So You Want To Be a Mystery
Shopper.
Hints and Tips
Please note that the details refer to work in USA but
most information is equally applicable worldwide
Before you begin to apply.
Most companies want the same standard information. If you
prepare your own answers before applying you will have a
much better chance of being selected. The following are the
type of questions you are likely to be asked:
Have you done any Mystery Shopping Before? Describe your
previous mystery shopping experience?
What is your work experience?
State why you would make a good Mystery Shopper. Describe
a recent customer service situation where you and/or others
were involved.
What is more important - reporting on employee's
strengths or weaknesses?
Do you have any special skills that we should consider
for your qualifications (such as foreign language fluency or
others)?
Share with us your specific understanding as to why
mystery shoppers are hired to provide these reports, and
once the client has the report how they might use it.
What motivates you to be involved in our program(s)?
Detail your schedule flexibility. How many reports would
you like to do a month?
Some clients require that two people (and only two)
evaluate the property together. Do you have someone to go
with you? Are they a tag along or would they be active in
helping you? Would they be training with you? Would they be
a regular partner? What are their schedule restrictions?
Give examples of why you consider yourself reliable. Why
does it relate to this type of project?
What restaurants/bars/hotels/clubs do you frequent?
Where? How often? Are there establishments you WON'T visit,
i.e. bars, etc.?
Describe your most humorous or unbelievable experience.
Remember - There are no right or wrong answers. The
companies will want to get the most appropriate match for
their clients and different responses will be applicable to
different circumstances.
Be honest in your replies. Include what will affect your
shopping, example: transportation, fax machine, e-mail
address, and whether you have the ability to accept last
minute shops may increase your desirability.
Internet Applications - Many of the bigger companies have
websites. If you have Internet access, visit the companies'
website to find out about them and follow their directions
to apply. Frequently you will be able to sign up on-line. If
you do not have internet access, check your local library or
college.
Postal Addresses - Send a letter of interest to these
companies along with the reason as to why you would be a
good Mystery Shopper. They may have an 800 number to call,
but they prefer that you send your application by mail. Most
don't have the resources to handle hundreds of calls a day.
Most companies have clients nationwide so after you
express your interest in being a Mystery Shopper for them,
inquire if they will have work in your area before sending
them anything.
NOTE: After you have done your first shop, you are now an
experienced mystery shopper and that can get you MORE SHOPS
at other companies. Send out more letters of introduction or
reapply with your new shopping experience included.
Basic Information for New Mystery Shoppers
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.
This is a serious business and the marketing companies
depend on mystery shoppers to follow through on their
commitments. 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 contract with.
Sometimes this can take 5 minutes or an hour depending on
the information required. Your pay can be a reimbursed meal,
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, Mail
out a letter of introduction and lastly call. Most companies
don't have the manpower to answer all the calls and prefer
to have another means to connect with you. For a list of
companies and other online resources see the
attached list.
What Makes 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.
Good Mystery Shoppers get great pleasure in watching all
the checks come rolling in as payment for the joy of
shopping.
What does not make a good Mystery Shopper
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 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.
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.
Here is a check list that you will want to use with each
new shop.
When You Accept an Assignment 1. Verify the PAY you will
receive for the assignment (ask if they reimburse mileage)
2. Verify the date and times the shop needs to be done by.
3. Verify how the report is to be returned. By.... fax?
postal mail? e-mail? 4. Verify the location's address AND
phone so you can be sure to find it. 5. Do not call the
location for directions on the day of the shop.(unless
instructed to do so) 6 Make a few extra copies of the blank
evaluation report in case you need to recopy a report or get
an emergency last minute shop.
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, block, and 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 casette-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, you would use full-figure for women
and/or husky for men, pale medium blonde/brown hair versus
dishwater blonde.
All reports must be mailed in within 24 hours unless
otherwise stated. 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.
Don't hesitate to call the company if something unusual
happens. They want you to be successful and will assist you
with any questions you may have.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q. Am I allowed to work for more than one Mystery
Shopping Company at a time?
A. Yes, but you must adhere to each company's
confidentiality policies and not share information between
them.
Q. What if there are no companies in my area?
A. The location of the company matters less than the
location of the clients business. You can apply to any
company regardless of where they are physically located.
Many of these companies have shops nationwide.
Q. What if I'm not their "type"?
A. A living, breathing consumer is their type. The needs
of the clients are in many areas and few are weeded out. If
you keep contacting companies you will not be disappointed.
Q. They asked me to send them money for the application,
should I?
A. Not necessarily, We have never "PAID" to shop for any
of the companies that we have worked for. There are
exceptions. If they ask you to send money, find out what you
are getting in return for this fee. Critique International
charges a $2.00 filing fee. Sony Theaters charges a $25.00
fee to enroll, but you also receive $100 value in tickets
and food.
Q. I have a vacation planned and won't be available,
should I contact the companies I work with?
A. By all means YES! Ask them if they have work in the
area you will be visiting IF you are sure you can fit the
shop into your schedule. You might get a free hotel stay for
filling out an evaluation or several free meals.
Q. I contacted a whole bunch of companies but I haven't
heard anything back yet, why?
A. Not every MS company has the manpower to reply to each
inquiry, so normally they will only contact you if they have
a shop in your area or need you to fill out an application.
Be patient, soon you will have more than enough work.
Q. I was called for an assignment but I had to turn it
down, will this hurt my chances of more jobs?
A. The more jobs you say yes to, the more companies will
call you again when they have a job in your area.
Q. Do I have to claim my earnings as income and pay
taxes?
A. You are a independent contractor and will be
responsible for keeping accurate records. You must claim the
income you make if you are paid a minimum of $700 for the
year regardless of the different companies you worked for.
Individual companies that have paid you $600.00 or more will
send you a form 1099. Keep copies of all your receipts and
keep track of your mileage. These are all deductible.
Consult your local tax preparer for the specific laws in
your state.
