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Wanna Be A Mystery Shopper?
Read Our Article Now by Our Expert Author
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Take charge of your Mystery
Shopping career
So you are a Mystery Shopper. Here's some
advice as you forge your Mystery Shopping career.
Q: How much does it cost to be listed as a mystery
shopper?
A: Nothing. Mystery shopping companies, websites or job boards should
not be charging you anything to be listed as a mystery shopper. Training,
tips for improvement, and shopping opportunities should be provided
to you free as a registered shopper.
Q: How can I complete my assignments more easily?
A: Go hi-tech. More and more mystery shopping companies are requiring
shoppers to have access to the Internet, email and a fax machine. Some
shops even require the use of a digital camera to capture product placement,
signage, cleanliness or other focus points.
Q: What should I do if I can't complete
an assignment?
A: If you absolutely cannot complete an assignment, contact the mystery
shopping company immediately so they can reschedule the assignment.
Dependable shoppers get the best assignments!
Q: How should I communicate with a Mystery Shopping company?
A: When dealing with your mystery shopping company do not send emails
or forms full of typos and grammatical errors, as it is definitely not
the type of impression that you want to leave. Impressions count for
a lot in this industry, especially when the only means of communication
is via email and the Internet.
Q :Are message boards and blogs worth
my time?
A: Online mystery shopping message boards and forums can be useful in
helping you find potential shopping opportunities and gather further
industry knowledge about mystery shopping.
Q: Can I take my kids with me on a mystery shop?
A: In most instances, it is strongly recommended to conduct shops on
your own. However, use your judgement if you wish to bring your kids
along. For instance, you'd be able to take your kids with you to a fast
food or family restaurant assignment but not to a more formal dining
setting. If you are unsure always check with the mystery shopping company.
If you do decide to bring your kids along, make sure that they do not
blow your cover. With young children in particular, it is best not letting
them know you are on a mystery shop.
Q: How can I combine several assignments into one trip?
A: If you live in an area with a large shopping district, it makes sense
to maximize your shopping income by paying gas for only one trip instead
of multiple trips and enjoy the time savings.
Familiarise yourself with the shopping areas before you select the shops.
Picking up lower paying assignments will also earn you $10 or $20 for
a half hour more in an area that you are already in. Do make sure to
schedule enough time at home to complete all the reports from your mystery-shopping
trip within the requisite time period.
Q: Why do I have to submit my report within the time period specified?
A: Companies usually require you to submit your report within 8 - 24
hours of your shop. This is to ensure you have the freshest recollection
of your shopping experience. This is why it is so important to the company
that you do send your completed report into the company within the designated
time.
And do remember that your profile is marked with the company - too many
late report submissions and you could find yourself without anymore
shops from that company.
Q: Am I responsible for my own taxes?
A: Mystery shoppers are most often considered independent contractors.
As an independent contractor, you are considered to have your own business
as a mystery shopper, so keeping track of taxes and declaring self-employment
income is up to you.
If you are working as an independent
contractor, you can write off expenses that are related to your mystery
shops. You will need to keep track of these expenses, and have receipts
for everything, in case you are audited at a later date.
The most common expenses for mystery shoppers who are independent
contractors are:
· parking expenses
· mileage
· office supplies
· computer related expenses
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About the author:
Sheetal Shah is an Online Marketing Specialist. She has been working
within the Mystery Shopping industry for many years now, and armed
with a Masters in Communications, aims to spread the benefits of improving
customer service through mystery shopping to companies and shoppers
alike
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