We have all heard the saying, “What goes around, comes around.” This saying applies to mystery shopping as well. What you do as a shopper directly affects other shoppers. It is hard to believe you have the power to make another shopper’s life easier or more difficult, but it is very true. Here are some top ways you can help other shoppers out:
It’s All About Follow Through. Once you have accepted a shop assignment, you have committed yourself to completing that shop and doing an accurate and thorough job. The scheduler likewise is depending on you to follow through on your commitment. In the event you have to cancel your shop at the last minute, or worse – fail to complete the shop without notifying your scheduler, you have forced the scheduler to appeal to other shoppers to fit a last-minute shop into their already busy schedules. While you may have had a large time window within which to complete the assignment, the new shopper assigned to the shop may just be given a matter of hours to complete it. So if you spend a few extra moments checking your calendar before you accept an assignment, you can save yourself, your scheduler, and the new shopper assigned to take over your assignment a lot of stress and headache.
Shopper Beware. While it may seem as though you as a mystery shopper are fairly isolated in your job, this is not the case. You have a great network of “co-workers” available at your fingertips in the many online mystery shopping communities. If you have had a bad experience with a provider, or worse – you are a victim to a scam, you owe it to your fellow mystery shoppers to notify them immediately. Take immediate action by posting any information you think may help others, and make them aware of the potential issue as soon as you can. By doing this, you will save other people the frustration and stress you have encountered. While you should definitely notify the authorities about a potential scam as well, you will get the word out faster to your fellow shoppers when you hop onto your online community and make a post about your experience. Likewise, you can use the forums and online communities to check with other shoppers on their experiences with questionable jobs.
Give A Piece of Yourself. If you have been shopping for several years, you likely have a lot of completed shops under your belt. You have been able to creatively work out issues you have had with various shops, as well as schedulers and providers. You are a valuable resource to less experienced mystery shoppers. Spend some time in the forums sharing your secrets and answering questions from frustrated new shoppers. You will save your fellow shoppers some stress and time by helping them with issues you have already encountered.
When you share your experiences online, you are more likely to encounter shoppers who have had experiences with issues you are currently having with mystery shopping. So share your knowledge, and learn from others.
Show your fellow shoppers courtesy and respect, and you will enjoy the reciprocated feelings in return.
nothing worth reading above
The above post was just a little negative today. All the points raised in the article are true and we should all try to follow the advice. We should all take the time to plan carefully and do our jobs professionally. Have a great day!
I don’t see it as negative. My telephone rang off the hook yesterday with pleadings to do shops others have either cancelled or just did not do for what ever reason. And these shops had to be done yesterday and today. As it happened I was familiar with the shops and was in the immediate area of some of these shops as I was doing my scheduled shops. I ended up with some nice bonus shops and some “fun” shops added to my assignments.
I am registered with at least 75 companies and have been shopping for 7 years with grades of 9 & 10 but my phone sure doesn’t ring off the hook. If it were really like that I could have a full time job.
Just like everything else in life! Planning is key, but sometimes emergencies do come up for other shoppers and you can pick up some nicely bonused shops.
This article and any information shared is valuable to new shoppers. It is how I learned when I began shopping 2 years ago and continue to learn. For those thaat have nothing vital to offer in terms of help or information, don’t bother to post a comment. Negative comments like the first post are a waste.
My phone has been ringing a lot the last few days for mystery shops, just not with ones that I can complete. I have had 6 calls in the last 2 days and all have been for repeats of shops I did when I traveled because I had done such a great job. Unfortunately, the $15 shop plus $10 bonus still doesn’t make it worthwhile to drive 250 miles round trip. I did have one scheduler even call me back and offer $5 for gas money. Hmmm $5 gas money for a shop I’ll use 10 gallons of gas doesn’t quite compute.
Hopefully sometime soon I’ll get called for some local shops.
Every article that I have read from here has offered useful information. Sometimes even a reminder of what we already know is a good thing. Thanks for what you do.
Dawn
This post helps all shoppers realize it is important to check your schedule. Think. As it saves time for all in the end and helps you build a positive relationship with your shopping companies as a dependable shopper. Network with you shopping community the information is always valuable. Remember once upon a time you were new to the industry.
Great words to live by in any business.
Can you name some forum sites?
Why don’t you start your own?
If you’re looking for a mystery shopping forum check out:
http://www.mysteryshopforum.com
I was called to do a shop at the last minute, then told I had to take the test I’d already done.Time wise it was not possible. I also had to cancell a shop when I found someone I know worked there.
I do believe it’s important to let others know of the shops that are never paid, or too much is asked for the money paid.
Useful information, as usual. I appreciate your efforts. Thank you.
I can’t locate the post, but someone new wanted tips about secret shopping and staying organized.
I wish I had known/payed attention to the VIN or Job Numbers which come with every shop. Why? Because when you receive your payment from the company you shopped for often the only information is the VIN number. It has been very difficult to go back and reconsile my payments with my accounts receivables.
I file everything now with a VIN number.
Hope this helps.
Bona
So. Calif.
What a great tip! Thanks Bona!
I am going to start using the VIN on my files too.
Nancy
Kentucky