The Mystery Shopper’s Manual

Whenever you submit a mystery shop report it is reviewed by an editor. The editor’s job is to make sure the report is perfect before it is forwarded to the client.

The editor must examine the entire report to make sure it satisfies all of the criteria established by the mystery shopping company and the client. In many cases, the editor will assign a grade or quality score to your report, based on how well you met the shop requirements.

Your shop grade can influence which assignments you get in the future, so making sure your report is the best it can be not only makes the editor’s job easier, it can help you qualify for more and better mystery shop assignments.

Here is what editors look for and how you can get a great score on your next report.

Was the shop done during the appropriate time frame? The shop must be done on the right day, or within a range of allowable days, and some shops must be done during a certain time of day.

Were all guidelines followed and shop requirements met? Did the shopper spend at least the minimum time in the business? Ask the specified questions? Make the required purchase?

Is the report complete? Were all of the questions on the report form answered? Are there comments for any ‘no’ answers or anywhere else comments are required?

Are all answers and comments understandable and consistent? Does the report make sense as written or do any answers or comments require clarification?

Are the comments well-written? They should be complete sentences and use correct spelling, grammar and punctuation.

Are all comments objective and constructive? Unless opinions are specifically requested, comments should be objective. Comments should be written in a neutral or positive tone, not negative or overly-critical. Does the report present the facts of the shop?

The fewer changes the editor has to make to your report, the better your report score will be. To make your report the best it can be, always:

• Carefully review all shop guidelines and forms before the shop. Ask questions if there is something you do not understand.
• Be thorough when conducting the shop to make sure you gather all the information you will need to complete the report.
• Complete the report as soon as possible after the shop visit, while all of the details are still fresh in your mind.
• Double check your data, such as timings, purchase amounts, counts, etc. Make sure everything adds up.
• Use a spell checker and grammar checker on your comments and narratives, but also carefully proofread your work. Computers will not catch every error.
• If there is anything in the report that might cause the editor to say, “Huh?,” explain it. Don’t make the editor contact you for an explanation.
• If the editor does contact you with a question, respond immediately. Editors have very little time to review and release reports.

Submitting accurate, well-written reports will make you a hit with editors and schedulers. Take a few extra minutes to make sure your report is your best work, and you will be rewarded with more and better shop opportunities.