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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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Mystery shopping is a lonely business. We work on our own and spend lots of time in front of the computer, looking for assignments and entering reports.
When we do get together with other people, we have to watch what we say so we don’t violate our confidentiality agreements. But it doesn’t really matter, because even if we could talk about what we do, they wouldn’t really understand. Getting paid to shop? That sounds like a pretty cushy gig to most people. …continue reading Networking with Other Secret Shoppers
Question from a secret shopper:
I am going to move to another state in about six months. Should I start applying to mystery shopping companies now, and take assignments in my present location, or should I wait until after I move to get started? Would applying now be a waste of time? …continue reading Moving Soon - When Should I Apply to Mystery Shopping Companies?
While doing a mystery shop, you overhear a conversation between employees where they use obscenities. Or, worse, an employee curses while talking to you. Should you include it in the report? And if you do, should you actually put “those words” in your report?
What if the employees are not the ones swearing, but other customers? Should that go in your report?
It seems that the language gets coarser every day, and people say things in public that they would not have said even in private many years ago. I am convinced that some people are so accustomed to swearing that they do not even notice when they drop an f-bomb in a public place. Therefore, it should come as no surprise when you run in to employees or other customers cursing up a storm.
Here are some tips on when you should mention the use of offensive language in your secret shopping reports, and what you should say. …continue reading Bad Language and Secret Shopper Reports
Mystery shops of apartment complexes are designed to test the rental consultant’s sales skills. Often, the shops are targeted, meaning that you will be asked to make an appointment to visit with a specific rental agent.
During the visit you will do the things that a person looking for apartment normally does. You’ll talk about your needs, look at apartments and listen to the agent present the features and benefits of the apartment complex. If you have ever rented an apartment, you should have no problem conducting an apartment mystery shop.
Here are some tips to help make your next apartment mystery shop go smoothly. …continue reading Apartment Mystery Shopping Tips
If you pay quarterly estimated income taxes, remember that your third-quarter estimated tax payment (using form 1040-ES) for 2008 is due on September 15, 2008. Not sure if this applies to you? Here’s what you need to know. …continue reading Estimated Income Tax Payment Due September 15, 2008
One of the things I love about mystery shopping is that many shops include a purchase allowance or reimbursement. That allows me to get something I would normally pay for in return for doing the shop.
Restaurants are special favorites of mine. My husband and I love to go out to eat, so getting our dinners paid for is nice compensation for the secret shop.
Several years ago, I did a lot of grocery shops where I received a generous reimbursement when buying groceries. I used them to buy my usual groceries and to stock up on non- perishables such as soap and paper products, things I had to buy anyway.
Many mystery shoppers look at these perks and benefits of mystery shopping as getting things ‘free.’ They are not truly free because you earn them with the time you put in doing the shop and report, but they can be good compensation.
The danger is that feeling that you are getting something for nothing can lead you to overspend on mystery shops. …continue reading Don’t Be a Big Spender on Mystery Shops
It would seem that a simple way to explain what something was like would be to compare it to something else. We do that all the time: “The movie was kind of like When Harry Met Sally, but not as funny.”
However, unless specifically requested, you should avoid making comparisons in your mystery shop reports. Reports should include only information about what occurred during your visit, and should not reference any experience outside of that time and place.
Let’s look at some examples of what you should NOT put in your reports. …continue reading Avoid Comparisons in Your Mystery Shop Reports
One of the ways I have found to increase my mystery shopper pay is by using reward credit cards to pay for my reimbursed expenses whenever I can. In fact, I use credit cards to pay for almost everything I buy, whether I am mystery shopping or not. As a result, I get hundreds of dollars worth of free gift cards and more every year.
This strategy must be used properly, or it could backfire—big time! Here are the steps you need to take to earn more with reward programs. …continue reading Increase Your Mystery Shopper Pay with Rewards
Question from a mystery shopper:
My husband and I are retired, and we think mystery shopping would be fun. I would love to be a mystery shopper, but I am concerned they might think we are too old.
Is there an age limit for mystery shoppers?
…continue reading Is There an Age Limit for Mystery Shoppers?
