Mystery Shopper | Mystery Shopping | Become a Mystery Shopper

A mystery shopper is like a spy. A mystery shopper receives assignments for restaurants, grocery stores, automobile dealers, retail stores, etc. Almost any type of business you can think of might utilize the services of a mystery shopper.

First, you receive an assignment, for example, you might be asked to describe the parking facilities, cleanliness, friendliness of the staff, and your wait time at a restaurant.

You must always work undetected. The staff should not suspect that you are an evaluator or they would treat you differently. Your job is not to spy on employees, or try to catch them doing something wrong. Your job is to simply follow the instructions that came with your assignment and provide an unbiased evaluation.

The company that hired you expects you to maintain yourself in a professional manner. For a business to be successful, they must maintain customer satisfaction. They can best accomplish that if they understand how the customer is being treated and if their product is being sold in an efficient manner.

As a mystery shopper you have the benefit of working around your schedule. Some businesses may want you to complete the assignment during certain hours, such as happy hour, a sale, etc. Or, you might be able to request certain hours of the day that are best for you.

You can apply online to over 150 companies in the list found on this site. You can also check the resources section of the site for links to web sites containing message boards or job search engines. Message boards are invaluable for learning from other mystery shoppers where the best jobs are and how to get them. There is also a link on the resources page to a mystery shopper jobs search engine.

You must never feel obligated to take an assignment. It will not be held against you if you are unable or unwilling to take a particular assignment. If you are sent an assignment you don't want or can't complete, make sure you decline it right away. This allows the company to find someone else. Companies don't care if you decline assignments as long as you do it promptly. If you don't decline it promptly you probably won't be sent anymore assignments.

A lot of mystery shopping companies now operate almost entirely over the internet. You will most likely receive notice via email. It is important to apply with an email address you use often as you may need to respond within 24 to 48 hours to be accepted for an assignment. You may also be notified through fax or phone.

You will be given the details of the assignment and have the chance to accept or decline it.

If you accept it, you will download or receive via mail or fax, the instructions that are to be used for your evaluation. You will be given a form with specific instructions before you shop. You will be told who to speak to and all areas that are to be included in your evaluation.

Study your assignment instructions before you begin the shop, because you can't take your notes with you. Remember you must remain undetected! Do your best to remember names and pertinent details, and as soon as you get to your car you can quickly jot down important notes.

You will have been given a deadline. Usually you have to have your report filed within 24 to 48 hours. Be punctual! This could determine whether you will get any future assignments with this company. Most likely you will be able to file your report online or fax it in. Simply follow the instructions you were given.

It is very important that you be as accurate as possible, giving only the information requested in the assignment. If your assignment was to evaluate cleanliness at an establishment, don't make comments about the staff either good or bad. Don't interject personal thoughts of your experience unless asked.

Apply to as many companies as you like. That way you can pick and choose assignments that you like. If you only work for one or two companies it will be much more difficult to be picky about assignments or find the ones that pay enough or are at stores or locations you prefer.

Study the assignment carefully Read all of the instructions and the evaluation form that you fill out after. You need to know where you are going and what exactly to look for or say when you get there.
Maintain anonymity No one should be able to recognize you as a mystery shopper. Don't take any forms or papers with you. Try not to take notes or do anything that would identify you as a mystery shopper. Pretend that you are an ordinary shopper, just as you would if you were actually shopping or dining for yourself.
Have fun It may be work, but it can be fun too! Just pretend that you are shopping for yourself.
Fill out all paper work in a timely fashion Complete and return any forms within 24 hours of completing the assignment. That way the details are fresh in your memory.
Don't forget the details As a mystery shopper you should try to relate as many details of the shop as you can. Try to be observant.
Report the facts, not your opinions Your job as a mystery shopper is to report facts and details, not to offer opinions on improving company policies. Companies will use your reports to examine their own internal policies and it's very important to let them draw their own conclusions.
Give balanced observations You should approach every assignment with an unbiased point of view. Give your observations not your opinions. Providing an excessively negative or positive report may imply that you did not carefully observe everything during your mystery shopping experience. Although this does not mean that you should not report a very positive or negative report, rather that your report should not be completely positive or completely negative.
Submit a professional looking report Neatly type or print your reports.
Don't back out Once you accept an assignment, you are committing yourself to do the job. Do not miss your shop date or perform it late. Fill out your report as soon as possible after your done.
Don't give up Mystery shopping can be a great way to make a second income or just provide a little extra spending cash. Have fun with it. The only ones who succeed are the ones who did not give up.

Mystery Shopper Information on the Web

How to Become a Mystery Shopper