Hey Matt
When you say “Does anyone do this full time and if so are there any secrets you can share?”
I am afraid that they are secrets for a reason. Nah what Ivan had posted is great, and you should reread it every so often until you understand how the system works well.
I would add that at first, take on what you can absolutely handle. Nothing will bring your reputation down more than incomplete and rescheduled assignments.
It is highly important to set up yourself as a reliable Independent Contractor (IC) and you will see that scheduler will seek you out. They know you as a good IC, and that is what you want.
As to doing this work on a full time bases, well that is a real possibility. I have known ICs that made a good living wage out of MSing. I am fortunate to live in a big city, so I am always busy. I don’t get a mix of assignments, and that is due to the City I live in. But I am busy!
Certification also tells the scheduler that you are committed to MSing and and are willing to spend the time and put in the effort to get educated and certified. Yes this kind of work is a “No Brainer” but in reality, no it’s not. There are a lot of stuff that you need to know. Going to conferences is another way to see these MSPs staff face to face, and make an impression that way.
Best of luck and let us know what thing go. We always have the time for you, and the others.
Hey John
I can feel your enthusiasm coming through the words you posted. You Go John!
But I should give you my two-cents worth, Mystery Shopping aka Secret Shopping is not about “expectations”. It is mostly about the experience. Your reports must be honest and truthfully unbiased so that the “client” can use the actionable information the Mystery Shopping Providers (MSP) provide to the “client “.
Sadly it is a lower (much lower) standard. If we all look for expectations then most of the establishments will fail. But if we look for “acceptable” standards then things are good.
Case in point Uber. Uber has had its shares of bad press. If they offer their drivers some customer service training, then things will be immensely better for all of us. Same thing with any establishment. Don’t offend the customers and we’ll be fine. That is why we are hired to go around checking on the employees to make sure they are a good return of the training investment.
Wishing you all the success in MSing, and most importantly joy in knowing that you are helping.
Hello All,
Today I received an email from: DaveSchedules@gmail.com with a very suspicious message about some MS assignment shops.
My suspicions were even more intensed when I search the MSPA’s provider list and did not see any listing for the company he states he is from.
So, be careful!
Also, if anyone has dealt with this Dave and he is legitimately involved with MSing, my apologies, but it’s better to be safe than sorry!
Hey Nicole
Welcome to the forum, and to Mystery Shopping (MSing) . I would suggest that each time you get a call for an assignment shop that is too far away for you to consider, is to call them and ask if they would allow a bonus to make it worth your while to travel that long of a distance. Maybe after a while they will remember, and not send you assignments that you won’t accept.
I live in San Francisco and I have the same condition. Yes the “system” states I am only 15 miles away, but these 15 miles involve bridges, or ferries, or a 55 mile trip around the San Francisco Bay waters. Google maps helps, and hinders.
I only wish that People understand Geography better!
Hey Mary
To find assignments, you can go to the Available Shops section of the iSecretShop app or web site. There you will see all the assignment shops that are listed by all the member Mystery Shopping Providers (MSPs).
Also, Make sure you have Location Services is turned on for the iSS app so that it hones on your location and serves you local assignment shops.
Hope this helps...
Kendra, Kendra, Kendra
Who among us did not have the gitters the first assignment we got! It’s part of being human.
Typically when you are assigned a shop assignment you will receive all the information you will need to successfully complete the assignment. Details about what is asked for, for example taking a photo of the front of the establishment, or ask a specific question, or order a specific food item, or visit the restroom.
I ALWAYS sit down and look these guidelines over, and over, and over again until I am so familiar with them that I can r site them by heart.
It is also helpful to view the questions you need to answer in the shop report. Having this will allow you to figure out what is the client looking for.
As to remembering what had happened during your visit, I have a trick that has served me well. I use a smartphone and before I arrive at the establishment I will turn on the voice recorder, and keep it on until I finish the assignment. Once I go home, I review the recording and get all the experience replayed back to me.
Now this is a bit “unlawful” in a few states. The 2 party states you are walking a fine line, but as long as you destroy the recording after the report has been accepted, and you ONLY use the recording for your own purposes and not share it with anyone else, you should be fine. I checked with an attorney on this one.
But the one most important thing that you need to complete a successful shop assignment is CONFIDENCE! You need to be calm and collected and act as a normal customer would act. This is essential for a true customer experience replication. I would suggest you ask a friend MSer to tag along. Make your own observations and DO NOT discuss any aspect of the assignment until you are 7 miles away from the establishment. Compare your findings, and you will see that you are not too off.
And now for the finale advice... Just Do It! Sorry Nike but just do it is the best advice I can offer you. It sounds like you are just shy of taking the plunge and if you mess up, All is well and you learned what NOT to do. And if you are successful well there you go! a check is coming your way.