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….
How to get the best paying jobs
I would like to see a section on getting paid and negotiating fees
I would like to see a chapter on how to create your own mystery shop business and be your own boss.
I would like to see companies that are 3 months or longer to pay be listed in big letters for those of us who need payment on a regular schedule. If several companies can do it so can the rest.
Some companies have you applying for a job before they tell you the location of same. Then, after you apply and find out where the job is only to discover that it’s too far for the pay involved, you then have to cancel. This could cause you to ‘look bad’ in the eyes of that company. It would be a big help to have that info right off the bat.
Remind newlings _not_ to support jobs that pay 3$ and have you fill out 30 pages. You don’t have to settle!
Always keep track of expenses– dealing with tax issues would be a great addition to any book about jobs that are IC.
I think that mystery shopping companys need to start paying their shoppers more money per assignment.
WHY DOES IT TAKE COMPANIES SO LONG TO PAY.
Highlight the companies that Pay Little and Request the Most – those that have you print and fill out 18 – 25 pg forms, read very lengthy data, shoot and record and then crop your photo size down and pay very very little for all your “fun”.
Also, issues on cross platform reporting. Some companies design their forms for ONLY Microsoft platforms and once online, reporting on an Apple platform can erase the data. This happened to me on a 2 hr report only to find out the customer never received the data. Sassie shop has the best forms for reporting and accept all platforms.
Now, I ask on new assignments where they design their own forms, do you support Apple or cross platform reporting.
Add a section on Pay schedule and how it sucks! it takes forever to get paid on alot of these shops.From 30 – 60 days and that sucks!
I think a lot of shoppers would like to know how to write
“excellent” narratives without becoming too windy or too wordy in little time. Companies look for facts, not opinions (unless they specifically ask), but when shopping apartments, hotels, fine dining restaurants and such, most companies require a well written narrative after each section. Some forms may only have 3 sections, but others could have 15 sections. Companies want you to describe what you experienced such as food quality (tastes, smells, texture, temperatures), food quantity (portion sizes), cleanliness (floors, windows, furniture, restrooms, dishes, silverware), ambience, atmosphere, service, each person you came in contact with, and such. Most of us stumble upon words to use, words to express your experience. Thinking for words to express an experience can take hours (sometimes 4-6 hours) to complete one shop form. I would like to become better educated in how to complete a form that requires writing many narratives in minimal time to make the shop worth the payment being received.
How to find the company that is contracted for which business.
I would be more apt to get involved if the company would offer money for gas.
I would like to see a chapter on how a mystery shopper can organize their shops, expenses, and tax information in a spreadsheet format. This is a business and we really need excellent administrative skills.
I have been not as active due to heart surgery and illness.
please tell people that it is very inportant NOT to PAY to become a mystery shopper it puts a bad taste right from the start
Hi,
How do you get a company to pay you after 14 months? It is listed on my account page. Have written to the company, so many times and still nothing. I am sure that there must be others besides me who have a problem getting paid after such a long time. A month after I did the shop I went into the hospital and rehabilitation center for 9 months. Was then home for 1 month and back into the hospital for another month. When I was able to do mystery shopping again, noticed that the shop hadn’t been paid to me. Still waiting.
I am in agreement with Jess and have a complete spreadsheet on my shops, dates I received the assignment and about 10 other headlines, including when I receive the payment.
I also agree with Gym. That would really help in deciding how far the shop is from my house.
Didn’t mean to get so winded. My problem with payment is a source of contention.
I would like to know how fees are determined for shops.
Staying organized with your paperwork. The easiest and simplest way possible. After a year or two I have simplified my paperwork so it doesn’t take up so much time. To me, it’s very important.
A chapter on doing your first couple of assignments. I am working with a couple of my friends get started and I have taken them both out on a couple of assignments and both have told me “Is that all there is to it.” We will stop have something to drink talk about the assignment and then go over the assignment sheet and I will then go home and fill out the on line form.
A chapter telling what jobs to do first to get their feet wet, and what easy assignments to look for when first starting out.
I would love a chapter on the exclusive companies that you have to be referred to them by word of mouth. They don’t have their own sites listed on Volition or MSPA. But, somehow they call you in a pinch and say they got your name from another company and/or scheduler. It would be nice if they allowed us to submit sample narratives to be considered full time for their assessments.
I get at least one call a month from a company I never heard of to do an assessment for them. I got one today ….
I think that a mystery shopping book should outline the various types of assigments.
One approach could be to outline the different types of restaurant shops fast food, age compliance, etc.
Another way shops can be defined is by the amount of effort contrasted to pay. For example, the “audits” where there is a $12 pay to take digital pics and upload them (in correct jpeg format) and complete 12-15 pages of audit questions.
I would like to know websites where I could find something in a particular industry. For example, I have not been able to find anything for car washes or hair salons. Where could I find something about those industries or any industry?
Eugene
I would like to know how certain companies have the same shops and one offers the same qualifications and questions and senarios and wants to pay $7 and the other offers $14 pay.That is the exact shop and rules. I wonder what shop is making all the money and we are not.
I also would like to know if you have a miserable scheduler that had a bad day how they can take one shop you did one little mistake on and not pay you, and drop you from the company when you worked with them and were on their preferred list of shoppers and not even give you a chance to make sure that the one thing that was done(minor) was never done again. I thought that if you are a great shopper and did one mistake than you wont get paid but not be dropped from the company all together. I worked hard to build a reputation with them and in one day gone……Who can I complain to?
Why do I have to pay to be a member, they should just hire me to do a job like most companies.
Eugene look on volition or ask on forums,they really should list the areas that they have shops in and the type of shops. Its all left a mystery…..
I think it would be great to know if mystery companies truly give the better shops to gold certified shoppers. I am silver certified, but get approximately the same number of shops as I did before I became silver certified.
I would also like to know more about schedulers and their roles. In general, do they work on commission? When they can’t get a shop filled and have to offer a bonus, does it come out of their pockets? I would like to know more about relationships between shoppers and schedulers.
How are shop prices set and who sets them? Do mystery shopping companies contract with clients?
There is only one restaurant chain that I shop regularly. I would love to shop other chains as well. How do I find out which mystery shopping companies shop, for example, Chilis?
How to keep your mileage and files organized after you shop.
A chapter on organizing paperwork, minimizing downloads (paperwork) and how to set up taxrecords would be very helpful to a new shopper.
I ha
Start to finish the life of a mystery shopper. The good, the bads, the booking keeping, how or Know of when to to say no. Thats how this boycott got started. What to ewpect pay wise. There is alot of info you learn the the hard way.
I would like to know why shoppers are paid so little and also why some mystery shopping companys charge you to sign up with them while others do not.
I would like to see something about the “quizzes” that companies make you take before you can work for them. They need to be more specific in what they are looking for in the answers, why it takes 3 tries to pass a short quiz after reading the whole thing, is beyond me. Some of the quizzes are really confusing!!!
I would love to learn how to work with schedulers to get multiple assignments with multiple companies for the same day to increase my gas mileage and earnings potential.
I would like a chapter on how to get companies to pay you for recommending new customers to mystery shop for them. You could be paid after the new customer joins and do an assignment sucessful.
Mystery shopping would be good, but the pay is terrible. Especially when they schedule you to buy and return. You see all these ads about making money and keeping the purchases well, that is not true.
My question is, who keeps the 90% of the pay and on the purchase allowance it’s usually only $5.00. I believe these companies would have better shoppers if the pay and the purchases were alot better. I always turn down the return shops. Is it that the schedulers get to keep a bigger cut and we do all the leg work?
I, too, would like information on how to start my own mystery shopping company. Also, be sure to include in the book that shoppers REALLY need to read AND follow the guidelines/instructions. Also, how to right a “proper” commentary/comments on your findings.
There is a virus on one of your mystery shopper’s site
Sadly, I would like to see a chapter on how to detect companies that are getting ready to go “belly up”. I also would like to second the above post-ers suggestion to highlight slow-pay companies. There is no excuse for waiting 90 or more days for payment. Try that in “the real world” and see how far it gets you.
Great idea. Good luck with the book.
I would like to see if managing a daily schedule to mystery shop with forms for that and keeping accounting records.
: )
Definitely include a chapter on income tax filings.
I think it may very confusing to the many newbies as to what needs to be filed and how.
Better prices for doing the shops or rebate processors.
I would like to see other types of jobs other than Merchandiser and demonstrators.
Where are the good paying jobs???? With some of the merchandising services jobs what ever happen too the company cars????
I recently performed a shop at Hooters for Shoppers.nwlpc.
This shop was a reimbursment of $30.00 and $15.00 for the shop.
I did the shop and found practically nothing good to say about the business. The shop was rejected. They demanded a very long summation which I provided. Practically all of a nature that if you were paying for the shop you would not want to receive, but that was how it was.
Shoppers.nwlpc rejected the shop and would not even pay me for the money spent for the meal.
Be careful when you take these kinds of shops from small or new companys.
Mystery shoppers should remind themselves constantly that they are independent contractors and should only take shops that are to their advantage. That goes for pay and merchandise.
Why does it take so long to receive mystery shops? After the Shadow Shoppers fee has been paid and the application has been submitted, there may be months before you hear from any companies. Why are the time periods so tight. I have received jobs where the reports need to be submitted 3 days later. I believe that you should have 7-10 days to begin and complete an assignment
I had a horrible experience with SSANET. If I had to give them a secret shop score, it would be an F. After completing two shops (when their computer system did not work), I mailed in the paperwork – so that I could receive a payment. In the meantime, one of the representatives deleted the entries for my shops that I had accepted. Then when I sent a demand letter, it seems that the same representative destroyed U.S. mail. That is against federal law.
I felt ripped off by this company. When I wrote other reps I had worked with in the past (and done a very good job for), they closed ranks and would not write back to me (due to the fraud of the one dishonest rep.)
If they had ever paid me, I would still be shopping for them. But now since the theft of my services occurred, I am warning others.
Beware.
An index of companies with ratings of various topics discused and or exemplified in these posts. Also a list of really true survey companies would be nice also.
I would like to see a full chapter on the writing requirements. I had a difficult time learning what to write for certain companies.
I would like to know how to get some of the better paying jobs, or even some of the better companies such as cruises or vactions or hotels. You cant always seem to find out.
I would love to know how to negotiate fees and if there is a possibility for a gas alottment.Which companies offer the high end shops
Tammy Williams
Maybe shed some insight on what companies spend on mystery shopping or how the economy effects mystery shopping, ie will companies cut corners by cutting back on ensuring adequate customer service ensurances.
In addition to paperwork handling and tax issues, I’d like to see coverage of memory tricks to help shoppers remember physical descriptions and employee names as well as specific shop details.
IF you have a general question how do you get to someone as MSPA? If you will be on leave for 2 or 3 months how can you let your schedulers know that you will not be available until a specific date. When I have questions there is no place to get an answer.
Schedulers should try and try two or three shops together in the same area to make it worthwhile for the shopppers.
IF you have a general question how do you get to someone as MSPA? If you will be on leave for 2 or 3 months how can you let your schedulers know that you will not be available until a specific date. When I have questions there is no place to get an answer.
Schedulers should try and tie two or three shops together in the same area to make it worthwhile for the shopppers.
I would like to know how to find out what Mystery shopping company handles a certain company that I would like to shop. For example, I had previously shopped a certain chain of Health food stores in Seattle on a regular basis. I loved doing those stores as I shopped there anyway. That Mystery shopping company no longer does that store and they did not know which company did. *I also had a wonderful experience getting a pair of great shoes free, but it never came up again. This has happened several times. How can we track which stores use which Mystery shpping companies?
There are a great deal of interesting questions asked in the above comments. Mine are as follows:
What is the job of the scheduler?
What is the job of the editor?
What is the final report to the client?
Why do the editors prefer there own statements vs. those that we shoppers observe that could be of great value to the client?
What is the specific vocabulary that differientiates a fact from an opinion or observation?
It would be great to have an interactive website that you could select what type of shops you prefer and get a response of the companies that schedule those types of shops!
I would like to see a chapter on why comapnies advertise assignments and when I reply within 4 minutes they are already gone.
I had done some shops for intelli-shop and had good ratings. I have had some health problems with my shoulder and pain. I signed up for some shops with them,and then come the day and I could not do them. I had to cancel, and the scheduler was very nasty. She said I always used the same excuse. Well, why would I say something else, when it was true. This scheduler has given me a bad time. Is this what happens with mystery shopping companies? It is like the word empathy is not part of thier vocabulary. Does anyone know what goes on with some of these companies, and should I report her?
I would like more information on companies that want to pay you a measly five or six dollars to do a shop and they expect you to evaluate the location for an hour and then you still have to do a report that could take you up to an hour. This doesn’t count the gas to get there. I have one company that keeps sending me assignments to sign up for and I refuse. I took the test just in case I happened to be at that location for another reason or had a shop nearby, but I still don’t think it’s worth the time. Our minimum wage in the state I live in is over $8.00 an hour. The pay for doing these shops could run at about $3.00 – 4.00 and hour plus gas. Not going to et me to go to them!
I would like to see a chapter on writing skills. Sometimes it takes longer to write a report than to complete the shop. I hate when you stay up hours completing the assignment, only for the editor to contact you letting you know things have been left out. The reports should be much shorter.
I have had some feedbacks from some companies that make no sense to me. Since a 1.5 or 2.0 on spelling tells me nothing. I would like to know my mistakes or weak points so I can try harder. I don’t know if 1.5 or 2.0 is good or bad.
Thanks,
Carol Kelly
Comments on evaluations should identify specific items and areas where you failed so that the same mistakes will not occur in the future rathe than generic comments. Many reports have redundant questions that require large comments being repeated. This is a waste of time and productivity. All shop requests sent out by Shopping Companies should include exact location, fees and reimbursements up front. Concur with comments of Littlebirdie. There should be a Shoppers Advocate group that supports Shoppers and collects and diseminates information to shoppers.
Have a chapter that lists the most reliable Mystery Shopping assigments.
detail out the various types. How to write a report.
But empasize that if you spen money it is not a legitimat shop!!!!!!
There is a site that dud not pay my sister-in-law and me for doing movie theaters. After doing a couple of shops, they came up with lame excuses, then let us go. We were told to reapply again ( so they can do the same thing again )next year. Scam city. These type of shops should be written about. How about a chapter dedicated of letters from shoppers who got scammed.
MSPA guidelines appear to direct that a silver or gold certified shopper cannot make statements against a company or contact a client directly regarding a dispute. I wanted advice on how to handle those situations in which a MSPA member company does not pay for an assignment.
I agree with every single comment and these are the issues I feel strongest about:
1. Doing excellent work for a company for years and making one little mistake and they want to ex-communicate you from their whole Company
2. Companies who make you write term papers to say the same things over and over again and the forms are like 30 pages.
3. With the high price of gas the pay scale HAS to go up. I have virtually stopped shopping unless places are only 5 or 10 miles away. The pay does not match the time and gas it takes you to complete the shop.
4. How to stay organized with a master spreadsheet we could all use so you can keep track of everything and it won’t take up so much space. Maybe something on Excel.
5. More really good paying shops like video shops available to balance out the ones that don’t pay well.
6. Yes, the tests are awful and have lots of tricky questions and tricky answers. Just format it so the shopper knows basically what to do and leave it at that!
Have some ways that mystery shopper companies can combine some assignments from other companies to their company so you can do 3 or 4 shops in the same area in an afternoon=more work and more money.
I would like to know more about being a certified shopper. Do you really get more shops?
I would like to know more about how companies choose mystery shoppers. I have tons of experience but sometimes cannot get a shop or scheduler position that I apply for and see it posted for weeks after I have applied.
[1]I agree with some of the shoppers about not having enough details given right before the jobs are offered. Once we sign up we find out about little pay,lengthy forms to fill out and too far to drive to the shop. Companies must give all details up front.
[2]I would like to see the most important topic is ” How to write a very good report in a short time “. Some of the reports have millions of questions and many of them are very repititive and overlapping.
[3] we as shoppers should promise us and others NOT to accept any jobs less than $10. Think about the time we spend in commuting and writing reports, either faxing, mailing or scanning business cards and/or receipts, high gas prices, low pays and waiting 45 to 60 days for the payments.
Thank you for reading. Any comments?
First of all, Thank you for wanting to help all of us shoppers! We all could use more pay for the work it takes for some of the low paying jobs. We should at least get mileage, considering the high gas price. One certain fast food shop is always rejected! Even though you time it exactly, if it isn’t what they think it should be,(and you know you timed it right), they will reject it. Then your out the expense of 2 meals you didn’t want in the first place and the time and gas you spent…. I too have come across a few schedulers that seem to have a bad day issue and take it out on the shoppers. We get turned down for jobs( those you have done for them over and over again) and you don’t hear from them for months, until they can’t find someone to do them. We do need to have someone to call about problems with a scheduler…..Again, Thank You!
We travel a lot and I do shopping on the road. It takes a long time to find assignments because I have to check with every company to see what is available where we go. Don’t know if “Shopping on the Road,” would have a wide enough appeal.
For the companies that offer pay and then you get the details after that show that you may have to spend more money,not get reinbursed,do more things and stop and interview more people, and they advertise later times only that they can be done…Then we can back out immediately and it should not have a effect on your rating.You immediately explained why you could not do the shop, The companies should give all information up front to know just how detailed it is. We need accurate reports from them just like is expected from us. We have to right as good shoppers to pick and choose our shops like they pick and choose their clients. Be choosy,unless it is a important shop and they need a favor and they usually will remember it ,if it is company you can even talk to on the phone.
i think we should not have to spend money to do shopping for people, that is not fair to us
Some companies/schedulers treat us like a bunch of reform school students who need to be watched every second and whacked for thinking. I have a college degree and have been appointed to a commission by my governor. Everyone who knows me personally knows what I can do. Why should someone who never met me rate me and berate me for doing my job? They don’t want that much detail in my resume, anyway. If I do merchandising, the companies barely bat an eye if something didn’t happen to their specifications because all the stores and their situations are different. I always do my best. Why is best sometimes not enough for mystery shopping companies when they assigned me the work to begin with?
After reading all your comments, you all need to know a few things. Most companies will tell you the “client” tells them how much to pay the shoppers., I have never believed this because universally the pay is about the same from everyone, and as you know, noone pays for gas and travel time, etc. I have started to boycott $5 jobs, and because of the abundance of jobs in the area where I live, I still turn down many jobs offered because of time restraints. I have a full time job and do mystery shopping as a full time 2nd job. The way to get more money is to ask for more pay. Call the company for an offered job, and ask. If they won’t give you more, you don’t have to accept the job. The reason some companies won’t give you more money is because there are so many shoppers,they know someone else WILL take the low paying job. Not enough shoppers protest as a unit. Another thing is how long it takes to be paid. 30 days has always been the standard. I’ve been doing this for 13 years and have always been paid within that time frame. The reason it takes that long is due to the thousands of shoppers companies have to pay within that time frame. Also, the way to track everything is to start a monthly list of assignment in Word or Excel, with the date, assign #, etc. You can track everything that way in one place. As far as knowing how to write reports and what words to use, you should know by experience, but you also have to have a knack for this type of work. If you are not a good writer, you will never “get it”. You have to be detailed, but have a good vocabulary and be concise at the same time. And I have never seen reports as long as some of you have indicated. I make a lot of money doing this part time; just be choosy and always ask for more money if you think it is deserved; you’d be surprised at how often you will get it.
Good luck !
There should be a chapter about how to get jobs in your local area. Every thing I received was too far to pay anything after you paid for the gas to get there. Roz
I would like to see the following issues addressed:
How is the pay scale determined
Identify the amount the schedulers are being paid so the shopperes can have leverage to negotiate a fee rather than work off a pre assigned fee.
I want to understand why as IC’s we spend our funds only to wait 30 days for POSSIBLE PAY
RICHANDHOLY
How technology/shopper websites could be improved for Mystery Shopping scheduling/acceptance, and the reporting of them.
There are a few companies that will pay in about 2-3 weeks. Some pay in the middle of the next month as well instead of the end of the month. This book sounds like it is going to be interesting.
The one thing I have found that ruins your mystery shopping day is to not have backups. I have driven 30 miles just to find I left my credit card, watch, extra batteries, or car cell phone charger at home. I now keep extras of every thing in the car.
I would like to see a chapter of the exact benefits of certification. What is the difference in job types and pay examples of certified shoppers jobs versus non certified shoppers jobs. Another good topic might be to list some of the larger reliable compianies according to region such as companies that offer mostly west coast jobs, or east coast etc. I have had to find out by applying and checking the web sites before finding out nonthing is offered in my region. Also maybe chapters defining and detailing video shopping, anti theft, etc what these types of jobs are like and what would be involved to perform them .
I would put each suggestion you receive into a catagory, such as pay rates, writing reports, why does it take so long to get paid/why reimburse rather than pre-pay expenses, etc. I’d label it something like “The Most Important Questions Mystery Shoppers Have” or “Top Questions From Mystery Shoppers.”
You’ve already written so many articles that you have, what, 29 chapters already. If you feel you may be missing something I’d do that and then give a short, detailed answer to those questions.
I would like to see a section on how to find out what ms company schedules shops for a particular biz. An example is a large bank chain used to have shops scheduled with one ms company and they lost the contract – how does one find out what company now shops them.
I want to address a change in mystery shopping from the days before the internet and the days of using the internet. If companies would address this issue, they wouldn’t have a turnover in shoppers so much. When I shopped some before the use of the internet, I knew I was going to have such and such assignment each month. This could planned into a schedule. Now you have to “battle” for each assignment, even if you have consistently shopped well. I shopped a lot two years ago and am probably going to have to take it up again as I lost my job and cannot find anything. When I have mentioned mystery shopping to friends and colleagues, they have also commented on the frustration factor of applying and waiting for every single assignment. Thanks so much.
This is a business. Business is about, yes, earnings.
Shops get the quality of work they are willing to pay for.
Devote a complete section that speaks to the marketing company’s design of a shop. I just copied an 11 page “shop requirements” whose context could have been taken care of in less than 3 pages.
Sometimes the contract companies are not certain as to how to find their true bottom line question: what can I do better to increase my profits?
Market research companies need to know how to turn a contract-ee’s “muddling through” in to good “shop questions” that will deliver the company to where it needs to be in order to survive our turbulent economy.
Market researchers need to develop a “stable” of professional shoppers, pay them well and give them as much business as they can handle.
Professional shoppers should always be given the opportunity to provide feed back as to how to make a shop better the next time around. The shopper is the best person to analyze the various industry problem and potential solutions for which we are all working together to remove.
why is that when u send check to do the job that is surpose to be done the check is not eligible to be cashed
I would appreciate a listing of which companies do which shops.
I would like a opinion board on what companies people have problems with the schedulers and why. They rate us why cant we rate them
Apay raise. We do alot for nothing.
Apay raise. We do alot for nothing. What we can handle at one price for one shopper is different than another.
I got a report from a company that said I used the wrong senario and it was a shop that I did not show up for because of extenuating circumstances. I was put on the board and banned from signing up for shops because they put in a report on a shop I did the month before at a different location and senario, I feel like they are doing this on purpose and I emailed the company and am waiting responce.I have to say that I did have alot that set me back this month but to lie and say i am not getting paid for a job that I ,yes did not show up, and than have the nerve to put it on the board so that everything thinks that I did the wrong senario and am not getting paid and show the shop from the other location.I have proof that says from the shop that I did not show and they will give me one more opportunity and if I have one more reschedule or no show i am banned.But……..why be dishonest and write I did go and do the wrong job making me look worse.I am awaiting responce and I am so upset for I work hard at the shops I do, and I did have so many things go wrong.
Question is:What do I do if they do not respond and clear this up….I have proof and dont want them to lie and show me as a bad shopper,I had a major issue that I could not call and show up and do not deserve to have a rating that is INCORRECT. What can I do if they do not respond. What are my rights?Do we have rights? Jacob if you see this let me know. I know what I did I missed a job not messed up a senario and now banned without notice.The notice I have is that I need to make sure I dont miss one more shop. Any feedback.??? This should be in the book , how to fight a rating that is not correct and no one replies. Let me know how all you shoppers think.
A section dealing with tax issues and possible percentages on what should be kept aside for tax’s would be beneficial.
I read the stories above and they all have a similar vein.
List the complaints:
If there is a problem, there is not one person at any mysteryshop firm that will return a call and you cannot contact them. Editors when they complain about your POOR report will not sign their name. There is a psychological term called Anal Retentive. That is not vulgar that is fact.
Some MSC want photos, a long narrative and want to pay $5.00. I joined the boycott. If it does not pay $10, I am a pass. If Ihave to take a test to prove that my IQ is over 100 before I can work there, I do not work there. Keep that stuff for other perceived idiots.
I too, have been delisted from a company because an editor thought that I went to the wrong shop. I did not and could prove it but cannot do so when there is no one to talk to.
I get constant 10’s and one editor gives me a 4 because the receipt was to faint. (the receipt from the store was too faint) She wanted me to go back 30 miles and get a new receipt. Do not hold your breath lady for that one.
The best one is Customer Service Experts. They de listed me and refused to pay me for some shops. The amount owed was substantial and I overtly threatened them with legal action and mentioned that perhaps the lawyer might supoena the client. Of course, I could not do that but the lawyer can do anything he want to. Guess what, guys, they paid in full by Fed Ex the next day. So much for taking a bunch of nonsense from these guys.
The real good guys are:
Jason KSSjason@kernscheduling.com
Pat ICCDS
Jackie KSSjackie@kernscheduling.com
These are pros and have all been shoppers so know what we go through. They are ethical, work with you and happen to be nice which is a novelty in this business.
I would like to see a chapter on how not to be identified as a mystery shopper. And can a mystery shopper be identified or is the shopper falsely reported to the client. And can a shoppers Independent Contractor Agreement be terminated by a company because the shopper was falsely reported to the client. And what can the shopper do to be reinstated in the company data base and a clients program. I believe I was falsely reported to two clients that resulted in my being blocked from doing shops with the client. And I believe I was falsely reported to another client and the mystery shopper company terminated my Independent Contractor Agreement with them. When I asked the company why my contract with them was terminated they said that they could not disclose this information and that there decision was based on my shopper history.
I filled out an IC application and the company refused to consider me as an IC. This company said they were picky and I didn’t meet their IC qualifications. My mystery shops ratings were averaging 9s and 10s and I am silver certified. As of yet I have not been payment shafted by any company. Imagine a company saying you are unqualified to be an independent contractor. I wonder about the qualifications of some of these people who review the applications.
Hi Jacob, i looked at all of the comments and I cannot think of anything right now it looks like people already answered a couple of my thoughts.
Take care
Sandy Agrusa
I would like to see companies praise their contractors for work well done. I would also like to know if contractors are ever compensated for above and beyond the call of duty in their shops.
The companies are quick to spot the negative but there is slim to none acknowledgment of good. We work hard and we need recognition too.
Maybe if it is published the companies will take notice. Hey it’s worth a try!
How to get in good with a schedular ..
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.