As a mystery shopper there are a few basic things you will need.
Years ago, before the internet, mystery shopping was a much different game. Finding companies, getting assignments, and submitting reports was a completely different process. Nowadays, everything is done online.
That means the first thing you need to get started is internet access. Internet at home is ideal. Libraries are also a good place for internet access.
Once you find a reliable source of internet, I recommend registering an email account dedicated just to mystery shopping. Once you get the ball rolling, you’ll be receiving dozens of job offers every day. Dedicating a separate email account to mystery shopping will make staying organized much easier. I recommend Gmail, Google’s free email service.
Once you’ve started completing assignments, there are a number of useful tools that you’ll want. Not all of them are necessary, but they can definitely come in handy.
- A cell phone. A cell phone is indispensable. If anything comes up while you’re on the job, it is your lifeline to your scheduler. If you are unsure about how to proceed with a shop, you can quickly ask your scheduler a question. Or if an emergency comes up, you can let your scheduler know right away. Good communication is important with mystery shopping, and a cell phone helps out a lot.
- A scanner. Snail-mailing receipts can get tedious. Use a scanner to send in your receipts.
- A fax machine. You can also use a fax to send in reports or receipts.
- A digital camera. If you have a digital camera, you’ll be able to accept “photo” shops. Some companies will let you use the camera on your cell phone, so keep that in mind.
- A stop watch. A lot of assignments require that you keep precise timings. A good easy to use stopwatch is indispensable.
Remember, if you buy any peice of equipment specifically for mystery shopping, you will probably be able to deduct it as an expense on your taxes. Always a good thing to keep in mind, especially for bigger purchases such as a digital camera or a computer.