Mystery Shopper's Manual

IC Pro – Free Service for Professional Mystery Shoppers

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I have been contacted by several shoppers who have received emails from mystery shopping companies suggesting that they register as Independent Contractors (ICs) with IC Pro. They wanted to know whether this is a scam (it’s not) and if it is something they should do.

Mystery shoppers typically operate as ICs, which provides several benefits to both the mystery shopping companies and to us as mystery shoppers. Recently, both Federal and state governments have been challenging IC status in many industries. Although these actions are not directed specifically at the mystery shopping industry, they will have an impact on all of us.

Although some mystery shoppers like the idea of being employees rather than ICs, they may not like that status as much when their pay is decreased (to cover the mystery shopping providers’ increased costs of carrying them as employees), when they are restricted from working for multiple companies, or when they are unable to deduct their business expenses, such as Internet access, mileage, etc.

One thing we can do to prove we are ICs is to operate as independent businesses and to affirmatively state that we are doing so. There is a new service from Surf Merchants (the folks who brought us SASSIE) to make that easy.

IC Pro is a simple way to inform participating companies that you are an IC. There are lots of advantages to both you and the mystery shopping providers, so let’s take a look…Continue Reading

Mystery Shopping and Your Resume

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mystery-shopper-resumeLots of people are looking for work these days. If you are unemployed and looking for a job, or thinking about changing jobs, you need a good resume. Should you include your mystery shopping work on a resume? And if so, how should you list mystery shopper jobs?

There isn’t just one answer, so let’s take a look at a few possible scenarios.

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What is an Independent Contractor?

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businesswoman.jpgThe following is provided as general information about Independent Contractors. It is not legal advice. If you require legal advice, you are encouraged to consult an attorney knowledgeable in this aspect of the law.

As secret shoppers, we typically work as Independent Contractors (ICs), not employees.

There is not a single factor or test that determines whether a worker is an employee or an IC. Saying that someone is an Independent Contractor does not necessarily make it so. There are several things that regulatory agencies, such as the Internal Revenue Service and state tax departments, consider when determining is someone is an employee or an IC. The rules are often vague, and interpretation is up to the agency making the determination.

The IC relationship is spelled out in the Independent Contractor Agreements (ICA) between mystery shoppers and mystery shopping companies. These agreements define the rights and responsibilities of both parties. ICAs often include language relating to the factors regulatory agencies consider when determining if someone is an employee or an IC.

So what does it mean to be an Independent Contractor?

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Mystery Shoppers and EINs

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EIN stands for Employer Identification Number. You might think of it as the equivalent of a Social Security Number for businesses. Mystery shoppers are not required to obtain EINs, however, many choose to do so. With all the concerns about online privacy and identity theft, mystery shoppers are more likely than ever to want to protect their Social Security Numbers. Having an EIN is one way to do that. Here is what you need to know about what an EIN is, why you might want one, and how to go about getting one. (It’s faster and easier than you may think.)Continue Reading

Can Mystery Shoppers Be Terminated Without Cause?

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fired.jpgQuestion from a mystery shopper:

My wife and I are both mystery shoppers and work for many of the same companies. Recently, due to a serious error she made on a report, my wife’s account with one company was deactivated and they told her that she could not shop for them any more.

I guess I understand why they did that, but they also notified me that I can not work for them again, either. I have always gotten good scores on my shop reports. Can they deactivate my account even though I have done nothing wrong? Continue Reading

Investing in Your Secret Shopping Business

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fortune_cookie1.jpgAs a secret shopper, you are an independent contractor. That makes you a small business. Investing in your business can make you more profitable in the long run.

The U.S. Treasury has started depositing and mailing stimulus payments to taxpayers. When you receive yours, why not use some of the money to make your mystery shopping business more profitable? That can mean investing in yourself, or in equipment to save time and qualify you for more shops.

Here are some examples of ways you could invest a small portion of your stimulus payment to earn more as a mystery shopper.Continue Reading