Preparing for a Mystery Shop
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Whether it is your first shop or your 100th shop, there are certain things you should always do before doing a mystery shopping assignment. And, there are other things that will make your shop go more smoothly. Here are some tips on preparing before the shop.
Always read the guidelines as soon as the shop is scheduled. Now is the time to get your questions answered, if you have any. Determine if there are things you must do before the shop. For example, some companies want you to schedule a training call if this is your first assignment with them, or your first shop for this client. You may need to call the location a day or two before the shop to ask a question or make a reservation.
Put the shop on your calendar. Make sure you schedule all the parts of the shop: pre-visit call, shop visit, return, and writing the report. Of course, you won’t have all of those with every shop, but plan the ones that apply.
Prepare any tip sheets you need for the shop. These might be in written or electronic form. For example, a tip sheet could be cryptic notes to yourself on a shopping list, a memo on your PDA, or a voice message on your cell phone. Whatever the form, your tip sheet is a way to remind yourself of what you need to do on the shop. Make sure it is something you can quickly check during the shop without drawing attention to yourself. For example, in most situations you could listen to a short message on your cell phone without anyone thinking it was odd.
Get your equipment ready. If you will use a stopwatch, digital camera, voice recorder or other equipment, make sure it is working properly, has fresh batteries and lots of available memory. Practice if you have not used the equipment in a while to so that you can use it easily.
Verify the location. Some businesses have multiple locations in the same area. Use mapping software or a local directory to determine exactly which location you are to shop. You may want to call to verify location or business hours, or even if that location still exists. Mystery shopping companies are often the last to be told that a location has closed.
On the day of the shop, review the guidelines and form again so you are completely familiar with them. Know your scenario and what you must do on the shop.
Although with practice it gets easier to remember all of the things you must do on mystery shops, it is important to properly prepare for every shop you do.
Copyright Cathy Stucker. All rights reserved. Cathy Stucker is the author of The Mystery Shopper’s Manual. Get your copy here.
One Response to 'Preparing for a Mystery Shop'
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on October 18th, 2007 at 4:04 pm
I have not done that many shops and I feel it is because I live in such a small area however, I have done just what you said to do and it is easier once you follow those guidelines. It is almost automatic when you go to shop because I shocked myself and I kept saying to myself that I missed something but I did not and the other shops became easier as I went along because I followed the guidelines and the details to the letter sort of speak. I have Cathy Stucker’s book and I call it my second bible and I use it all of the time I keep it right by my side all I have to do is reach over and get it. If someone comes over to my house and I have Cathy’s book out they do not know what book it is because I have a cover on it and it is made of material and it is not where they can pick it up. When someone does come I close my window on my computer anyway and go back to it later. Believe me this is excellent advice and we appreciate Cathy’s suggestions because she has been doing this and knows the Mystery Shopping business extremely well and we need to listen to her and thank her.