I'll throw in what I do. It won't be for everyone and may not be the most efficient but it works for me. I use Chrome as my browser. With regard to the companies and websites, I bookmark all the companies and put the dozen that I deal with the most on the bookmarks bar. I put the next 20 or so in the Other Bookmarks folder on the side. The ones I don't use too often are put in a folder under Other Bookmarks. When I go into a site, Google will ask me if I want it to save the password and I say yes. Once I'm set, I can be in a site with 2 clicks and no typing. I can check for new shops in my top 20 or so companies in about 5 minutes.

To keep track of my shops I just download a blank calendar template in excel each year that has all the months for the year on different tabs. The one I use has boxes with six lines for each day and you can add more if need be. I don't put all the addresses, just the shop and town. I put them on the date I think I am going to do them but can change them easily with copy and paste. I highlight the ones that are flexible and move them as I add more shops.

To keep track of my shops I use excel and create one spreadsheet for January and copy that in the same folder for the rest of the months. I have a $ total line underneath the spreadsheet and I link all of them to the January spreadsheet so they automatically total as you go through the year. I used to keep a lot of information but I have found over the years that the companies are really good so now all I put in is the Date, Company, Shop, Address, Pay, Reimbursement, Total Pay and Date. I keep all my receipts and if I did have a problem I have all the information I need.

Video shopping isn't for everyone, especially at the beginning. I know shoppers that love it and shoppers that hate it. I would suggest researching it first as the equipment investment is about $400-$500 depending on the type of equipment you get. I was lucky when I got my first camera - I bought the WiFi video camera which connects to your phone so you can flip it open at any point to make sure your target is in frame. They tried to convince me to get a cheaper version and I am so glad I didn't. I recently got a second WiFi setup as a backup for when I am on the road.

If you want to go that route you can watch videos on YouTube - the camera most people use is the PV500 so you can look that up or Video Mystery Shopping. Another wonderful way to broaden your horizons is to go to one of the conferences. Each conference offers courses where you can pick up tips for different types of shops. You can learn from the teachers and your fellow students. Each shopper has their own way of finding shops, organizing and routing. You'll find out about the apps that people are using and ways of role playing that you might not have thought of. You can question people as to different industries and why they like them. Both the IMSC and the MSPA conferences have video courses and you can buy your camera there at a discount. If you do some planning, you can usually do some shops at the airport, post security, and they pay very well. I made most of the cost of my last trip by doing some shops on the way there and then a few more on the way back.

If you keep doing shops you will eventually learn what you need to know but a conference can catapult you ahead very quickly. For me, the networking is priceless and is very motivating. Reading your posts, you definitely have a great attitude toward the industry and that will carry you far. I hope that whatever you invest in will broaden your experience and open many doors!

I agree with MFJohnston about being an invisible customer. I have heard shoppers that say they "chat up" the people they are interacting with. If you get too friendly and spend too much time, they will remember you next time. So don't do anything that will make you stand out. Dress to blend in, don't talk too loud and act the way a normal customer would.

I agree, it's very frustrating. If you have rearranged your schedule just go in and cancel the applications that are outstanding. The other thing you can do, depending on your relationship with your scheduler, is to ask to reschedule to a later date if you have the time. Some of the shops on ISS can be rescheduled by the shopper but if you can't do that try reaching out to your contact person. A lot of the shops are put out at the beginning of the month but they have till the end of the month to get them all done. If you don't have time, just decline them.

I totally agree with Ivan. I have heard of shops being rejected because the shopper purchased $19.99 instead of $20.00. However, the reasoning behind the decision was solid. It did not give the employee the opportunity to ask for a loyalty card because the points started at $20. On the other hand, I have personally had shops accepted when I forgot one of the proofs of shop. As Ivan says, every situation is different and the best way to handle it is to work closely with the scheduler. Maybe a creative solution that the client would accept would have been to go back the next day just for dessert. The continuity of the shop may or may not have been important to the client but each section from appetizer to dessert was important.

If you signed up for a shop and then unassigned it, you would lose 30 points each time. Try putting in a ticket with ISS to see where you got the negative points and see if you can work it out with the MSP.

Next time think about emailing the scheduler first. They can unassign the shop without penalty points if you have a good reason. You may still be able to get them to reverse it but I wouldn't ruin your relationship over it. You will get the points back quickly.

See the following post - IMSC conference in Las Vegas 11/6 and 11/7 ... Here is one of my posts there.

Networking is so important. It shows the MSP's that you are serious. Being from Canada I was able to talk to companies that have not opened up this area because of a lack of shoppers. However, there are a lot of us up here and we are a huge market. We just needed to know what the companies are looking for, particularly with video. I was able to brainstorm several ideas with companies and will be following up over the next several months.

Each conference also offers courses where you can pick up tips for different types of shops. You can learn from the teachers and your fellow students. Each shopper has their own way of finding shops, organizing and routing. You'll find out about the apps that people are using and ways of role playing that you might not have thought of. You can question people as to different industries and why they like them.

It's also a real motivator. I met new shoppers who were scared to do their first shop and they were inspired by what I am doing. The flip side is that I remembered how scared I was and it made me realize how far I have come in such a short time. It boosts confidence for everyone.

One of the treats of the conferences is that you find out you are not alone. Working incognito by yourself can be isolating. It's a lot of fun to go and be with a bunch of people doing the same thing!

I found the video training better at the IMSC conference but had more time for networking at Shopperfest. Each has their benefits and each involves different companies. I have companies that I deal with at both, as a shopper and a scheduler. My advice is to check the list of companies that belong to both organizations and determine which has more of the companies you want to talk to.

It's a good way to find out why the MSP's do things the way they do. Sometimes I feel like questions on the survey are a little bit, shall we say, crazy? However, there are usually reasons and the feedback between MSP's and shoppers is invaluable. It will make you look at the shops differently and realize how important each question is.

Hi Dan

I agree wholeheartedly with Patrick. Mystery shopping is a job and you have to do it well but it is also a lot of fun. You get to meet new people, role play AND you get paid for it. Read your instructions, don't take on too much at the beginning and find the shops that you really like. Get good at them and continually add to the list. Once you are comfortable, start planning routes, small at the beginning, 3 or 4 at a time. Before you know it, you'll be doing it full time! Get a good route planning app - there are several free ones and develop good relationships with your schedulers. If they ask you for a last minute job or one a little further away than you'd like, do it if you can - they will remember you. I wish you all the best and feel free to ask any questions. This is a friendly and helpful forum.

Hi Ivan:

I think he might be talking about an airport security badge to let him do shops post security?