economies of scale, if you've done one or two, the rest of them are easier. And some will pay a month later through paypal or check. One pays in 2 weeks most of the time.
You gotta have a poker face in the secret shops.
Definitely read the scenarios and the questionnaires and prepare yourself ahead of time for the shops before you do them.
I have the silver certification through the Mystery Shopper PRoviders Association but it's not always necessary to have to apply for jobs.
When applying to these places, they may require a snippet of a scenario so that they can gauge your ability to perform shops. the application process is the longest - but once you get past that, and they hook you up; you're good to go from there.
Some of the mystery shopping surveys can be lengthy especially when they want word for word what was said between you and the salesperson (I avoid these myself). Others want you to upload 6 or 10 pictures - I love these. Some involve using a timer for a fast food restaurant - timing the speed of service.
It is not a big money maker but it helps sometimes to have an extra dollar here and there.
To start learning about the mystery shops; go to http://www.mysteryshop.org/
My favorite companies to work for are Ritters Associates, GfK (Cybershoppers), ICC Decision Services, GAPbuster, BMA Mystery Shopping, Shoppers Critique and ICU Associates.
If you want to apply for these, and if they ask you *****ferred you, please tell them the following:
[email protected] if they ask for email address
Candy Mott-Harris if they ask for name.
If they need my member number, shoot me an email, and I'll give it to you. I don't believe that I'd earn anything for the referrals, but it's nice to let them know I'm working the heck out of them.
Good luck and have fun!
There are several companies that I deal with from time to time, and I'm picky about what projects I'll do.
There are several different kinds of mystery shops, and they are as follows:
Purchase and reimbursement (sometimes the reimbursement is not 100%)
Purchase and return (using credit card and returning same day or next day or next week)
There are secret shops - where you assess the service, the facility, uniforms, and how the customer service rep (CSR) treats you.
There are reveal shops where you come in and identify yourself as a mystery shopper either in the beginning, or at the end of a transaction.
There are product placement shops - like the ones I did Friday night. I went out to the gas stations and checked to see if they had the new promotions posted, and if they didn't, then I'd install them for them with their permission.
There are integrity shops where you sit at the bar and watch the bartenders handle cash transactions. There are apartment shops where you'll see if they treat you any differently, or ask you to see a specific leasing agent when you go to see his/her treatment.
There are price check scenarios, there are store scenarios where you have to communicate with each department to see if they were helpful.
There are other gas station shops where you have to purchase something from the gas station and take pictures of the place - and sometimes that will include the ugliest bathrooms you've ever seen.
At a minimum, what is required is digital cameras, access to fax machines or scanners, cell phones, watches with a second hand, and a vehicle to go to these locations.
some pay well, others don't pay well, but using the economies of scale, if you've done one or two, the rest of them are easier. And some will pay a month later through paypal or check. One pays in 2 weeks most of the time.
You gotta have a poker face in the secret shops.
Definitely read the scenarios and the questionnaires and prepare yourself ahead of time for the shops before you do them.
I have the silver certification through the Mystery Shopper PRoviders Association but it's not always necessary to have to apply for jobs.
When applying to these places, they may require a snippet of a scenario so that they can gauge your ability to perform shops. the application process is the longest - but once you get past that, and they hook you up; you're good to go from there.
Some of the mystery shopping surveys can be lengthy especially when they want word for word what was said between you and the salesperson (I avoid these myself). Others want you to upload 6 or 10 pictures - I love these. Some involve using a timer for a fast food restaurant - timing the speed of service.
It is not a big money maker but it helps sometimes to have an extra dollar here and there.
To start learning about the mystery shops; go to http://www.mysteryshop.org/
My favorite companies to work for are Ritters Associates, GfK (Cybershoppers), ICC Decision Services, GAPbuster, BMA Mystery Shopping, Shoppers Critique and ICU Associates.
If you want to apply for these, and if they ask you *****ferred you, please tell them the following:
[email protected] if they ask for email address
Candy Mott-Harris if they ask for name.
If they need my member number, shoot me an email, and I'll give it to you. I don't believe that I'd earn anything for the referrals, but it's nice to let them know I'm working the heck out of them.
Good luck and have fun!
Wow Thanks for sharing . That sounds so complicated like Tia said. It sounds like alot of work...Glad to know that there is really such a thing...
Julie
Julie
Loser's visualize the penalties of failure. Winners visualize the rewards of success.
Mom I hope you rest in Peace knowing that you were loved and will be missed. Keep love alive in your
heart as I know I will. You are now an 
and I know you will be looking down on us from above......... I am OK.......
Mom I hope you rest in Peace knowing that you were loved and will be missed. Keep love alive in your
heart as I know I will. You are now an and I know you will be looking down on us from above......... I am OK.......
Maureen! Hi! I do this part time, while I attend graduate school full time (3 classes a semester) and work full time as a procurement officer by day. I like to tell people it's my alter ego. LOL
Pier 1?! I love that store!
Any chance they are hiring for the summer nights? I'm not taking classes this summer - and I'd love to find something constructive to do at night/weekends. PM me if you know!
Pier 1?! I love that store!
Any chance they are hiring for the summer nights? I'm not taking classes this summer - and I'd love to find something constructive to do at night/weekends. PM me if you know!
Most Active
Recent Topics
