If you ask one mystery shopper if a Gold or Silver certification will earn them more money, you may get a completely different answer than what another mystery shopper will tell you. The confusion on certifications is rampant among mystery shoppers. Here’s the lowdown on what you need to know about certifications and your paycheck.
More Mystery Shop Assignments? The answer is yes and no. Some providers don’t consider certifications at all in selecting a mystery shopper for an assignment. Providers may use the rotation method or their own internal scoring method to determine who they select for a particular assignment.
On the other hand, some providers do actually pay attention to certifications. If two mystery shoppers request an assignment, they would likely give that assignment to the mystery shopper who is certified over the one without a certification.
If you have been getting assignments regularly from the providers you work with, it is likely that your providers don’t use certifications as a criteria, or don’t put as much weight in certifications as they place on other criteria, like experience and proven reporting skills.
A Higher Paycheck? This again is yes and no. First, the pay for a certain assignment is likely already set long before a provider posts an assignment. If the assignment pays $15, you would not magically earn $20 for completing the assignment with a certification under your belt.
But will you qualify for higher paying assignments? This again depends on the provider. There are quite a few higher paying assignments that are never posted on the job boards. These top-dollar gems are given out discreetly to top mystery shoppers without most mystery shoppers even knowing about them. However, a certification does not necessarily automatically qualify you for these gems. For most providers, you will have a better chance of getting the cushy assignments by simply working hard, completing great reports, and developing a good relationship with your schedulers. For some providers a certification may help, but it’s not a guarantee. The certification in many cases is not a replacement for solid experience and great mystery shopping skills.
When You Should Get Certified. Some mystery shoppers may be having a tough time getting any assignments in their area, much less the gem assignments. In those locations, there may be a lot of mystery shoppers competing for the same assignments, and having a certification may give you the edge you need to get more assignments.
Or the providers you are signed up to work with may be one of those providers who do place weight on certifications. If this is the case, you can either get certified or find some new providers to work with who will throw assignments your way without a certification.
The bottom line is that getting certified may help you get more or higher paying assignments, but there is no guarantee. A certification certainly won’t hurt you and may actually make you a better shopper. So weigh the pros and cons of getting certified wisely.
This has nothing much to do with certification, but how does one go about establishing great relationships with schedulers? Is this to be done through emails since we have no other real contact with them.
I live in a fairly good size town, and have more than enough to keep me working. Perhaps if I lived in a larger city, it would be worth it to me to get the certificate of one or the other.
But I have to agree with K, schedulers do have their choice of whom to assign jobs to, and if you have a good relationship with one or more, then you should be able to keep getting those types of jobs.
You start building a good relationship with schedulers by doing your assignments when they are scheduled, doing the job correctly, and filing your report on time. By being consistent in this you build a reputation as someone who can be relied upon. When problems do come up, as they will, it is important to communicate as early as possible. Mostly you do this by email or through their help desk but sometimes schedulers will prefer to talk to you on the phone. The most important thing though is to follow through on any arrangements that you make. As the schedulers get to know that you are trustworthy they will be calling and emailing you with assignments.
I have paid for the GOLD CD. Passed the test and a week and a half later still waiting for my certification. I don’t think even the MSPA thinks about your level. I have been SILVER for quite a while and it has not helpped.
I concur with Jackie on every point about communication. As for certification, basic certification, ‘silver’ seems a reasonable criterion to achieve. The process helps get one off to a good start, taking the ‘mystery’ out of Mystery Shopping. It also seems that each company has its own standards and screening or certifying processes, regardless of your status.
I started as an undercover investigator for the Better Business Bureau in 1970. I was taught the bassics. In 1991 I returned to the work as a mystery shopper. I got a free shadow shopper membership and was fustrated to read the “job ads” but without the information to contact the schedulers. I paid for an annual membership and signed up with every company I could. I stumbled on the MSPA and got Silver Certified. I did notice an upturn in offers. I stumbled on Lila Lounge (which I think is gone) and found more companies. I decided I’d like to be better educated as a shopper and attended a Gold Training session, I enjoyed it very much but realized I’d learned almost everything covered. However, it gave me confidence that I had achieved a very high level of compentance. I know now that I can do a very good job. I enjoy doing the job and seem to have a talent for it. It isn’t really a big money maker for me, but I feel good about providing useful information to the the clients, and it gives me pleasure to see employees do a good job.
I have seen the companies ask if I am certified but so far it hasn’t hurt. I agree with Jackie build the trust with the schedulers. Be the go to guy and it will help get those good jobs.
Anything that will give more credibility can’t hurt BUT don’t do it until you are sure that you are willing to commit. It certainly would be waste of money if you’re not serious about being a dedicated shopper.
Good Luck everyone!
When Jackie posts something, do yourself a favor and listen to her. She happens to be one of the best schedulers in the business. She did not say this but I can read her between the lines. How are things in Arizona, Jackie? Doc Lloyd
I think you have me confused with someone else. lol I am not a scheduler, just another shopper. But I have learned that being professional in my approach to this has helped me succeed. I’m not from Arizona either Doc.