work at home >

Becoming a Secret Shopper

If you have ever worked in a retail store or fast-food restaurant then you have probably come into contact with a secret shopper. Secret shoppers are hired by various businesses in order to ensure that their employees are doing their jobs correctly, performing excellent customer service, and generally keeping their store or restaurant clean and tidy. Secret shoppers are also referred to as mystery shoppers or performance evaluators. Business managers use secret shoppers to gain an efficient evaluation of their business practices and employees from a customer’s point of view.

Here are some common questions related to secret shopping employment.

What Does a Secret Shopper Do? 

Secret  shoppers visit their assigned businesses and pose as normal customers. They then take note of the business details such as customer service, quality and cleanliness and then report the information back to their mystery shopper employer.

What Quality's Should a Secret Shopper Have?

Many of these companies require a specific level of responsibility and professionalism in their secret shoppers. To be a successful and effective mystery shopper, you must pay strict attention to details and keep an unbiased opinion of the businesses that you evaluate.

Do I have to Pay a Fee?

There are several legitimate companies that will pay you to mystery shop for them without charging you an employment fee. In fact, the most legitimate mystery shopping companies never charge a fee to the mystery shopper. They do offer training, tips for successful shops and ongoing shopping assignments for the right candidate.

How Do I get Started as a Mystery Shopper?

In order to work for a mystery shopping company, you simply fill out their online application and provide them with all the required information about you and your location. When a shop becomes available in your area, you will normally be contacted via email or telephone to alert you of the available shop. Many of these shops will be on a first-come first-served basis, so being able to accept an assignment on the spot is very beneficial.

Extra Tips

Once you have accepted an assignment, it is crucial that you make notes of all the information regarding the shop. Again, in order to be successful and receive other assignments, you must do a thorough and professional job particularly on your first assignment. Making note of the requirements for each assignment will help you to perform a satisfactory shop and ensure that you have the chance for future assignments in your area.

Mystery Shopping Companies

Volition.com has a comprehensive free list of mystery shopping/secret shopper companies that hire.  They also provide a  mystery shopping forum  where other secret shoppers gather and provide feedback and leads.

Mystery Shopping Providers Association

You can search for jobs by location with MSPA member companies.  MSPA also provides certification opportunities.

More Articles:

Secret Shopping Scams - How to spot and avoid secret shopping scams.