How to become a mystery shopper: methods, procedure, conditions, reviews

2024 Author: Howard Calhoun | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 10:16

How to become a secret shopper and win if not money, then at least the pleasure of using services or products? Consumers of this type are "front men" of the company who want to find out the peculiarity of the quality of services or products of competitors. For this, a mystery shopper is hired, the payment of which depends on the complexity of the work. It's one thing to test a product, it's another thing to agree, for example, to a tattoo and at the same time endure all the circles of hell. The only negative is a one-time job, but it can be permanent in different companies.

What is the profession of a mystery shopper, and what is the purpose of this job?

Mystery shopping has been a popular way to earn some extra cash. This went on for a long time - decades. But the meaning of the profession is not to earn "a little more" or "out of pocket", but in the ability to evaluate someone else's business and work. Now it'ssimilar to the selection that occurs in connection with competition, because no one guarantees whether the mystery shopper will be real. Perhaps he is also a figurehead of an opponent who they want to check?

Ask yourself why you want to become a mystery shopper and you will be presented with a list of requirements. However, not everyone fits them. Many people simply don't have the connections, talents, or qualities they need.

Who benefits: the role of hirer and buying actor

Now that providers are connecting to a network of online shoppers, the need to go shopping will decrease several times, but will increase in online shopping. It also becomes an excellent reason for the "activation" of fraud on the Internet. The more often new financial schemes of transactions are opened (bank card, online payments), the more difficult it is for a person to understand the essence of reality and the problem.

Offered a job as a mystery shopper on the Internet, which does not make it possible to complete this task at 100%. He does not see the product, does not feel it and does not feel it. The mystery shopper must make an assessment without prejudice in order to actually tell all the advantages of the opponent, how he is better or worse. That's the whole point.

How to become a mystery shopper in Russia?

To begin with, 80% of people rely on their superiority and someone else's need for them. Watching companies compete in the US gets Russians excited, but not about things that really make sense. Below we share some interesting stories.shared by ordinary citizens on the Internet.

For example, a secret marketing agent announces a recruitment of mystery shoppers. Most often this can be seen on the company's website. They have great service, but the competitor is somehow better. The issue is being solved point-blank: to find out everything under the net, how things are with the "strangers". The savvy of some managers is to hire less qualified personnel. Using the example of one car service, as the employee himself said, the boss could not understand why the neighbor’s business was going uphill, because it has a specialized staff of imposing Muscovites who even forget to offer a free car wash or advice on maintenance. Guest workers work for a neighbor - they need money and are ready to work with a bang. In addition to their basic powers, they will rearrange the car and open the Porsche door for female drivers.

Reminds the story of "plots" from the concepts of Karl Marx, who said that people will choose human treatment and average wages than high wages with the attitude towards themselves as servants. And he was right, this applied to managers, and employees, and even customers - they also like the human attitude towards themselves, and not hypocritical smiles for receiving percentage tips, for example.

Tough selection for the rich - who doesn't get interviewed?

Another case happened to an elderly lady who was always interested in how to become a mystery shopper. Her phone rang:

– Do you own a 2006 or earlier Mercedes? Maybe,do you change your coats every day? The main thing is that you do not work, but drive an executive car.

– For the sake of 500 rubles of income, I would not buy a Merc, the woman answered.

The story ends here, but the call center consultant wanted to offer her a job as a mystery shopper to evaluate the VIP service. Their beauty salon is not developing, rich women have changed their make-up artist to the one who works at the hairdresser on the corner.

It should be an extra income, as Mike Mershimer, president of MSPA Americas, once said. People who are just starting out in business can make as little as 5 thousand rubles (by our standards), so it all depends on how long the cost of the project can be equivalent to the minimum wage. But the job is usually very simple, and along with the money you earn, in many cases you are rewarded with free discounts from restaurants to oils from beauty salons.

By the way, how much does a mystery shopper earn in Moscow? This question also has a very impressive answer:

1. When checking the store - 1 thousand rubles.
2. Checking the quality of services without communicating with the seller - 300-500 rubles + the cost of the transaction itself.
3. Visit a restaurant and eat there at the expense of the company - for free.
4. Checking hotels or hotels - 7 thousand rubles + accommodation at the expense of the employer.
5. Shopping in a luxury store - you will have to work for gift certificates and discounts.

If you use additional services at the hotel at your own expense, you candon't report. But if you work for the sake of discounts, then only those who can later recoup the goods for a tidy sum. As a rule, a visit to the SPA-salon for 10 thousand rubles with a certificate will cost 10% cheaper.

How to become a mystery shopper at Dodo Pizza and get a delicious reward?

Speaking of goodies and food, many apply for work in catering. It's delicious here and you won't leave hungry. Let's talk about Dodo Pizza right away. They offer the vacancy "Become a mystery shopper" on their website, unobtrusively describing interesting conditions for cooperation. It's tempting, but you can check it out by getting enough of intrigue in the atmosphere of fragrant pizzas:

1. The site has a summary of how to become a mystery shopper.
2. There you also need to fill out a questionnaire about yourself, indicating which pizzeria you want to check.
3. Next, the manager contacts the selected candidates, no matter what city he is from.
4. On the set day, you must order any pizza in the restaurant.
5. Take a photo and fill out a report on a special form.
6. The form is checked for accuracy.
7. If you do well, you get double dodo money to pay for your next order.

By the way, the site also provides information about the best pizzerias. All based on reports from real people. Pizzas are ordered every week and the worst restaurants close. So keep in mind that someone's business may depend on your report, and a person's assessment is always subjective.

Can this be madebusiness?

There are millions of people across the country who engage in various types of mystery shopping. Retail and restaurant chains, service providers, and even cruise lines and airlines are among the many businesses that pay customers to provide their services to measure service quality. Comparing the "plot" of how to become a mystery shopper in Moscow or abroad, you need to distinguish some features of such works:

• Appearance - some companies require a stately image of a person to check some services.
• Determination is one thing to eat in a restaurant, another to fly to Bermuda. Endurance and of course no fear of flying.
• Report - this includes requirements that buyers must fulfill.

Before you decide how to become a mystery shopper in Moscow, find out which business areas are the most competitive. And remember, don't change your "feeding hand" often - your competitors may also be employers.

What industry does the mystery consumer work in?

Most purchases involve going to a store or restaurant. But there are plenty of opportunities for people who don't want to travel far from home, and mystery shopping can be a good additional source of income. Some companies use mystery shopping to test the quality of their customer service centers; others use people with disabilities to see if their stores, restaurants, hotels or other facilities are adequate. In anycase, the process as a mystery shopper business can occur constantly or from time to time.

What you need to know about work - the pitfalls of a "freebie"

What fear can there be if a person gets everything at once. But if only it were that simple. Here are some recommendations:

1. Do not accept unsolicited offers. The rule of thumb is that if they come to you, they probably aren't the real deal.
2. Feel free to ignore the offers that come out of the blue box in your email because they are scammers.
3. Visit websites, not message boards.

And never agree to contribute money to buy unnecessary accessories, costumes, supposedly it is necessary “for appearance”. Companies themselves provide everything and pay for your expenses, or rather work. What should I do if I want to become a mystery shopper in Moscow? Start with a simple look.

Just fun or hard work?

Expect a lot of work. While some are constantly shopping and delighting themselves with free purchases, others are working hard, figuring out the quality of the service, service and more. Attention to detail is also important. If you have not noticed something important, insignificant, serious, then you are not able to assess the situation objectively. Most companies expect reports with tons of details, down to the smallest detail, the temperature of the coffee ordered and the time it was prepared, served, etc.

How not to give outyourself initially?

Sneak trade activities of companies with better working conditions and decent employee incentives may require too much from you. Having provided a work plan, a beginner can simply get confused about how to behave. In order not to give yourself away, you need to relax, ask more questions. If the company likes your candidacy, the job will be offered more than once. Most likely, artists or university students in acting will expect guaranteed success, since talent in this business will always come in handy.

In fact or in advance - receiving money for expenses and fees

Do not accept payment in advance. There should be no advances, a card is enough. Do not take cash in hand either - supposedly money is issued against receipt to pay for the goods, the service turns out to be more expensive, and the one-day company disappears. Just getting a job and taking risks are two different things. Assess the situation - this is where your work begins. You will have to adapt to different things, from wearing an uncomfortable suit to changing the accent of speech.

Internet scams - how do they play on people's selfishness?

And here they have already begun to offer to play Russian roulette, urging people to make joint purchases, orders in foreign stores, etc. Estimate delivery? Speed? Awareness of courier services? Nobody needs to know this, since any company registers a new buyer, and he can decide for himself who is better - a new online store or a good old site, whereorders have always been delivered quickly and on time.

Remember that you should always see the person you are trading with. The contract also does not hurt, and all the conditions for payment and receipt of the report should be indicated there. Carry a voice recorder with you - if you like free burgers, then your greed can be played. Women especially will benefit from first exploring what services will be provided to them when testing the quality of service. When you go to a beauty parlor for a mystery shopping operation, make sure you get a facial massage, not Botox injections, by sending an intern.