There are a lot of ads on-line to lure you into purchasing a list of companies who hire secret shoppers, or join an organization that will connect you with secret shopping services. Legitimate jobs will never require you to pay them upfront. Any legitimate job pays you for doing a job, not the other way around. There are legitimate shopping services who need flexible, dependable people to perform customer service shops, informational shops, integrity shops, inspections, and compliance audits.
One of the biggest problems for shopping services is finding dependable people. Often, people hear about mystery shopping, or believe the ads that promise big money and rewards for very little work. Once they find out how shopping really works they become disillusioned. Shopping isn’t a bad job, but it does require a lot of attention to detail, an ability to write reports, and the ability to meet deadlines. There is certainly no more required by shopping services than any other employer, and in some ways it requires less. It affords you the flexibility of working from home, and you choose the days and hours you can perform a shop.
You need to know which services are legitimate. It’s easy to apply for shopping jobs. Most require filling out simple forms. Be aware, however, that some services require a more detailed application. Most company representatives have dealt with more than their share of here-today-gone-tomorrow shoppers. It’s reasonable that they screen their employees.
When you complete your application remember to market yourself as a responsible employee. The larger the territory you are willing to cover, the more shop opportunities you are likely to receive. If you live in a metro area, and are willing to travel to a variety of suburbs and malls, include that information in your application. The more flexible you are. The more the shopping service is willing to use you.
It is also important, from the time you receive your first shop to follow through with the shop at the assigned time, and report to the company in a timely and professional manner. Your initial interactions with the company will also affect the number of shopping invitations you receive. Complete and submit the paperwork exactly as requested by your employer, as they have been hired, and need standardized, truthful information to share with their clients. Be cognizant of the fact that your shop has the power to impact the future of employees. Be fair, honest, and reasonable.
The following are some legitimate shopping services:
Bestmark.com is always looking for people to do small, local shops. The shop pay averages around $10-$12, but you only have to spend approximately fifteen minutes in a store near your home. I have found they solicit a lot of hardware shops in my area. They shop for a lot of franchises with stores in small towns.
Sinclair Customer Metrics, Incis a mystery shopping service that has been around for years. They recently changed their name, but they are the same reputable company. In the past, I have had experience with Sinclair mystery shops in investigations. They were called upon by loss prevention to provide an integrity shop to test an employees integrity. The focus of mystery shopping, however, has changed. According to Sinclair Customer Metrics, the purpose of their service is primarily to provide feedback to businesses in order for those business to evaluate and improve customer service.
Ann Michaels and Associates has provided mystery shoppers for almost ten years. This company provides analysis of sales and customer service experiences, integrity shops, and even shops for their client’s competition. They provide shoppers for a variety of retailers such as Sears, restaurants, Teleflora, jewelers, hotels, and a variety of other retail businesses.
Bare Associates International provides shops worldwide. They have been in the business for more than twenty years. This company provides information about customer and employee satisfaction and loyalty. Bare Associates provides services for just about every type of business imaginable, including: automotive, casinos, new home sales, restaurants, bars, health and fitness, apartment management, and more. Explore their website to find out about the variety of industries they serve and how to become a member of their shopping team.
Feedback Plusis another shopping service with extensive experience in the industry, over thirty years. They offer an easy feedback system for their shoppers, in order to provide quick, real-time information for their clients. Mystery shoppers for Feedback plus visit major retailers, restaurants, financial institutions, and manufacturers, and many others.
Amusement Advantageis a unique company in the shopping industry. It is also one with which you can have the most fun. Amusement Advantages provides shoppers exclusively for the amusement park industry. If you enjoy places like Six Flags, Busch Gardens, water parks, and other amusement venues you should definitely sign up with Amusement Advantage. Their assignments usually involve a day at the park, auditing employee compliance, taking photographs, riding rides, and evaluating food services. Their pay is not very high, but they compensate with free tickets for additional days at the park. Additionally, the shopping day requires just a few short assignments, so you can also enjoy that day and be compensated, in most cases, for your ticket.
A Closer Look provides services exclusively for the hospitality industry. Their clients include fine dining establishments and hotels. A Closer Look screens their shoppers very carefully, because their clients have a specific clientele. It is important that mystery shoppers blend with the regular clientele in order for the customer service evaluation process to work. The screening process takes time, but the reward for waiting, and applying to A Closer Look can be an occasional night away from home, or dinner out for fine dining at the companies expense.
Be patient. Sometimes it takes shopping services a while to applications. Also, they must have a client request for a shop in your area before they can put out a call for a shopper. Some services email you directly when a shop is available in your area. They may assign shops on a first response basis. Check your emails regularly. Other services require you to check their website to find shops available in your area. If you find you haven’t been contacted by one of the larger shopping services after several weeks, remember, they have a team of shoppers already in place. You may have to wait for a shopper to quit or move before you are able to work in a particular region or territory. It never hurts, however, to contact them with a reminder of your availability and willingness to shop.
There are many other reputable shopping services, but perhaps this short list will help you get your foot in the door. There are even associations which train shoppers and certify them at different levels. The important thing to remember when dealing with shopping services is that this is a business. While shopping can be fun and even financially rewarding, it is a job. With a little persistence and professional follow-through you can establish yourself as a professional shopper. Over time, your reputation and shopping record will assist you in getting more shops. .
