READ ME FIRST: The 5-Minute Mystery Shopping Introduction

[brian]

The 5-Minute Mystery Shopping Introduction


If you are new to mystery shopping, here is a short introduction to help you get started in five minutes. (This condensed introduction applies to general situations. Your experience may differ.)


What is mystery shopping?
In mystery shopping, you visit a store, pretending to be a regular customer. You interact with a store associate and note your observation. After you leave the store, you report your findings.


Why is there mystery shopping?
Stores would like an objective snapshot of customer service provided by their sales associates. Stores contract out evaluations to mystery shopping companies, which in turn, contract out assignments to mystery shoppers. As a mystery shopper, your shop reports are used to provide valuable feedback to management and sales associates.


Where can I mystery shop?
Almost any businesses that interact with customers use mystery shoppers. You may be shopping at stores, restaurants, gas stations, and hotels.


How do I get started?
You apply to mystery shopping companies first. When the companies have assignments available in your area, they will notify you. If you agree to the terms of the assignments, you apply for the assignments, and wait. When you are given an assignment, you follow the shop instructions to complete your shop. After your visit, you report your experience and observations.

You need to apply to many mystery shopping companies in order to get more assignments. In addition, you are an "independent contractor" to mystery shopping companies. (You are not an employee of the companies.)


What do I need to be a mystery shopper?

The minimum requirements are:
- A computer, Internet access, a web browser, and an email address to interact with mystery shopping companies
- A vehicle or public transit access to get to the stores
- Pen and paper to record shop notes right after you finish your shops
- A reliable watch to note your shopping start and end times
- Time to learn more about mystery shopping, to apply to more mystery shopping companies, to check for new assignments, and to discuss, share, and support other shoppers on mystery shopping sites
- Professionalism to follow shop instructions, to ask for clarifications before your shop deadlines, provide detailed shop reports, and to respond to any feedback or questions from the mystery shopping companies

The basic requirements are:
- A printer to print contract agreements, shop instructions, and shop reports
- A word processor such as Microsoft Word or OpenOffice to type your shop reports
- A filing system, from magazine holders to file cabinets, to store paperwork
- Petty cash for out-of-pocket expenses that may or may not be reimbursed for your shops

Nonessential, but useful tools include:
- A computer scanner to scan or a fax machine to send shop receipts for reimbursements
- A voice recorder to record conversations and notes during your shops (be sure to check for your local laws on recording)
- A digital camera for some shops
- A reliable friend, partner, or a spouse for shops that require more than one shoppers
- An organizer, paper or electronic, to organize and track your assignments


How much will I earn?
It depends on how many assignments you complete. Many shoppers work in their spare time, earning about $100 a month. There are few shoppers who work full time. They have applied to 50 or more mystery shopping companies. They are strongly organized in planning their work days, meeting different assignment deadlines, and organizing different shop requirements.

Factors that affect how much you make include:
- The number of mystery shopping companies you have applied
- If you live in a big city, you may have more opportunities, but at the same time, more competition from other shoppers for assignments
- The types of assignments you complete: short assignments tend to pay around $10 and long, involved assignments pay more
- Some assignments such as dinners and hotels only reimburse you for the required food and services; you may have to cover extra costs such as taxes and tips
- Your level of professionalism: How detailed are your shop reports? How reliable have you been? Have you taken the initiative to be certified by one (or both) of the mystery shopping associations? Do you respond promptly and thoroughly when contacted by the mystery shopping companies? Companies may give you prority for last-minute or sought-after shops when you have demonstrated professionalism.


I am ready to be a mystery shopper. What's Next?

- View these video mystery shop clips to experience mystery shopping first hand

- Visit the Mystery Shopping section of this site to start applying

- Learn why should Write about Your Best and Worst Shopping Experiences before Applying to be a Mystery Shopper

- Apply to current mystery shopping assignments posted on other sites

- If you have not done so, please read why you should "NOT Post Store Names Here: Indpendent Contractor Confidentiality Agreements (ICAs)"

- If you would like to learn more about mystery shopping, read the Mystery Shopping Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

[HTworker2002]

Thanks for the info. I am new to mystery shopping and hope to get a lot more information from being a member of this forum.

[PaulAddision]

I am also new to the Mystery Shopping...But I got a huge information here....Thanks for that...
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