At the beginning of your career as a mystery shopping, you likely thought mystery shopping was an incredibly exciting job. Each assignment seemed different, and you never had to be stuck behind a desk all day. Even long-time mystery shoppers will agree that the variety in assignments is part of what keeps them working in the job day in and day out. Yet even with the change of scenery that new mystery shopping assignments provide, after awhile all of the stores and restaurants start to blur together and the reporting questions all start to sound the same. If you’re at this point with your mystery shopping, it may be time to add some pizzazz to your assignments.
A Change Of Pace. Mystery shoppers often look for the same types of assignments they’ve always done when they peruse the job boards. They often will try to do assignments they did several months ago, or try to pick up assignments at similar stores or restaurants. While this may be the relatively safe way to go about mystery shopping, it can also lead to the mystery shopping doldrums. The next time you look at the job boards, read through each assignment and choose a few that are so far beyond the type of assignment you normally do. Trying something new will not only add some excitement to your job, but the new experience will also make you a better mystery shopper.
Shop With A Friend. Or your spouse, kids, or anyone else who wants to tag along. When you bring a buddy along with you on your mystery shopping assignments, you will have someone to talk to while you go about fulfilling the assignment requirements. Plus, bringing someone along with you who is unfamiliar with mystery shopping will allow you to once again see mystery shopping through fresh eyes, and it may just remind you how unique and exciting the job is! Many people are often very curious about mystery shopping, so chances are that you will find many volunteers who are happy to tag along and watch you in action.
Get Out Of Town. Mystery shopping assignments at hotels and cruise ships are few and far between. But even if you can’t land a top gig like those coveted assignments, you can easily pick up a few restaurants, entertainment venues, and retail shop assignments in another city. You may have to spring for the hotel, but you can definitely add some new vigor and excitement to your mystery shopping job by shopping in a whole new city. Make sure to write off your business expenses while you are traveling, and don’t forget to leave yourself some free time to do some sightseeing while you are on your getaway.
As with many things in life, mystery shopping can become a bit dull if you don’t spice things up every now and then. If you are suffering from the mystery shopping doldrums, take these tips to heart and add some pizzazz to your mystery shopping job!
These are some good suggestions, except the one about bringing a friend. The dining shops I’ve done encourage you to bring someone along. Most of the fast food shops forbid you from taking anyone, which is a pain when you have to get two meals. A lot of other shops make you sign something stating that you won’t take anyone with you, or some shops may let you have someone with you, but forbid “team” shopping. I think having someone with me makes the shop more believable, but I don’t know how to make that suggestion to the right people to change policies.
I have been shopping for fifteen years and I team shop with my wife when I can. I try to line up shops in other towns so that I can do three or four and made it a fun day. I have always tried to get a good varity of jobs so I have to study the instructions on every one and not let myself get in a state of mind that “I know how to that one, I just did one of them”. I started shopping for the fun in it and still enjoy it very much.
I did not have any idea that secret shopping would be such a fun job.
I am trying to find my first shop to do. i was a victim of a mystery shop scam, i was sent a large check and well you know the rest. so i have been very hesitent, i am a single mother and know that this would be a wonderful opportunity for me. i was wondering if anyone could help me to get started, i have applied to some companys, im just not sure where i should start. i live in new hampshire. thanks for your time.