From the retail extravaganza known as Black Friday, which takes place on the day after Thanksgiving, and through closing hours on Christmas Eve, retail stores across the country are bustling with activity. If you are like millions of other shoppers, you have a ton of shopping to do this holiday season. Yet the holiday season is also one of the busiest times of year for your personal life as well, with holiday parties, school events for the kids, family visiting from out of town, and so much more. Here are some tips to help you juggle mystery shopping with your busy life this holiday season:
Save Time and Monday. Most mystery shoppers won’t need to put mystery shopping on hold during the holiday season, despite a busy schedule. Part of your busy schedule likely includes numerous shopping trips as you buy extra groceries, party items, gifts, holiday décor, and more. If you are going to be out shopping anyway, why not pick up an assignment or two while you are out and about? This way, you can get paid for your time traveling through busy shopping center parking lots and fighting holiday traffic.
Shop Smart. There is no denying that shopping malls, retail centers, and the many roads leading into these venues are jam-packed. Plan your shopping excursion around the peak shopping hours and save money fighting traffic and standing in long lines at the stores. While you will definitely notice more customers in most of the stores you visit regardless of what time you shop, there are certain days and times of the week that are better to perform your site visit if the assignment allows the flexibility. Try to shop on weekdays between the hours of 9am and 5pm while most people are working, whenever possible. If you have to complete your site visit after normal work hours and on weekends, allow yourself plenty of time by taking into considering the possibility of heavy traffic, busy parking lots, and long lines at the checkout stand.
Stay Organized. If you’re making a list and checking it twice, that’s probably the least of your worries this holiday season. Between wrapping presents, sending out holiday greeting cards, baking goodies, and more, it’s easy to lose track of your mystery shopping assignments and mix your assignment paperwork up. First, if you aren’t already doing it, now is definitely the season to take advantage of a calendar to keep track of your personal events and mystery shopping assignments. Once you have your busy scheduler written out, you will find it easier to focus on one activity or event at a time. When you are mystery shopping, avoid the strong temptation to multi-task during this busy season and focus on the task at hand. Once your mystery shopping assignment is complete, cross that item off your “to do” list and move on to the next item. Also, make sure you keep your mystery shopping paperwork in one location, and file your paperwork away as soon as the assignment is complete.
The holiday season is a busy time of year for everyone, and even busier for mystery shoppers. Use these handy tips to keep on top of your mystery shopping business during the holidays this year.
are there ANY MYSTrY SHOPPErs THAT you don’t have to pay to join!!??I CAN’T AFFORD TO PAY TO JOIN ONE.
i feel very lucky i’m not a big holiday person so my shcedule is pretty much the same as any other time of the year. with economy the way it is my family has decide we will just enjoy each others company. as for dinner we all cook a dish so its not left to 1 person