What is Mystery Shopping, and Can You Really Get Paid to Shop?

Mystery shoppers visit businesses "disguised as normal customers," and do the things other customers do-ask questions, make a purchase, make a return-but with a twist. These undercover customers are there to evaluate the businesses and their employees. After a visit, the mystery shopper completes a report or questionnaire detailing what occurred.

Why Do Businesses Hire Mystery Shoppers?
In general, shops are done to find out about the level of service provided to customers. However, mystery shoppers may also be asked to verify that employees are neatly groomed and in uniform, the business is clean and merchandise is displayed neatly, staff persons are knowledgeable, etc. As a mystery shopper, you may be asked to verify if employees used a certain phrase (such as, "Thank you for shopping at Mega Mart.") or if they used suggestive selling techniques ("Would you like fries with that?"). You may even be asked to shop a client's competitor, so the client can compare their operations to others'. Mystery shoppers may monitor pricing, or verify that the business is in compliance with professional standards or government regulations.

One common misconception about mystery shoppers is that they are just looking for what is wrong. In fact, a mystery shopper is there to provide an objective view of the business, and they report on the good as well as the not-so-good.

Mystery shoppers seek the answers to questions. Were you greeted when you entered the store? Were the shelves properly stocked? Was the store clean? Did the rest rooms have soap and tissue? How long did it take to be served? Did the salesperson tell you about the available service contract? Did the cashier properly count out your change? Afterward, they fill out a form or write a report describing what they observed.

Mystery shopping is not opinion research. Shoppers are not paid to give their opinions, they are paid to report their observations.

When evaluating businesses, mystery shoppers are the eyes and ears of the business owner. Shoppers tell them how customers see the business. Most businesses have service standards and rules for safety and security. Mystery shoppers tell the business owner whether his employees are living up to the standards and following the rules.

Businesses use the information from shopper reports to reward good employees, identify training deficiencies, make stores safer for employees and customers, and much more. Companies may base performance evaluations and bonus pay outs at least in part on the results of mystery shops.

The information obtained in mystery shopping reports allows the business to monitor the performance of one location when compared to another, or how the performance of the same location has improved over time.

Mystery shopping is also valuable for the sentinel effect. When employees know that they will be mystery shopped-but they don't know when or by whom-they will give every customer excellent service. This is especially true when the results of mystery shops are used in employee performance evaluations.

The Need for Mystery Shoppers
Today's business environment is extremely competitive. Companies that fail to provide excellent service will not survive. Studies show that a satisfied customer will tell three other people about his experience. A dissatisfied customer will tell ten to twelve people. All too often, though, the customer won't tell the business owner or manager.

Not only do companies face loss of business from poor service, the actions of their employees may cause them to be sued by customers or fined by the government. With so much at stake, mystery shoppers provide a valuable service by identifying potential problems the business owner can correct before they result in a major liability.

Who Are the Mystery Shoppers?
Because mystery shoppers look like typical customers (and are, in most ways, typical customers) almost anyone can become a mystery shopper. Shoppers may be any (adult) age, male or female. They may be employed, self-employed, unemployed, students, retired or full time homemakers.

What makes mystery shoppers different from other customers is that they want to help improve customer service and make some extra money while doing so, and they are specially prepared to evaluate businesses and report their findings.

Many shoppers get into this business because it is fun. They love to get the perks, such as "free" food and merchandise, and even make a little money while they're getting this free stuff! Although mystery shopping can be fun, it is a business and you will have important responsibilities as a mystery shopper.

If you are interested in working flexible, part time hours, and getting paid to shop, eat and more while providing an important service to businesses, mystery shopping may be for you.

Copyright Cathy Stucker, IdeaLady.com. As a trainer and author of The Mystery Shopper's Manual, Cathy Stucker has helped thousands of people become successful professional shoppers. Sign up for her free e-mail course on mystery shopping at http://www.idealady.com/shopping.htm.

---

How To Become a Mortgage Broker

The mortgage industry accounted for $1,815,949,279,000 in loan transactions in 2004. That's one trillion, eight hundred and fifteen billion, nine hundred and forty-nine million, two hundred and... Read More

Resumes That Work: 3 Steps to More and Better Interviews

All of us involved with helping you get a new job, whether as third party recruiters or as representatives of a company, are evaluating you for employment... Read More

Six of the Best for a Winning Resume

1. Be CompleteMake sure that your resume includes EVERYTHING your prospective employer would need to know to be able to offer you an interview.It is NOT unheard... Read More

What is Contract Programming? An Alternative to the Conformity of Everyday Employment

What is contract programming, you ask? Well, when companies need specific computer programming expertise, for temporary periods of time, they generally hire a contract programmer or an... Read More

5 Ways to Combat Job Burnout

Job burnout happens when the stress or prolonged frustration of a job or career contributes to emotional and physical exhaustion. The ability to cope with general life... Read More

Learn How to Throw a Boomerang

Actually, "the boomerang effect" is a relatively new trend of inviting back talented former employees into the fold.Surveys indicate 12% of employers cautiously admit they would re-hire... Read More

Applying for a Job in China

Working in ChinaWorking in China is very common now. Either you are sent to China by your company or you apply for a job to be stationed... Read More

Out Recruit The Competition

We hear from our clients that they "hope the candidate takes the job." Hiring a candidate shouldn't be a guessing game. After you interview a candidate thoroughly,... Read More

Travel Writer Jobs, What Are They And How To Find Them

Travel writing jobs are few and far between. Getting into this field is hard to do and requires a lot of training and experience. But, there are... Read More

Ten Healthcare Fields That Cant Wait To Hire You

Healthcare is one of the hottest career fields in America today. The aging and retiring of the largest population segment in the country, known as "baby boomers",... Read More

Where Do I Go From Here?

Making Your Future Work Better For YouIt's the commonest concern people have about their careers. Where am I heading? Is this the right direction for me? How... Read More

Unemployment Survival: Taking Back Control

One of the most emotionally crippling aspects of unemployment is the sense of powerlessness it engenders. Job layoff triggers financial pressures, emotional distress, family turmoil, and dashed... Read More

If Youre Fired, Will Past Employers Keep Your Secret?

Despite what some job seekers think, it is not illegal for former employers to tell reference checkers that you were fired. They can say anything they want... Read More

Job Interview Preparation - What Employers Are Looking For

When an employer decides to conduct an interview with you, there are certain things that they are looking for from you. Naturally, you are likely to focus... Read More

The Last Minute Interview

Your breath catches in your throat - at last, an interview! Elated, you write down the time and place of the interview, who to ask for, say... Read More

What is Absolutely the Best Day to go on a Job Interview?

First of all, to fully understand and appreciate the answer, a couple of givens must be taken into account. What I believe to be the most important... Read More

Managing Emotions During Career Change and Job Search, Part One

How can you manage your emotions during your career change or job search? To answer this practical and wise question, let's first define what emotions are. Emotions,... Read More

Evaluating Job Offers -- Eleven Warning Signs You Must Watch Out For

Moving into a new job always involves some degree of uncertainty. You should do your best to find out all you can about a prospective employer, starting... Read More

How to Insure Job Security

The attorneys I coach have one common problem. They don't have enough hours in the day to do everything they need to do. Most are working long... Read More

Thank-You Notes: Your Thoughtfulness will be Rewarded

I get asked these questions over and over: "Should I send separate thank-you notes to everyone who interviewed me? Can I just send one thank-you note to... Read More

Turning the Table: Questions for Your Interviewer

(DES MOINES, Iowa ? January 26, 2005) The fateful final question of all interviewers may carry more weight than you would think. Upon hearing "Now, do you... Read More

Don?t Discount the Temporary Position Interview

If you think, 'it's just an interview for a temp job -- no big deal,' that's where you're mistaken. Some wonderful opportunities, networking connections and careers have... Read More

Home Healthcare Careers

One of the fastest growing sectors of the medical industry is that of home health. There are many reasons for this growth, but most important are:The number... Read More

No Experience? No Problem!

Are you a new graduate with little or no work experience? Sometimes it can be tough to get a job without experience, and how do you get... Read More

Career Discovery - Pinpoint Your Ideal Career

Determine your ideal career--one that's in alignment with your values, passions, and talents--and discover the work you were born to doCareer discovery is the process by which... Read More

Ten Resume Writing Tips You Can?t Live Without

For some job opening, employers receive hundreds and even thousands of resumes. When you are looking for a job, how can you best promote yourself? How can... Read More