Mystery Shopping is a specialized research methodology used for measuring, monitoring, and maintaining operational standards and compliance of customer service and operations within a company. For companies that operate numerous locations, Mystery Shopping quantifies how each unit operates comparatively to predefined standards of expectation.
A mystery shopping 'assignment' can be a telephone call, website survey or a store visit. It involves observing pre-decided set of things very sharply (during the assignment) and writing about them in a detailed questionnaire (after the assignment).
Anyone, who has a natural inclination to observe while shopping and cares about the service they receive can become a mystery shopper. Also, they should be able to write down their feedback in detailed format.
Before you visit the location, you would be given a set of instructions to follow. You may need to ask for information about a product or a service to judge the level of product knowledge the staff members have. After you have completed your shopping trip, you will need to fill an online feedback form about your experience.
In Some Assignments, you be required to do audio recording of the conversation held during your visit.
To become a Mystery Shopper, you must complete a registration form which is available on our website. Once you have properly completed and submitted the registration, you will automatically be added to the electronic database Mystery Shoppers.
Absolutely! we love giving new shoppers a chance to start mystery shopping. We do not train mystery shoppers, but feel we can give you the proper guidelines to successfully complete a first mystery shop. We’re always here to help and guide you through your first mystery shop.
Payments vary depending on each project. Payment is determined based on time required to conduct the shop, the length of the reporting form, and time required to submit the mystery shop report. Every project varies and client fees and reimbursements (if applicable) are mentioned in the mystery shop posting.
Our clients may or may not reimburse for fuel, tolls or parking. This is determined, on a project-by-project basis, depending on the client requisites. If you decide to work outside of your immediate area, you are responsible for any associated costs.
Payments are processed by us with in 5-6 weeks of submitting the assignment. Payments are made via Electronic Funds Transfer to your nominated bank account. You do not have to provide your bank account details when you register but we do require them once you are accepted as a Mystery Shopper.
Completion time depends largely on the scope of the assignment. An evaluation can take anywhere between 10 minutes and 2 hours, Some may require an overnight stay.
Most assignments do not require you to make a purchase. Depending upon the company’s specifications, if an assignment requires a purchase you must retain the receipt of purchase for validation. If a purchase is necessary, we will highlight how much you will be reimbursed. You must always submit your receipt of purchase(s) to us in order to be reimbursed for any purchase/assignment.
Yes, assignments are to be completed within the times and/or dates requested by the company.
If a problem arises that prevents you from completing the assignment you have in progress, you are expected to immediately inform the same to our Coordinator. You should not take on any assignments(s) if you are not positive that you will be able to successfully complete them during the specified dates and/or times and according to the Company’s specifications.
Report forms are to be completed and submitted within 24 hours of completing the assignment unless you are instructed otherwise by us.
Shop ratings are given by us when an evaluation is complete and sent to the client. This helps us gain insight on whether to select the shopper (see below). The shopper rating scale ranges from 1-10. We take into consideration these areas when rating shops:
- The amount of information given about the experience of mystery shopping.
- Whether the assignment guidelines were followed
- Proper grammar and spelling
- Timeliness of entering the mystery shop report into the system
- Promptness making any requested updates
Clients use the reports to measure, monitor and maintain operational standards for customer service delivery, compliance of policies and procedures, competitor analysis, and to monitor a training initiative or to create a new training practice. This research is used to understand the face-to-face customers’ interaction or “moments of truth” for all points of contact.
We do not share your personal information with anyone. It is important that you protect your information by not sharing your ID or Password with anyone else.