How to Become a Secret Shopper
If you're looking for a great way to make extra money, consider becoming a secret shopper. Secret shoppers anonymously evaluate customer service in various industries, including hotels, retail sales, restaurants and spa services. It's a great way to make money while having some fun.
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Instructions
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Review the Mystery Shopping Providers Association (MSPA) website. This is a trade association representing mystery shoppers. The website provides a wealth of information about the mystery shopper industry.
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Obtain Silver Certification from the MSPA website by studying three separate modules and then taking tests on each module. The process takes 2 hours. There is a small fee to obtain this certificate. Be sure to record your certificate number when you finish.
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Gather the equipment necessary to be a successful mystery shopper, including a printer, scanner, digital camera, digital voice recorder and possibly a PDA. You'll also need Internet access.
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Write a sample critique to submit when applying to a mystery shopping company. In one or two paragraphs, detail one of your recent shopping or restaurant experiences. Edit the writing sample carefully.
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Apply to work for legitimate mystery shopping companies by clicking on "Member Companies" on the MSPA website. A long list of companies will appear.
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Create a detailed database of jobs you apply for. The database should include the name of the company, website, username, password, date you applied and any information unique to the company.
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Accept any mystery shopper assignments you can get in the beginning. You have to prove your abilities before you are assigned bigger assignments.
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Complete assignments promptly and thoroughly. Initially, it will take longer to complete assignments, but as you learn the skills of the trade, it becomes easier.
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Tips & Warnings
Attend mystery shopping conferences offered by MSPA to obtain a Gold Certificate.
Use your voice recorder to record important details immediately after completing your shopping.
Don't pay money directly to a mystery shopping company. Legitimate companies do not require you to pay them any money directly.
Don't be late with assignments. If you want to receive better assignments, you'll need to prove that you are reliable.
Resources
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Comments
View all 7 Comments-
imsc
Dec 23, 2010
(Continued) The other tips are pretty accurate. Another good way to find legitimate companies is to go to Volition ~ a free forum for shoppers. There is a list of free companies that offer good assignments. Again, the MSPA is not the only source for mystery shopping. I do agree 100% with the author that keeping a sample narrative will cut down on your application time, since most companies will request to see your writing skills. And of course give 100% to every assignment you do accept. This is a real job and if your treat it that way, soon you will be a pro! For more advice, you can always check out the Independent Mystery Shoppers' Coalition (see my profile for details:-) ) -
imsc
Dec 23, 2010
First, to be clear, the MSPA is not a trade association representing mystery shoppers. It is an association representing the mystery shopping companies, which of course is quite different. Second, certification by the MSPA is absolutely NOT necessary to become a successful mystery shoppers. The debate over whether or not certification gives shoppers an edge has been ongoing for years. But the consensus is pretty clear: shoppers without the certification can still get jobs, even the better paying ones. (continued)
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kal30314
Oct 03, 2009
Great article, when i get the time i will be checking this out, thanks for sharing
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D Moore
Feb 24, 2008
I have done this before. It's not a great way to make a living or anything but if you like to shop and could use a few extra dollars it's not a bad way to do it. I had fun.
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D Moore
Feb 24, 2008
I have done this before. It's not a great way to make a living or anything but if you like to shop and could use a few extra dollars it's not a bad way to do it. I had fun.
