What is the Mystery Shopping Providers Association?

Posted on April 25th, 2008 in Mystery Shopping Providers Association, Mystery Shopping Resources by Cathy Stucker

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MSPA LogoThe Mystery Shopping Providers Association (MSPA) is the largest professional association dedicated to mystery shopping and related forms of market research. Although membership in the MSPA is not open to shoppers, the MSPA serves shoppers in many ways. Here is what you should know about the MSPA and its role in the mystery shopping industry. …continue reading What is the Mystery Shopping Providers Association?

MSPA Gold Certification Now on DVD

Posted on February 26th, 2008 in Mystery Shopping Certification, Mystery Shopping Providers Association by Cathy Stucker

mspa_certification.gifThe Mystery Shopping Providers Association (MSPA) is now offering the Gold Certification program on DVD. Instead of waiting for a workshop to come to your town, or spending time and money to travel to a workshop, you can get the most widely-recognized mystery shopper certification at home, on your schedule. You can even complete the certification while you are in your jammies!

Although certification is not required to be a mystery shopper, the MPSA’s Gold Certification is an effective way for new secret shoppers to get up to speed on how to be effective shoppers, and for more experienced shoppers to demonstrate to mystery shopping companies their qualification and commitment to being great secret shoppers. It can help you get more and better assignments, faster. …continue reading MSPA Gold Certification Now on DVD

Mystery Shopper Certification 2008 Dates Announced

Posted on December 30th, 2007 in Mystery Shopping Providers Association by Cathy Stucker

The first 2008 dates for the Mystery Shopping Providers Association Gold Certification have been announced. There will be more, but here are the first four:

February 16, 2008 - Austin, TX

February 23, 2008 - Orlando, FL

March 1, 2008 - San Diego, CA

March 8, 2008 - Phoenix, AZ

Exact locations have not been determined for all of these, but you can get learn more and register for a workshop at the MSPA web site: http://www.MysteryShop.org/shoppers/gold.php

Mystery Shopping Companies - A Quick Way to Verify MSPA Membership

Posted on November 24th, 2007 in Mystery Shopping Providers Association by Cathy Stucker

The Mystery Shopping Providers Association is the leading industry association. To become members, secret shopping companies have to be approved by the MSPA board, and agree to uphold ethical standards defined by the MSPA. If they violate those standards, they can lose their membership. When a company is a member of the MSPA, you can trust that they are a legitimate mystery shopping company.

But how do you know if a company belongs to MSPA? One way is to look for the MSPA logo on the company’s web site. Of course, that is not foolproof. Some member companies do not display the logo. And an unscrupulous company could slap a logo on their site even without belonging to MSPA. However, there is a quick and easy way to determine if a company is a member of the Mystery Shopping Providers Association . . .
…continue reading Mystery Shopping Companies - A Quick Way to Verify MSPA Membership

MSPA Gold Certification Instructors

The Mystery Shopping Providers Association (MSPA) began the Gold and Silver Certification programs in 2002. From November, 2002 until late in 2006, I presented all of the Gold Certification Workshops. But in 2006, we found three really amazing new instructors who are taking certification across the country along with me.In 2007, the four of us are presenting a total of 30 workshops, from Miami to Spokane. Meet (from left to right) Karmi Anna Mattson, Chelsea Benning and Gail Witt. The selection of these three talented presenters was a long and difficult process, but in Karmi, Chelsea and Gail, we found exactly the presentation skills, mystery shopping experience and, well, that WOW! factor we were looking for. …continue reading MSPA Gold Certification Instructors

MSPA Hosts Live Chats For Certified Shoppers

Posted on July 28th, 2007 in Industry News, Mystery Shopping Providers Association by Cathy Stucker

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

MSPA Mystery Shopper Conference a Big Hit!

Posted on July 10th, 2006 in Mystery Shopping Providers Association by Cathy Stucker

I just got back from the MSPA’s Third Annual Educational Conference for Shoppers in Naperville, IL. All I can say is WOW! This was three days of learning, networking and having fun with a great bunch of shoppers, mystery shopping companies and others. …continue reading MSPA Mystery Shopper Conference a Big Hit!

MSPA Certifies 50,000 Mystery Shoppers

Posted on June 29th, 2006 in Mystery Shopping Certification, Mystery Shopping Providers Association by Cathy Stucker

The MSPA’s certification program has now passed 50,000 certifications! MSPA has issued a press release announcing this milestone. There are a few other interesting facts about mystery shopping contained in it, too: …continue reading MSPA Certifies 50,000 Mystery Shoppers

MSPA 2006 Certification Schedule

Posted on January 16th, 2006 in Mystery Shopping Certification, Mystery Shopping Providers Association by Cathy Stucker

The Mystery Shopping Providers Association has posted the schedule for Gold Certification Workshops through June of 2006. I will again present the workshops for MSPA this year.

Have you ever been in a room full of mystery shoppers? The workshops not only offer a chance to brush up your skills, but also an opportunity to network with other shoppers. It is a fast-paced, fun day. You will learn some things to make you a better mystery shopper, and you will make new friends. …continue reading MSPA 2006 Certification Schedule

HOLIDAY SHOPPING SURVEY: MYSTERY SHOPPERS FIND 70 PERCENT OF RETAILERS FAIL TO IMPLEMENT CRITICAL SALES TECHNIQUES

Posted on December 20th, 2005 in Industry News, Mystery Shopping Providers Association by Cathy Stucker

The following is a press release from the Mystery Shopping Providers Association:

According to a recent survey of more than 1,100 mystery shoppers, retail stores have not ramped up their level of customer service during the 2005 Holiday Shopping Season. More than 70 percent of mystery shoppers surveyed said they noticed either no difference or less helpfulness from store employees during the Holiday season in comparison with the rest of the year. …continue reading HOLIDAY SHOPPING SURVEY: MYSTERY SHOPPERS FIND 70 PERCENT OF RETAILERS FAIL TO IMPLEMENT CRITICAL SALES TECHNIQUES