A simple definition of karma is that what you put out comes back to you. If you do good things, you receive good things in return. And if you do bad things, you can expect negative consequences.
As a mystery shopper, you can attract good karma (high report scores, more assignments, better paying assignments, etc.) or bad karma (low scores, fewer assignments, or even being deactivated.
Maintaining good mystery shopper karma means doing your job well, and being helpful to schedulers, editors and other mystery shopping company representatives. Here are some of the ways you can keep good mystery shopper karma flowing.
Communicate. Let your scheduler know if there is a problem on a shop, or just keep her informed of the status. For example, if you are doing a targeted shop (such as many apartment mystery shops, where you are to speak with a specific agent), let her know that you have made calls on the last three days and been unable to reach the agent, but that you are going to continue calling. The scheduler doesn’t have to worry that you have forgotten the shop, or that you are waiting until the last minute to try to get it done.
Pick up those last-minute shops. When you see a scheduler looking for someone to do a shop due tomorrow, that is probably because the mystery shopper who was supposed to do it flaked on the shop. It still has to be done, though, and if you can do it you get extra-good karma.
Have a positive attitude. Remember that the schedulers and editors do not make the policies or set fees. Be polite and positive in your dealings with them. They are people, too, and they are under at least as much stress as you are.
Be willing to help. Take a shop that is a little out of your way, or one that you might not usually do to help a scheduler out of a spot. That doesn’t mean that you take every shop that is offered or that you spend hours doing a $10 shop. It does mean taking the occasional assignment that you would not normally consider because it has to be done.
Be reliable. When mystery shopping companies know they can count on you to read and follow the guidelines, do the shop visit as the client expects, and get a well-written report submitted by the deadline, they are happy as can be. And that happiness translates to more and better assignments for you.
Be responsive. If there is a question or problem involving your report, get it resolved immediately. When an editor contacts you for more information, get back to her the same day with the answer. She has deadlines, too, and needs your answer so she can release the report.
The bottom line in all of this is that good mystery shopper karma comes from doing your job well, take pride in your work, and treating others as you want to be treated. That’s not so hard, is it?
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