One way to get more mystery shopper jobs is to work with independent scheduling companies. These services often make assignments for many mystery shopping providers, and can be a great source of shopping opportunities. Here are some common questions about mystery shopping scheduling companies.
What is a scheduling company, and how is it different from a mystery shopping company?
Scheduling companies, as the name implies, perform scheduling services for mystery shopping companies. That means that they assign shoppers on behalf of mystery shopping companies.
Why would a mystery shopping company use a scheduling service?
There are several reasons a company may choose to outsource scheduling. They may not have a staff of schedulers, the scheduling company may have a more extensive shopper data base, or their regular schedulers may not be able to handle a large special project.
A mystery shopping company may outsource all of their scheduling, or may use an outside scheduling service only for certain client accounts or certain geographic regions.
When a scheduling company assigns me, am I working for them or for the mystery shopping company?
Usually, you are actually working for the mystery shopping company. However, the scheduling company is responsible for assigning the shop and making sure it is completed so most or all of your interaction will be with the scheduler. (In some cases they may also edit the report, but that is not typical.)
You will probably enter the report on the mystery shopping company’s web site, and payment will almost always come from the mystery shopping company, not the scheduling company.
Should I apply directly to scheduling companies?
YES! Scheduling companies may recruit and schedule for many different mystery shopping companies, so being in their shopper data bases will make you eligible for many assignments. On more than one occasion, my first assignment for a company was obtained through a scheduling service, although I later did many jobs that were scheduled directly by the mystery shopping provider. Two of my favorite scheduling companies are:
Kern Scheduling Services/KSS International
http://www.kernscheduling.com/
Coast to Coast Scheduling Services
http://www.ctcss.com/
Cathy Stucker is the author of The Mystery Shopper’s Manual.
Another good scheduling company that I was refered to by Service Sluth is Job Slinger. Here is the web address; http://www.jobslinger.com/js/exec
Jobslinger is a good resource, but not a scheduling service. They are a job board.
Look for more information about Jobslinger on this site soon.
How do I find Hotel evaluations…I live in the Los Angeles, Ca area. I have registered with Coyle, and never heard back. Freeman Group has no jobs here….help!
Freeman and Coyle both specialize in the hospitality industry and do a lot of hotel shops. There are many other companies that do hotel shops, but also do many other kinds of shops. Often, the hotel shops go to the mystery shoppers who have already proven themselves on other types of shops.
Register with as many companies as you can, including the scheduling companies listed in this post. They may also have hotel mystery shops for their clients. Of course, you should never pay a fee to register with any mystery shopping company.
Remember that secret shopping companies want to be found by clients, so think like a client. If you were a hotel chain looking for mystery shopping services, what would you do?
Does anybody know of some companies that does Mystery Shop companies that good for Tennesse? I don’t want to sign up for a bunch and get stuck with them if the don’t offer shops in Tennessee.
This is a hard question to answer, for two reasons. First, Tennessee is a big place. A company may have mystery shopping assignments in some cities and towns in TN, but not others. Second, clients sometimes move from one mystery shopping company to another. That means that a company that has lots of shops in TN today, may have few next month (or vice versa).
The best course of action is to sign up with as many legitimate companies as you can (NEVER pay to apply–legitimate companies do not charge you) and watch for assignments. You aren’t really “stuck with them” in that if they don’t have assignments in your area, you just won’t hear from them. If they do, you may get emails asking you to claim assignments.
One place to start is with the list of mystery shopping companies on this site.
If an ad on the internet asked for mystery shoppers and asked the first assignment to be cash the money orders sent by them. Then go to any Western Union place and send most of the money overseas, should I? They tell me to keep $100 and send the rest.
Anytime they ask you to cash a check and wire money somewhere it is a scam. Period. No chance it is legitimate. The check will bounce, often weeks or months after you have sent the money. Then you will be required to pay the money back to your bank. Or worse. You can read more at http://MysteryShoppersManual.com/category/mystery-shopper-scam
I just received my first assignment as a MS. Reading the posts, my letter doesn’t give me a warm and fuzzy feeling. I received a letter in the mail without a return address containing 2 money orders for $955.48 each. The money orders are from a post office located in ID. I checked the internet and the PO is ledgit. The person that signed the MO also is ledgit and lives in ID. What I’m concerned about is if there is a difference between what you call “check” and “money order?” The letter is not on company letterhead and the fonts are inconsistent. The letter also doesn’t indicate how much should be sent via western union. It makes me wonder why a company would send me almost 2K to shop at WalMart. I plan on contacting the post office and have them to verify the validity of the money orders.
The specifics do not matter. The fact is that anytime someone asks you to wire money to someone you do not know, it is a scam. No question.
Is Shadow Shopper a legitimate scheduler or a scammer? Also, I’m real leary about sharing my SS#. I’m applying for a job with Sassie, but I’m not comfortable about providing this info…especially online. Your input would be appreciated.
Shadow Shopper is not a mystery shopping company. They charge for job listings the mystery shopping companies will provide you free.
Sassie is also not a mystery shopping company. It is a computer system used by many mystery shopping companies. If a company is using Sassie, I would trust that they are legitimate.
Most companies will ask for your SS# because they need it to report your earnings to the government if you earn more than $600 with them. If you are on a secure site your data is as safe as is reasonably possible. (Nothing is life is 100% safe.)
what if you haven’t mystery shopped before and you are wanting to get started in it? Is there a first step? Do I need to register somewhere for a mystery shopper I.D.?
Read this article about how to become a mystery shopper.
Apply to more companies. Ten is not many, especially if you want to do something approaching full-time work. Don’t forget to apply to scheduling companies. They work with many mystery shopping companies, and have jobs you may not see elsewhere.
Do a great job on every shop you can get. Show them that you are reliable and do good work.
As you start to develop relationships with schedulers, let them know that you are interested in doing a lot of shops. Most companies will not give many shops to new shoppers, but once they know you they may throw more your way.
Good luck!
What are your thoughts on MSPA’s (Mystery Shopper Provider Association) in regards to becoming “certified”. They are saying in order to get the better paying shops you should take a course offered at $99 and become a certified mystery shopper. Get a certificate and an MSPA #.???? Is this just another opportunistic way for money to be made on other money?? Is it necessary or beneficial to become certified? Just wondering. I’m new and have only completed 3 shops so far. My goal is to make this a full time job. I like the fact that I’m my own boss, I can schedule my own hours, and the work is extremely diverse! I’m a people person and this line of work is a perfect fit. I’ve owned or partnered in businesses so I have the experience of both sides of the coin.
Full disclosure: I was involved in the creation of MSPA’s certification program, and presented most of the live Gold workshops.
I support the idea of certification because it is not only a way for shoppers to learn more about the industry, but a way for them to demonstrate their knowledge. Many MSPA member companies also prefer MSPA-certified shoppers because they have taken the steps to become educated and have shown that they take mystery shopping seriously.
It is not necessary to be certified in order to be a successful mystery shopper; however, MSPA certification can be useful to new shoppers or those who want to learn more and have more opportunities.
Is Trend Source legit? They ask you to cash a non personal check at a cash checking chain store.Also how can I get a list of companies that are located only in NewYork where I live.
Trend Source is legitimate. The question to ask, though, is not whether the company is legitimate. The question is whether the assignment actually came from the company and not a scammer. This sounds like a real mystery shopper job, but if you have any questions you should look up the company (Trend Source, in this case) on the Internet and contact them. If you think any communication may be a scam, do not use the contact information they sent you, look the company up online.
As for your second question, you do not want to contract only with companies in the state where you live. You want to contract with companies that have assignments in your area. Not the same thing. Just apply to as many legitimate companies as you can, and you will see a variety of mystery shopper jobs. Never pay a fee to apply–mystery shopping companies do not charge you.
Thank you for the great advice hope to post some positive feed back on the outcome of my Secret Shopper adventure as it is scary to try something out for the first time
It is always hard to know what companies may have openings in a specific area. I always suggest: (1) registering with as many companies as you can, (2) registering with scheduling companies, where they will have assignments from many mystery shopping providers and (3) signing up with Jobslinger.com to find jobs in your area.
Good luck!
Thank you so much for the information that you freely give. I signed up today with Beyond Hello and already received my first shop. I’m excited about this new beginning and looking forward it to it with lots of anticipation.