How to be Discreet While Mystery Shopping

Giving yourself away while mystery shopping is not only embarrasing, but also results in lost wages for you. Below are some tips to help you be dicreet while mystery shopping.

Difficulty: Moderately Challenging

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• acting ability
• attention to detail
• a calm state of mind

1. Though it may seem counter-intuitive, bring your kids! Unless a shop specifically instructs you not to bring them, it's a good idea to bring your kids with you, even if they are very little. Having your kids with you will calm you and help you to behave more naturally. Remember, you are to act like a typical customer, and a lot of typical customers bring their kids while shopping.

2. It helps to have a background in acting, even if it's just a few school plays in grade school. Having a background in acting will help you to maintain a calm demeaner and natural facial expressions.

3. If you are planning to take notes, be sure to bring a small notebook or a slip of paper with you. The bathroom is always a good place to take notes- you are least likely to be "caught" taking notes in a bathroom stall!

Tips & Warnings

• If you do plan to take your kids with you, be sure not to tell them you are a mystery shopper. Avoid the discussion altogether- by omitting information, you'll have a great story to tell them later when they are old enough to understand. Be sure not to even use the phrase "mystery shop" around them.

[srobbins]

on 3/9/2009 I leave voice mail for myself when I have to record specific names and times. Everyone is on a cell phone these days, so people just think I'm talking to someone on the phone.

[bossypants]

on 1/16/2009 Good advice for the beginning mystery shopper on discretion! Thanks!