Mystery Shopping Basics

Can You Really Get Paid To Shop?

If you have ever thought about being a mystery shopper (or secret shopper, as they are often called), now is the time to give shopping a serious look. The industry is hot and continues to grow, providing shoppers with more and more shopping opportunities. There are many individuals who are currently making money in their spare time and even some who are making a full time income. Secret shopping is a fun and
exciting way to make money. Besides the sheer thrill, shopping also offers people great flexibility - you can work from home on your own schedule. With this in mind, it isn't surprising that mystery shopping is very popular with stay-at-home parents.

What Is A Mystery Shopper?

Mystery shoppers are freelance professionals who are contracted to pose as real shoppers in order to evaluate several aspects of commercial retail establishments. Among other aspects, secret shoppers can evaluate customer service, product availability, product pricing, product quality, store cleanliness, website operations and telephone customer service. After shoppers evaluate a business, they are then required to
report their findings to the companies that contracted them.

Because the general shopping population is comprised of all kinds of different people, virtually anyone can be a secret shopper. Shopping can be especially appealing for individuals who desire to shape customer service and product quality, as their findings are taken seriously. Of course, the idea of getting paid to shop while getting free meals and merchandise is also very appealing.

However, mystery shopping is a business and needs to be taken seriously. You do need to posses a few characteristics like being dependable, professional and observant, and you need to be able to act as a real shopper. Of course, you need to have reliable transportation to conduct your shops and writing well and being able to separate your findings from your opinion are also important.

Why Is Secret Shopping Such A Big Industry?

The business world is very competitive and companies are constantly searching for ways to improve their customer service and the quality of their products. Companies that care want to know what their customers think; they want to be informed of things that need improving. Armed with the right information, businesses can make necessary improvements. Shopper findings are used in future employee
training materials, to improve business operations, to improve product quality and to compare one location to another.

Mystery shopper reports are also used to point out positive things. Shopper findings are used to help identify store locations and employees due rewards for outstanding customer service or cleanliness. Secret shoppers are sometimes even allowed to reward employees on the spot for meeting certain criteria. It can be fulfilling for a shopper to hand an employee a certificate for a paid day off for doing a great job!

Get Started As A Secret Shopper Now!

If you are interested in being your own boss, working from home, getting paid to shop and helping to improve commerce in your area, then mystery shopping just might be for you. One thing you need to remember is that this is not a get rich quick scheme. Mystery shopping is a legitimate industry and mystery shoppers are professionals who work for the money they make. You can earn a good part time and even a full time income as a shopper if you want. Now is the time to take the first step and become a secret shopper today.

Copyright Jennifer Callahan, Mystery Shopping Secrets. Jennifer's how-to manual will show you exactly what you need to know to become a successful mystery shopper. Get started on the right foot by visiting her site now at http://www.mysteryshopnow.com.

About the Author

Jennifer Callahan is a successful mystery shopper with over 3 years experience and has a knack for helping new shoppers get off on the right foot so they can also become successful in the industry. Jennifer is the author of "Mystery Shopping Secrets," which is a beginner's guide to mystery shopping made for beginning shoppers and people interested in starting in the industry. "Mystery Shopping Secrets" is available from her website.

Written by: Jennifer Callahan