Mystery shopping is a unique service through which companies of all types can analyze a business’ performance. Although mystery shopping is nothing new, it has evolved over the years, becoming a valuable tool used by companies around the world. If you would like to become a mystery shopper or are interested in having your company shopped, the first thing you need to do is find reputable, mystery shopping companies. However, not all of these companies are created equal. Therefore, it is important that you do your homework to identify the right mystery shopping companies, those that will give you good shopping assignments, ones that pay well, and companies provide in-depth reporting on the performance of an organization.

In this article, we wanted to provide you with some helpful tips on choosing from various, mystery shopping companies. After all, more than 400 of these companies exist in the United States alone, meaning your choices are incredible. Unfortunately, we have seen an increase in fraudulent companies cropping up. A new problem has to do with fraudulent cashier’s checks paid to shoppers. Additionally, some of these companies require a substantial fee be paid to become a shopper or client. However, once the shop is completed, reimbursement for services provided or promised reporting never comes. The good news is that most mystery shopping companies are legitimate, organizations that work with top quality shoppers and companies, those that are free to join, and companies that take this type of service seriously.

First, while some reputable mystery shopping companies require a small fee to become a shopper or client, most are free. Therefore, if you find a company asking for a large fee, beware. When choosing from mystery shopping companies, you want an organization that believes in and provides a much-needed service to businesses but also one that finds value in the services provided by the shopper. This means locating shopper companies that have the best interest of the client and the shopper in mind.

Another great way to find mystery shopping companies is to read blogs. With a growing number of shoppers and companies using this type of service, you can conduct a Google.com search, locating blog sites to read real experiences by those doing and receiving the shops. In most cases, these blogs are honest and informative, pointing you in the direction of mystery shopping companies considered the best. These blogs will also give you a heads up on companies that should be avoided or at least those requiring further research.

Then, you should research a number of mystery shopping companies, reading company history carefully. Typically, you would have the opportunity to learn about the length the business has been in existence, the number of clients they provide services to, type of industries serviced, payment terms, reporting expectations, and so on. A good company will have a customer service team of professionals available to answer questions, as well. This process may require a little bit of time but this investigation is important3.

Finally, mystery shopping companies worth your time will provide customer feedback. Having the ability to read actual references given by restaurants, hotels, airports, schools, and other businesses that use this type of service is a huge benefit. In fact, some mystery shopping companies will also provide a means of contacting some of these references so you can verify the level of satisfaction. With this information, you as the shopper or potential customer can compare various mystery shopping companies, finding the ones that work best for you.

Although the mystery shopper program has been around since the late 1940s, many people still know nothing or very little about it. In this article, we wanted to provide some great information, defining the mystery shopper program to see if this is something, from which your company might benefit. Chances are, working with a reputable shopping organization will provide you with invaluable information pertaining to the operations and performance of your company, allowing you to make changes for improvement.

While each mystery shopper program is slightly different, they all operate on the same concept, which includes sending in an anonymous person to take inventory of various aspects of the business. With this information being reported back to the business using the mystery shopper program, customer perception of services and/or products sold can be analyzed, allowing corrections to be made.

For instance, if you are the owner of a restaurant but find that customers are dwindling and profit declining, you need to know why. Using a shopper from a mystery shopper program, you will find out exactly the areas of the restaurant that are failing. This could be poor food presentation, improper lighting inside and outside the restaurant, poor service, problems with cleanliness, or even over pricing

As you can see, using a mystery shopping program provides customers with a wonderful opportunity to have the business evaluated from an unbiased shopper. The detail of the reporting is based on the areas you and the market research firm choose, providing you a better understanding of the customer’s experience. In most cases, taking the data gathered, analyzing it, and then making appropriate changes will get your business back on track.

The number one reason businesses fail is not having real information on overall performance and customer satisfaction. The goal when choosing any mystery shopper program is having a means of understanding the customer’s needs. The more you can learn about what your customers do and do not like, the better chance of you have of being successful.

Using a mystery shopper program provides such in-depth information; you will likely be amazed at what is going on within the business. While you can focus the reporting on areas of known concerns or having an overall company evaluation performed, one of the best investments you can make is with a mystery shopper program.

Although the majority of mystery shopper companies in existence are reputable and honest, some are not. As customer demand has increased, the number of mystery shopper companies has skyrocketed. Today, you will find more than 400 just in the United States. A quality company will have the customer, as well as shopper at the forefront of concern, working hard to provide services that will improve customer satisfaction, reduce liability, and increase profit. To show the huge growth, from 2003 to 2004, mystery shopper companies increased by more than 11%. It is estimated that more than eight million shops were performed in the year 2004 alone, making this an industry with a value around $600 million.

Most people have a good idea of what to look for in good mystery shopper companies but we wanted to dedicate an article about the specific things you should avoid. Unfortunately, some people become greedy, always looking for ways of making money but without putting in the time and effort to do it the right, or even legal way. This means that customers are ripped off, often for large sums of money, and shoppers are paid with bogus cashiers or standard checks. You need to all you can to protect yourself when making a decision about mystery shopper companies.

Of all known issues that relate to mystery shopper companies, fraud with bad checks or other payment means is by far the most serious and prevalent. In this case, consumers are being sent letters or finding classified advertisements that promise a way of earning quick cash or gifts by performing mystery shops and/or service evaluations. One scheme in particular involves so-called mystery shopper companies, asking shoppers to cash checks, followed by wiring the money back to a certain address, most often to a foreign country.

For handling, the shopper is told he/she would keep a percentage of the check. However, once the check is cashed, the shopper is advised within a few days by the bank that it bounced, leaving him/her with serious financial issues that could be as much as $5,000! One company, GFK Custom Research, explains through their North America’s marketing communication department that they are taking this personal, working to get the word out about this horrific crime. GFK is among a list of top mystery shopper companies and they do not want their reputation smeared.

Another one of the top mystery shopper companies is called MSPA. In fact, this company is the largest, professional trade association, one that has a true dedication to improving customer relations and satisfaction. Using mystery shoppers has proven to be a significant tool in accomplishing this goal. With a shopper, customers will have an opportunity to see the customer’s experience in an entirely different way. However, illegal schemes are being exposed by MSPA too.

Some of the tips provided by the executive director of MSPA include never paying a fee, even a small one, to become a mystery shopper. If you are asked for anything more than $10, red flags should be raised. The real, mystery shopper companies are happy to hire on quality shoppers free. Additionally, mystery shopping companies that make a promise to pay for services using money transfer or some type of check cashing service, run! As with GFK, the professionals at MSPA have worked diligently in building their 200-member base company, servicing the world and they will work just as hard to stop fraudulent attempts on customers and shoppers alike.

Mystery shopping has become a great way for people to make a little extra money, perfect for stay-at-home moms, students, or those wanting to pad the Christmas fund or save for an upcoming vacation. The United States is known as the land of opportunity, which is why mystery shopping American style applies. This special type of “shopping” comes with an abundance of opportunity that includes restaurants, car maintenance, jewelry, sunglasses, clothing, and much more.

Although some mystery shopping jobs come from the actual company being shopped, most often, it is from a marketing research firm working with a retail company to help them measure the quality of service or product being sold. In other words, as a mystery shopper, American companies can determine ways of improving sales by understanding both weaknesses and strengths.

The way in which a mystery shopper is paid depends. In some cases, the shopper would be reimbursed for purchases made, which may or may not include an additional small fee. However, some mystery shopping jobs simply pay a fee ranging from $10 to $50 without the need to buy anything. Competition amongst companies is tough, each vying for the consumer’s business. By being able to understand and manage performances associated with the sale of products and/or services, companies are given a huge advantage over the competition.

As a mystery shopper, American companies will provide detailed instructions on how the shop should be performed. For example, if you were going to shop a restaurant, you would be advised of specific questions to ask, menu items to order, and information to gather. This might include obtaining the names of the hostess, server, and manager, taking note of the cleanliness of the restaurant, inside and outside, paying attention to the presentation and temperature of food ordered, and noting the process of receiving and paying for the check.

Being a mystery shopper, American companies expect a detailed report, which is then passed on to the company itself. From there, the information provided is analyzed and a plan for possible changes made. Using the restaurant shop as a prime example, if you had ordered a steak well done, but it came back rare, you would include this in the report. With this information, the restaurant owner or management team would have the chance to discuss the problem with the chef so future customers get exactly what they order. Being a mystery shopper American style actually helps companies in the United States provide a far more superior product and/or service.

This type of evaluation actually got started in the 1940s. Today, it has become a powerful tool used to measure the integrity of an employee, the quality of a product and/or service, and the overall performance of the business. Typically, when working as a mystery shopper, American companies have the ability to take information and then measure the value of what they offer to the public. Keep in mind that while this offers tremendous opportunities in this country, mystery shopping is also used around the globe with airlines, housing associations, churches, schools, and more.

Even though mystery shopping has been around for more than 70 years, many people have never heard of this type of service. As you will discover, becoming a mystery shopper is easy, it produces a little bit of income, and gives you an opportunity to help businesses improve overall customer satisfaction. Working with a reputable company, one that employees the mystery shopper, you will have an avenue for getting out and earning some income.

Every mystery shopper has the same goals – working covertly to increase a company’s sales, reduce risk of liability, making employees more aware of the customer, and improving customer satisfaction. All of this is done using a special process in which the mystery shopper would take on an assignment, go to the business anonymously, and gather all of the required information. Then, the mystery shopper is required to complete a form, submitting it to the company hired by. In turn, this company will perform an analysis of the information, followed by a plan or recommendations to the customer on improving operations and performance.

Although the mystery shopper performs that same type of job, the jobs themselves vary dramatically. For instance, if you were to become a mystery shopper with a number of companies, you could end up performing a restaurant, oil change, apartment, and clothing store shop in a single week. The type of assignment the mystery shopper does is dependent on the industry for which the shop is being completed.

Additionally, a mystery shopper will be reimbursed for his/her services in several ways. Typically, anything having to do with the hospitality field, such as hotels, restaurants, or fast-food places, would provide a reimbursement to a set figure. For example, you might be asked to shop a restaurant, which in return, would reimburse you for your meal up to $20 to $50, depending on the price of the menu items. However, many other shops will pay a flat fee. Keep in mind that some assignments provide the mystery shopper both, reimbursing for a service and/or product purchased, as well as a small fee.

The requirements of a mystery shopper include being honest, confidential, and having a high level of integrity. You would also be required to have transportation, speak English unless a bilingual shop is needed, and complete the shop anonymously. Sometimes, a company will ask the mystery shopper to bring a cell phone or digital camera. However, if you do not own one or both of these items, we are now finding several of the larger mystery shopping companies loaning the items to the mystery shopper for the assignment. It is also required in most cases that the mystery shopper be a minimum of 18 or 21 years of age.

Having good communication and listening skills is also an important criteria for the mystery shopper. After all, you will be interacting with service people at all types of businesses, meaning you need to present yourself in a professional manner. Many times, you become an actor as a mystery shopper. If you were sent to a jewelry store to look at engagement rings, you might need to pretend that you are going to be engaged, although this might not be the case. Communication and listening are also important in that detailed reports are generated by the mystery shopper so paying close attention is critical to the shop’s success.

More than ever, marketing research firms are hiring secret shoppers to gather information from companies, allowing that business to analyze the business’ performance so any needed changes could be made. Secret shoppers have been around for the past 70 years but in the last 10 years, this incredible service has grown significantly. If interested in becoming a shopper, you will find a number of free secret shopper companies to consider.

Some companies will charge a fee to work as a secret shopper but with so many free secret shopper businesses, you should never have to pay to get involved with this type of service. One of the huge advantages to becoming a mystery shopper is that you do not need any experience or a college degree. In most cases, as long as you are 18 years or older, have the ability to gather information and provide it in a detailed report, you will be hired. In addition to the free secret shopper organizations, some work with scheduling companies that locate shoppers. Therefore, while you would be working directly for the shopper site, you might have a specific person contacting you regarding available shops.

A Closer Look

This free secret shopper site is truly one of the best. This company focuses on hospitality industries, perfect for individuals who love to dine out or stay in hotels. You would be required to register and then you can opt to have open shops sent to your email automatically. With most shops through this company, you would be reimbursed up to a specific dollar amount for dining at restaurants. For instance, this free secret shopper company might send you to a quality, family restaurant, providing reimbursement up to $40. This means you pay upfront but once the report has been submitted and approved, you receive a check in the mail.

MSPA

Rated as one of the top, free secret shopper trade organizations in existence, MSPA has a unique, certification program for interested people. The goal of this particular company is help businesses across the country succeed. Keep in mind that while MSPA offers a number of free secret shopper options, to become certified to shop, you would be required to pay a nominal fee. In return for this small investment, you will get great shops to perform.

Volition Mystery Shopping

This free secret shopper website is 100% legitimate, providing information about some incredible shops. Additionally, Volition provides a means for shoppers to share ideas and interact through open forums. When considering a mystery shopping company, we highly recommend Volition.

Sassie Shop

The final free secret shopper site we want to suggest is Sassie Shop. Through this free secret shopper company, you will find a wide array of shopping options that range from restaurants to retail stores to automotive care. In fact, recently, this free secret shopper site has expanded its services to include airports around the country.

With literally hundreds of companies that hire mystery shoppers and provide analysis services to companies, trying to find the best among companies that employ mystery shoppers can be challenging. Typically, most of these mystery shopper companies are reputable, providing an outstanding service that benefits both the shopper and the business owner. However, we have seen a rise in the number of companies that employ mystery shoppers that are dishonest and downright fraudulent.

To ensure you work with companies that employ mystery shoppers that are on the up and up, we did some of the research for you. You will first need to know the various factors to look for when thinking about becoming a mystery shopper. For instance, these companies provide services to all types of industries. Therefore, if you are more interested in doing restaurant and retail mystery shopping, you need to choose companies that focus their attention there.

Additionally, if you are looking for a way of earning a little extra cash opposed to being reimbursed for a shop, then you want companies that employ mystery shoppers that pay a fee over reimbursement. The thing you want to avoid is any company that asks for a large upfront fee to become a mystery shopper. Unfortunately, some fraudulent companies that employ mystery shoppers do exist. Therefore, make sure you research the company well before accepting any work.

The possibilities are truly incredible, which is encouraging to people interested in joining the ranks of mystery shoppers. To help you get started, you might consider some of the following companies that employ mystery shoppers, each being an excellent and reliable choice.

- Amusement Advantage – With shops available throughout the United States and Canada, this is an excellent possibility for shoppers, one that provides programs to more than 100 facilities, many of them customized. Services are so great that Amusement Advantage offers not just a 100% guarantee but will also provide shoppers with cell phones and digital cameras to complete certain shops.

- Beyond Hello – Among one of the better, companies that employee mystery shoppers, this company has been around since 1991, providing services to people in the USA and Canada. Shopping evaluations can be customized to ensure every customer gets exactly the information required to improve performance.

Other top companies that employ mystery shoppers are:

- Consumer Connection – For the past 11 years, this Canadian-based business has been one of the great companies that employee mystery shoppers. With a focus on providing valuable information to ensure businesses meet and exceed customer expectations, this particular company has grown significantly.

- Full Scope, Inc. – Also known as Full Scope Mystery Shopping, among companies that employ mystery shoppers, this one is excellent, providing information gathering and analysis for the service related industry. If interested in becoming a shopper, Full Scope specializes in retail and restaurants. In addition to being reimbursed, the shopper is also paid a small fee.

As the need for more and more business evaluations, the number of companies that employ mystery shoppers is increasing. For the shopper, this is good news. You will also find that as competition among mystery shopping companies increases, the level of pay is also getting better. We do recommend that you apply with a number of companies that employ mystery shoppers in that you will not always get the assignment you want. By staggering the companies, you can keep relatively busy, increasing potential earning power.

Chances are, you have received some type of advertisement for a mystery shopper in your email. Although this notification could be from a company trying to take you for a ride, it could also be from a respected, secret shopper company. With so many companies looking for secret shoppers, your options are tremendous, giving you a little bit of control when it comes time to choose.

Most of the top companies looking for secret shoppers have been around for quite some time. These companies are owned and operated by individuals who take profit growing seriously, working hard to provide a quality service to businesses of all venues with an excellent tool that will not only increase profit but also more importantly, improve customer satisfaction. The best companies looking for secret shoppers consider this job as being one of the best and for the company trying to grow or improve a business, they would agree.

The customer’s opinion about a company will have a direct correlation to the experience of a product and/or service received. When researching companies looking for secret shoppers, we recommend that you keep your focus on those that have the capability of providing customized shopping services and reporting. This way, you are not getting just are not cookie-cutter results, but actual information pertaining to your business! Additionally, you want to work with a company that hires top quality shoppers, a company that will maintain the highest level of confidentiality.

Take such a company called “Eyes Behind the Bar”. The unique approach this company takes is sending in an anonymous shopper to gather information pertaining to the restaurant and bar business. This individual will have a mental list of specific things that need to be checked. For instance, if a bar owner has suspicions that one of the bartenders is serving alcohol to minors, this could cost him or her, the entire business, losing a lifetime of savings and hard work. However, working with companies looking for secret shoppers, this business owner would have covert eyes and ears to confirm the information. Without the results of this shop, the business could be devastated.

Another one of the top companies looking for secret shoppers is called KSS International. Also known as Kern Scheduling, this is one of the great companies looking for secret shoppers. If you are looking for a part-time job, one where you could make between $40 and $100 a month, then secret shopping could be the ideal solution. With KSS, they provide a mystery shopping experience to customers while maintaining only the highest level of standards in the process. Because of this, shoppers are screened for professionalism, honesty, confidentiality, and integrity.

Remember, whether you are on the side of the company, needing to have your business evaluated, or the side of the shopper, wanting to be the covert individual who gathers the information, it is important to work with reputable organizations. As a shopper, you could choose from any number of companies looking for secret shoppers but that does not make them the best. Never be afraid to do research, ask questions, and request references before making your decision.

With mystery shopping, businesses are given the opportunity to measure the success or failure of the company. Obviously, businesses of all types want to do everything possible to impress customers, encouraging them to come back time after time, while also spreading the word to family and friends about the great product and/or service purchased. With such intense competition, having an edge in knowing how satisfied customers are is the key to a long, successful business.

Today, the types of companies looking for mystery shoppers have expanded from its original purpose. For instance, in European countries, the types of companies looking for mystery shoppers began primarily to understand and analyze businesses such as housing associations, churches, schools, and other similar types of organizations. However, as the popularity and value of mystery shopping has increased, we now see companies of all venues using this type of service.

As mentioned, companies of all types can benefit from this unique service. Therefore, it does not matter what type of business uses a mystery shopper, just that the information reported is accurate. For instance, in the United States, some of the companies looking for mystery shoppers include:

- Restaurants
- Fast Food Chains
- Grocery Stores
- Gas Stations
- Banks
- Movie Theaters
- Apartments
- Car Dealerships
- Hotels
- Airlines
- Health Clubs

Of course, the types of companies looking for mystery shoppers are not limited to the above-mentioned. With mystery shopping, virtually any business, whether small or large, can benefit. This means every company in the United States and foreign countries, whether a mom and pop shop or a Fortune 500 company, have the same opportunity for growing the business. Companies having a way to take feedback relating to products sold and/or customer services find this to be the ideal way of making necessary change. This means that specific areas within the business needing improvement can be identified, rather than using a hit or miss system. As you can imagine, companies looking for mystery shoppers have a huge advantage.

In some cases, actual companies looking for mystery shoppers will hire the shopper directly whereas other companies go through a marketing research firm that specializes in this type of information gathering. From the beginning, a survey model is designed by the marketing research firm, which then presents it to the company for approval. Once agreed upon, a shopper is hired. As you can see, companies looking for mystery shoppers have a unique ways of obtaining covert data about the operations. The goal is to use a reputable market research firm, avoiding potential frauds.

The types of companies looking for mystery shoppers are those wanting a solid means of measuring a customer’s experience. As an example, a company that performs oil changes would have the opportunity to see the experience from the customer’s eyes, but without the manager knowing they are being shopped. As a result, unbiased information is provided in the form of a detailed report, which allows the business owner to understand his or her business better. As a mystery shopper, you can use this service to earn extra money whereas for the company, feedback opens new doors of opportunity, boosting sales and thereby, improving on overall performance and success.

You want to know what companies looking for mystery shoppers use to choose those shoppers? Today you can find out and make a start on a new career. Free Mystery Shopper

Are you interested in becoming a mystery shopper, someone who goes into different types of businesses and takes down information so the owner or manager can make needed improvements? If so, you are among the tens of thousands of other people in the United States who earn extra money by shopping. The key to being accepted, is to know the right way to apply to become a mystery shopper. In this article, we will provide you with helpful tips to make the process easier and more successful.

The first step to apply to become a mystery shopper is to register with the companies that you know are credible but also ones that provide assignments in which you would be interested. Typically, the process is simple but it is essential that you provide all requested information with honesty and integrity. After all, these characteristics are two of the most important when it comes to being accepted. Just be careful that you avoid any companies asking for money, especially large amounts, to join since most reputable companies are free.

Next, to apply to become a mystery shopper, you should become certified. Although not mandatory, this will improve your chances for being chosen. This means after identifying the companies you like, go through each of the certification processes. This type of certification will have you complete a test, helping to determine if you are a good candidate for the type of mystery shopping assignments available. If not, do not be discouraged in that different shopping companies have different criteria. In addition, the certification helps you to ensure you will enjoy the assignment and be properly qualified.

Once you have completed this step, you will move on to apply to become a mystery shopper, often using an online form. Remember, the reputable companies are always in need of conscientious people who can complete shops. Therefore, you should never feel intimated when you go to apply to become a mystery shopper. In most cases, the form is the only thing needing to be filled out, meaning no hard applications, resumes, or cover letters are required.

When the application has been submitted, it will go to the company’s team of professionals for review. Never feel bad if you are not assigned a shop immediately. In fact, it is unusual to get a quick assignment, often taking weeks to months before the first jobs come to you. Because of this, the majority of mystery shopping companies will hold onto your application for up to six months. As soon as an assignment becomes available in the city/state where you live or want to work, you will receive notification via email. From there, you follow a provided link back to the company’s site, accepting or declining the offer. As you can see, to apply to become a mystery shopper takes little time and effort but to get assignments, you want to be 100% honest with the information you provide.

Additionally, we strongly recommend you apply to become a mystery shopper with numerous companies. With this, you will soon find yourself with many assignment offers, giving you the best option for making money. Finally, if you do not accept an offered assignment, you will be contacted again. These companies realize that sometimes, jobs have to be passed over due to sickness, scheduling, or other conflicts. Some of the top companies to which you might apply to become a mystery shopper include:

- A-Closer-Look
- KSS International
- MPSA

Stop shopping and apply to become a mystery shopper. You should be getting paid for doing what you love best! Take shopping to a whole new level. Free Mystery Shopper List