SECRET SHOPPERS | The Devil’s In The Details
December 26, 2009
One of the most frequently asked questions of me by mystery shoppers is, “How can I be a better secret shopper?” My answer is simple, “Follow the directions.”
It seems simple, but you would be amazed at how many new mystery shoppers’ reports are rejected because of missing or incomplete information. Simple little things. Such as the name or the employee who assisted you, or seemingly minor details can cause a report not to be accepted by our client.
The directions may also give you specific times you need to visit the location. Perhaps there’s direction as to how you should enter the store, where you should sit in the restaurant, etc. These points are not there because they take up white space. The directions are there because the client ask for them to be followed.
So, my advice is to read the directions every time. If you can’t understand the direction given, ask questions. Oh yes, it’s always better to do this a couple of days before you’re going to do the assignment, not as you’re entering the parking lot.
SECRET SHOPPERS | So, You Want to Be a Mystery Shopper? PART III
December 21, 2009
Several years ago, there were a number of scams involving the secret world or mystery shopping. Ads blared over the ratio to “Make Thousands as a Mystery Shopper!” Or, perhaps, “Earn thousands from home – just send us $40″
These were clearly scams. Unfortunately, tens of thousands of people became victims of these criminals. In some cases you received a publication of mystery shopping companies. In the worst case, you were scammed for $100 to become a mystery shopper.
“The old adage, if it seems too good to be true, it probably is” rings true here. NEVER pay anyone to become a mystery shopper. Period. End of story.
Now, there are a number of reputable firms, including ServiceQuality.US and The Service Quality Department, who offer premium levels for serious mystery shoppers. Some organizations offer training, which ends in a certification. I can’t speak for others, but I can speak for us. Some of our full-time shoppers are looking for added pay, and expedited payments. In the case of Service Quality.US and The Service Quality Department, a small percentage (1%) of our shoppers qualify to advance to our premium level. Each week, we turn down secret shoppers who wish to apply for our Gold or Platinum Premium Level Mystery Shopping Programs.
Why would we turn away money? It’s simple. If everyone is a premium level secret shopper, then it’s no so special. In many cases, shoppers haven’t completed enough assignments to qualify, or the quality of their reports aren’t up to our standards. In other cases, we simply don’t have enough business to justify taking a service evaluator’s money.
The basic premise we operate our business on is based on Rotary International’s Four-Way Test:
- First; Is it the truth?
- Second; Is it fair to all concerned?
- Third; Will it build good will and better friendships?
- Fourth; Will it be beneficial to all concerned?
If any thing we consider doing doesn’t meet all of these four criteria, we don’t do it. No question. No negotiation.
