SQM recently answered some questions about mystery shopping for them. Here is what they had to say.

Describe the ideal shopper.

We have shoppers all around the world, ranging from ages 18 an older. Most shoppers do have some education background, usually a minimum of high school completion. Generally though, we do not have a specific description of a shopper. We look for individuals that are mature, reliable and detail oriented. Most importantly, someone eager to get started who has a flexible schedule.

What types of shops does your company do? What types of reports are used?

We have shops in the following industries:  Fast Food, Restaurant, Accommodations, Transportation, Auto – Sales and Service, Health/Exercise/Beauty, Parking, Retail – Clothing, Shoes, Sport, Department Stores, Electronics, etc., Telecommunications,  Events, Banking, Associations, etc.

We choose our questionnaires based upon the industry and style or type of evaluation being completed. We use everything from tick-box, dialogue list, short narrative and long narrative. We rarely use standardized forms, opting to customize each questionnaire to the needs of the client and their specific project.

What is the best way for a new shopper to get in the door and get a first assignment?

SQM needs Mystery Shoppers daily! It is surprising to many people how easy it is to become a mystery shopper. On our website www.sqm.ca there is a link “become a shopper.” All applicants must click the link, fill out the application and wait to be approved. There is no fee and it is easy to do at home, or anywhere with Internet access.

How long after a shop are your shoppers typically paid? Do you use/require PayPal? Do you plan to?

Payments are sent out in batches and received promptly after assignment completion. The majority of our shoppers use the direct deposit method, however, we also have the option of receiving a cheque.

How can shoppers qualify for your best (highest-paying and most interesting and enjoyable) shop assignments?

We have criteria that must be met to quality for our best shop assignments:

1)History -  We look at shoppers past records. Everything from their grammar, to their notes as well as their records with deadlines.
2)Demonstrate willingness to go – When a shopper is contacted they are ready and accept assignments.
3)Flexibility- We look for individuals that are able to complete an assignment during specific times.
4) STEP – Shopper Training Educational Program – the SQM training program  which has levels 1-9.  The higher the level a shopper achieves, the better the opportunities.

We maintained a record on each shopper and later, these attributes are used to determine who qualifies for any given assignment.

What are the biggest challenges facing mystery shopping companies today?

It is difficult for Mystery Shopping companies to recruit Mystery Shoppers. Currently there are many scams, where the returns “look too good to be true” and people get taken advantage of. When people hear about these experiences they become nervous about signing up and are no longer are interested in the opportunity. Our challenge is being able to stand out from these companies that scam shoppers and attract those that are truly interested in participating in mystery shopping with an honest company.

What do you see as the future direction of mystery shopping?

We believe that companies in the service industry will continue and increase their use of Mystery Shopping to monitor their brand standards. We predict an increase because these companies realize that while comment cards and feedback are great, they do not give detailed information directly about their brand standards. Because we predict an increase in use as well as understanding and importance of Mystery Shopping, we also believe that the qualifications of Mystery Shoppers will improve. It is also important to note that while Mystery Shopping companies don’t have unlimited funds, once there is an increase of Mystery Shopping,  payment will also increase, and only the best will be hired.

Anything else you want to add?

Some advice to all shoppers out there is be cautious but not scared of mystery shopping. There are plenty of legitimate mystery shopping companies and the industry is growing and will continue to do so.

Thank you to the folks at SQM for taking the time to answer our questions. You can learn more about SQM, and apply to be a mystery shopper for them, at http://sqm.ca/.

Melinda Brody and Company

Melinda Brody, President of Melinda Brody and Company, Inc, recently answered some questions about being a video mystery shopper for her company. Here is what she had to say:

Describe the ideal shopper.

An ideal shopper is someone who is resourceful, thinks on their feet, very detail oriented, good with technical equipment, open to learn technical equipment and can trouble shoot when on the road and something goes wrong. Also someone who can subtly keep the shop on track and not meander onto a different subject that ends up taking the shop outside our 90 minute limit. Our average shop time is 42 minutes for a home builder shop

What training does a video mystery shopper need to have?

We support video training courses to train our shoppers such as Undercover Essentials, LLC run by Carrie Porhammer. She is conducting workshops nationwide to specifically train shoppers on video. Check out her site at http://undercoveressentials.org/

What types of shops does your company do? What types of reports are used?

Our company does 99% home shops. We do not require a report. Our reviewers score the video.All the shopper does is film and upload. We also have phone, internet , design center and competition shops . Occasionally, the shopper will be required to write a report because we don’t tape comp shops and also some clients are still unsure about video. We do try to convert them and once they try video, they never go back to written.

Are shoppers required to buy their own video equipment to do video mystery shops?

Shoppers need to have their own equipment as Independent Contractors. We lease the equipment and also are currently selling some of our used set ups.

What is the best way for a new shopper to get in the door and get a first assignment?

The best way to get in the door and get a first assignment is to be a trained video shopper or take Carrie’s class and become trained. Purchase equipment and commit to running your shopping as a small business.

How long after a shop are your shoppers typically paid? Do you use/require PayPal? Do you plan to?

Our shoppers are paid 30 days from the time the shop is processed. We offer PayPal but it is not required.

What is your biggest problem/pet peeve with shoppers?

Biggest pet peeve is “flakes.” This is taking an assignment and not following through. Waiting until the last minute to review things. A shopper called me the day of a shop (she was assigned 4) to ask me questions on equipment. She needed to be prepared several days prior to the day of the shops.

Any funny shopper stories?

When I started (1986), a shopper walked in and found a new home salesperson on the floor. She called me and thought he was dead. She went back in and heard him snore as he was FAST ASLEEP! Not a good day to be shopped.

At another shop we encountered a female rushing out to greet us looking very disheveled. We heard a male voice leaving through the back door. They were on a *date*!!

Another was my shopper was with a salesperson who, while demonstrating the rear of the home, fell in the pool. The salesperson jumped out and kept on talking!

What do you want shoppers to know?

Don’t be afraid of video shopping! If you tell yourself  “this is difficult,” it will be. You do not have to do written shops to prepare for video. We have hired friends and people from an ad with absolutely no shopping experience and right out of the gate, they did great.

There is a learning curve involved but they are higher paid shops with no report and once you get the hang of it, you’ll love it.

Thanks, Melinda, for taking the time to answer our questions. If you want to be a video mystery shopper for Melinda Brody and Company, you can apply here.

Shana Cyr, VP of Sales for Impact Marketing, recently answered some questions about mystery shopping for them. Here is what she had to say:

What types of shops does your company do?
Impact Marketing specializes in video mystery shopping primarily for new home builders.

Describe the ideal shopper.
Technically inclined, easy-going, flexible, detail-oriented, trust worthy, organized, quick on your feet and must have common sense.

Does your company recognize MSPA certification?
We are now joining MSPA and are excited to have the opportunity to work with silver and gold certified shoppers!

What types of reports are used?
Our shoppers are not required to fill out a report. Because our shops are on video, they are evaluated by trained “scorers” in order to keep reports as consistent as possible.

Are shoppers required to buy their own video equipment to do video mystery shops?
Our shoppers are not required to buy their own equipment but it is a bonus and a shopper with their own reliable equipment will be more likely to be given assignments.

How long after a shop are your shoppers typically paid?
Checks are mailed twice a month.

What is your biggest problem/pet peeve with shoppers?
Communication is key! We like to work very closely with our shoppers and make sure they are asking questions when they don’t understand certain instructions.

What are the biggest challenges facing mystery shopping companies today?
One of our biggest challenges is recruiting and retaining reliable shoppers.

Anything else you want to add?
Video mystery shopping is not for everyone but if you are dedicated and up for the challenge, it can be a very fun way to make extra money!

Thanks to Shana for taking the time to answer our questions. You can learn more about Impact Marketing, and apply to be a mystery shopper for them, at http://www.impact-mrkt.com/contact_shopperapplication.htm

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.

Here is what Amy and the staff had to say about mystery shopping for Goodwin & Associates.

Describe the ideal shopper.

The “ideal” shopper is one who is careful to read and follow ALL instructions, completes their visit and their report on time, with receipts turned in, too! The “ideal” shopper also writes a detailed and well-written report. Beyond those two concepts, it would be even more impressive if the shopper was comfortable with the Prophet reporting system and was able to self-assign their own visits, access the instructions and forms, and submit the report without issues.

What types of shops does your company do? What types of reports are used?

We have expanded tremendously over the course of the past year and now offer shops in a wide variety including the ones below:

• Restaurant shops for breakfast, brunch, lunch, and dinner
• Quick-service restaurant shops, including dine-in, take-out, and delivery shops
• Bar loss prevention shops
• Phone shops for hotels, catering calls, banks, and retail
• Overnight hotel stays
• Ski experience shops
• Golfing experience shops
• Movie Theater shops
• Tanning Salon shop
• Bank shops
• Retail shops
• Children’s play facility shops
• Internship evaluation shops
• Aquarium shops

What is the best way for a new shopper to get in the door and get a first assignment?

The best way for a new shopper to get in the door would be to register as a shopper on our website (www.mysteryshopperprogram.com). Once registered, the shopper should log into their account on a semi-frequent basis to find shops in their area. We prefer to fill the majority of our shops using the auto-generated notification emails and self-scheduling and we only reach out by phone or email when it gets later in the shopping period.

How can shoppers qualify for your best (highest-paying and most interesting and enjoyable) shop assignments?

The best way for a shopper to get the most desirable shops is for them to build up a history of being a solid, reliable shopper. Once we are familiar with the fact that they do good work, we would be more likely to use them.

What is your biggest problem/pet peeve with shoppers?

One of our biggest issues are shoppers who accept visits and do not complete them. Many shoppers do not understand the importance of completing visits on their scheduled dates/times. These dates and times are extremely important to our clients so when they are not completed appropriately, we are not fulfilling our obligations to the client.

The other biggest pet peeves come from incomplete or poorly written shop reports. It is frustrating when shoppers do not take into consideration that their job is more than just going on the visit, and that they are expected to write a useful and well-written report. We understand that not every single question can be answered in great length, but do appreciate those who put an obvious effort into writing their reports.

What are the biggest challenges facing mystery shopping companies today?

The biggest challenges facing mystery shopping have to do with the economy. Most mystery shopping deals with services that the everyday person is trying to cut back on in these hard times, (i.e./ dining out, going to the movies, making purchases, etc.). It is harder to find clients who are still willing to pay for this type of seemingly “unnecessary” service. The fact of the matter is, tight times are when mystery shopping is even more critical to our clients. The public is being more selective about when and where they will bother to spend money. If a restaurant is not providing a good product and great service, they are going to lose those opportunities to capture that business.

Another entirely different challenge is that the idea of mystery shopping is so often overshadowed by the scam companies who have ruined the business for many. I speak with many shoppers who admit their hesitance to start actually shopping because they have heard horror stories. We all urge shoppers to go to the MSPA website to verify the companies that they work for, but for many, the idea of shopping is lost as soon as they hear the first scam story.

What do you want shoppers to know–what will make them more valuable to your company?

Always be reliable, honest and upfront with your scheduler. Be honest with yourself and your capabilities. Do not take on more than you can handle. It is better to do a great job on 5 shops and get paid for all of them, than it is to do a poor or below average job on 10 shops and risk not being paid.

Always read every single line of the shop instructions REGARDLESS of whether or not you have done the same or similar shops in the past. Instructions can change from month to month. We have to throw out an alarming number of reports because the shopper did not follow instructions.

Lastly, be AVAILABLE. Often times we need to contact the shopper about something that was said in the report, or to obtain a receipt, or a variety of other reasons. Many times shoppers get right back to us with their answers to our questions. Many times we have to chase people down via email and voice mail days after they turned in the report.

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Thanks again to Amy and everyone at Goodwin for taking the time to answer our questions. You can apply to Goodwin & Associates at http://www.mysteryshopperprogram.com.

Ralph Fontaine

Here is what you need to know about being a secret shopper for GfK Mystery Shopping.

Describe the ideal shopper.
At GfK we have several different types of programs that require shoppers with diverse skill sets, but the number one most important quality any shopper can have is reliability. When a shopper proves that we can count on them, our schedulers feel comfortable trusting them with higher numbers of shops, as well as new or different shops. We also appreciate shoppers who understand modern Mystery Shopping, are able to take/upload digital photos, and who scan/upload shop verification documentation such as receipts. Our best shoppers are those who are also very good with time management. They know how many shops they can do in any given period and only schedule those they know they can complete. We feel lucky to have so many shoppers whose experience, dedication, and attention to detail makes our programs successful month after month.

What is the best way for a new shopper to get in the door and get a first assignment?
Our registration process is very easy, and anyone can get started in just a few minutes by going to www.cybershoppersonline.com and clicking on “Apply Online”. Once you have completed your registration, you will be entered in our database, and will receive email notifications whenever we have shops available in your area. You can also log in anytime to take a look at shops on your “Visits Available” page and accept or decline them.

The most important thing you can do as a new shopper is when you accept your first shop for us — complete it correctly and promptly.

How can shoppers qualify for your best shop assignments?
Shoppers should give 110% on every shop, complete their shops as scheduled, and report their shops completely (including file uploads) within the shop timeframes and provide quality report data. These are the shoppers our schedulers go to every time we have higher-paying/more interesting shops.

How long after a shop are your shoppers typically paid? Do you use or require PayPal?
GfK only pays by PayPal, and payment is typically received by the shopper about two to three weeks after successful submission of the shop. We take shopper payment very seriously and strive to pay shoppers as quickly as possible.

How is your company helping shoppers deal with the high price of gasoline?
We encourage shoppers to group shops together, and our schedulers are happy to help shoppers plan a route that will allow them to get as many shops done as possible during a single trip. We also ask shoppers to contact their scheduler if they are planning an out-of-town trip, so that they can be offered shops in the area where they are going.

What do you want shoppers to know–what will make them more valuable to your company?
At GfK, we stand by our Shopper Bill of Rights and work to build a strong professional team of shoppers. Mystery Shoppers are our greatest asset and we take shopper loyalty and communication very seriously. We know that it is our job to provide complete and clear shop materials and objectives. When shoppers truly understand the shop and its objectives they are able to complete the assignments correctly. What we ask of our shoppers is that they take the time to familiarize themselves with the details of their shop and ask any questions before they conduct the shop. Our clients hire us, but our shoppers keep those clients happy by: completing the work as scheduled, being careful to enter all data correctly, and uploading necessary shop verification materials. This creates a mutually beneficial relationship that we value and strive to build on at every opportunity.

You can view our Shopper Bill of Rights on our website https://www.cybershoppersonline.com/postlogin/ShopperBillofRights.pdf.

Anything else you want to add? Advice? Funny shopper stories?
Here’s one of my favorite funny shopper stories from one of our Field Managers. (This shows another characteristic that’s valuable for a shopper that I didn’t mention above — a great sense of humor!)

“We had a shopper doing a road trip, heading up to a gas station in Death Valley, CA and picking up other shops along the way. A couple of weeks later, I got a postcard from her with a lizard on the front. On the back she had written, ‘Q 8.0 – Was the associate in uniform? If no, please explain.’ Her answer was, ‘Not only was he not in uniform, he did not have a name tag, he was not wearing ANY clothes, and he was eating bugs. Plus he stuck his tongue out at me. Very rude.’ I still have this postcard hanging on the wall of my cubicle!”

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If you would like to be a mystery shopper for GfK, go to http://www.cybershoppersonline.com/.

Well, no, I can’t. The companies that I think are the best might be useless to you. Here are some of the things to consider when deciding which mystery shopping companies are the best for you.

What types of industries do they mystery shop? Most companies say on their websites what industries they serve. Some work with a broad range of industries, while others are more specialized. If you don’t like to do bank shops, a company that specializes in the financial industry is not a good match.

Where do they have assignments? You can not always tell from looking at the website where a company’s clients are located, but there may be clues. Some will say where they have a pressing need for new shoppers, and some may say where their clients are concentrated. Of course, they could land a new national client tomorrow, and all of that changes. Tip: Sometimes companies have more clients in the city or state where they are headquartered. Although I have worked with companies all over the country, you might start by applying to companies located near you.

What do other shoppers say about them? Although confidentiality agreements prohibit us from talking about client-specific issues, we may share information about our experiences with mystery shopping companies. Check out forums (such as Volition or MSPA) to see what other shoppers are saying about mystery shopping companies. If one shopper complains, I would take it with a grain of salt; however, if many have the same issue, there is likely a problem there.

Do they belong to the MSPA? Although there are many good companies that have chosen not to join MSPA, knowing that a company is a member makes me comfortable with them.

So how do you know which companies are “best”? Short answer: It is not always easy to tell, until you start to work with them. Even then, you may not know about some really amazing clients they have, because you will not know about those mystery shopper jobs until you have successfully completed several assignments with the mystery shopping provider.

The course of action I recommend is to apply to as many companies as you can, start picking up assignments here and there and see how it goes. Many shoppers end up do assignments for a few of the same companies nearly every month, with assignments from other companies sprinkled in now and then. If you find that a company never offers shops that are interesting to you, or doesn’t have anything in your area, you can deactivate yourself, stop their emails, or just ignore them.

For great advice on a process that makes applying to mystery shopping providers fast and easy, see the Quick Start Action Plan in The Mystery Shopper’s Manual.

Here is what Elaine had to say about mystery shopping for Confero.

Describe the ideal shopper.
Whew! That’s a tall order. Let’s see….

Most important characteristics would be observant and dependable.

Most important skills would be the ability to read and follow guidelines carefully and to submit comments on the online survey form.

Many people are observant but don’t write well. Others write well and aren’t observant. For us, observant wins every time. Although we encourage shoppers to proofread  their work and use the spell check feature prior to submission, we are able to edit grammar and spelling. We can’t edit a shop in which the shopper failed to make the required observations.

Does your company recognize MSPA certification? What advantage does a Silver shopper have over non-certified? Gold over Silver? Do you recognize any other certifications?
Yes. We recognize MSPA shopper certification. Confero gives scheduling priority as follows:

1. Shoppers who have experience on a particular project.
2. When new shoppers are needed for a project, we search for Gold certified shoppers.
3. If no Gold certificated shoppers are available, we search for Silver.

We do not recognize any other certifications.

What types of shops does your company do? What types of reports are used?
Confero conducts shops in restaurants, retailers, banks and automotive service establishments. Some venues may be challenging, such a military bases, post-security at airports, amusement parks, institutional restaurants and college campuses. Our forms usually require detail, including comments, but most don’t require long narratives. We have been in business for 22 years and we don’t shy away from projects with challenging locations. We also do thousands of on-the-spot reward shops each year.

What is the best way for a new shopper to get in the door and get a first assignment?
Log into our system and visit the Job Board. When you enroll, take the time to compose a good writing sample in your profile.  This is the first thing a scheduler will look at when choosing a new shopper.  Please continue to request shops. As new locations become available or experienced shoppers become unavailable, you will have a chance to conduct your first shop for Confero.

How can shoppers qualify for your best (highest-paying and most interesting and enjoyable) shop assignments?
To get the best shops, conduct any assignment you agree to perform for us well (on time, follow our guidelines, report thoroughly). Your rating will rise in our system and our schedulers will reward you with the most lucrative or enjoyable shop offers.

How long after a shop are your shoppers typically paid? Do you use/require PayPal?
Confero pays shoppers on or around the 25th of each month for the prior month’s shops. For example, September shops were paid on October 25th. We pay only by PayPal.

How is your company helping shoppers deal with the high price of gasoline? 
All our shoppers are independently contracted and are therefore free to conduct assignments for multiple companies. This is really one of the best solutions to overall cost issues. We do allow shoppers to conduct multiple shops for us in one day. However, if we allow more than one shop of the same type of location (for example, two grocery store shops) and then the shopper mixes up the data in any way, we cannot accept or pay for either report.

We have given our schedulers as much flexibility as possible to work with shoppers on due dates. That’s a two way street, though. If we allow for extensions to better suit a driving route a shopper wants to take, we must have confidence that the shopper will actually come through in time for us to meet our deadline obligations to our clients.

What is your biggest problem/pet peeve with shoppers?
Failure to follow the guidelines. Our shops are not about “being an average customer and providing feedback”. Confero’s shops are about looking and listening for specific items or employee behaviors.  Few of our shops ask only for shopper opinion; most ask only for shopper observation. If the guidelines require a rest room visit, the shop is invalid without one. If all shoppers are required to order a specific fast food hamburger so we can compare quality, don’t order a fish sandwich.

What are the biggest challenges facing mystery shopping companies today?
Clients want to pay less; shoppers want to make more. Fraudulent shoppers.

What do you see as the future direction of mystery shopping?
Increased shopper qualifications.

Confero will do more on-the-spot reward mystery shops, as these work well to increase sales for clients.

What do you want shoppers to know–what will make them more valuable to your company? 
Please give the shop the same respect you would give to your own performance review. Our clients and their employees deserve a report on observations that is reported accurately and fairly. This requires following the guidelines so that all the clients’ units are shopped the same way. Shoppers are part of the success or failure of any mystery shopping company. We value feedback from shoppers about the shop survey form, the online system, ways to make their jobs easier, etc.

Anything else you want to add? Advice? Funny shopper stories?
Every now and then, a really funny comment will come from a shopper report. It’s usually just a dangling participle but the end result is some much-needed humor around our office.  Examples include, “The remains of the previous customer were on the table” and “I saw a big bag of produce leaving  with an employee.” Both of those examples conjure interesting mental pictures.

If you would like to become a mystery shopper for Confero, you may apply at their web site. Elaine says, “We have re-launched our website with additional content for clients and shoppers alike.  The changes have made our website even more user-friendly and easier to navigate.  Our online reporting system, COMPASS, is based upon the Sassie system. The system has some modifications to suit Confero’s process. We invite shoppers to visit the site at www.conferoinc.com and encourage them to start logging into COMPASS from our main Confero website. This will ensure that shoppers don’t miss out on important announcements and information.”

Jodi Manfredi, President of Examine Your Practice, recently shared information with other MSPA member companies about the ins and outs of medical mystery shopping. The information she presented about healthcare mystery shopping, and what secret shoppers need to know about it, is summarized here with her permission.

According to Jodi, the purpose of medical mystery shopping is not to judge clinical skills, such as whether the doctor made a good diagnosis or ordered appropriate tests, but to evaluate interpersonal skills. Mystery shoppers also report on the overall experience, from making an appointment, to the condition of the waiting room and office and the courtesy of the staff and health care professionals.

Although following the guidelines is important in every mystery shopping assignment, it is critical when doing a healthcare mystery shop. For example, the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) includes strict legal requirements regarding privacy. Using a digital recorder or video recorder on a medical shop could be a violation of Federal law, if the shopper were to inadvertently capture information about another patient (e.g., get them on camera or overhear snippets of conversation).

Secret shoppers present with a condition that will not involve invasive testing. It is also important that the shopper not receive a prescription or sample medications.

In some cases, the mystery shop may simply be a doctor interview. Many real patients will make an appointment with a physician just to talk with them and decide if they want to select them as their doctor. Choosing a provider is hard enough without the added stress of illness when you are trying to do so.

One concern that has been voiced about doctors is that mystery patients crowd out patients who truly need care. Jodi stressed that if a mystery shopper is in a clinic, office or emergency room and a patient comes in needing emergency care, the shopper should leave.

Jodi said that Examine Your Practice prefers to use MSPA Gold Certified shoppers when possible, as the quality of the reports from Gold shoppers is consistently high. Interested? Apply to become a mystery patient.

Here is what Kathy had to say about mystery shopping for Ann Michaels & Associates.

Describe the ideal shopper.
The ideal shopper is someone who has strong written, observation, and communication skills. They can pose as a typical customer while remaining objective in their observations. Being able to write a narrative in an objective, thorough manner is a definite plus.

Does your company recognize MSPA certification? What advantage does a Silver shopper have over non-certified? Gold over Silver? Do you recognize any other certifications?
Our company strongly supports MSPA certification. We will select shoppers for shops if they are Silver certified over those who have no certification, and we will offer Gold certified shoppers first priority on a shop over the others. Of course, we have our “tried and true” shoppers who may not be certified, but have been with us for years providing great work, are reliable, and communicate exceptionally well.

We do use a mix of new and “established” shoppers each month, since we want to always give new shoppers a chance too!

What types of shops does your company do? What types of reports are used?
Ann Michaels & Associates completes mystery shops in a variety of industries, including retail, restaurant, banking, business to business, and age compliance shops. The majority of our forms require some type of narrative, whether it is a longer narrative describing the shopper’s entire experience or shorter, more focused narratives on specific portions of the shop. Some of our surveys are shorter and only require brief comments for any “no” or negative responses.

What is the best way for a new shopper to get in the door and get a first assignment?
We welcome all new shoppers to register to become a mystery shopper with our company. As shops become available in their area, they will receive an email notification inviting them to apply. A link is provided to learn more about the job requirements and decide if they’d like to apply. From there, they can choose to apply for the shop. If they are selected, they will be notified via email.

Generally speaking, it is difficult to know where to start as a new shopper. We get many calls from people wanting to get started, but don’t know how. Since each company has work in different industries and different geographical locations, I recommend registering with as many companies as possible to increase chances of getting work in your area. I always direct them to the MSPA website, which provides shoppers with a list of MSPA certified companies. This is a great starting point. I also recommend new shoppers take a look at Jobslinger, since it offers such a comprehensive job listing section that you can search by zip code. This will give new shoppers an idea of which companies do work in their area, and they can easily start by registering with those companies. I do caution new shoppers that just because they register with a company and apply for a shop, it does NOT mean they will start getting work right away.

How can shoppers qualify for your best (highest-paying and most interesting and enjoyable) shop assignments?
Reliability and communication are two important qualities that we look for in shoppers. Shoppers who consistently do great work for us, meaning they do shops as assigned (and/or communicate with us in a timely manner if they need to reschedule or they have an emergency) and submit reports and all necessary documentation on time, including receipts, business cards, etc. will qualify for the best shops we can offer.

When narratives are required, we are looking for shoppers who can describe their experience in a clear, chronological fashion. We advise shoppers to write so that the client feels like they were sitting right next to the shopper during the shop – writing in a chronological, objective manner is best. We also advise shoppers to go back through the questions to make sure they’ve documented the reason for any “no” or less than excellent ratings in their narrative.

How long after a shop are your shoppers typically paid? Do you use/require PayPal??
Ann Michaels & Associates pays shoppers via PayPal at this time. We pay on the 15th of each month for all work completed the month prior. If a shop is completed in August, shoppers can expect a PayPal payment to be made on September 15th.

How is your company helping shoppers deal with the high price of gasoline?
We are all feeling pain at the pump these days, and we are trying to do what we can to help shoppers get the most out of their trips. For example, we do allow flexibility in scheduling if shoppers are trying to create a route of shops with us and other companies so they can combine multiple shops in one day. While we cannot charge our clients for mileage or gas reimbursements, we do try to offer these when possible, especially when shoppers are going to very remote locations. We also make every effort to post all of our shops at the same time each month so shoppers can know when to expect to find new shops with us and try to route them with shops from other companies.

What is your biggest problem/pet peeve with shoppers?
One pet peeve is when shoppers do not answer qualifying questions when applying for shops. For example, we may have a three-day window in which a shop can be completed, but need shoppers to commit to a specific date. We will ask shoppers to let us know which date they are able to complete the shop during the application process. Many times shoppers do not answer this question. We want shoppers to know that these questions are part of our first impression of you as a shopper – if you don’t follow the first instruction when applying, our certainty that other instructions may not be followed increases. Therefore, we will likely choose another shopper who has answered our qualifying questions.

What are the biggest challenges facing mystery shopping companies today?
There are a few challenges facing mystery shopping companies, the largest one being the scams that are out there. We were faced with the check cashing scam a year and a half ago, which was daunting to say the least. There have been other times when shoppers will call us demanding that we refund the money they’ve paid us….since we don’t charge fees for shoppers to register with us, it means they have paid someone else for something they are not getting.

Another challenge that many companies have been facing deal with the cost of mystery shopping programs…..while the price of gas, groceries, and other items has increased over the years, the cost of mystery shopping services has actually decreased. This hurts everyone in the industry, not just the shoppers.

Anything else you want to add?
Everyone at Ann Michaels & Associates started as a shopper….we know how it can be sometimes! We also want shoppers to know that we realize that we could not be in this business without mystery shoppers – we have worked with some outstanding shoppers in the past ten years, and we are truly grateful for their hard work and dedication! Our success lies with the shoppers, and we appreciate everything shoppers do!

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Thank you, Kathy, for sharing this information with us. If you would like to be a mystery shopper for Ann Michaels & Associates, go to https://www.sassieshop.com/sassie/SassieShopperSignup/Signup.php