Describe the ideal shopper.

Because I have responsibility for the Property Management client division at Jancyn, I look for very specific types of shopper skills to complete the assignments we offer.

Before beginning any Apartment Community shop the Jancyn shopper will need to develop a credible ‘cover story’ using dedicated instructions we provide to help the shopper understand the client’s training motivation. The shopper must be part actor, part writer, and all professional in his/her ability to describe the interaction in detail with the target agent.

The shopper posing as a prospective tenant begins the shop on the telephone. He or she speaks to the leasing agent and shops that person’s ability to quickly establish rapport, ask pertinent qualifying questions, offer information about the units and community and most importantly set an appointment for the on site portion of the shop. The shopper must have the ability to sound natural yet eager to visit the property.

During the on site visit he or she continues to assess the performance of the leasing agent. The ideal shopper will be able to ask relevant questions needed to complete the shop but also know when to be silent allowing the target to control the tour. The best shoppers are objective and can clearly express their observations in writing.

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 certifications and strive to use only silver and gold certified shoppers with our Property Management division. They are clearly indicated in our system and we value their training and experience. We also have an internal scoring system and will only train and use the ‘best of the best’ for this type of shop. Our highly skilled project managers (schedulers) work closely with shoppers to ensure an excellent shopper experience as well an excellent shop report to our clients. We encourage our best shoppers to refer others who meet our criteria to Jancyn. In addition, some of our most experienced shoppers often move up to become project managers.

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

Viewing our website is the best way to learn more about Jancyn. Shopper application links are at the top of the page. You will see we focus on property management, restaurant, retail, banking and a variety of other industries. In addition, we offer a variety of shop types. Full narrative reports, telephone and internet shops, video shops, simple questionnaires, SmartShops using smart phone technology, and intercept surveys. Our survey software is the most sophisticated available allowing for web based ease and flexibility when completing a shop report.

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

Jancyn has been in business for over 30 years so we have a solid reputation for attracting and keeping qualified shoppers. Upon filling out an application our shoppers are asked to demonstrate their understanding of the basic nature of mystery shopping, provide a sample of their writing, and agree to uphold the professional standards, ethics and integrity of a mystery shopper. Shoppers possessing a competitive understanding of the latest technology (we love smart phones) have a definite plus. Shoppers are provided web based training, and are armed with extremely detailed, but easy to understand, directions along with a completed sample shop. Obtaining a high score for a job well done ensures moving to the top of our shopper selection. Our shoppers represent Jancyn quality and we are proud to feature them when meeting with new clients.

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

We do require Pay Pal to pay shoppers. Pay Pal is ideal as it eliminates a banking step and means shoppers are paid faster. We find shoppers like it too as they build their Pay Pal account to buy that something special they have been working and saving for. Our shop pay is highly competitive and assignments enjoyable.

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

No matter what new changes in technology or social networking come along- there is no replacement for one on one customer facing ‘excellent service’. Successful companies know the customer is the lifeblood of their business. Only a real person, the shopper, can provide the objective feedback needed to determine what creates a delighted customer. Using a mystery shop program provides the feedback that drives improvement for customer experiences, motivates employees to do their best and optimizes resources. We believe a well established mystery shop program delivers the results a company needs to stay competitive and refine core business values.

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If you would like to be a mystery shopper for Jancyn, go to http://jancyn.com/ and click on the ‘Shop for Jancyn’ link.

First of all, remember that a company that one shopper loves may be despised by another. Mystery shopping companies, like mystery shoppers, have “personalities.” The culture of a particular company may mesh well with your style while another doesn’t. Those things you will learn as you go. What we will address here is how to increase your chances of finding the best companies for you with as little trial and error as possible.

Here are some ways to screen mystery shopping companies and find the best ones for you:

The first step is to determine that the company is legitimate and follows good business practices. Do they belong to the Mystery Shopping Providers Association (MSPA)? MSPA member companies go through a approval process that requires years in the industry, references and agreeing to uphold the standards and ethics of the association. Many member companies display the MSPA logo on their websites, and you can verify their membership at http://mysteryshop.org/shoppers/membercos.php. Although there are good companies that do not belong to the MSPA, if they are members you can rely on them being legitimate.

How long does it take them to pay? Most companies explain payment schedules on their websites. Obviously, sooner is better than later, but the bottom line is: Can you live with their payment schedule?

Is the amount of reimbursement and pay reasonable? Keep in mind that the postings on public job boards and the first assignments you are offered will not be for their best shops. Those went to the shoppers they know and trust. However, if you see extremely low pay, or reimbursements that will not cover the cost of a required purchase, you may want to think twice.

Are their guidelines complete and understandable? You may not have access to all of the shop information until you accept an assignment. However, often there is enough information in emails and websites to get a feel for their communication style.

Do they respond promptly when you have a question? If you need assistance with a question about a shop or another issue they should get back to you within 24 to 48 hours.

What do other shoppers think of the company? Do a search on forums such as Voliton to see what other shoppers’ experience has been with a company. One shopper saying that a company didn’t pay them or some other issue doesn’t mean that the company is bad, especially if there are dozens of other shoppers saying how much they like working with the company.

Watch for the signs that a company is a good match for you, or that maybe it is time to move on. Don’t force it if you don’t like the assignments, the pay or the people. There are lots of great companies out there–find the ones that are best for you and you will enjoy mystery shopping more and make more money.

David Agius

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

We have an array of different shops that we offer including automotive, massage, hotel, retail and restaurant. We use PROPHET software and the majority of our reports are narrative driven.

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?

We recognize both Gold and Silver. As it relates to auto accepting assignments we give priority to Silver and Gold shoppers over non-certified shoppers.

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

Communication with the scheduler or other members of the SMG team should be done in a professional manner. Shoppers should be patient if they do not get your desired assignment right away.

How can shoppers qualify for your best shop assignments?

We offer our best assignments to shoppers that have a strong history of on time completion, reliability, quality work and professionalism.

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

We pay by check. Payments are processed 30 to 60 days after acceptance of an assignment.

What is your biggest problem/pet peeve with shoppers?

Shoppers who communicate in an unprofessional manner. Shoppers who jump to conclusions without asking for questions or requesting clarification.

What are the biggest challenges facing mystery shopping companies today?

Hyper-competiveness amongst mystery shoppers companies which has depressed shopper fees. Another challenge is finding and retaining reliable shoppers that we can build a long-term relationship with.

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

Wireless Internet and tablet computing are two of the biggest growth potential in technology.

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

We can’t grow without the contribution of our shoppers. Our goal is to have a long-term relationship with our shopper that is built on a foundation of mutual respect and professionalism. One of our ongoing goals is to be known within the shopping community as a shopper-friendly company that is easy to work with.

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Thank you, David, for sharing this information with us. If you would like to <a href=”http://www.sentrymarketing.com/page/prospective_evaluators” target=”_blank”>be a mystery shopper for Sentry Marketing</a>, go to <a href=”http://www.sentrymarketing.com/page/prospective_evaluators” target=”_blank”>http://www.sentrymarketing.com/page/prospective_evaluators</a>.

Because we serve upscale and luxury clients, Coyle Hospitality Group’s mystery shoppers must have experience as consumers in the categories that they cover. Coyle clients are already clean, well-run, and successful. Shoppers have to bring relevant and useful market perspective to truly identify variances between what the client promises and what they deliver in the value proposition. After that, excellent observation and reporting skills are most essential. Finally, secret shoppers have to be resourceful and wholly dedicated to the client. This means they arrive at the client location fully prepared and ready.

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?

Coyle considers every aspect of a potential secret shopper, and, certainly, certifications demonstrate that these shoppers have invested in themselves.

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

Coyle Hospitality conducts mystery shopping evaluations exclusively for hospitality companies, including restaurants, bars, hotels, spas, cruise lines and sporting venues. Coyle’s shopper reports include standards checklists and detailed narratives.

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

Start by filling out a survey at Coyle’s website: http://www.coylehospitality.com/evaluators/user-agreement/. Our screening process for mystery shopping providers is rigorous and competitive. Some of the things that immediately disqualify a potential shopper are poor grammar and incomplete answers. Once accepted, secret shoppers are offered several hundred evaluations per month that they can do from their home, so there is always an opportunity to get started.

How can shoppers qualify for your best shop assignments, such as luxury hotels and cruises?

Luxury hotels and cruises are extremely competitive. The best way to get these evaluations is to build up a portfolio of work in all of our categories. Each completed assignment is scored; mystery shoppers with consistently high scores differentiate themselves.

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

Coyle Hospitality pays its secret shoppers on the 15th of each month for the previous month, exclusively through Paypal.

What is your biggest problem/pet peeve with shoppers?

The client being shopped is always the most important part of the equation. Secret shoppers must always act on the behalf, and to the benefit of, the client. Some secret shoppers forget this or put other needs before that principle. The biggest let-downs are shoppers that do not completely prepare for the assignments and/or do not meet the submission deadlines, or they submit very general observations. This indicates pretty clearly that something else besides the client was a priority.

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

Social Media is the newest ‘big thing’ in market research, and Mystery Shopping as a discipline has to find its way into this realm. Some aspects of social media are very complementary, others oppose the value of what mystery shopping does to complete the customer satisfaction measurement model. Mystery shopping is also in its infancy in many industries, so customer needs will continue to be a moving target.

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

The most valuable evaluators are the ones who are always ‘on’ during the evaluation and the report clearly conveys that. Noticing something that wasn’t on the checklist or uncovering and then detailing a nuance in a staff member’s behavior that will help them (and their colleagues) achieve greatness are the things clients love. At the upscale and luxury level, it is all about achieving perfection, not just being good enough. Mystery shoppers that can get into and quantify the things that separate the good from the great is a HUGE value.

Anything else you want to add? Advice? Funny shopper stories?

Surf the web! The easiest way to start the customer experience is view the clients’ websites. Check out the online menu, read the chef’s bio, try to reserve a room online, look at the pictures, read the travel blogs. By doing so, the mystery shopper is acclimating themselves to the role that they will soon play, and they will have a good reference point for what the client is hoping to deliver. Some of the most useful observations to the client are simple observations like this: “The website said the pool was open until 10, but it actually closed at 9.”

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If you would like to be a mystery shopper for Coyle Hospitality Group, go to http://www.coylehospitality.com/evaluators/user-agreement/.

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/.