OK, I'll bite: What is Mystery Shopping?

Re: OK, I'll bite: What is Mystery Shopping?

• pookielove

  February 2009

  I mystery shop in my free time for spare cash. Basically, it's a way for stores and businesses to check up on their staff.  You get a specific scenario to follow and you go into the store and report on your experience.  For example, it's pretty common for stores to check up on customer service.  You could sign up for an assignment to go into X store and ask for help with whatever product they're selling. You have a list of things to be looking out for (how long did it take an associate to acknowledge you when you walked in?, were they knowledgeable?, did they try to upsell?. etc) and when you're done, you report back on your experience.  It's not a ton of money. Most of the shops I do don't pay more than $10, but it adds up. I've got a lot of spare time on weekends that I would probably just waste if I didn't have something I need to get out and do, so I might as well make a few bucks 

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• Brooke&Ryan

  February 2009

  How did you find out about doing something like that?

   

  I've worked so much retail--I'm wondering if anyone ever checked up on me.

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• RaeAnt

  February 2009

  The chain i use to work for had mystery shoppers...but the empoyee did a good job, they were rewarded with $ but the shopper.

  I actaully just signed up thorugh NSS:

  http://www.nationalshoppingservice.com/

  So far the things in my area have been Papa Johns delivery, a jewelry store visit and parking garage. I also did a survery online for a luxury cosmetics/spa line. I don't know if the surverys get you $,though.
  

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• pookielove

  February 2009

  A Nestie on a different board was talking about it last year.  She gave some information about companies she worked for.  One place that I found a lot of the companies I signed up for was this website: MysteryShop.org.  If you want any other information, post your email and I'll forward you something I sent out to a couple other ladies a few weeks ago.
  

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• bridz2be

  February 2009

  Wow, I never even knew such a thing existed! I suppose a good idea though. Do you actually ever buy a product, and if so, are you reimbursed or provided with money?

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• RaeAnt

  February 2009

  With mine, if you are required to buy, they will reimburse you. Currently I"m awaiting approval for a Chanel shop. They need ones for make-up, fragrance, and something else. It's only $15 with no purchase but a really detailed report you need to make afterwards. but hey, I can check out merchandise/customer service..let me get my make-up done, write a report and get paid $15. Not sure of the highest rate but I think most are $10-$15 each.
  

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• pookielove

  February 2009

  For the ones I do, if you need to make a purchase, it's usually something small just to prove you were there.  They'll reimburse you maybe up to $2.00 and tell you to buy candy or a drink.  That's mostly gas stations and convenience stores. For shops where I've had to buy something more expensive, they say you can return the item later if you want.  There were a couple of shops that I did where there was no pay at all, only reimbursement.  Those were at things like grocery stores or pet supply stores where it's stuff I was going to have to get anyway, so why not get $10 worth for free. 
  

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