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It's True: You Can Be Paid to Shopby Paige HallIt sounds too good to be true, but companies want to pay you to pose as a customer at their businesses and report back to them on your experiences. Mystery shopping is a legitimate business and a great way for stay-at-home parents to make extra money in their spare time. The term "mystery shopper" is often confusing. Here are some of the most common questions about mystery shopping: What is a mystery shopper? Mystery shoppers are hired by companies to pose as regular customers and interact with employees. They are instructed to observe certain aspects of the business, such as associates' selling skills, store cleanliness or speed of service. Mystery shoppers are stay-at-home parents, students, retirees or men and women wanting to make some extra spending money in their spare time. Some shoppers have full-time jobs and mystery shop on weekends or during their lunch hours. What types of companies use mystery shoppers? The range of assignments is endless. Shoppers are hired to evaluate grocery stores, hardware stores, banks, car dealerships, movie theaters, hotels, golf courses, government agencies, restaurants and other businesses. Companies use mystery shoppers' reports as training tools and to keep up with the competition. How much money does a mystery shopper make? Mystery shoppers typically work as independent contractors, meaning they are self-employed. Some shoppers complete several assignments per day while others accept only one or two per month. Almost all mystery shoppers work on a part-time basis. Assignments pay based on the scope and time involved. Quick, simple assignments, such as convenience stores or fast-food restaurants, may pay $7 to $10, while more complex assignments, such as car dealerships or banks, can pay as high as $50. Some assignments, including some restaurants, don't pay a fee at all but do reimburse for your expenses. What equipment should a mystery shopper have? Shoppers that don't have a computer and Internet access will find their assignments limited to just a few companies. Most companies schedule assignments by email and require shoppers to submit their reports on the web. Having a fax machine and a scanner can be convenient, but they are not required. Some shoppers use small tape recorders or cellular phones to record notes while on shops. Can children come along on the shop? One of the reasons mystery shopping is so popular with stay-at-home parents is because children can accompany parents on the assignment. However, a few assignments are not appropriate for children, such as expensive restaurants, day spas or bars. What is a typical assignment like? Let's say you have been asked to shop a sporting goods store. The mystery shopping company would send you detailed instructions on what to evaluate and provide guidelines on how much detail they need. Some assignments ask for brief comments while others require multi-page narratives. Typically, you would go to the store and note the cleanliness, friendliness of the staff, whether their sales skills were effective and how quickly you were helped. You might be required to make a purchase and then return it so you can evaluate the cashier and customer service associates. As you conduct your shop, you would need to make mental notes or discreetly take notes in a manner that would not reveal your identity as a shopper. What skills do shoppers need? A good shopper is observant but discreet. She should be comfortable with the assignment and have the confidence to pose as a typical shopper while taking mental notes. Many assignments require narratives or detailed comments, so good writing skills are important. Shoppers also must be reliable. Shoppers that miss deadlines or are no-shows for assignments quickly find themselves out of work. How do I become a mystery shopper? Great places to start are http://www.volition.com and http://www.mom-mom.com, where shoppers can read more about mystery shopping and find numerous links to mystery shopping companies. Another great site is http://www.secretshoppercompany.com, where shoppers can find valuable tools to improve their skills. How can I get more assignments? New shoppers often find they are asked to do last-minute shops for little pay. The best assignments go to shoppers that have established a good reputation in the industry. Shoppers that prove to be reliable and submit high-quality reports on time will receive more offers. Mystery shopping companies often use a rating system and share information on good and bad shoppers with other mystery shopping companies. If you miss deadlines or don't complete an assignment as instructed, that company will not call you again. However, if your report is descriptive, thorough and well written, you will soon find more exciting and higher-paying assignments being offered to you. Paige Hall is CEO of The Secret Shopper Company based in Atlanta, Georgia. Before founding The Secret Shopper Company in 1995, she worked in the training department of Boar's Head Provision Company. She found that mystery shopping programs could be used as a training tool and founded The Secret Shopper Company on this principal. The Secret Shopper Company assists some of the best companies in the world to improve and maintain excellent service. Paige can be contacted at CEO@secretshoppercompany.com or 877-770-8585. Shoppers and business owners can find more information about mystery shopping at http://www.secretshoppercompany.com |
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