Mystery Shopping Myths, Tips, and Facts

Who isn't at least a little curious about the titles and headlines you see about mystery shopping? Wouldn't you love to get paid "just" to go out and shop and eat? Well so would I, but it isn't quite that simple. Take it from an experienced, professional ...yes, I said professional... mystery shopper. My background: I have been a part-time mystery shopper for 11 years. Sometimes I work a lot, sometimes I work a little. Most of that is due to personal circumstances rather than a lack of work.

What is mystery shopping? Mystery, or secret shopping is very basically customer service evaluations, or quality control. Companies want to see how they and their employees are measuring up in service, quality, integrity and safety. Mystery shoppers provide this service through mystery shopping companies. The original company gives the shopping company a specific set of instructions about what they want evaluated. They shopping company then give the shopper a detailed list of things they need to do.

How do companies use this information? It's up to each company, and the shopper usually doesn't know exactly how their report is used. Some use it for employee rewards, some for checking safety or quality issues, some employees are checked for their integrity, and some are reports are used to improve training.

Mystery shopping myths:

Get paid to shop and eat. Sound too good to be true? It is because it isn't simply eat and get paid or shop and get paid. The shopper will need to follow instructions and do a report the same day of the shop. Guidelines must be followed, and there are many details to remember. Eventually you will be paid, very often for reimbursement only.

Get rich or make a living mystery shopping: Forget the get rich part unless you buy lottery tickets with your mystery shopping money AND win. Making a living is a little more feasible, but very few people actually get enough work to make a full-time living. If you live in a large metropolitan area, are organized, and have a very flexibly schedule, it is possible to earn a full time living. It is not easy. Check out the FTC consumer alert: http://www.ftc.gov/bcp/conline/pubs/alerts/mysteryalrt.htm

Pay to become a shopper: NO! You should not have to pay to get a list of mystery shopping companies or pay to become a shopper. Yes, these companies will give you a list from which you might get some jobs, but you can find these on your own and not have to pay. Try www.volition.com or www.mysteryshop.org…both have lists of mystery shopping companies and links to sign up for free.
Just give your opinion on the shops: Mystery shopping usually isn't about your personal opinion. It's about your personal observations. Be objective, follow your instructions, and be factual.

If I can't do it I'll just blow it off: I read this statement from someone recently about signing up for mystery shopping. Please, treat this as a job…the person who scheduled you for that job is relying on you to complete it. It helps some of us experienced shoppers when you drop a job because we get panic messages to complete the jobs with bonuses due to a shopper just "blowing it off". Mystery shoppers are valued for reliability and professionalism, don't sign up if you're not willing to commit.

Some tips about shopping:

Do your homework: Before beginning, research shopping. Go to www.volition.com and read the forums there for tips. There are many experienced shoppers sharing information and glad to help serious newcomers. Please don't ask who shops what company….we all sign contracts with companies about confidentiality. Look up the different companies and see what shoppers have to say about working for them. Some companies are very slow to pay, some are very low paying, and some are having financial trouble…read about it first.

Apply, apply, apply: Ready to try shopping? Research each company that sounds interesting to you and then apply. You can normally apply online. Usually you have to fill out an evaluation of your writing skills. Be clear, be concise, and follow instructions.

Be reliable: Got your first job assignment offer? Okay, make sure you are willing to follow all requirements for the job before agreeing to take it. You don't have to sign up for every one offered, more will come along. Once you sign up for it…DO IT, and do it on time. A scheduler will understand if a true emergency comes up (I've had it happen with a brand new company) but too many "emergencies" and the scheduler will drop you. Schedulers communicate with each other too…so do wrong for one company and you might find it hard to find work.

Here are a few more thoughts on mystery shopping:

Understand that most companies will pay you about 4 weeks after your job is complete, some earlier and some later. This will include any reimbursements you are due for meals or purchases. I've heard objections to getting reimbursed after your job and not being fronted the money. It has to do with what I mentioned above in some ways: reliability. Too many shoppers flake out of jobs for a scheduler to give money up front. That and think of it another way: How many other jobs pay you before your work is done? There are a few companies that will pay within a week or two of job completion. If money is tight, simply don't sign up for reimbursement jobs when you can't afford to wait.

Many industries are shopped. I've done a variety: amusement parks, new home builders, fast food and fine dining, retail, hotels and more. Most shops remain a mystery throughout, but some are revealed shops where you reward someone on the spot for work well done.

The Mystery Shoppers Providers Association offers Silver and Gold certification classes that are legitimate. These do come with a fee and many shoppers swear by these classes. Some companies will give preference if you are certified. It's your call. Personally I have had plenty of work without the certification, but I also do limited work.

You will be signed on as an independent contractor….responsible for your own taxes, insurance, etc. The companies are not you employer, so know your tax requirements.

Mystery shopping can be fun, but it is a job to be taken seriously despite the name. Do you care about the quality of service you receive? Then mystery shopping might be for you.