The Mystery Shopper’s Manual

A statement released by the U.S. Federal Trade Commission says,

MoneyGram International, Inc., the second-largest money transfer service in the United States, will pay $18 million in consumer redress to settle FTC charges that the company allowed its money transfer system to be used by fraudulent telemarketers to bilk U.S. consumers out of tens of millions of dollars. MoneyGram also will be required to implement a comprehensive anti-fraud and agent-monitoring program.

While this is only a fraction of the money stolen by fraudsters using MoneyGram and Western Union transfers, it is a start. (You can read more about the mystery shopper scam here.) …continue reading MoneyGram to Repay $18 Million to Victims of Mystery Shopper Scam and Other Scams

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Most shops require that you get the names of the employees you observed or with whom you interacted. That can be easy if they are wearing name tags.

Of course, you should be subtle about reading name tags. Don’t stare or make a big deal about it. Just look at the name tag, then make eye contact with the employee.

So what can you do when the employee is not wearing a name tag? You may be able to get his or her name in another way. The best method to use depends on the circumstances, and it is important that you do nothing that would seem suspicious or draw attention to you.

Here are some ideas that can help you get the names you need. …continue reading How to Get Names During a Mystery Shop

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Question from a secret shopper:

Do businesses that we shop tell their employees that they will be mystery shopped? I have heard that they do, but that doesn’t make sense to me. If we are supposed to be checking up on them, why tell them that they will get shopped? Do they tell them what we will evaluate them on? And doesn’t that mean that we are more likely to be spotted if the employees know to look for mystery shoppers?

Most businesses that use secret shoppers tell their employees about the program, and there are some very good reasons to do so. …continue reading Do Employees Know They Get Mystery Shopped?

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Suggestive selling, or upselling, involves suggesting additional items when a customer makes a purchase, or encouraging a customer to upgrade to a more expensive option. Perhaps the best-known example of an upsell is when the order taker at a fast food restaurant asks, “Do you want fries with that?” However, upselling is used in almost every kind of business.

Mystery shopping questionnaires may include questions about suggestive selling techniques used by employees. Here are examples of upsells that mystery shoppers may encounter: …continue reading Suggestive Selling and Secret Shopping

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Looking for mystery shopper opportunities?

BestMark Mystery Shopping has teamed up with leading automotive manufacturers to launch a national research study that includes 14,000 lucrative mystery shops in October and November. BestMark has opportunities to both perform the mystery shops and to help recruit others to perform shops in your area. Those who conduct shops for the Automotive Study receive a free minor auto service (oil change, tire rotation, etc.) and a $25-60 cash payment for performing a service evaluation, depending on the vehicle. In addition, by recruiting and referring shoppers to participate in the study, you can earn money and large cash prizes!

What you need to do to get involved:

1. Visit www.bestmark.com/autostudy.htm.
2. Fill out an application – it’s free!
3. Email KeyAutoRecruiter@BestMark.com expressing your interest to get involved in the recruiter / referral program.

Any questions? Contact autostudy@bestmark.com or call 1-800-969-8477.

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Question from a mystery shopper:

How would you handle this?

Most of the time, shoppers are paid according to schedule for the mystery shops they complete. If you are not paid when expected, here are the steps you should follow. …continue reading What Do You Do When You Are Not Paid for a Mystery Shop?

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Question from a mystery shopper:

I am interested in becoming a mystery shopper, but it seems like mystery shopping is for women only. Can I be a mystery shopper even though I am a man?

Sure! In my non-scientific observation, it appears that nearly 90% of mystery shoppers are female, but both men and women can be mystery shoppers. In fact, at times you may have an edge as a male shopper.
…continue reading Can Men Be Secret Shoppers?

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