Mystery Shop Forum debuted on July 27, 2006. Jacob Jans, then age 24, created it with the hopes it would become a valuable resource for both new and experienced mystery shoppers. Mystery Shopper Magazine, an online publication, was introduced in February of 2012 and espoused similar goals. MSM Talks with Jacob Jans, Owner, Administrator and…
When doing a video shop, a shopper can opt for many forms of cameras: button, pen and glasses to name a few. These cameras come in two forms: wired and wireless. The older and more common form is the wired camera, in which the lens is hidden in a public object, such as a button…
This week’s episode is brought to you by the letter “I” which stands for insurance., in its many forms. First, please check your auto insurance policy before you start a road trip. Most, if not all, auto insurance companies offer a roadside assistance amendment to your basic auto insurance policy for as little as $15…
Business Evaluation Services (BES), with offices in Bakersfield and San Diego, has acquired two notable mystery shopping industry brands -Customer 1st and Best Market Audits (BMA). The newly formed company includes over sixty years of combined experience in the customer service evaluation business and access to over 700,000 mystery shoppers. BES maintains offices in North…
Company Overview: Based in Kennesaw, Georgia, The Training Factor specializes in apartment and call center training. There is minimal company history on their website. The company does both conventional and video mystery shops. The company began mystery shopping in 2009. The Training Factor uses the Shopmetrics platform to register mystery shoppers. Registration is fairly straightforward…
This week’s issue of Mystery Shopper Magazine focuses on preparing for the International Mystery Shoppers Conference in New Orleans, LA. The conference will be July 29 & 30, with a video training session on the 31st [extra registration, limited space]. We would like to do a special issue on the conference in the August 11…
I have done a little digging around concerning options for getting from the airport to the hotel/conference site. There is an airport shuttle that costs about $38 round trip. There are taxis, which are said to cost $33 for one or two persons or $14 per person for three or more people. There is a…
NOLA 2014 IMSC conference Program- SUBJECT TO CHANGE WITHOUT NOTICE ALSO, PLEASE SEE ADDITIONAL NOTES AT THE END OF THIS LISTING. Tuesday, July 29th 7:00 AM to 8:45 AM Registration, networking, continental breakfast 9:00 AM to 9:45 AM Conference Hall: Four Keys to Effective Communication-Terry Sumerlin- Keynote Speaker Conference Hall: 10:05 AM to 10:35 AM…
Many shoppers have posted or PMed asking about what to expect at a shopper conference. Some have expressed concerns that they will be alone, or lonely or too shy to engage other shoppers or schedulers. Fear not! Shoppers are a very welcoming bunch and there will even be shoppers devoted to seeking out and engaging…
I was doing a bank shop that’s right downtown in a nearby city. I kept my fingers crossed for a parking space and that’s when the proverbial eggs hit the fan. All parking spaces within a 2 block radius of this location have become a no-parking zone by police order due to a very big…
Agent99 has been spying on hapless clerks and bankers for five years. She does this spying to earn money for travel to Europe, to which she has traveled three times in recent years, visiting Italy, Switzerland, and France. “I haven’t done any overseas spying, because it’s harder now to get false passports since 9-11,” she…
With a recent discussion about a resort shop offered to the overall shopping public gathering so much interest, James Bond 007.5 approached me about setting the record straight on what resort shops entail. While each different company has it’s own methods and requirements, there are basic similarities with all of them when it comes to…
Company Overview: Informa Research Services, Inc.,, is the premier provider of competitive intelligence, sales and service evaluation, regulatory compliance testing, and lead generation services to the financial industry. We gather accurate and timely competitive product information, branch experience measurements, and consumer opinions. We deliver powerful market information, insightful analysis, and targeted recommendations. Located in Calabasas,…
Last month, Mary gave a basic primer into the preparations required to shop a route of gas stations/convenience stores. This month, she takes us into how she organizes her paperwork and keeps the shops flowing in the correct order. We talked about your camera in the initial column, but just to review, your camera should…
Written By JonChance Remember those cute little comment cards that restaurants used to stick between the salt and pepper shakers for you to tell them how you liked your visit? I was addicted to filling those out. Not at first maybe, but the third or fourth one I did as a kid earned me a…
I was contemplating a $13 bonused fast food shop today and debating about asking for another $5 when it hit me how my standards have changed in the last three years. When I started out, it was $5 fast food shops and $10 bank and cell phone shops for the most part and I was…
Overview: TrendSource, originally Mystery Shoppers, Inc., is a privately owned mystery shopping company, headquartered in San Diego, CA. Kevin Moll and his brother, Rodney Moll, founded the company in 1989, when Kevin Moll was looking for a company to “shop” his restaurant. Today, TrendSource serves clients in the retail, healthcare and restaurant industries as well…