Updated Wednesday, October 24, 2007 10:14PM CST
Companies are much more conscious of the importance of customer opinions and many agencies have sprung up requiring researchers to check out shops, offices and anywhere that staff come into contact with their customers. More recently, companies have been set up to carry out the same services on corporate websites.
Companies want to know how customers view their business and will contract marketing companies to send mystery shoppers to evaluate their employees secretly. This information can be used by them to learn of problem areas or to give the outstanding employees the recognition they deserve.
Similarly, they will use market researchers to establish people's awareness and perceptions of a company or product , or when trying to introduce a new product.
When applying for these positions you should expect to be asked the following questions. Think up answers in preparation.
"Have you done any Mystery Shopping Before?"
"What is your work experience?"
"State why you would make a good Mystery Shopper."
You don't need to have any experience, so don't pretend if you are a novice. Remember, as soon as you've completed one assignment, you can then claim to have experience in future applications.
The Work
Your job is to secretly "shop" a business in a low-key fashion and to fill out a report and return it to the company that you contracted with.
Sometimes this can take 5 minutes or an hour depending on the information required. Your pay can be reimbursed costs, a flat fee or both. Sometimes you are required to make a purchase or just ask questions to evaluate the employees responses. You also need to be observant of your surroundings by counting customers, eyeing cleanliness and any other factors required.
To get started what you need to do is decide if you have the time to do these shops that you commit to. IF you DO, then start contacting companies by Web site, and email or mail out a letter of introduction
Would You Make a Good Mystery Shopper?
People who make good Mystery Shoppers are those who appreciate good service and getting paid for doing what comes naturally. Good Mystery Shoppers look upon Mystery Shopping as an opportunity to help improve service levels at the places they like to frequent. They take personal satisfaction in watching service levels rise and in knowing that they played an instrumental part in that improvement.
Good Mystery Shoppers are conscientious, reliable and objective. They approach each new assignment as if it were the first time they had ever heard of the store. They only accept assignments which they will complete on time, objectively, and without bias.
Good Mystery Shoppers know the importance of following directions, they read and follow each client's evaluation criteria to the letter.
People Who Should Not Become Mystery Shoppers
Individuals that think this is a "get rich quick scheme." The pay can be very good for the motivated shopper and even better if you are able to accept last minute shops. The prime jobs are given to shoppers who have proven themselves dependable.
Individuals with very little free time.
Companies count on their Mystery Shoppers to meet their deadlines and often there is very little time to reschedule an incomplete shop.
Mystery Shopping Is Fun, But It's NO Joke!
Mystery Shopping can be a fun and enjoyable way to pick up a little extra money and, in some cases, a free meal. But, make no mistake Mystery Shopping is serious business. With many client's, Mystery Shopping results are a key factor in reviewing and assessing bonuses to their employees. They make decisions based on the data supplied by you, the Mystery Shoppers.
Be Aware On Your First Shopping Trip
Your first shopping trip can be an exciting one. Remember that it isn't a game and the companies are relying on you. Never take a job that you don't think you will be able to do or feel uncomfortable doing. Be "professional" if you want to get a consistent schedule of shops.
There are things to remember that the company wants you to make notes of and yet you have to gather this information without giving away the fact that you are a Mystery Shopper.
Before the Shop
Review the report before the shop. Make a note of the items that you are supposed to check. Some companies will want you to check the exterior of the building and want to also know the business names of the surrounding buildings.
Double check the address. Some companies have different branches on the very same street, or town.
After the Shop
Do not let someone catch you filling out forms or making notes. This is a sure way to blow your cover. Drive down the street and stop to make the necessary notes. You can also carry a small cassette-recorder and tape your notes to play back later. The more notes you have, the better your report will be.
The Report
A copy of your report will go to the company you are working for. It may also go to the client. It is important that your report be neat without scribbles or cross outs. These things will make your report appear less credible.
For these same reasons, check your spelling. If you are unsure of a spelling, look it up in the dictionary.
Be considerate when describing employees. Do not be insulting. For example, use full-figure, pale medium blonde/brown hair versus dishwater blonde.
Reports that arrive late normally will not be paid for. Some companies will allow you to fax or email in the report. Always check with the company for exact details.
Who Uses Mystery Shoppers?
You may think of restaurants or department stores when you think of mystery shopping, but almost any business that deals with the public has a need for mystery shoppers.
Although many times a shopper makes a purchase, other times a shopper may simply evaluate the service or information provided to potential buyers. For example, if you are hired to shop a car dealer you don't get a free car, but you will be paid for your time in asking questions about the cars and financing options, and writing a report describing your experience.
Examples of businesses currently using mystery shoppers include:
apartment complexes
automobile dealers & auto repair shops
banks & credit unions
convenience stores
department stores
gas stations
grocery stores
hair salons
health clubs
home builders
hotels and motels
movie theaters
restaurants
video rental stores
vision and eyewear providers
Mystery shoppers are also used by the government to check up on the businesses it regulates.
Top 4 Websites To Get Paid As A Mystery Shopper!
SecretShoppingCenter.com has made it to our #1 pick among mystery shopping sites. Because it was one of the newer mystery shopping sites we had it in 2nd place but due to numerous online review board findings, it has received a resounding vote for the number spot.
SecretShoppingCenter.com is possibly the most impressive mystery shopping site we have ever reviewed. They boast the largest and most comprehensive database of mystery shopping companies anywhere on the web - they have more mystery shopping companies listed than any other site, and are adding to their list constantly. Any member who finds a mystery shopping site or company that is NOT listed in their database need only report the new site, and SecretShoppingCenter.com will immediately pay a finder's fee to that member of $10.00.
SecretShoppingCenter.com also has an incredible offer for new members: There is a special section which shows new members how thay can earn over $280.00 on the very first day they sign up. This incredible offer is available for all members (you don't have to take advantage of it immediately but you can) and since the cost of membership to SecretShoppingCenter.com is only $39.97 that means new members can end up recouping their cost plus another $250.00+ almost immediately.
There is a good 'Getting Started Guide' to help new members get started quickly which also offers many tips and insights into being a successful mystery shopper, and they also have huge bonus sections for companies that will pay you to read email, take surveys from your computer, and drive your car. SecretShoppingCenter.com offers a 45 day 100% money-back guarantee. All in all, one of the best mystery shopping sites we've ever seen. $39.97 To Join.
Shop until you Drop offers an incredibly well organized directory of mystery shopping companies that will pay you from $10 to $125 to shop at specific stores and eat at specific retaurants, and then rate your experience, Like the Gap and Olive Garden. It provides plenty of resources to help newcomers get started. Detailed information & links to mystery shopping companies are easily accessible.
Sometimes the real benefit of a site is what it offers, for what it costs. This site is extremely consumer oriented. They offer additional items to help you get started in your new "Mystery Shopping" career. Such as the "Shopping Assignment Database" that can be searched by City, State or Postal code or the "Instant Email Notification" of Jobs Available in YOUR area. They even have a "Daily Job Board" that's always updated. Shop Until You Drop has Shopping Jobs available in Canada and the UK.
Offers a 60 day, no questions asked, 100% money-back guarantee. Easily one of our top picks. $37.95 To Join.
Get Paid 2 Shop not only offers a quality directory of mystery shopping job sources, but also offers a free program for people to earn money taking online surveys from home, all included in membership to their site.
Excellent customer service and site navigation. Offers a 45 day, no questions asked, 100% money-back guarantee. $34.95 To Join.
ShadowShopper NEW! - During the ShadowShopper tour, this is what the company had to say about what sets them apart from other Mystery Shopping websites: ShadowShopper is unique in the mystery shopping industry. We are not the company that's shopped, a mystery shopping company or a mystery shopping scheduler. Instead, we are an impartial and independent company, serving the best interests of the mystery shopper AND mystery shopping companies. The best way to think of us is as the "eBay" of mystery shopping. While we DO NOT auction jobs, we DO put shoppers and mystery shopping job schedulers together online. For job schedulers, we enable them to post the mystery shopping jobs they are trying to fill in the easiest way possible and get these jobs to thousands of qualified, targeted and motivated shoppers nationwide. For mystery shoppers who are looking for work, we get them the job opportunities they want; in the quickest and easiest way possible.