Company Overview: Although this mystery shopping company has an international presence and has been in operation for over thirty years, this business has escaped the notice of many shoppers. Grass Roots Performance Measurement, otherwise known as GRPM, is based in the UK. Its North American offices are located in Miami, Florida. Over a year ago,…
Company Overview: This is another mystery shopping company that focuses on one niche industry. In this case, that would be banking and financial services. Pinnacle Financial Strategies has been in operation for over twenty years. In late 2010, it acquired Granite Starr Mystery Shopping as an adjunct to its other consultative services. At one time,…
Overview: This is one time you get to lie down on the job and get paid for it. So give those tired feet a break from tramping through malls and the plethora of mega stores. Instead of having to wearily stand in one place while listening to yet another interminable sales presentation, lie back on…
Company Overview: Although one of the newer mystery shopping companies to come to our industry, this business was established from the foundations of other related entities. The founders of Speedmark Info Services and Green & Associates merged their companies, which was later acquired by Market Force. In 2009, they created Customer Impact, drawing upon their…
Company Overview: Just as with a previous review for a mystery shopping company with an almost identical name, there isn’t a lot of information about this business on their website. Likewise, this is one of the few instances in which there isn’t much to learn on the Mystery Shop Forum. A big part of the…
Overview: For the most part, these of the assignments are quick and easy, requiring very little effort on the part of the mystery shopper. The hardest and longest part of these assignments is finding the clinic. These are usually located in small nondescript buildings with minimal signage advertising their presence. Still if you are leery…
Company Overview: If the mystery shopping industry awarded companies the equivalent of a Good Housekeeping Seal of Approval, this MSC would definitely be among the potential recipients. Dynamic Advantage is one of the veterans in this industry, having over 60 years of experience. Their website claims that they were one of the pioneers in the…
Company Overview: There isn’t a lot of information about this mystery shopping company on their website. Likewise, this is one of the few instances in which there isn’t much to learn on the Mystery Shop Forum. A big part of the problem in trying to research this company is that another mystery shopping company has…
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. View All…
Overview: If you’d like to have a drink out on the town at someone else’s expense, you might want to try out a bar integrity assignment. These are somewhat similar in nature to retail integrity assignments but are different from most mystery shops that you might be used to completing that focus on customer service….
Company Overview: Here is yet another small mystery shopping company that is not well known. It hasn’t implemented much in the way of self-promotion, and even its website has very little information about their business and its operations. But it should not be overlooked by shoppers, especially those interested in what one Mystery Shop Forum…
Company Overview: Not to be confused with another mystery shopping company going by a shortened version of this name, International Service Check has a global presence. So for those shoppers looking for assignments in Europe, Asia, the Mid East, as well as North America, this company may be worth checking out. International Service Check claims…
Company Overview: This is another small but well-established mystery shopping company that has yet to be noticed by many shoppers. It has a niche that is different than the major industries covered by other MSCs like banking, restaurants, or hotels. New Image Marketing Research Corporation, otherwise referred to as NIM in this article, has been…
Company Overview: At times it is desirable for a mystery shopper to be able to categorize mystery shopping companies by the types of clients that are evaluated regularly. The problem is, sometimes these niche MSCs are hard to find, as they tend to be smaller and less well known. Service With Style is one such…
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. View past…
Updated February 3rd, 2014 Company Overview: It seems that shoppers are always on the hunt for hotel assignments, either to add to a long-distance route to offset costs or to simply get away from it all for a little bit. The easiest way to find these assignments is to get signed up with mystery shopping…
Company Overview: Some mystery shoppers have certain niches, or types of businesses, that they focus on more than others. To that end, they try to categorize mystery shopping companies when possible to assist them in their quest for certain assignments. If your focus is in the hospitality field, you might want to consider adding this…
Overview: Want a chance to get off your feet while you do some shopping? Ever wanted to try out one of those mobility scooters you see people driving around in the stores you visit? Check out these assignments that evaluate ADA compliance. ADA stands for the American Disabilities Act. This law provides for those with…
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: Untangling the history of this mystery shopping company was a bit of a mystery in itself. Trying to research the company’s background and relationships to other companies became more and more convoluted. It’s a tangled web of associations, with only one clear denominator shared by all entities involved, the year 2009. This year…
Company Overview: This mystery shopping company is well-established in our industry, having been in business longer than almost any other company that Mystery Shopper Magazine has reviewed yet. Its history in working successfully with Fortune 500 companies has captured the attention of several publications, including write-ups in the Wall Street Journal and Good Housekeeping, among…
Overview: These assignments are for those wanting a change from the typical retail mystery shops with multiple interactions, as well as a break from narrative reports. They don’t require a lot of effort, can pay decently when bonused, and won’t take more than an hour of your time at the most. Sound good? They can…
Overview: Although there is a merchandising company by the same name, don’t let it confuse you. The assignments that are termed as retail integrity evaluations have nothing to do with merchandising. As a matter of fact, these types of assignments are different from most mystery shops that you might be used to completing that focus…
Company Overview: In some cases, reviewing mystery shopping companies can be very much like the old saying “No news is good news.” There are some MSCs that do not garner much attention from shoppers. Considering that the independent contractors in the mystery shopping world have a tendency to be vocal about negative issues, it could…
Company Overview: Sometimes even the researchers get similarly named mystery shopping companies mixed up. Such was the instance with this mystery shopping company. I was halfway through with my background notes on this company when I noticed that forum members were occasionally using the words “customer” and “consumer” interchangeably for the name of this MSC….
Company Overview: It’s an infrequent occurrence to have both a mystery shopping company as well as one of its assignments hit the worst-of-the-worst lists as described by its independent contractors, the mystery shoppers themselves. Cirrus Marketing Intelligence is based in Anaheim, California, and has been in operation since 1993. From their beginning, the company states…
Company Overview: If there was an equivalent of a Good Housekeeping Seal Of Approval in our industry, this mystery shopping company would be one of the first recipients. It was a pleasure to review a company that shoppers highly endorsed without reservation. Marketing Endeavors has been operating out of Louisville, Kentucky since 2001. It is…
Overview: These types of assignments are great for shoppers looking to stockpile gifts for others throughout the year. In addition to actual clothing items, the stores usually have a wide variety of accessories available. Your indirect savings for gifts can be quite sizable when totaled up over a twelve month period. Project Variations: Assignment scenarios…
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: The biggest mystery shopping company in the world also has the largest mystery shopper network in the world. That results in an enormous amount of opinions and feedback about this MSC. Rarely are shoppers neutral about this company. The majority of shoppers are decidedly divided into two camps – those that love the…
Company Overview: If you like what one shopper describes as “quality of life” assignments, meaning those that are fun or enjoyable or entertaining, then this is a mystery shopping company you should check out. On the flip side, if you only are concerned about adding revenue to your bottom line, then you might want to…
Company Overview: It’s always interesting to see what mystery shopping companies have to say about their businesses on their websites. It’s even more interesting to see if what they have to say is at all in sync with what their shoppers have to say. Mystique Shopper is based in Clemont, Florida. It claims to have…
Company Overview: Sometimes the real mystery about some mystery shopping companies is trying to find out information about them. This doesn’t necessarily have negative connotations. It simply means that the MSC might be more of a small boutique business with a certain niche, and/or doesn’t promote itself well. Apex Mystery Shopping is a family owned…
Overview: These assignments are all about our evolving world of commerce relying less and less on cold hard cash. Credit and financing are a business within a business. It’s the norm to use these payment options for everything from refrigerators to designer jeans. And it’s another way to make money from the consumer beyond the…
Company Overview: One of the first things new mystery shoppers should be aware of is that it is never necessary to pay for the opportunity to obtain assignments. The overwhelming majority of the time, any entity that requests money from a shopper is usually a scam operation. Those that aren’t necessarily scams are still of…
Company Overview: It is common for mystery shoppers to be open to alternative earning opportunities such as those involved with merchandising, exit interviews, audits, and more. There are also options that don’t fit nicely into any category listed here that are fairly easy and pay reasonably. One mystery company specializes in such information-gathering assignments. Mintel…
Company Overview: Smaller mystery shopping companies tend to have advantages over larger entities, such as maintaining a more personable relationship with their shoppers. Yet they are also at a disadvantage when it comes to being able to offer steady assignment opportunities. B Business Solutions is one such company. It has been operating since 1998 from…
Company Overview: In the haste to get signed up with mystery shopping companies when starting out, it is easy to skim over information provided on their websites which state their policies. When those policies involve payments made to shoppers, and the shoppers are not aware of those policies, shoppers can become unduly annoyed and/or frustrated….
Overview: The name of these types of assignments should be a dead giveaway – pun intended – that you won’t be having the time of your life while completing one. A bit of gallows humor from time to time is to be expected while discussing such assignments. Few mystery shoppers are truly comfortable with the…
SHOPTALK II 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….
Overview: Trying to figure out what to do for dinner? Too busy catching up on your mystery shopping reporting to cook? Don’t worry about it. With one phone call you can have your meal delivered to your home, or you can have it ready to pick up. Pizza assignments can be a fun change from…
Company Overview: This will be a short but far from sweet review. This mystery shopping company has been generating a lot of discussion on the Mystery Shopping Forum in the last six months or so, especially recently, and none of it has been positive. Nationwide Services Group is headquartered in Cleveland, Ohio. Surprisingly, this company…
Company Overview: One of the great things about the community on the Mystery Shop Forum is getting the heads up about issues with MSCs. In some cases, this has alerted shoppers to problems of non-payment and other business practices that are unethical. However, sometimes warnings go up that must be taken in context. This is…
Overview: Shoppers that are interested in looking at and learning about what kind of new techno toys are out there on the market will want to check out this assignment. There is a bewildering array of desktop computers, laptops, e-readers, video games, tablets, and mp3 players available. It seems like every month there are new…
Company Overview: Some mystery shopping companies regularly post assignments at offensively low fees and reimbursements, yet incredibly, they have a loyal following of shoppers. Ritter Associates is one of those companies. They’ve been in this industry since 1974, so they are well aware of the usual payment rates offered by other MSCs. They also have…
Company Overview: Sometimes there seems to be a disconnect between what shoppers are asked to do while on an on-site visit and what is truly feasible and realistic. One mystery shopping company that “gets it” is Associate Consumer Evaluations. The founders of this company, Tiffany Steward and Julie Simbo, were inspired to create a business…
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…
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…
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…
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,…
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…
Company Overview: Mystery shoppers are always on the hunt for a new-to-them company. Sometimes this isn’t as straightforward as it seems. It can be challenging to pin down who is who, especially with the plethora of MSC name changes, as well as the many active relationships between companies in the mystery shopping world. Interactions is…
Overview:This is a standard piece of equipment for almost all mystery shoppers. Yet they vary in features and capabilities. If you ever wanted to know what’s available out there in the way of cellular phones and plans, here’s your chance to find out all about them and get paid for it. Project Variations:Most scenarios require…
Company Overview: If you are willing to deal with consistent but slow pay from a nationwide company with a wide variety of interesting and worthwhile assignments, then check out Service Sleuth. Service Sleuth is a division of HS Brands International, which is also the parent company for The Mershimer Group. HS Brands has offices in…
Overview: Hey, citizen! Wanna boogity to the upcoming convoy real estate for some 40-weight and a hubcap? 10-4, good neighbor! Translated from trucker lingo, this means: “Although you’re not a trucker, would you like to meet up at the nearest truck stop for a cup of coffee and an egg sunny side up? It’d be…
Company Overview: Although it bills itself as the largest customer research company in the U.S., Maritz Research forgoes the latest in technology to conduct its mystery shopping endeavors. Instead, it relies more heavily on having human contact with its shopper base, probably more so than most mystery shopping companies. Virtual Customers is the name of…
Overview: This is one of the assignments that initially draws potential mystery shoppers into the industry. At first glance, they seem very enjoyable and appealing, and they can be. But sometimes these projects are not as glamorous as one might think. Restaurant assignments can vary from upscale casual to formal fine dining. For those that…
Overview: One of the businesses that people least like visiting nowadays happens to be a favorite destination for mystery shoppers. They’re not fun or fancy places by any means. But the payoff can most definitely be worthwhile. A mystery shopper can make some decent cash while fueling up their vehicle when conducting gas station assignments….
Looking for gas station assignments? Read about them here. Company Overview: Many mystery shoppers are continually on the hunt for “the best” mystery shopping companies, but sometimes it is just as important to know which ones to avoid. There are MSCs out there that have unethical business practices which cause shoppers great misery. Secret Shopping…
Overview: Do you like attending sporting events? Going to concerts or theater productions? Checking out tradeshows? You can do all this and get some well-earned entertainment while mystery shopping! Venue assignments can be a lot of fun, and it’s a great way to get free tickets to an event. But they do require some work….
Overview: Surprisingly, one of the assignment types that most would think would be the easiest also happens to be one of the most problematic to complete successfully. A majority of shoppers have at one time or another had a report rejected and/or payment declined due to noncompliance issues with one of these. If you’re an…
Company Overview: Sometimes mystery shoppers need a little recreation and entertainment after completing a steady stream of the tried-and-true usual assignments. For a change of pace in that boring routine, check out the assignments with Service Scouts. This mystery shopping company offers all kinds of opportunities in venues for sports, musicals, shows, concerts, tradeshows, conventions,…
Company Overview: With so many mystery shopping companies using similar names, it can be easy to get them confused. Unfortunately, Secret Shopper is one of those MSCs that has been frequently mistaken for less reputable entities in the business. Because of this, many shoppers have avoided getting involved with Secret Shopper, and are missing out…
Mystery shoppers that are seeking steady assignment opportunities should consider adding this type of evaluation to their repertoire. Many banks, as well as some credit unions, have active mystery shopping programs in which on-site assessments are made regularly and frequently. Some have a short rotation time period of only a month. Project Variations: Assignment scenarios…
If your main focus as a shopper is obtaining higher-end assignments such as restaurants and hotels, then Mercantile Systems Inc. would be a desirable mystery shopping company to add to your list. Recent opportunities included: steakhouses, brewhouses, barbecue restaurants, other upscale casual restaurants and bars, golf courses, and resorts. This family owned business was founded…
Many times mystery shoppers wonder if their efforts truly have any direct results on the business operations of a client. With The Brandt Group, they do. The company motto “Inspect What You Expect” neatly sums up the mission of this MSC. On-site client evaluations are taken very seriously, and a higher level of professionalism is…
If you’ve heard of check cashing and payday loan businesses, then you already know what kind of assignments fall under the heading of alternative financial services. These places offer services that traditional banks and credit unions don’t. There’s a lot of myths and misconceptions about these types of assignments, so read on to learn more….