What is Mystery
Shopping?
Mystery Shopping is a research tool that businesses
use to evaluate and improve their customer service and
business systems. It involves getting a person to act as
a regular customer in their retail store, restaurant,
bank etc and after they visit they ask them to provide
feedback via a questionnaire or survey on the
experience. The data generated is used to refine staff
training programs, manage performance levels and improve the overall
quality of customer service.
I like shopping, can I be a Mystery Shopper?
Why yes you can...market research companies are
always looking for people to carry out mystery shopping
assignments.
They Pay you money?
The good news is that they PAY you to do mystery
shops!
You are paid for expenses that you incur in the process
of doing the mystery shop and a fee for performing the
assignment. This might include the cost of a meal at a
restaurant, or some clothing items from a retail store.
The assignment fee will range from $5 to $150 dollars
depending on the extent of the particular assignment. In
many cases you will also get to keep the products that
you purchase.
What do I need to do?
Go to the web site of a market research company that
does mystery shopping and you will find an area on the
web site for prospective mystery shoppers. Fill out your
details as directed. Most times they will contact you
when their is an assignment in your area with an email
or telephone call to ask whether you would like to
undertake that particular assignment. You can either
accept or reject the assignment.
If you accept you will receive a set of instructions for
carrying out the assignment and access to the review
that needs to be completed after you perform the mystery
shop. You need to be organised, observant and diligent
when you do the shop and complete the review.
