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Cathy Stucker has been a mystery shopper since 1995. She is the author of The Mystery Shopper's Manual.
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Shoppers are often concerned about having to give their Social Security Numbers to so many companies–especially when they have to share the information online. Should you be concerned about identity theft? And what can you do to protect yourself? …continue reading Identity Theft and Mystery Shopping
The Mystery Shopping Providers Association (MSPA) has announced two live chat events for Gold and Silver Certified Shoppers in the next few weeks. …continue reading MSPA Hosts Live Chats For Certified Shoppers
The only thing worse than a requirement that you enter a minimum number of characters in your report comments is a limit on the number of characters you may enter. You have just written a great report with lots of juicy comments, and when you hit “submit”: GRRRRRR! The dreaded “You have exceeded the limit of 250 characters.” Why don’t they want to know everything you found? …continue reading When They Limit Your Comments
Most of the questions on mystery shop reports have three possible answers: Yes, No or N/A. When is it appropriate to check N/A and when should you not select that answer? …continue reading When to Answer NA
Lots of shoppers ask me what Digital Voice Recorder (DVR) I use. It happens that I bought a new one a few months ago, and I love it! It has everything a mystery shopper could want and more. …continue reading Buying a Digital Voice Recorder
It is called “secret” shopping for a reason. It is critical to maintain secrecy while doing the shop, but confidentiality requirements demand that shoppers also refrain from sharing confidential and proprietary information of the mystery shopping company and the client. This seems obvious, but lots of shoppers seem to have trouble understanding the need for confidentiality. …continue reading Secret Shopping and Confidentiality
Secret shopping requires good writing skills and command of proper spelling, grammar and punctuation. Do you struggle over “me” and “I”? Get frustrated trying to figure out “lay” and “lie”? Are you completely flummoxed by “less” and “fewer”? You can get the answers to these and other grammar dilemmas in an entertaining podcast. …continue reading Fun Grammar Help
