Mystery Shopping and Merchandising
So have you heard all the hype about getting rich and getting a lot of stuff for free? Let us start out on the right foot by me telling you that is not going to happen! Now before you hit the delete key and leave me nasty feedback let me tell you what you can do!
1) You can schedule up to 100.00 worth of assignments in one day!
2) You can make a part time income while caring for children or even pursuing an education.
3) You can provide a necessary service for companies and consumers. ( We win by getting better service)
4) You can breathe the sweet air of FREEDOM!!
The first company I want to tell you about is Certified Field Associates.
http://www.certifiedfieldassociate.com/
This company has assignments for stores such as Wal-Mart and Dollar General. Most of the jobs will be merchandising which is where you go in and check a display or refill prepaid cards ect.. These assignments are easy and fun to do! The pay scale ranges from a flat fee to up to 10.00 an hour with a 4 hour cap. They are easy to work with friendly and I have found they have a great # of assignments. They are my bread and butter and I schedule the rest of my companies around these assignments. I have checked a couple of other states and it looks as if there is no shortage of jobs to be done!
Tip
First tip carefully schedule your sites that are out of town: For example I do several stores in a town about 20 miles from me and some stores require you have paperwork shipped to you via Fed-Ex or UPS, so I accepted 4 that had the same due date and I accepted them all in the same day therefore my shipments all went out the same day! So I should receive them all the same day!
Tip
Second tip: Be sure and check all you sites daily for new assignments you will find there maybe a company that has more assignments in your area so sign up then study them all carefully and choose what I call your anchor company. (The company that has plenty of work for you close to you)
Tip
Third tip: Certified has a lot of paperwork my advice do not print it all over and over again! Print it the first time for each location especially if you have never done this before. Take it with you and review it several times there are jobs where you can or must take instructions with you! I now save all mine to my pc and review it carefully for changes and if there are none I refer to my originals. You will always need to print 2-3 of the sheets, they are the letter to the location manager and your reports form.
Tip
As soon as you can if you do not already have one get a printer/scanner. Carefully choose one that will suit your needs, I personally love my new Kodak Easy Share 5100. It was a bit more expensive at 99$ but the ink savings were worth it to me. (I do not get paid for referring this printer)
The next company I want to tell you about is Trend Source.
http://www.msishopper.net
I love this company for one reason and one reason only, they paid me within 3 days! Unlike certified above this is a strictly mystery shopping only and their evaluation is extensive. There shops are grocery stores, fast food and more. You can not take shop information in the store with you or appear to be taking notes so it is a bit more difficult, I used my cell phone to keep notes. It is also better if you have the ability to scan in your receipts but they do offer alternative ways to get it in.
Tip
Have direct deposit set up. If you do not have a bank account look into a prepaid credit/debit card, the fees are higher than a bank but the convenience is worth it if you can not get a bank account.
Tip
Be articulate and descriptive in your reports it will help them process faster.
Moving right along to Buisness Evaluation Services
http://www.mysteryshopperservices.com
This is a company I have only done a couple of assignments for but I like them because their pay was incredible! I performed a shop for them that took less than 30 minutes to complete and the shopper pay was $25. So that day I made $65 dollars in less than 3 hours! This is another example of how scheduling can make a big difference in how much money you can make versus cost. This mystery shop cost me nothing but a 17 mile drive and my time coupled with about 3 other jobs made for a very lucrative day.
Tip
This is another site that asks you to scan in proof of your visit usually a business card so again I advise getting a scanner as soon as possible.
Tip
This company also wants you to be very careful in your descriptions so be observant and as soon as you leave find another location to park at and do your evaluation on the spot. This way you do not forget vital information.
Gap Busters
https://www.xec.gapbuster.com
This Next company I was planning on leaving until the end because I have not accepted an assignment from them . They have had at least one I could have accepted but I could not fit it in my schedule. I changed this companies placement because I see that if you are in the right area you could be paid up to $50 plus reimbursement of your meal for shopping McDonalds! I have had fast food assignments before and never been paid more than $10 plus my food so if you are lucky enough to be in the right location this could become your anchor company! (Id love to hear from you if this is your situation) shewolf52002@yahoo.com
Tip
The only tip I can have for this company is to complete your orientation as quickly and for as many clients as you can. The more you are qualified to complete the better.
National Shopping Service Network
http://www.nationalshoppingservice.com
This is another company that I have not done an assignment for I do have an assignment pending but have not had it approved as of yet. This company has a variety of shops in my area I like them because they have both shops that require purchase and those who do not. Variety in assignments is a definite plus. Through my searches it appears that RedBox and Papa Johns are their main clients.
I have no tips for this company.
DSGAI
http://www.dsgai.com/Login.aspx?ReturnUrl=%2fShoppers%2finterest.aspx
If you like fast food then this is the company for you! They have offered Sonic and McDonalds to me on a regular basis. I never had a problem with pay with this company. I do not use them as my main source of jobs simply because I ate to much fast food! Sounds corny but it is true.
Tip
Complete your assignments exactly as outlined and watch for order restrictions as well as parking and times. They are paticular about order of the shop but it is to keep you from being identified as a shopper and to be fair to the place you are shopping.
IMYST
https://www.imyst.com/login.asp
This company has bank and financial institution shops in my area. I have not had a chance to check all the other states but I have checked my area and surrounding states. They too are a paticular company about shop guidelines. You need to exact and articulate in descriptions. This company also has the more expensive shops, for example $20 to meet with a financial professional and discuss savings plans! 30 minutes and you are done!
Tip
Be on time and when you are required to set an appointment do it first thing. They may require you visit with a paticular employee and you would not want to arrive at the location to find they are on vacation! Especially if you are driving any distance to complete.
Secret Shopper
http://www.secretshopper.com
This company is better suited to someone who lives near a major metropolitan area. My available shops are not as plentiful as say St Louis Mo. If you do however the pay is great. The offer 20$ for a late night mystery shop on a local convenience store. Not bad and no purchase required on some shops.
Shoppers Critique
https://www.shopperscritique.com/
I really like this company as well, the offer shops at small ladies stores in my area. The pay is not as great as some of the above but I can attest that they will pay what they told you they would as well as reimburse you for your purchase up to the agreed upon amount.
Tip
This is yet another company that requires receipt submission.
Mintel
http://shopper.mintel.com
Mintel is also a very good company to compliment your other sites. I say this because in my area that is exactly what they offer. The jobs are fewer but as in other cases above the compensation is better. I have found they are another company that focuses on financial institutions. They pay $15-$20 for a mystery shop on local banks . These shops are quite easy the hardest part is keeping the questions in mind that you will need to answer after the shop is through.
Tip
My advice is to have a cell phone with text capabilities and make notes for yourself. In this day and age no one will think twice about someone texting. Anonymity is the most important aspect of your job!
National Shopping Services Network
http://mysteryshopper.net/emponly/index.htm
I have just signed up with this company and that is why they are on the bottom this is the one and only company that has not had a shop in my area. Why you ask, are they in this book? Because I researched other areas of the country and found that they do have many shops available. These shops range from car wash and vaccum to a home demonstration for window treatments. The pay runs the scale from $7.50 plus expenses for car wash up to $30 for the home demonstration. For money and diversity they have made this list.
Tip
Without personal experience directly with this company it is hard to give good advice. So I will simply say be exact, on time and descriptive in all reports and you will do fine.
· Bonus!!!! A very good source of jobs from several different companies!
· http://www.jobslinger.com
In conclusion to the above information I would like to include a list of supplies I have found very helpful.
A three ring binder to keep folders of your paperwork for each store you do. I keep instructions in the binder I carry with me until the shop is complete. I then remove them file them at home until I am required to do the shop again. CAUTION: Remember to check your instructions for every shop even if you have done it before! To keep shoppers honest they will change your requirements from time to time! Also the client may want another area of service evaluated.
A cell phone or electronic timing device. I prefer the cell phone because I have text capability and find it easier to remain covert.
Folders (see above)
A date planner!!! Even if it is a .99 cent one! You will need to be able to keep your assignments straight and also may need to know about a future job if a company calls you to schedule an important job. These companies will call you! They will call you with better and better assignments once you have proven yourself.
This has been the most important piece of equipment I purchased.
Pens! Pens! Pens! This may seem like a duh item but I only include it because I have had to scramble to the nearest Wal-Mart to purchase one before I forgot important details.
That my friend is my best information on mystery shopping. I have had lists with over a hundred companies on them and I worked for one or two of them but I never made any real money. With the above companies I have actually made more in a day than I have in two at my regular job! Please note that there are different assignments in different areas and I can not garuntee you will get to work, but if you do not get any assignments from one or more of the above companies I would love to hear from you! My job history is about as bad as they get and I have been given 21 assignments by the first company on the list. Good Luck to you! Please contact me with any concerns or questions.
