The Mystery Shopper’s Manual

Nobody likes spam emails, but something you may be doing to avoid spam can also keep those all-important mystery shopper job offers out of your inbox. I am talking about using a challenge/response anti-spam program.

Here is how it works: You sign up for a service such as Spam Arrest that uses a challenge/response system. Whenever someone sends you an email for the first time after you begin using the system, the email is not delivered to you. Instead, the sender receives an email saying that they have to click on a link, go to a website and enter a code. Only then will the email reach your inbox. If the email sender does not confirm by clicking on the link and entering the code, the email never gets to you.

Sounds great. The spammers won’t take the time to do this, so you don’t get any more spam. The problem is that …continue reading The Email Mistake That Costs You Mystery Shopper Jobs

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Most mystery shopper jobs require that you submit a receipt or some other documentation (such as a business card) for an assignment to be complete. Some may require that you mail the original to them, but most of the time the mystery shopping company requests that you upload a scan or digital photo of the receipt.

Here are some suggestions for getting a good quality image of the receipt to submit with your report.

First of all, pay attention to the guidelines and submit the receipt as requested. The guidelines will always supercede any general information, such as these tips.

Some companies will want your name and/or shopper ID on the receipt. If so, write it neatly on the receipt.
…continue reading Submitting Mystery Shop Receipts

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Most mystery shoppers spend a lot of time online. We all know that there are dangers on the Internet, but it is possible to keep yourself safe. In this post, my friend Leo Notenboom explains some simple things you can do to avoid online security threats.

This is a guest post by Leo Notenboom of Ask Leo!

Internet safety seems like an oxymoron these days with all the threats aimed at our computers. Staying safe online doesn’t have to be difficult, and this article covers the basic steps that every computer user should take. The phrase “Internet Safety” often seems like an oxymoron. Every day we hear of new threats aimed at our internet connected personal computers which seems to just make it that much harder to actually stay safe while connected online.
…continue reading Stay Safe Online – 7 + 1 Steps to Internet Safety and Security For Your PC

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Although anyone can make a mistake during a mystery shop visit, there are some mistakes that are completely avoidable. Here are ten mistakes that can derail your shopping career, but can be easily avoided with proper preparation and attention to detail.

Failure to read the guidelines and form before the visit. In order to know what you need to do, you need to review the client’s guidelines and the report form you will complete after the shop visit. Without this preparation you won’t know what questions to ask, observations to make, required purchases, etc.

Going to the wrong location. Believe it or not, this happens all the time. There are many clients that have multiple locations in the same area. When shoppers do not verify the address they may end up at the wrong one. Even worse, some shoppers go to a location of another business, not the client.
…continue reading Mystery Shopper Mistakes – Top 10 Visit Mistakes

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The Salisbury (North Carolina) Post reports that when employees of a Jersey Mike’s Subs were suspected of stealing cash, a secret shopper was sent in to do an integrity mystery shop to check it out. The secret shopper made a purchase with cash and observed that the employees did not ring up the sale and put the money into the register.

After further investigation, the sub shop has filed a report with local police. Arrests are expected in the case.

Although this mystery shop was done because the business was aware of a potential problem, sometimes the first indication of trouble comes when an integrity mystery shop identifies possible employee theft.

Integrity mystery shops are different from typical mystery shops in that instead of checking things such as cleanliness, courtesy and sales skills, they are done to verify that employees are behaving honestly.
…continue reading Secret Shopper Catches Embezzler

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Scammers are taking advantage of technology to find new ways of scamming people. According to this story by consumer reporter Jeff Ehling at abc13/Houston, scammers are reaching out to potential victims with text messages.

Several people have reported getting text messages offering mystery shopper jobs paying $50 an hour. Tempting, but what do we know about things that sound too good to be true? That’s right: They usually are too good to be true.

People who respond to the text message by calling the phone number given are asked for personal information, including credit card and bank account numbers. (Note: real mystery shopping companies do ask for personal information, including Social Security Numbers, but they do not recruit by sending random text messages and they do not guarantee $50 an hour.)

If you receive a text message offering $50 an hour (or some other ridiculous amount of money) to mystery shop, do not respond. Just hit delete.

Scammers are always looking for new victims. Don’t let them find you.

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On a typical mystery shopper job, you may be asked to make a purchase and pay for it out of pocket. Your payment for the assignment often includes reimbursement for the purchase, based on what you were offered when you accepted the assignment.

Most of the time, you have options about how you pay for the purchase. Here is what you need to consider when making a purchase during a mystery shopper assignment.

What do the guidelines say? In some cases, the client wants you to use a specific method of payment. They may want you to pay in cash or they may say to use a credit card. When they specify a method of payment, use that method of payment. The client has a reason for requiring it. It may have to do with making sure the transaction is handled properly or it may be so they can more precisely locate the transaction to verify that you were there at the right day and time. Or it may be because you will definitely get a receipt with a charge purchase, while you may not be offered a receipt if you pay with cash. The reason doesn’t matter. What matters is what the guidelines say you should do.
…continue reading Mystery Shops and Paying for Purchases

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Lots of people are cutting expenses, but still want to have a summer adventure. They may be choosing a “staycation” and having fun without leaving town, over a vacation involving trips far away from home. Mystery shopping can help you have a fun and rewarding staycation.

A mystery shopping staycation means working during your adventure—there are observations to make and reports to write—and you have to take your mystery shopping assignments seriously, even if you are thinking vacation. But you can have fun you might not be easily able to afford without mystery shopping. Here are a few ideas.

Take a break from cooking. Do a few fast food shops and give the kids their favorite food while you take a vacation from the kitchen.

Have a special dinner with your honey. Many companies offer restaurant mystery shops at upscale casual dining and fine dining establishments. Even if dining out isn’t in your budget, you can have a wonderful dinner by doing a dining mystery shop.
…continue reading Your Mystery Shopping Staycation

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On Saturday, September 10, 2011, the Mystery Shopping Providers Association (MSPA) is bringing their Mystery Shopper Gold Certification Workshop to Dallas, Texas.

I will again be presenting the Gold Certification Workshop. The workshop includes participation in exercises designed to help shoppers practice their observation and reporting skills. In addition, participants have the opportunity to network with other shoppers and representatives from mystery shopping companies. Following attendance at the workshops, participants must pass an online examination before being awarded Gold Certification. Shoppers must be Silver Certified by the MSPA before registering for the Gold Workshop.
…continue reading MSPA Gold Workshop Returns to Texas

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