My friend the Mystery Shop Maven is thinking of creating a book just about mystery shopping.
She has written an amazing 51 articles just about mystery shopping! And all of them have received a good response from mystery shoppers.
She’s written about all kinds of things from
- how to get started,
- how to get more assignments,
- how to work with schedulers and companies
- how to protect yourself from scams
- how to complete various kinds of assignments.
The book would include all of her articles…plus more.
Can you think of just one way this would help you?
What is one thing you would want included in the book?
Leave a comment….
Some companies will give you a larger bonus than they want to pay if you are their good shopper,others help on gas and THeir need to get the job done, its alot about them. I went out of my way ,called to help out on locations no one would go to,and i got my shop taken away for one thing that was not in the senario, after being their number one shopper.I am so upset with this and it is because I built a reputation and maybe the scheduler was covering herself by allowing me to do the shop before the start date that was never indicated to me. She covered her self and found a mistake and basically told me I am no longer allowed to work for them anymore.Not, you did something wrong on your senario, and we cant pay you but make sure that you follow these guides or you will not be able to do anymore shops. Why was this allowed,it took away so many future shops with them and ruined my reputation I worked so hard to get with them. I want to make sure now I get all my pay for shops from before and I am so upset and dont know why they would do that to someone who was there for them every day asking if I could help them with any shop. How do I have recourse about this situation?
I would like to see tax topics covered in a comprehensive manner. Some topics to start include when mileage is, and is not, deductible. Are reimbursed purchases income? How to keep records and for how long. The impact of SE tax.
I would like to see better education on how to compete a form that requires writing a narrative. They say that I do not give enough information on them.
How about I mentioned Husband instead of spouce on a report and got a 7/10 because of it, and I had two times skipped in between sentences two spaces instead of one.Thats why I got a 7….That is ridiculous,who is grading these things, a boy out of high school
I’d like to do somne really high paying shops. Maybe Hotels?
The A-Z of taxes with mystery shopping. What can and cannot be claim on taxes with mystery shopping. If you do a shop and did not get paid because the company say you didn’t complete the shop right and you had to buy something.
a section on how to network yourself more
No compliants, just some facts.
As an INDEPENDANT CONTRACTOR I have the choice to make, wheather I accept an assignment or not. If I have an issue with a company I don’t do any more shops for them. “There loss.”
I would like to see information on tax filling for a Mystery Shopping
business in the book.
Thanks
Kathy: Read my response to what happened to Customer service experts when they tried to shaft me. They made a big mistake because I do not roll over and take it. When they were threatened with a suit from a lawyer, the capitulated and paid. I just found three more shops that they refused to pay me on because I did not have a meaningful dialog with the employee. (She was very busy and had no time for me in a kiosk shop) My lawyer gave them three days to pay me or he will sue the client. I cannot do that under my contractor agreement…but he, who has no agreement can bring their client into court. I am sure that the harm caused to them will be more than it is to me. Arrogance and treating shoppers like little kids is not a tolerable practice and more of you should do the same thing. Grab them by the short hairs and make them stop this childish and abusive practice.
That sounds like a plan,I have emailed them and its funny how another company offering the same type of work denied paying me for the same thing.Its like you did nothing and now I am being treated as if I dont know how to shop and did a hundred great shops for them before. I will get in contact with someone if I don’t get the money I deserve.Thanks for the input.I appreciate it,and more people should be aware of this and know how to handle situations like this.I am keeping track and have emailed the second company two times and am keeping record of everything.Its just not fair.
I would like to see a chapter titled JOB DESCRIPTION, or maybe BUSINESS DESCRIPTION (because most mystery shoppers do it as a business and not by being someone else’s employee), to explain all the basic requirements that a newcomer should be fully aware of before he enters the arena of mystery shopping. He needs to be aware of what computer skills, negotiating and other people skills, recordkeeping skills, dealings with tax authorities, etc. are all required in this kind of work. Probably he must have his own computer, printer, etc. at home, too; would that be correct? I think he may also need ability to deal with a wide variety of companies, some of whom deal very fairly with mystery shoppers while others pay a low amount or pay late or are slow about giving assignments, etc. Newcomers like myself may be very unaware that such things can happen in the world of mystery shopping, but at the same time I also believe there is plenty of opportunity for those who know how to navigate it. Kevin Brennan
I would like to see a chapter on: “What to look for to avoid scams”. I have gotten 4 different large checks in the mail, telling me to send money via Western Union and other methods do a mystery shop and keep $500. If you cash these checks you are liable for the whole amount of the check you receive. I did not cash these checks. I was told by a co-ordinator of one of the companies I shop for to call the Secret Service, so please do not cash these checks.
New shoppers need some guidence so they will know not to cash these checks.
I think it would be helpful to everyone of us, because we may find out about something that we did not know about.
A chapter on the Structure of MS operations would help.What is the structure of the Food Chain? What is the structure between contracts handled between the MS co’s. and their clients? How is the dollar breakdown established? Who/what is the structure of a typical MS company?
I have, by trial and error, settled with one co. that I do work for – communication with scheduler, editor and project supervisor is excellent: pay weekly via PayPal. When my comments get out of line I get a nice Eml or a phone – yes a phone call from the editor. In return they get 100% reliability and a separate ‘heads up’ when a job is a problem. I know the paperwork, the expectations:the ‘shops’ are enjoyable.
Shops are planned to cover 2 days a week. 1 day reports. 2 spare days for any re shops. Equipment consists of tape recorder, drawing paper, pens and map. Yes I have apt.restaurant and other shops if needed but I prefer the (present) smoothness of this one operation.
Your book needs to be published by chapters or it will never get published. Then when all completed a ‘revised’ ed. to make the updates that have arrived based on the chapters.
I am fairly new at mystery shopping. I have completed around 25 shops so far. Like others, the topic of the scheduler relationship is one I would like to learn more about. I would also like to know the key to finding shops in your local area. I have “lucked out” finding shops of stores I frequent. It has taken alot of research on the forums to find those shops. Many hours of research, actually! There has to be an easier way! I have been fortunate in finding upstanding companies to shop for. No “lemons” as of yet. I have gotten alot of great advice on the forums.
Kathy: Do not be afraid to threaten. You cannot under ethical guidelines contact any client. BUT that does not preclude an attorney contacting a client by supoena. Do you think these bums want their clients contacted by anyone with any complaint? The answer is a big NO. Fight them and stop taking the crap and make them treat you as an equal although you are not an equal, you are a superior but they have not learned that YET. Education is a wonderful thing.
I did not know there was a boycott. I typically never take a 5 dollar job only on pohone shops. Kinda a given. ALso I have worked with global complaince I am sure no one has had a worse experience than I had with them. I did 4hours of complicated time consuming > i had to drive 45 minutes to and 45 from a audit.
The information provided was all wrong and the fault fail on me. Altogether I was out about 145 if you count the time I put in to shipping equipment and traveling. I would stay away form complicated time consuming jobs you do get up front pay for. THis cmpany never paid me the 140 dollars they owed me and told me it ws my fault they gave me incorrect assignment inf. Beware of these kinds of compnies and assignments. Yes tot he boycott of five dollar non phone jobs!
I would like to get more involved in mystery shopping but the pay for some shops just isn’t worth it for the gas used to get there. Also it’s frustrating to accept an urgent job only to find that someone else accepted the job and was compensated for it and you were never contacted. I would like information on avoiding performing jobs and not getting compensated properly or even contacted that your services aren’t required because someone else took the job. I would like to know how to get better compensation and more jobs. I’m willing to work more that pay just isn’t there.
how you dont have to sit down and do work dor an unreasonable price or pay like a 50 page packet for 5 bucks (not a literall example but still) lol
After reading many of the responses I think we REALLY need a chapter on grammar!
Speaking of grammar… is there somewhere that I can sign up to proofread the instructions and forms we have to read? I am told that we need to be sure that our grammar and spelling are exemplary but much of the information we receive is so badly written that I want to cry!
I would love to get into the composing end of the forms and instructions. I think I understand most of the information that companies want and think I could get it for them without a lot of the time consuming, repetitive form filling that we so often face. For example I had one form that asked four times if the table was clean.
Thank you for doing this, but PLEASE make sure you get it proof read before it goes out! (Um, your articles too.)
Maybe there should be a lesson on how to write up reports and the grammar on them is horrible.We as shoppers have to be perfect but..the one high school student that reads the reports has all the say in what should be said, or not.
No,on this board we talk about how we feel and are not writing a report on a job, we are helping one and other out with things that need to be addressed and taken into consideration from schedulers that understand us and where we come from.
So, UMMM, I will not proof read my message,it is loud and clear,this is a Forum not a report to you.
Why, if you write an honest report, do the companies always come back “wanting more information” regarding the report! The job is complete for the small amount of money we receive, yet much time is spent explaining more details.
In addition, an interesting chapter would be pertaining to exactly how do the companies who employ us get, versus what we are paid.
How to find the companies that offer jobs in a specific area. I get tons of offerings for jobs 30 minutes awaym but hardly any in my actual area.
Also details on mystery shopping and announced audits I can do. But going to a housing project to shop a “target” and not get caught, I don’t know how that works, and therefore been to scared to try it.
How much personal information on your shopping techniques should one share with the scheduler?
If a recording is made it is done covertly. On one shop, when I alluded to the recording and subsequent accuracy of certain details, I was advised by the scheduler that if the shop instructions do not mention recording anything, I am not to record but am to only follow the specified directives. I now keep my own personal methods to myself. Any advise or experiences?
Grammar at this point is not the issue. We all know that grammar is a “part” of reporting. The bigger issue is pay ( which is what it is all about) that ,is substandard for mystery shopping and respect of a person’s time. With that, I think ther should be a site that rates the mystry shopping companies based on pay, response to questions or complaints and availability of work in a given area among other things. If theses areas are not address ther willbe more people who give mystery shopping a bad name through thier experience. I warned against working for suggested Global complaince inc. as a terrible company to work for becuase of specifics like finidng excuses notto pay full fees as agreed, rude and dishonest staff as well incompetents that cost the shopper or auditor.
Lets focus now and really get some useful information to be acted upon. Mystery shopping when done well and compensated well is fun and easy. To take work from a company that tries to get two shops for the low price ($10) of one, with 45 minutes of narratives is so insane I wonder what type of medication the owners are on. Best Mark has been known to do this as well as other companies. I wonder who in thier right minds accepts assignmnets like this. If you add uo the time and gas and put it in a hourly rate the pay wold be $1.75 per hour. are they serious abuot having a business or what. Well it does matter, shoppers should be more serious about accepting assignmnets. If they were, Companies would not try the 1.75 hour pay. this would not happen.
An associate of mine just did a shop for CRI and the receipt given to her by the bookstore was faint. After discussions with the scheduler, it was agreed to trace it over and submit it. That was done and then the qualilty assurance person de assigned the shop. When she complained that she had complied with the scheduler, she was told that she altered the date on the tracing. This is not true so she just wrote them and told them that since she was being accused of altering a document which is a fraud, she might as well have a superior court judge decide if she did this. She gave them three hours to decide, they did not and now they have a writ being delivered to them. I guess that not everyone rolls over and plays dead when people like this try to stick it to them where the sun never shines.
Well for the people who work hard, do good jobs, and get blamed for things that are wrong need to be investigated and we deserve the pay after driving there,spending the time,gas,wear and tear on your vehicle and then a report that is so long and the narrative must be perfect. Well its not right,and I am glad someone stood up and is not rolling over because that is what is expected.Half the time you cant even speak with someone about the jobs and you get emails…thats very effective and professional on a matter that requires upper management and people with know how to step in.When you know you have done good and there is no doubt,pay, and especially for the wages out there.
Kathy: I thank you for your input. I will no longer get screwed by people who are faceless and nameless knomes. They are emailing my friend explaining the why. The say that the comment was “You appeared to have altered the receipt.” Tell it to the judge. I am thinking of adding a libel charge to the bill as I know they will not even go to court to contest it and I win automatically. There is a saying in the Bible. “Ask and ye shall receive” They asked and now they are going to receive. Thanks again. Witchmeadowsue doc’s friend. Who he legally sleeps with.
Kathy, Thanks you for standig up for us, even in this forum.
(message on 9/23 and 9/26) You rock!
Thanks for all of us posting the importance of so many things that a good shopper should not have to take from anyone,we do our jobs, pay our price on all that we do, and try and write the best most accurate report with perfect grammar(there should be courses that the people whp grade our reports have to take and they should have to go out on the assignments and so should the schedulers to get a feeling of what it really is all about) detailing everything perfect in their book of grammar. I would like to know how about going to take legal action when you did make one mistake on one job and than they dont pay you for the others that were done correct.Hire an attorney for a few 17 or 12 dollars jobs they dont pay,does it really pay for us….I mean it does but I think I would only do it if it was a substancial amount of money. What do you do,can anyone explain so I really know what to do..Thanks for everyone else’s input and it sheds a light on what should be in the book, not getting paid for jobs and how to get results. You guys rock.
I would like to know how to make it worthwhile. I used to do tons of shops and made a little extra to help get through the month. Now my time is shorter so I can only afford to do well-paying shops. Yet, even though the cost of living has increased enormously, the pay for shops has certainly not. Any shop I do, I lose money. I have drastically cut back on my Shopping because, quite simply, I have to pay my bills.
Kathy: Listen to these words of wisdom. It does not matter how much the money is. It is the principle that I will not get screwed by these overbearing idiots. CRI is the absolute worst of the bunch. They threaten to derate you if you are late, they will suspend you for 30 days if you do not do what they like. Let me explain how the game works. No matter what the amount is. Write them a certified letter advising them that you are bringing legal action. File a claim in your local small claims court. The amount should be for the amount not paid, plus fees from the court and then charge them a fee of $300 for your time in preparing the writ, mailing it. Now your bill is high enough to make it worthwhile. They, on the other hand, are basically stupid or uncaring or else just are too busy. They will NOT hire a lawyer to defend this matter. It just is not cost effective for them. Now you will get a judgement by default. Wait 30 days and it will perfect itself and they cannot reopen it. Now you have them by the short hairs. You can go into their bank accounts, they pay all fees for sheriffs. Their life will be unhappy and legally, although you as a shopper cannot do this, a lawyer can attach their client with a mechanics lien. That is a process whereby when you do work for anyone (a client hires these bums) they can be attached. I do not think that this will make them too happy. But the important thing is: I WILL BE HAPPY AND THAT IS IMPORTANT TO ME. The Bible says “Ask and ye shall receive” And they are asking.
I glance through all these other comments. Commnication is vital in mystery shopping!!!!!!! Email your scheduler, use MaBell also. I find when I do this, the scheduler is willing to work around circumstances beyond my control. And don’t get too upset over a few shops you’re not getting paid for, that goes with the territory.
What I like to see in this new book:HOW do you FIND OUT WHICH MYSTERY COMPANIES TAKING OVER THE SHOPS YOU DONE IN THE PAST? There are several shops I was doing for the past two years, and the companies I was working for no longer schedule them. I can’t find out which mystery shopping companies scheduling them now. I stumbled on one of them by accident and has to take the test all over again.
We are using our gas and money to do shops, especially restaurant shops, and there are several companies that take 2-3 months to pay. Most companies are pretty timely when it comes to paying, why can’t they all. I do understand that they need to get paid from the clients also.
When there are problems with shops that you have done a assignment from Ma bell as you referred to it is not around.There is email only and you can be ignored or emailed once and for one mistake that never even happened you dont get to explain or document and are now banned from company….now is that right…do we not only not get paid for just one or maybe a couple of shops because out of the blue they ban you and dont pay you for anything that was done previous. So, Mabell does not exist for alot of companies and when it does and the scheduler has a problem if they were professional then a call would have resolved everything but instead a unprofessional way is to not deal with it, send one final email and never respond and take you off the site… So, now is that right with their communication Eliza…This comes from companies that you were their number one shopper….what happened…did the scheduler mess up and cover up for their mistakes….good question when you are being ignored. A phone call is the result that you want to resolve but it does not always happen and alot dont do that they only email….
I think there should be a limit on how many people can apply for available shops, they tell us you can receive many opportunities to work but, yet in still wait for an email telling you you’ve been accepted to do the shop.
There should be a first come first serve qualifications basis along with i would say 50-60 applicants for i’ll say 10 openings not, 100 or more for those same openings. FEEL ME””””””””
So much atention is paid to-how will I get paid, etc…I would like to pay more attention to the questions that are asked after or what the criteria is that you or supposed to critique. You are missing some vital points of service I think.
I am not sure what veronica meant. However, much attention should be piad to how you will get paid. Mystery shopping is not “volunteer” work . Also the compnies are getting paid by their clients we are not the mystry shoppng companies slaves?
IN my area ther are plenty of jobs. I choose to only take the ones that are worth my times. If you are having a problem with getting assignmnets because there are a lot of people you should sign up for more work with “other” companies ther are about 250 well known companies.
One topic is too difficult. Looks like lots of good suggestions SPECIFICALLY that Tax specifics (thus tracking expenses, etc.), locating the “specific industry(ies)” projects, and the DELAYED payment issues are my Top 3. Perhaps she’d permit some submissions and/or early reviews from a former newspaper employee with a PR degree Mystery shopper who’s also had to edit Legislative documents. Hey, this game is not only about reporting the details but about selling one’s own abilities to do a thorough job for almost nothing, right? ;-P OK everyone take a collective SMILE!
Website coming pre-Halloween 2008!
What can be written off on taxes.
Record mileage before you leave for a shop, set the odometer to 0 and record the distance travelled in a little book, with the name of the shop, the date and time of day. I always keep this book in the car. Postage used for reports and to run your business is another item. A percentage of your house expenses ( check with a tax accountant ) since you are running your business from your home. Car expensses, etc. as well. Keep ALL receipts. Label them according to the shop it is for, and let the accountant figure out which nones he can use. You can’t keep too many receipts! There may be more advantages for you if you register a “Name” for your business too. The minimal investment is really worth it!
A person once told me to “keep it simple particularly, when you are training or teaching,or learning.” I believe this statement is important,for mystery shopping companies to enforce.Companies should provide shoppers,with a clear, simple explanation of the job requirements/duties. Or all companies have a meeting to work together,to provide a simple universal reference book. This book would contains a clear written synopsis of all mystery shopping jobs,expectations,telephone emergency no.contacts.Something that would be a win win situation for us all.This book may reduce possible false statements made,save time on questions and answers, all would be listed.”The written word is the final word.” There should be fewer disputes or dalays.
Considering the tedious tasks and time that shoppers experience through preparing for shops,understanding assignments,often times may be overwhelming or may be confusing. Along with shoppers anticipation in working their assignments,traveling,paper work and having other responsibilities.And with a universal reference book companies possible could save in costs for business expenses on:supplies,phone calls,working hours,etc.and with their savings perhaps shopper’s could receive an increase in pay.
Unfortunely,the companie’s job demands/responsibilites does not equal the shopper’s outcome…pay. The companie’s job expectations are extreme and should reflect higher wages.
they should write about how to complain about an obnoxious reviewer, scheduler etc. or how to get back at them. especially when they are having a bad day, that is not an excuse. also, they should make all requirements uniform, not haphazard and random.
I have been shopping for a company named Informa for 4 years, have done over 400 shops with a rating of 9. Never a complaint . Now, I signed up for a new company and did two shops for them. The first I did not get paid for as I did not see the proper person. That is my fault, I screwed up. The second, they say that I did not even go to the shop and falsified it. That is crap. I do not do that type of stuff. The scheduler who scheduled the shop also works for Informa and told her that I falsified a shop. It was not true and I have a photo of the outside that Ihad been there. Guess what?? I got deactivated from Informa just on the say so of one scheduler who got her information third hand. So much for loyalty from shopping companies. No one gives a s— about shoppers.
The justice system does not work here.
If I find it a hassle working for a Scheduling Company, I cut my losses and move on. There is one in particular that I will not use. A lot of redundancy and useless verbiage is required in their reports. I doubt that they would find a more conscientious shopper …. it is their loss.
In one instance, the location alleged having identified the Shopper. I was asked for a detailed description of myself, which I sent off immediately. Since I never heard back from the Scheduler, I thought that this location would be one that I could never apply for again. Later I was called on for ‘end of the month assignments,’ one of which included this location. When I brought up the ID issue, they said that there was no problem. In retrospect, I would have appreciated a heads up about the outcome of the store’s claim to having identified the Mystery Shopper. It had been a negative report and I suspect that they had wanted to deflect attention from the report. They had been mistaken, but no one informed me. This experience has reinforced to me that I should not assume or presume and that I need to do follow up, myself.
An online Mystery Shop Book in .pdf format would be useful. There are many generalizations and principles that apply to the Shop business. However since there are so many different client requirements, I believe that industry standardizations will be a long time coming. Newbies especially, have a need for guidelines.
The value of the Shopper cannot be overestimated! The Mystery Shopping Business as a whole would not even exist without them! The power is with the Shoppers! We are a are a special breed. Not everyone can Mystery Shop. Shoppers possess unique and varied skills. Keep up the good work!!
I really appreciate your help
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