Forum Alias:itsasecret How long have you been mystery shopping? Since September 2012. Where are you shopping?Northern Arizona and the Phoenix area. What got you started? I have a friend who started shopping after losing his job, and after hearing about the shops he did I decided to give it a try too. …
There are many questions that come up repeatedly on www.mysteryshopforum.com that will be compiled in a series of articles here in the Mystery Shopping Magazine. We hope that this will be a convenient resource for you to find the answers you are looking for regarding the tips and techniques and tools used in this business….
Company Overview: Some mystery shopping companies are challenging to research. For some reason, there simply isn’t a lot of tangible information on the websites they maintain about their businesses. Nor is there much discussion on the Mystery Shop forum about them. These entities truly live up to the “mystery” when talking about mystery shopping companies….
Company Overview: It is rare for mystery shoppers to agree about which are the best mystery shopping companies. So many variables factor into these viewpoints. These include, but are not limited to: fair fees, prompt timely and accurate pay, professional courtesy, effective and relevant feedback, and responsive communication. However, Quest For Best has maintained consistent…
Overview: Mystery shopping can be a lonely endeavor at times. There are many times that assignment requirements do not allow you to take a companion. But if you look hard enough, you can find some that will even let you bring along your furry friend. So gather up all your usual mystery shopping gear and…
Welcome to Issue Ten of Mystery Shopper Magazine! This issue we show you how to get started with pet store assignments. So, if you have furry friends in your life, you may want to take note. And if you have to beg, borrow, or steal a friend’s pet, then it may be worth it, because…
I didn’t plan to imitate the abominable snow man on a shop, staggering around and making some odd noises. The directions said to dump one bag of household trash. “How hard could that be?” I thought to myself. Just a quick drive to a landfill, have a look around, ask a couple of questions and…
There are many questions that come up repeatedly on www.mysteryshopforum.com that will be compiled in a series of articles here in the Mystery Shopping Magazine. We hope that this will be a convenient resource for you to find the answers you are looking for regarding the tips and techniques and tools used in this business….
Overview: If you’re an eyeglass wearer, be sure to indicate that if asked when you are signing up with a new mystery shopping company. That way you will be sure to qualify for available assignments in the optical industry. It’s a great way to earn a fee, and/or to get reimbursed for an exam or…
Company Overview: This company is lauded as a favorite of shoppers time and time again, so consider adding this one to your list of MSCs. A Closer Look was established in 1994 and is headquartered in Norcross, Georgia. They offer many assignments in hospitality including bistros, hotels and resorts, breweries, and casual and upscale dining….
Company Overview: The majority of mystery shopping companies have a wide variety of different assignments. However, some specialize in a specific sector. Informa Research Services is one such company. Informa Research Services, originally Meyer Interest Rate Survey, is a division of Informa PLC. It operates out of Calabasas, California, and has been in business since…
Mystery shoppers usually work alone. They rarely get the chance to meet other shoppers. When I started Mystery Shop Forum five years ago, I saw the need for a community that could both support mystery shoppers and help shopper connect. In the five years since I started the Forum, the community has grown beyond anything…
Every industry has their own language. The world of mystery shopping is no different in that respect. It can be confusing to both experienced and novice shoppers from time to time. As this field expands, more specialty terms are developed. Each issue of ShopTalk will explain some of the more commonly used lingo. BOB =…
Mystery Shop Forum Alias: Traveliz How long have you been mystery shopping? About 14 years. Where are you shopping? Central Illinois and Central Florida, with occasional longer routes. What got you started? I always knew about mystery shoppers as I worked at Arby’s in high school and we were drilled on never saying, “is that…
Overview: These assignments are definitely not for everyone. Those that embarrass easily should probably consider taking a pass. Others that are a bit more adventuresome might find these interesting and even fun. So what are adult boutiques? Well, a lot of people have the idea that these businesses are seedy and tawdry. The ones in…
Company Overview: When I was a new shopper with this company, I thought its name was highly ironic after some of my nonsensical dealings with one of its editors. Luckily those issues are a thing of the past. Like so many other shoppers, I consider Reality Check to be among my top companies. This is…
Company Overview: Mystery shoppers were among the interested and curious audience tuning into their television sets when a new reality series made its debut in spring of 2012 on Food Network. The show, called “Mystery Diners”, led many to believe that this series would be about mystery shopping in the restaurant industry, especially since a…
Welcome to Issue Seven of Mystery Shopper Magazine. This week Cettie returns with another adventure. This time, an unusual experience at a post office causes everyone to unexpectedly clap and cheer. It’s a fun story, and well worth the read. Just as importantly, we have two reviews of mystery shopping companies. Goodwin & Associates is…
I never realized a lady of mature years could run quite so fast. I and the other post office customers in line watched her rapid exit from the lobby. Interesting how she seemed to rely heavily upon her cane while in line but suddenly become inspired to grab it up like a baton and flee…
Company Overview: One of the interesting aspects of the Mystery Shopping Forum is that the shopper doing a little background research on MSCs is bound to find volumes and more volumes of information on companies that have mixed reviews by forum members. However, this is not the case for Shoppers Critique. Although opinions about this…
Company Overview: As one iconic character on the Mystery Shopping Forum expressed concerning the practices of this MSC, “A leopard seldom changes its spots.” My somewhat cynical nature would normally agree. But it does seem that they are doing just that. Goodwin & Associates, based out of Concord, New Hampshire, specializes in restaurant assessments throughout…
Overview: Although these assignments are not flashy or exciting in comparison to other available mystery shopping opportunities, they still have their own allure. These share a quality with other non-glam assignments such as grocery stores and gas stations, that being if you have to go there anyway, you might as well get paid for it….
Overview: At first glance, many types of assignment visits hardly seem like shopping in the traditional sense. Those new to the field sometimes wonder when they actually are going to do some real shopping after completing a plethora of assignments involving banking, alternative financial, fast food, casual and upscale dining, automotive services, cellular phones, events,…
Welcome to Issue Six of Mystery Shopper Magazine! We believe that mystery shoppers matter, and that you deserve a media organization that represents you. We’re a small organization, but we’re striving to achieve the goal of giving mystery shoppers a voice. We are also affiliated with Mystery Shop Forum, which does so much help mystery…
Forum Alias: shopgal How long have you been mystery shopping? About 3 ½ years. Where are you shopping? The Inland Pacific Northwest, mostly eastern Washington and Idaho, usually within 75 to 100 miles from home. What got you started? I made the jump to the mystery shopping world after I became fed up with the…
Trendsource was founded in 1989 in Denver, Colorado and relocated their home base in San Diego in 2004. They were a founding member of the Mystery Shopping Providers Association (MSPA) which is a comprehensive resource devoted to educating and assisting shoppers advance their mystery shopping career. Trendsource provides various services to numerous clients throughout the…
Company Overview: Not a mystery shopping company per se, this business entity connects shoppers with many available assignment opportunities with other mystery shopping companies. Previously known as Kern Scheduling Services from 1998 to 2001, this scheduling company now goes by the name of KSS International. The business is headquartered in Cincinnati, Ohio. It was started…
Overview: Many of us only have one or two landmark occasions in our lives that would lead us into the premises of a fine jeweler, usually an engagement or anniversary. Typically at such moments, it is easy to be swept away by the event itself. As first time-consumers, the sparkling merchandise overwhelms all. By stepping…
Sorry, gents, this one is for the ladies out there in mystery shopping land. Gals, get ready to get pampered and dolled up when you go out on one of these assignments. These are great to do before an evening out on the town! Project Variations: Assignment scenarios are fairly straightforward. The shopper usually presents…