Hi Adele,
Well there are various ways, it depends on what suits you most, and of course, the circumstances of the shop.
For some shops I reckon it would be okay to make discrete video recordings (there are apps that mask your screen during the recording process, like the Talon app, making it look like your notes are open for example). However, I would not recommend that in the specific case of casino shops, or perhaps bank shops, since the security staff, if they figure out you're recording, might think you are there surveying the place for a robbery or something.
So taking notes on your phone works in most cases, or placing your phone in your front pocket and turning on the audio recording so that you can replay any interactions if you need to. If you are taking photos, make sure to do it discretely (it's fine to openly take photos of food or drinks or the decor, as people do it all the time, but be discrete if you are taking a photo of a very specific area, restroom, staff, etc - and make sure that you don't upload any photos in your shop report that are not in compliance with the shop instructions (for example, if the instructions specifically state that no people can be photographed, etc).
A shopper recently mentioned using an app called ShopIT. It looks like text a message, but it keeps track of timings and notes for you. Things like, "Walked in", "greeted","water arrived", etc. Later you go back and has times on each entry. It also records voice, so it might prove useful for keeping tack of things.
The important parts you've already figured out - don't bring any paper materials that can be confiscated and blow your cover, and try to observe/make note of as my things as you can.
I'm sure you'll do great!
Good luck, and I hope some of this helps!
Hi Angela, and welcome!
You have already done the right thing - informed the schedulers before the shop becomes overdue. Another thing you can do as a safety measure is to enter the shop report and fill out just one answer. That will ensure that the system does not unassign it automatically after midinght of the day of the shop.
So in situations like that, doing those 2 things should work and keep your reports assigned to you until you complete them.
Thanks for asking!
Well, not sure about that, but if you're ever in a dilemma about using your real name or a pseudo, the safest bet would be to ask the MSP :)
Hello,
That's exactly right - in the email that you received when the shop was assigned to you, there should be the name of the MSP that posted it, or the scheduler's email address. If you still cannot find it, you can open a support ticket for iSecretShop and they will let you know who to contact, and what their contact info is.
Cheers!
Hi Joni,
That all depends on the shops in question. Some are posted on Tuesdays or Wednesdays, and some can be sooner or later than that - your safest bet is to contact the MSP that posts the shops and ask them, so that you know when to check. Also, if you are using the iSecretShopp app, you can receive notifications when shops you are interested in become available in your area.
Cheers!
Hello,
Those are entire;y optional, and can be found on iSSprep.com. Some certifications on iSSprep are for general knowledge, and some (such as that one) are for specific shops and you need a special code to fin them - those codes are contained in the shops that require them, so if you don't have it, it means you did not yet need it.
Thanks for asking!
Hi Mary Ann,
You can request any shops you'd like directly from the Available Shops page on the iSecretShop website or app. You can also contact the MSp that posted them and let them know you are interested in doing them.
Another option is to do both - request them first, and then contact the MSP to let them know if you have requested them - it may improve your chances of receiving the shops. :)
Good luck!
Hi Maggie,
There can be various reasons why the shops that you were emailed about are not on the Available Shops page.
-Some shops have specific requirements such as age or gender, and if you do not meet those requirements, you will not be able to see the shops on the Available Shops page or do them.
-Some shops are posted in large numbers, and when a certain limit of scheduled shops is reached, the rest become "hidden" from the Available Shops page, as no more can be assigned.
-Some shops are in very high demand, and it happens that they are already picked up by other shoppers by the time you login and check the Available Shops page.
-Sometimes Mystery Shopping Providers restrict shopper profiles from accessing their shops, in case they do not wish to work with a specific shopper, and in that case all shops from that MSP will be hidden to that shopper.
In any case, for the most accurate information about any shop's availability and/or reasons why you might not be seeing some shops, please contact the MSP that posted them, and their schedulers will provide you with answers.
Thank you for asking!
Hi Krista,
Welcome to the Forum, and to secret shopping! I hope you find this forum useful in helping get you started on sercert shopping in the best way possible - the community here is great and growing all the time.
Here are a few things that might help get you moving in the right direction:
- This is a short overview of how the iSecretShop system works:
-Once you log into iSecretShop, go to the "Available Shops" page, and browse the shops that are posted.
-When you see the one you are interested in, you click "View Details" and it will open a pop-up window with all the information on the shop.
-Then, you can either self-assign that shop, or click "Request shop" to submit a request for a specific date. The schedulers are frequently reviewing these requests, so it should be approved soon.
*If you are prompted to sign the iSecretShop Terms of Use or the Mystery Shopping Provider's contract first, you can do so on the "Provider Contracts and Policies" page.
*If you are prompted to enter your PayPal email address, you may do so on the "Update Extended Profile" page.
(only need to do these once)
-Once you have a shop assigned to you, you can always view it on the "Assigned Shops" page - there you can see all shops you have assigned, and can click "Complete Shop" on any of them to see the full shop information, the shop instructions, the questions, or/and fill out the shop report.
-If you have any questions about a particular shop, you can always contact the MSP that posted it, and their schedulers/editors will be happy to help.
-When you are done filling out the shop report - you click "Finalize Shop" to submit it - it will be reviewed to editors and either approved, or returned to you for additional information (if so, it will appear back in your "Assigned Shops" page).
-After the shop is approved, you can communicate with the MSP regarding your payment for that shop.
2. I advise going to iSSprep.com and doing courses like "iSS 101" and "iSS 102" - these will not only provide you with additional knowledge, but will also gran you shopper points, boosting your rank rather quickly. You can also click the Forum button on iSecretShop to go to the forum and look up various subjects and connect with the shopper community.
3. Finally, I suggest checking out this thread below - it's like a compilation of useful tips and advice for shoppers, to help you maximize your experience and get the most out of secret shopping:
https://www.secretshopforum.com/thread/1/2/94/pro-tips-for-those-who-want-to-be-the-best-shoppers
I hope this helps!
Good luck!