Mystery Shopper's Manual

Staying Safe While Mystery Shopping

by Leave a Comment

Take care Mystery shoppers travel to unfamiliar places at all times of the day and night. Although the vast majority of mystery shops are perfectly safe, some locations may pose dangers related to crime, road conditions or other hazards.

There is also the chance of your car breaking down or getting into an accident. Some shops require that we consume alcohol. Sudden changes in weather can make travel to a previously scheduled shop hazardous.

How can you make sure you stay safe from harm while mystery shopping?
Continue Reading

Staying Cool During Summer Mystery Shops

by Leave a Comment

Mystery shopping in the summer can be hot and sweaty. Here in Texas, just getting in the car in the summer can make you feel as though heat stroke is imminent! As you go from place to place, leaving your car parked in the hot sun, running in and out of shop locations, the heat can be very uncomfortable and, in extreme situations, even dangerous.

These tips can help you stay cool as you do your summer mystery shopping.

When you can, schedule your shops in the cooler times of the day. Can you go first thing in the morning, or after the hottest part of the afternoon? If the sun isn’t beating down on you, you will feel more comfortable.

Wear sunscreen. Even short exposures to sun have an effect. Put SPF 15 or greater on any exposed skin, especially your face.
Continue Reading

The Mystery Shopper Weight Loss Plan

by Leave a Comment

It is once again time for New Year’s resolutions. And, after lots of holiday celebrations, many of our resolutions will include losing a few (or many) pounds. Here are some tips especially for mystery shoppers who want to lose weight while mystery shopping.

Park farther from the door. This is kind of obvious, but walking burns calories. When you arrive at a mystery shop location, do not look for the parking spot closest to the door. Park down the street or at the far end of the parking lot and walk. This has the added advantage of giving you a better look at the condition of the parking lot and building exterior. And when you leave, you will not be observed if you sit in your car and make a few notes about the shop. Make it your goal to walk at least 10,000 steps a day, and use a pedometer to track your progress.
Continue Reading

Shopping Addiction and Mystery Shopping

by 1 Comment

Shopping addicts may love the idea of mystery shopping, but does being a mystery shopper present too much temptation for someone who can not control their shopping and spending? If you consistently overspend on mystery shopper jobs and other shopping trips, you may be a compulsive shopper.

What is Shopping Addiction?

Shopping addictions take many forms. We all buy things, but shopping addicts:

  • shop to make themselves feel better
  • buy things they don’t need (and don’t use)
  • spend money they don’t have, running up debts
  • may hide their purchases from friends and family

Some shopping addicts buy certain types of items, such as shoes or electronics, while others will buy just about anything. Shopaholics may also indulge in other compulsive behaviors, such as overeating, problem drinking or gambling.

Anyone can indulge in inappropriate spending at times, and the occasional trip to the mall when you feel down does not mean you have a shopping addiction.Continue Reading

Mystery Shopper Burnout

by 2 Comments

burned_out.jpgIf you have been mystery shopping for a while, you know that it is hard work. Keeping track of all of your assignments, making sure everything gets done on time, remembering all of the details needed for your reports and, oh, writing those reports.

Keeping a full-time mystery shopping schedule, or even a heavy part-time schedule, can lead to burnout. When burnout happens, some secret shoppers quit completely and never return to mystery shopping. A better course of action is to take steps to prevent burnout from happening in the first place.

Most importantly, always stay in control of your time. Decide how much time you want to spend doing mystery shopper jobs, and limit yourself to the number of jobs you can complete in that time. Although you may choose to make the occasional exception for a really special opportunity or to help a favorite scheduler when she is in a bind, do not make a habit of taking on many more shops than you can reasonably handle.

Take a break now and then. This is especially important if you work a full-time job and mystery shop on the side. Working full time then mystery shopping several hours a week, on top of your family responsibilities, can wear you out. Take a week or so off from mystery shopping now and then.Continue Reading

Shopping Under the Influence (SUI)

by Leave a Comment

sui.jpgHave you ever done a shop where you had to drink alcohol? There are bar and restaurant shops where you may be encouraged or even required to order cocktails or wine, but drinking alcohol on a mystery shop can create problems if it is not handled properly.

Becoming inebriated can mean that you do not get all of the information you need for your report. And if you are drunk enough, you may behave completely inappropriately and not even realize it.

I had to do a fine dining mystery shop where my husband and I were required to order drinks in the bar, then a bottle of wine with dinner. That is a lot of alcohol, but with planning and thought, we kept our wits about us and did not become intoxicated.

Here are some things you need to remember when drinking while mystery shopping, and how to handle your liquor without getting out of hand.Continue Reading