Shopping-Incognito

Third Time's the Charm!

2014-11-12T07:59:00.000-08:00

I have to admit. I am not a writer. My sister was a writer and a reader. The little of both that I do truly comes from her influence. I was inspired to be an intellectual by my sister’s natural ability. It was like breathing for her. God bless her soul and may she rest in peace.

I thought I could weasel my way into a blog and would have loads to talk about because I absolutely love and enjoy mystery shopping but love does not always give you the right words to say. Or any words to say for that matter.

With that being said, I started this blog in 2009, the same time I started mystery shopping, again. I actually started mystery shopping almost two decades prior but it was a hit and miss for me back then. I was young and didn’t quite understand it. None of mystery shopping was simplified or online like it is today. I started this blog five years ago and we can literally count the entries I have written. I wanted this blog to be a go-to for those curious about mystery shopping and for beginning shoppers to get ideas and tips. I want this blog to be a place where shoppers feel comfortable sharing their comments about everything mystery shopping. I believe my inconsistency and perpetual writer’s block may be contributory to the readership. Sometimes there’s nothing to read here. Or at least nothing new and exciting to read.

So…Here I go again. No, I haven’t given up. I have gained a renewed inspiration for mystery shopping. On Sunday November 2, 2014, I unknowing but gratefully and respectfully celebrated Día de Muertos at the movies, watching The Book of Life. I was going to the movies to enjoy a relaxing time with my daughter, while gathering all of the observations I needed to thoroughly fill out my evaluation of course. It’s been over two years since my last post here on the Shopping-Incognito Blog. It has also been over two years since I have been mystery shopping. I thought it was such a coincidence that the first shop I would do after so long would be a movie, which happened to be the last shop I blogged about. Then I thought how fitting for me to commence the blog and rekindle everything all in one.

I always put a lot on myself but this time my commitment to myself and the small readership of the blog will be to post when I shop and when I believe the experience may be meaningful for you to experience as well, or when I feel like I have an inspiring idea to help new and used shoppers. Hoping this will bring more consistency with my commitment.

Third time’s the charm!

Happy Shopping!

Faith

Last Night at the Movies

2012-08-02T11:51:00.002-07:00

Okay, I must admit, I'm one of those girls who only like the movies when I can go with a hot date and snuggle up after about thirty minutes in. Yes, I do literally take cat naps during the movies, any movie. But this time I did not have a date, no one in mind I wanted to go with and no one I wanted to spill the beans to that it was a mystery shop. You are allowed on most occasions, when you have the option to take someone with you to do a shop, to inform them that it is a mystery shop. You may have to give them pointers on the small things like not requesting items or service when it should be offered to you. Sooooo, I decided on the movie shop anyway and went alone. It was a movie I wanted to see and believe it or not, it was the first time in my life I had been to the movies alone. Not really into the solo thing.

I went to a really late movie. When I do go to the movies I love going to a 12:00AM movie but this one was about 10:00PM. I paid for my ticket and proceed to the concession stand. The ticket clerk and ticket taker performed normal service, nothing extraordinary. Not sure if it was because it was late and they were ready to go home already or they just really lacked a pleasing personality. The concession clerks were a little over zealous as if they knew I was a mystery shopper. Not that they were guessing about me but they seemed as if they were on guard for any "attack" rather than showing genuine customer service. They were offering me every item under the sum, making sure I was satisfied with my order and made sure I received my receipt. I was impressed. Either way I got my popcorn,coke and candy and proceeded to the movie.

Among other things one thing I had to review was the quality of the movie; the sound, the quality of the film, or disc. Guess they don't use film anymore huh? The theater was almost empty which is kind of how I like it, I just missed a little company. Yes, I did fall asleep even though I did not have a nice warm chest to lay my head on but it was just a cat nap. Going to the movies on a "me date" was actually nice. It was fun and different for me, going by myself. Got a free movie and concession. Don't think I'll go alone again though. But definitely will do another Movie Mystery Shop.

Be Happy Shopping!

Faith

Hooray Vermont!

2012-08-01T00:38:00.000-07:00

Vermont is coming out, and wants the world to know. Why I feel like Shopping-Incognito must be an ambassador for Vermont, the state who has yet to grace our blog's flag counter with their flag, I am not sure. It did please me though to happen upon this really neat article by Yahoo! News regarding Vermont.

Vermont is reaching out to their fellow statesmen through twitter. Literally Vermonters are taking over the state twitter account. The Department of Tourism in Vermont is allowing Vermonters to share life experiences, fun and simply the way of life in Vermont.

I am happy Vermont is reaching out to the rest of us but it would make me ecstatic to see a vermont flag on the shopping-incognito blogspot flag counter.

Let's make it happen Vermont!

This one's for you @shopincognito

The Quickstart Guide to Mystery Shopping

2012-07-29T09:40:00.001-07:00

There's lots of information out there about mystery shopping. Some of it you will find to be outdated or false. If you are persistent and haven't given up the search you may happen upon good information which you may not be sure whether to believe or not. For new mystery shoppers it may take hours, days or even years to find legitimate shopping information and opportunities that you may feel comfortable and confident with.

Realizing this blunder that many prospects come upon, Shopping-Incognito is offering a guide that will give new shoppers a quick and easy way to obtain reliable information as well as resources to get started with mystery shopping. This little guide will give you the confidence you need without having to cipher through useless, outdated or deceptive information about mystery shopping which you may come across on the internet.

The Quickstart Guide to Mystery Shopping gives a shopper's perspective on what mystery shopping is (visit our page on "What is MysteryShopping Anyway?"), how to get started and how to maintain consistency in building your shopping goals.

Find out how mystery shopping works, and what it really takes to get started.

Order your Quickstart Guide today!

Vermont Obsession

2011-10-07T00:02:00.000-07:00

I’m not trying to be obsessed with Vermont but after my encounter with Vermont blogs Sunday my senses are perked and alert for anything Vermont, especially praiseworthy news. After reading an article in the New York Times yesterday about a renewable energy resource project that Vermont has had years in the making I was excited that good things are happening for Vermonters. Reading the Vermont blogs earlier this week left an obscure skew on the brain for me.

The majority of Vermonters are in favor of the new wind farms that will be developed in Lowell VT. Renewable energy resources are invaluable and need protection from industrial growth and development. With the plan already underway and support from federal, state and local agencies Vermont plans to preserve the surrounding 2000-acres of the 175-acre project for natural habitat.

This means lower energy costs for Vermonters and federal tax credits which the state plans to use 100% in fulfilling the promise to give Vermonters cleaner, more affordable local electricity for years to come.

Seems little Vermont is becoming a leader and role model in eco-system preservation and maintenance.

Like any other situation wind farms have their advantages and disadvantages:

Wind Farms
Advantages	Disadvantages
Clean Energy	Unreliability
Less Space Needed	Lower Electricity Output
Renewable Energy	Expensive Construction
Able to generate energy in remote locations	Costly to surrounding wild life
	Noise pollution

*Taken from Power & Energy

Vermont has obviously weighed this scale and scrutinized the details finding the advantages a greater benefit than the disadvantages that may or may not be relevant to the state and the mountainous region where the wind farm will be constructed.

Big smiles for Vermonters!

Citizen Shopper

2011-10-06T00:00:00.000-07:00

Every consumer is a mystery shopper. Yes even you! When you patronize a business and are impressed by the quality of service or completely disgusted by the clerk’s attitude the first thing you do is to tell someone about it. By telling one person you have told at least 10 and the word gets around fast. In my online research I’ve seen some really great marketing blogs that reveal how social media has caused consumers to become citizen mystery shoppers without realizing it. With technology and social media consumers are uploading photos informing the world how they are treated by businesses. This ad by Paul Mc Enany titled, “Hurricane Kohls” is a little ancient but speaks volumes for the how the retail service industry really feels when they believe customers aren’t watching.

Mystery shoppers are (or should morph into…eventually) service ecologists concerned with the relationship between businesses integrity and the holistic value a customer receives for the cost of a business’s products and services. Consumers are at times clueless to the degraded value they receive in return for their hard earned cash.

Most mystery shopping is untold. Customers on a whole are oblivious to the concept of mystery shopping and have no clue who to tell about their service experience whether positive or negative. Caring businesses that are conscientious toward their customers implement mystery shopping programs to assist their customers in avoiding negative experiences while simultaneously increasing the value and significance of their customer’s experiences each and every visit.

Join the Campaign! Post your citizen shopper photos!

The Mysteries: Shopper vs Shopping Business

2011-10-05T08:28:00.000-07:00

Okay, so technically when you become a mystery shopper and get paid at least $400 in fees as an independent contractor according the IRS tax law you are required to file a Schedule C as having self-employment income and pay self-employment taxes (not income tax) on the money you receive from independent contracting. As far as the IRS is concerned you are technically a business (sole proprietor) for tax purposes on that particular amount of money ONLY. If you make enough to live on with mystery shopping you may even feel good calling yourself ‘in-business’ and not just working. Any other money you make during the year should be categorized and taxed appropriately.

BUT…

You do not have a mystery shopping business, per se…like the ads you see on various web sites…

Learn How to Start Your Own Mystery Shopping Business, Today!

The verbiage is deceiving and leads some think the materials they purchase will allow them to form a mystery shopping provider company; the third party company that is the link between the actual business being shopped and the mystery shopper. A mystery shopping provider company is also the company that hires the mystery shopper. Mystery shopping provider companies have business contacts and lists of shoppers to make the deal work.

In your online research, especially for new shoppers, you may come across web sites that want to sell you a book on how to start your own mystery shopping business. What they really want to do is explain to you how to become a mystery shopper. Take care in the information that you pay for. Information on how to become a mystery shopper is available here on our blog in an older post, “So How Do I Get Paid to Shop?” Information is also available on mystery shopping provider company web sites themselves and the mystery shopping provider association web site.

Sweet Little Lies

2011-10-04T06:33:00.000-07:00

I would read all the time from shoppers and non-shoppers that mystery shopping is getting paid to lie. When I got into mystery shopping for myself I could see from their perspective but I could appreciate more the aesthetics of thespianism. For those of us who are not yet cultured, thespianism has nothing to do with sexuality. Being an artist at heart I resigned to assume, since I did not know the persons who had written the articles in the first place, that they were lacking just a tad in creativity of sorts for thespians use improv and ad lib as necessary.

I can remember on one restaurant shop which I actually frequented often during a certain period to do mystery shopping that I was asked by one of the restaurant mangers if I was new in the area. This was in a large city but a small and cozy restaurant where “everybody knows your name”. I told the manager that I did not live in the area but I lived close by, had some business in the area and was looking to move closer. All of the above were actually true, because I did live close, I was in the area on business, mystery shopping of course, and I was actually looking to move closer because I had recently done some apartment shops in the area. I had taken a friend along with me to the restaurant and they were surprisedby my quick witted response. My friend commented to me later that I had answered the woman well, without a flinch. I would encourage all shoppers to don their Shakespearian garb when necessary. It won’t hurt to be creative in answering questions that should weed you out of the pool of suspect mystery shoppers.

You may run across some shops where there is a scenario that is already laid out for you to “perform” because the business owner would like to cater company research to a certain criteria and they would like to know how their current staff will service this type of client.

Some mystery shoppers have not honed their improv to the point of spontaneity and others may not feel comfortable. Believe it or not, thinking or feeling that you are lying may bring tension to the situation and or the staff you are speaking with and it may ruin your anonymity. Always remember you are working, you are in business and your work should be performed effectively with expertise whether you are getting paid monetarily, in a two night hotel stay or have to make up a verse on the fly just to fit in.

And We Thought Uncle Sam Didn't Care!

2011-10-03T00:00:00.000-07:00

Mystery Shopping helps IRS bring money back to the family.

FACT: Believe it or not the IRS used mystery shoppers to collect data in efforts to protect taxpayers from fraudulent tax preparation. For all of you who don’t understand why your tax preparer won’t offer you a RAL (Refund Anticipation Loan) in recent years, it is because the IRS has made it harder for them to do so. Due to IRS and consumer advocacy organization investigations RALs are becoming few and far between. PublicCitizen, a Consumer Law and Policy Blog summarized the reports by the Community Reinvestment Association of North Carolina (CRA-NC) in Durham, Community Legal Services of Philadelphia (CLS) and the Philadelphia Campaign for Working Families, as well as the National Consumer Law Center (NCLC). These organizations found tax preparers out of compliance.

I guess we can officially say mystery shoppers are Superheroes!

Mystery shopper testing exposed violations of Refund Anticipation Loans. Of the 8.4 million American taxpayers refunds in 2008 RAL’s made a killing of $738 million with lenders charging APRs equivalent of 50%-500%. In a 2010 investigation by mystery shoppers collaborating with the NCLC and local advocacy groups in three states: New York, North Carolina and Arkansas, found paid tax preparers in those states were not only out of compliance but prepared low-grade tax returns and influenced fraudulent behavior on the part of the taxpayer. Because RAL’s offer taxpayers a quicker refund option it is enticing for individuals to choose this method for their refund. Consumers, in the end, are being ripped off unaware.

*****For those interested in obtaining a RAL this year, BBB advises consumers to review the following checklist of what to expect:

· High Interest Rates: Fees for RALs vary widely, ranging from 36% to over 500%.

· Administration Fees: These fees can range from $25 to several hundred dollars.

· Obligation for Full Repayment of the Loan: Consumers will be held responsible for paying the
full amount of the loan in the timeframe agreed upon in the lending contract.

*****When looking to hire a tax preparer, BBB offers the following tips:

· Check credentials ahead of time: Research tax preparation services well in advance and confirm all
credentials.

· Don’t fall for the promise of a big refund: Be wary of any tax preparation service that promises
larger refunds than the competition and avoid any tax preparers who base their fee on a percentage of
the refund.

· Ask around: Get referrals from friends and family on who they use and then check the BBB
Business Review on each tax preparation business and the reliability of the company.

· Read the contract carefully in advance: Verify the cost of services ahead of time. Confirm how
the cost will be affected if preparation is more complicated or time consuming than expected. Find
out whether or not the tax preparer will represent you in the case of an IRS audit.

· Think long term: Get your representative’s year-round contact information in case you have any
questions or concerns or receive an audit letter from the IRS or State.

Reference

Hello Vermont!

2011-10-02T00:05:00.000-07:00

After surveying the states that have visited Shopping-Incognito blog I have more than noticed that Vermont does not have even one flag on our flag counter. Last night I became curious and wanted to know what the deal was.

It seems that Vermont is definitely “on one”. I don’t know much about the state but from visiting Vermontblogs.com and reading some of the blogs and comments from Vermonters it seems they do not have it so well. I guess every state has its issues. Besides the 'state' of weirdness in Vermont and seeing how the Vermonters view themselves there seems to be a plethora of history in Vermont. Vermont looks beautiful with the exception of Fair Haven of course (you would have to read the article).

In regards to mystery shopping there seems to be companies campaigning for shoppers in Vermont:

Market Force

NSSN

BESTMARK

Satisfaction Services

Mystery Magic at the White House

2011-10-01T11:38:00.000-07:00

Honestly I would be the last person, or one of the last people, LOL, to criticize the government only because of my limited knowledge of government operations and my FULL understanding of the aerated milk fat the media feeds us as consumers. But I don’t quite understand the mystery shopping project the government is undertaking. I don’t see the logic or how it connects to the bottom line of the shortage of both the availability of healthcare coverage for Americans and the increasing shortage of availability of physicians to care for patients. The current administration already knows there is an increasing shortage of primary care physicians in the United States and that doctors do not like to be shorted funds or not paid at all by government programs.

The new health care law which was past last year will give 30 million Americans healthcare coverage along with the impossibility of finding adequate care. Doesn’t quite sound like a Win/Win. On top of the consumer being oblivious to the issues, doctors are frustrated with a misunderstanding of what mystery shopping truly is and believe it to be snooping.

Mystery shopping is a customer’s objective experience of service and quality received by a company. Normally a mystery shopping project is initiated by the company itself in order to obtain quantitative data to implement plans and techniques to improve quality and service they provide to their customers.

Comparison or competitive mystery shopping is in no wise excluded as a means for gathering data but when the data is already known as fact it's time to create and implement techniques to improve service and quality.

From reading the article in the New York Times, according to the spokesman for the Department of Health and Human Services the issues are understood:

× An increasing shortage in primary care physicians in the United States,

and the end goal is formulated:

× To support primary care physicians in communities where the need is greatest

but the money and plan to do it is not yet in site

Having mystery shoppers call doctor’s office with fatal symptoms doesn't seem like it will encourage doctors to overload their schedules. Everyone should know if you have life threatening symptoms you should go to your nearest ER even when you have a physician.

There was an approximate reported $350k for the mystery shopping project which is hardly enough to help reverse the increasing shortage in availability of healthcare coverage and shortage in physicians which are the real issues.

We have money going to healthcare coverage with the new law that has been passed but no physicians to care for the patients. The problem is not a question of forcing doctors to overload their practice with an excess of patients is it? I don’t believe is it the solution either!

Mystery Shopping for Intellectuals

2011-09-30T00:07:00.000-07:00

Okay so the down side is you’re not going to make a living performing mystery shopping but the up side is you can keep your earnings by leveraging them through mystery shopping. To be an effective mystery shopper who is benefited you have to make the opportunities work in your favor. Depending on your lifestyle everyday necessities and occasional outings are a huge expense or months of savings on a family budget. You can literally keep your paycheck every month and have life’s expenses paid for.

Think of it this way…For every expense you have there is a mystery shop for it!

DON'T ALWAYS LOOK FOR THE GREEN TO COME TO YOUR HAND...LOOK FOR THE GREEN TO STAY IN YOUR WALLET.

I know that statement rolled easily off my tongue, or fingertips in this case, but it is possible. It takes work and planning. You can have your gas paid for, your cigarettes, groceries and especially entertainment. You can receive spa treatments or sweets to satisfy your sweet tooth. You can go to the hottest clubs in Los Angeles, eat at the finest restaurants in New York, sleep in the best hotels in Europe and not spend a dime out of pocket (yes you are usually reimbursed!). These shops will not be handed to you. You must do diligence in finding the companies that perform the type of shops you want to fulfill, create a good rapport and work ethic with each company and soon you will be called on to perform jobs that are not even advertised. The better the quality of shopping performance required the more you will be paid with compensation of the value you’ve received in performing the shop.

Really Professional Mystery Shopping

2011-09-29T07:13:00.000-07:00

The other day I received an email from a mystery shopping company that was looking for an RN to perform an employment recruitment shop. For me this was encouraging and a kind of coincidence for two reasons. I have not been active with mystery shopping this year and have wanted to ease back into it and I am actually going through an RN program. I don’t actually qualify for the shop because I am not an RN (yet) but it is yet another confirmation as to the need for mystery shoppers all over the world in from every professional standpoint.

I may not be able to perform this shop but if you happened to be an RN with two years or more experience or know someone who is pass the info along and email your resume to donnie@measurecp.com

Secret Shopping for Teens

2010-07-10T17:11:00.000-07:00

Teenagers are always waiting for the day they can drive, go out on a date, and gain work experience among other firsts in life. The concept of getting paid to shop – as most teenagers male or female love to shop – couldn't get much better. But before all you teens go getting excited you've got to know that there is more to secret shopping than shopping and keeping what you evaluate for free. Secret shopping companies expect an accurate, descriptive and well written report of your shopping experience...yes kind of like your school reports. If you don't feel you are good at writing or feel it may be too much expected of you, you may want to try your hand at another industry.

Though your aim is not to catch someone in the “act” secret shopping is somewhat like investigative reporting. Not many secret shopping companies hire teenagers to perform secret shopping assignments. Companies expect their shoppers to be responsible, committed and dependable, a few characteristics that many teenagers have difficulty with in keeping a good report. Companies also expect a well written narrative that is clear, cohesive and descriptive upon submission. Secret shopping companies do employ editors but not for the purpose of rewriting your narrative.

With all the seemingly rigid requirements; secret shopping for teenagers may not be as exciting as they may seem. The nature of secret shopping is to use a shopper who would fit in the shopping experience. Though there may be instances where one would find a teenager shopping such as retail clothing stores or fast food restaurants, companies tend to use adult shoppers to avoid indiscretion during the shopping experience. To date, teenagers are mostly used for alcohol and tobacco compliance shopping. Even at that companies tend to use adults who look younger than they really are.

All in all the persistent teen is still able to find a few opportunities for secret shopping. In Switzerland Yxplora allows teens over the age of sixteen to register to become secret shoppers. Also, Challenge 21 and their sister company Think 21 hires shoppers over the age of sixteen for alcohol and tobacco compliance shops. Challenge 21 and Think 21 has shops available throughout United Kingdom. For US Shoppers Nationwide Services Group Inc offers alcohol compliance shops for shoppers as young as 21 years of age in various restaurants.

Realistically for teens, should you have interest in secret shopping, displaying an interest in the business side of secret shopping may get your foot in the door quicker than attempting to become a shopper as a teen. Business are always in search of dedicated people with open minds who are willing to learn and work. Research secret shopping companies in your area and apply for an administrative, marketing or sales assistant position for a few hours per week. You may just fair better than you think.

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The New Health Insurance

2010-07-08T00:16:00.000-07:00

With the social, political and economical to do about health care and health insurance, there is and has been a small wave of “new” insurance in the health industry. For those of us who “Reform” professionally and silently through secret shopping, shop assignments in the health care industry have become more and more prevalent.

Various sectors of the health care industry are all looking to improve their practice and increase service and satisfaction when it comes to the well-being of the public. From hospitals, chiropractors, dentists and medical doctors, pharmaceuticals and even sexual health clinics, you can find a shop to suit your health care needs and shop experience. The patient experience is of significant concern not only to patients themselves but the health care facilities. As society moves towards a service-focused branding businesses want to take care of their patrons better than their competition; even our health care professionals.

Patient-Centered care is inevitably the means to a more health conscious and preventative society for everyone. When health care professionals are concerned with how they measure up in treating, servicing and relating to their patients I believe we are all closer to a better and healthier world.

Although secret shopping in the healthcare field has been criticized as being deceptive, ethically and morally unfit for research and evaluation, professionals are working to improve the perception of research from the secret shopping industry as well as justify the work of those who assist society in making service exceptional for everyone; the Secret Shopper.

Shoppers and health care professionals alike can find a number of companies throughout the United States, Canada and Overseas to suit their needs in having a practice evaluated or evaluating the practice of health care professionals. Just to name a few:

Strategic Visions

Bernard Hordes Group

Guys St. Thomas Charity
(Sexual Health)

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Show Her You Care

2010-07-04T12:04:00.000-07:00

When people hear of mystery shopping or secret shopping their first thought is “it's to good to be true”. Next they think of women dominating the industry because of the concept of “shopping”. Women have been known to be the shopper of the household and at times addicted to shopping. Women seem to find shopping therapeutic and may feel, psychologically, that they have accomplished a feat having found a sale that would prevent them from spending what they originally intended. Though some of these concepts may be true concerning different types of women, Secret Shopping, on the other hand, is not a venture specifically with the woman in mind.

Men too love to save money and spend money as I can speak first hand watching my Dad and brothers while growing up. Men also like to make sure their love interest is satisfied not only with them as a person but also with the gifts they bestow from the heart. Men know that women love to be treated with class even when the reality of their budget is not quite the Bling status they desire. For this reason secret shopping should prove to be a goldmine for the man who loves to not only impress but cherish the moment with his lady.

There are hundreds of fine dining and entertainment venues, especially if you live or frequent major metropolitan areas in the United States such as Los Angeles, New York and Miami. In turn there are hundreds of companies searching for shoppers to evaluate five star hotels such as Sofitel Hotel, dining establishments like Flemmings and even lounges like Glow for their clients. Business want to know how their customers are being treated and if their standards of class are not only being met but exceeded by their staff.

Secret Shopping gives you, the shopper, the opportunity to throw your budget to the wind and go all out for that special someone. What you will want to keep in mind is to have fun and actually be in the moment, remembering that you still owe an evaluation to your client – the mystery shopping provider company you have contracted with. Usually with higher end dinging and entertainment there is an allowance commensurate with the what would normally be spent at that specific venue for two people on a multi-course meal. Also, if you are required to consume alcohol there is usually a drink limit. Realistically and literally you will have this night paid for you and your date BUT the cost of the night is reimbursed and the payment for the assignment will be forwarded to you after you have submitted your review online. Average turn around time is usually between two to eight weeks depending on the company you contact with. All in all you could enhance your leisure time at no cost to you.

Men this will take some work. You have to shop around. Do your homework and take a look at the MSPA web site for recommended mystery shopper certification. You'll have to take the time to find the companies that offer upscale assignments but once you find them it will be completely worth it to you and your loved one.

For more a more comprehensive guide on how to get started as a secret shopper check out Secret Shopping the Brief which you can purchase on here on our blog.

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Find Mystery Shopping Jobs on the Internet

2010-06-28T14:15:00.000-07:00

I am constantly asked by those close to me to explain to them how to find mystery shopping companies on the internet. I have created a list of over a thousand companies world wide and have worked for only about five percent of them. Finding the companies that I have did not take years but it did take consistent research in finding and contacting the companies for their legitimacy. Research within itself is an intensive task that requires relentless attention and determination. Then, you need to test what you have found. Research on the internet is filled with conspiring and deceptive influences to deter you from your research goal in order to have you make a purchase of some kind...any kind.

There are some things you may want to consider before you begin your research online:

What are you searching for?

What do you want to know?

How to do I get into the industry?

Think about what you are searching for and what leading industry organizations would have this information readily available and at no charge. Think about what it is that you want to know. You may be looking for something but still have questions after you have discovered it. What leading industry organizations would have the answers to your questions? For secret shopping, you may want to find mystery shopping provider companies to obtain paying assignment and you may want to know exactly what mystery shopping is. For the novice shopper there still may be other lingering questions, one of such questions being how does one become a mystery shopper.

You may not want to only contact leading industry organizations but real people who have been successful and satisfied as a mystery shopper. It is important to get a first hand perspective of mystery shopping realistically and attempt to tie in your goals to what it is. You may not want advice about mystery shopping from someone who does not like to take the time to read, follow directions or enjoy writing. These are some of the elements and skills it takes to become a successful mystery shopper.

You may not want advice from someone who is trying to get rich from mystery shopping if that is not your mindset. You may not want advice from someone who has done one or two mystery shops for a minimal fee and have counted the venture as worthless.

If you are serious about mystery shopping you will want to speak with someone who is in the industry for the long haul, enjoys mystery shopping as a past time career and have done and aspire to continue to perform a variety of shops from fast food to cruises.

As you can see I have mentioned the traditional keyword internet search last. Internet keyword search should be used after you have familiarized yourself with the industry, the types of organizations in the industry and how real mystery shopping provider company websites look. You should be familiar with the registration processes and types of documents required of you by mystery shopping providers. After you are familiar with the industry you should have no problem spotting companies you find through keyword internet search that are blatant scams. You will know that when you receive a check in the mail from any company that is unfamiliar to you to turn it in to the authorities and fraud agencies.

You may also do well to read books on mystery shopping to learn what the industry is, what its about and how to get starting with mystery shopping. For internet research you may want to use keywords such as mystery shopping, MSPA or mystery shopping provider companies. **Word of warning** Look out for web pages with Google Adwords or sites that look like they are selling a membership. These companies are normally not worth paying the fee for information they provide.

Work-At-Home Business?

2010-04-29T00:06:00.000-07:00

For various reasons people want or need to work from home. You may be a Mom or Dad that stays at home with the kids, you may be disabled and not physically able to commute back and forth the office outside of your home. Or, you may simply be comfortable in your jammies working from home. Whatever the reason and especially if you are new to alternative work forms; one of the first things you may want to do before starting a new venture is to decode your entity options. This is especially imperative if you are doing the majority of your research online. I hear all the time that people are looking for a work-at-home business and not wanting to be scammed. Thinking work-at-home and business go together is a mistake. You are already prey for a scam!

To prevent yourself from being scammed you have to gain some knowledge and be realistic about what you are attempting to do. Know what you want to do and be committed and focused on that.

All entities are not created equal when considering alternative work forms. Small business or self-employment does come into play. On the internet words are crossed used and misconceptions happen fast. To prevent your confusion; we'll list some of the 'money making' buzz words floating around on the internet and attempt to briefly explain them.

Work-At-Home
In a work-at-home situation you are an employee and will not incur any out of pocket expenses and should not be paying the company to hire you, or, you are an independent contractor where as you may need to supply your own equipment etc but there should be no fee you should pay for a contract.

Home-based Business
Having a home-based business you are the owner and operator of the program you are running. You have a small business and people usually come to you for product and or service.

Online Business
A small business whose offering is almost exclusively online.

Making Money Online
Usually tools and techniques that involve heavy marketing in various if not all forms. You can think of this as an online sales associate that receives a commission.

Independent Representative
As an independent sales representative you also have a home-based or small business. You can relate this situation to having a franchise. Most likely there will be a moderate investment and fees that may reoccur. You may or may not receive traing and will definitely want to get some marketing experience.

Don't be fooled by the mixing of all this internet jargon. As a secret shopper it is imperative that you remain alert and knowledgeable. Your income depends on it!
Secret shopping actually falls into the home-based business category. Secret shoppers are not employees, they pay their own taxes and choose which assignments they want to perform. Secret shopping is truly one of the quickest and least expensive ways to make an income. The perks are not to bad either.

Be A Skeptic

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You should steer clear of companies that charge you to associate with their company or become a member of their association especially if it is unclear what the association stands for and the benefits you will receive from associating with them. If the association or membership is to assist you in finding work with the secret shopping companies you can be sure it is a scam. Legitimate secret shopping companies do not charge independent contractors to contract with them. There may be web sites that want to charge you for lists of secret shopping companies but rarely offer an updated and extensive list to accommodate every shopper level. These lists for sale are usually a repeat of lists you can find for free on the internet.

Secret shopping is not a free for all. It is a fun yet serious and interesting business opportunity. Secret shopping companies do not charge a fee to sign up with their company but you do need money and resources once you contract to become a shopper with any company. There is information and equipment you should be willing to pay for. You should have a home office set up to perform your work. You also need working capital set aside as most of your purchase shops will be reimbursed. You may come across books and resources to assist you with secret shopping that you may want to purchase.

Becoming a secret shopper requires an innate or acquired investigative and inquisitive state of mind. You need to be an observant inquirer and not quick to go along with the hype of anything "free". As in any other venture you can learn from training and reading reading others experiences. Training for secret shopping is crucial. Secret shoppers often receive training from the company that hires them through tutorials that must be passed in order to qualify to complete assignments for the company.

For shoppers who are seeking comprehensive training and general understanding of secret shopping there are a lot of books and manuals out there.

There are associations that attempt to assist shoppers. The MSPA offers certification for secret shoppers which not only assures mystery shopping provider companies of competent shoppers but allows shoppers to prove there professionalism.

FREE, FREE, FREE!!!

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FREE does exist somewhere but doubtful in our society and in very few business transactions. A lot of the time Secret Shopping Companies use FREE as a hook to get shoppers to register with their company and contract as a shopper. Though it is true at times, at times there is no out of pocket expense or if there is an out of pocket expense it is fully or partially reimbursed for goods and services. Receiving FREE products or services does not completely define the nature or role as a secret shopper.

There is a cost no though not in cash but don't be disappointed with Secret Shopping before you give it a chance. There is an obligation to report on your experience with your browsing, auditing, dining or purchasing experience. For some this is drudgery because they either don't like writing or don't want to take the time to convey the experience they had while shopping.

Because we are a service driven society when people hear FREE they tend think 'No Obligation Whatsoever'.

There are many people that get into secret shopping and stick with it which is why it has become a booming industry.

Secret shopping requires the likes of an educated person. Though there are no requirements or mandates for education or training, it takes a particular personality and character to pass the test of time with this industry.

Secret shopping shares many common grounds with Auditing, Private Investigation and Loss Prevention as well as Customer Service and Quality Control. Secret shopping is not Professional Auditing but its role is made priceless by the information received from businesses by would be customers to improve their services and overall standards as a business.

Give it a try...You may find it's what you've been looking to get into!

Shopping-Incognito

How to Become A Secret Shopper In Three Easy Steps!

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(there are a more details along the way that you may want to take into account but, honestly, becoming a secret shopper is as easy as 1, 2, 3. Building rapport, maintaining your shopper status and keeping your business and record keeping in order in order may not be as easy as one, two, three. For those of you who need a little hand holding we do offer a guide with step-by-step information on how to get started with Secret Shopping.)

To Get Started:

1. Choose A Company To Work For.
(You may want to look through the lists we have on our pages.)

2. Complete The Application Process.
(You may need to submit a W-9 and social security number for tax purposes. You will definitely need submit a narrative if not two for most companies and possibly a resume and references.)

3. Apply For The Assignment You Want To Complete.
(Keep in mind that you may or may not need a little working capital to complete purchase and reimbursement or purchase and return shops.)

That's It!!!

If you are a stickler for details you should have no problem getting your first assignment right away. Companies are looking for people who can read and follow directions expeditiously, have a good eye for detail and are able to convey a thorough outline of your shopping experience in a written format.

Shopping-Incognito

To Shop Or Not To Shop

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A knack for efficiency and quick wit will afford you the benefits of becoming a secret shopper. For those who are novice, you should do well with the information here on our Blog. One can make a decent income and enjoy luxuries in exchange for a detailed report of your experience. The more painstaking your narratives the better your chances of becoming a successful secret shopper. Being thorough will reward you with requests to perform high end and high paying assignments. And yet, for some, the question still remains:

Is Secret Shopping Worth the Effort?

Those who question the worth of putting forth the effort to detail the quality of their experience most likely do not engage in their shopping experiences. One would have to be "in" the experience consciously in order to convey it thoroughly on paper; whether or not they paid out of pocket. This candidate would not make for a good secret shopper; they would be speculating on the service they received and therefore could not possibly deliver an accurate report.

If you want to know whether it is worth your effort to turn in a report as a Secret Shopper rather than to pay out of pocket for your fine dining experience, hotel stay or something as simple as catching the latest movie I suggest you try it for yourself. And by all means, don't listen to those who have made a mediocre attempt at one fast food restaurant assignment that may have paid $8.00. They probably did not get paid because they could not remember half their experience and did not follow the instructions of the assignment explicitly.

No one will know the value and benefit of the assignments to you, but You.

Secret Shopper Training

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Training and development is an essential investment in any line of work. When you devote time to training and development you become more productive in your profession and are capable of experiencing rapid growth.

When you understand you job responsibilities you are able to maximize and increase your efficiency from the knowledge gained as opposed to learning through trial and error. Going through training allows you to hone your skills and become inventive. Training not only equips you with relevant information but it also creates a foundation for further development and may produce a sense of commitment and motivation for consistent learning to become better in your profession.

With secret shopping there isn’t a lot of training out there that will equip you with the knowledge and tools you need to get started in your performance. You have to jump in with confidence and get started; for the most part secret shopper training is learn-as-you-go. There are some mystery shopping providers that provide training, certification and extensive guidelines for assignments for those who have already become shopper with their company. Though there is no official training for secret shoppers there are opportunities for training through books and guides that may be a helpful resource.

The Mystery Shopping Provider’s Association offers a certification course for secret shoppers to test knowledge of general practices of secret shopping and helps to ensure mystery shopping provider companies hire competent shoppers. Mystery shopping provider companies are looking for regular individuals who are able to read and follow directions. As long as you are thorough and accurate you should have no problem completing any assignment.

FREE WEBCAST / TELECONFERENCE FOR HOME-BASED BUSINESSES

2010-03-03T08:21:00.000-08:00

TONIGHT - Wed - 5pm PST, 8pm EST

This webinar is an Introduction to the Top 7
tax deductions for home-based business owners.
This Webinar is for YOU if you are…

– Not making a Profit in your home-business, or

– Think you can’t afford to get into a HBB, or

– Thinking about quitting your HBB, or

– Need a new year refresher, or

– Have heard there are a lot of tax breaks for Home-Based
    Businesses, but have NO IDEA what they ARE.

TO REGISTER, go to www.HomeBusinessTaxSavings.com

and click on "Free Upcoming Webinars" at the top of the
page.

Yes, this webinar is FREE.

This webinar will be repeated on

Wed. 3/10 at 11am PST, 2pm EST,
and on
Sun. 3/14 at 5pm PDT, 8pm EDT.

Ron Mueller has helped tens of thousands of people just like you
to legally and immediately slash their taxes by thousands!

NOW IT'S YOUR TURN!

Ron Mueller
Author, Speaker and Business Success Coach
www.HomeBusinessTaxSavings.com

P.S. -- Forward this invitation to everyone
you know. (you can forward this page with the link below the comments sections at the bottom of this post).

So How Do I Get Paid To Shop?

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It’s simple:

Find a legitimate mystery shopping Provider Company
Sign-up or Register with them on-line
Request an assignment
Complete the assignment, And…
Get Paid!

Sounds simple enough, right!

It is that simple. But just like any other venture or line of work there are a lot of mini steps and requirements in between that may prohibit you from working or expedite the time it takes to get your first and subsequent assignments.

Requirements you may want to consider:

Age: Most secret shopping companies will only hire Adults 18 years and older. Some require you to be 21

Reading: You will be required to know how to read and follow the directions in the language you are conducting the assignment.

Writing: Writing is of major significance because with any secret shopping assignment you will be required to write, at minimum, one paragraph of your experience outlining instances in great detail. You don’t have to be a novelist but companies do expect your work to be well written. You will be evaluated on your writing ability by most mystery shopping providers as a part of the application process.

Working Capital: 99% of secret shopping is reimbursement based. You will need working capital to make a purchase, if required, on your assignment. There are plenty of assignments that do not require you to make a purchase at all. Finding work will not be an issue if you are cautious about spending money upfront and being reimbursed.

Equipment: It is unlikely that you will be able to perform any work or even apply to become a secret shopper without Internet access. 99% of the communication is performed online. You will also need your home office equipment and tools such as a digital camera, stopwatch and if required for the assignment you are on, a voice recorder.

Recommendations you may want to consider:

Certification: The MSPA offers secret shoppers certification that is highly respected among mystery shopping provider companies who are members of the MSPA. They offer:

Silver ($15)

Gold ($99)

* Certification is recommended and not required by mystery shopping providers.

GET STARTED TODAY. YOU HAVE ALL THE INFORMATION YOU NEED!

***We have added the Finding work posts as a page on our blog to make it easier for you to navigate and find a company to work for.***

Should you feel you need a little more guidance, sign-up for our Free Quick Start Guide (Below This Post) to receive step-by-step instruction on how to get started with secret shopping.

So there it is…Nothing stopping you, but you…

Happy Shopping!