What does a Mystery Shopper Do?

A Mystery Shopper goes to a store, specialty shop, restaurant, airline, and other establishments and evaluates the service based on a set of standards set forth by the individual company. Each company has their own set of criteria that they want evaluated and Mystery Shoppers must follow that criteria and determine the level of service and treatment that they received. This could mean going to a department store and purchasing a particular item then returning it. It could also mean bringing your teenager with you and having them purchase an M-rated video game and then see if the associates ask for ID or deny them the purchase because they are underage. It could also mean going to a fast food or even a fine restaurant and ordering a specific item while evaluating the level of service and food quality. That is what makes mystery shopping fun; it is never the same shop twice.
 

I have seen enough Michael, send me to my free lessons.

What Skills should a Mystery Shopper Have?

A Mystery Shopper should be outgoing, personable and discrete. Discretion is a must because in most shops, they are not allowed to disclose their identity. A good Mystery Shopper should be able to communicate well both verbally and in writing. Strict attention to detail as well as ability to multi task are vital because a Mystery Shopper may go to a shop and have to evaluate the level of service that they receive, note how many people are in the area, time the service at check out and ask specific questions. And they must do all of this while noting if the area was clean, the parking lot was free of litter and the cashier was wearing a name tag (and what that cashier's name was). The detail is also crucial when the shopper complete the report. They must be explicit in order to give the company an accurate picture of their experience.

It is also important to be punctual. Many shops have a very specific time frame in which they can be completed. A shopper must be on time for assignments as well as on time for submitting their evaluations. A good Mystery Shopper must also be very professional, objective and impartial.

What Type of Training does a Mystery Shopper Need?

There is no formal training to become a Mystery Shopper. However, various companies may have their own "tests" or "certifications" that the shopper must pass in order to be able to shop at that particular establishment. Some companies do their own shopper training, but for the most part, the only real training that a shopper gets is through the certification quizzes for certain merchants.

Are there any Certifications that a Mystery Shopper must Have?
The Mystery Shopping Providers Association (MSPA) offers two distinct certifications for Mystery Shoppers: Silver Certification and Gold Certification. The Silver Certification is offered as a basic skills test that is designed to ensure that the shopper has the basic skills to read, follow directions and comprehend directions. A Silver Certification for mystery shopping is required in order to get a Gold Certification. A Gold Certification is more extensive in that it allows you to attend a workshop that goes much deeper into the mystery shopping materials. The Gold Certification also puts you in a network with other shoppers. The Silver Certification is offered online and the Gold Certification is offered onsite.
 

I have seen enough Michael, send me to my free lessons.

What is the MSPA?
The MSPA is a professional trade association that boasts more than 150 member companies internationally. It is committed to improving the service quality of its members by the means of anonymous resources. It supports companies that hire Mystery Shoppers and Mystery Shoppers through information, resources, training and support.

Where do you Find Mystery Shopping Jobs?
There are many ways to find mystery shopping jobs. The MSPA has listings of companies that hire Mystery Shoppers. Volition is another popular site that hires shoppers. The best way to find good companies is to ask around. Join some work at home forums, work at home mom's forums and mystery shopping forums to learn about leads and find jobs. There are many, many companies that hire Mystery Shoppers. The trend usually is, though, that once you start asking on forums, more and more leads will come your way. An added bonus of forums is that you can learn about potential scams, companies that are difficult to work for and companies that may have problems with payment or other issues.

How can I Protect Myself From Mystery Shopping Scams?
You must be aware of what scams are out there before you start protecting yourself from them. There are several web sites that offer a detailed run down of mystery shopping companies that legitimate. Many people who are in the work at home business or the mystery shopping business will tell you that, if you have to pay for the information, it is not legitimate. If you decide to sign on with a company to do mystery shopping, do yourself a favor and go to some free sites to take on shops there before you take the plunge to buy memberships, guides or reports.

Mystery Shopping can be fun and profitable. It can allow you to do things that you may not normally indulge in or do. Just make sure that when you sign up with a company and accept assignments that you are prepared to fulfill your obligation to work on time and give a detailed description of your experience.
 

Lesson1