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What is Mystery Shopping?
Mystery Shoppers Wanted
What is mystery shopping?
A mystery shopper is someone who visits an establishment, typically a retail store, bank, restaurant or other such places where the public does business, for the purpose of observing and measuring customer service, product quality and the environment of the establishment in general. Shoppers are given details, by the mystery shopping company responsible for the shopping program, about expectations for making specific observations during their visits and they complete reports, often using an online form, after leaving the establishment.
Mystery shoppers go to specified stores, restaurants, banks and apartments and pose as typical customers. When they leave, they complete questionnaires or other such instruments that have been custom-designed for the mystery shopping company’s clients. Shopper's serve as the eyes and ears for those clients as part of their efforts to enhance the quality of the customer’s experience. Many times, the information collected during mystery shopping programs is used to help mystery shopping company clients improve training programs, better articulate expectations they have of their staff, and otherwise improve the ways in the client serves its customers.
How long does it take and what does it pay?
The length of time a mystery shop takes depends on the type of assignment, but usually a shop is likely to take less than an hour. The fees that a mystery shopper may earn from a specific shop vary just as greatly as the time required, but often a shopper might expect between $12 and $20 for the “typical” shopping scenario. In some cases the shopper might also receive free meals, discounts and savings on merchandise, or other such benefits. However, shoppers should be wary of promises of extraordinary “freebies” that sound too good to be true…if that’s the way it sounds, it is probably really too good to be true. (If you are asked to pay to become a shopper, you should be EXTREMELY leery of the offer…there are thousands of opportunities to do mystery shopping that do not require the shopper to pay anything!) In some cases, the shopper may be expected to purchase an item (or a meal, theater ticket, etc.), in which cases the shopper is likely to also be reimbursed for that item, within the stipulations given by the shopping company when the shopper accepts an assignment. In every case, the shopper should strive to ensure he or she fully understands the scope of the shop, the anticipated time required, and the benefits, if any, that will result from doing the shop.
How do shoppers get assignments?
Shoppers are given assignments directly by the company. The way in which shoppers are identified for assignments is for them to complete the application process. In almost every case, the company will require the shopper to complete a separate application for that company. It is important to understand that mystery shoppers DO NOT GET ASSIGNMENTS DIRECTLY FROM VMW. Rather, shoppers will place their coordinates on the VMW Mystery Shoppers Database and companies searching this database can contact you directly. VMW does not control the placement of those assignments, nor does VMW get involved in which shoppers are assigned specific shops. All assignments are matters of interest ONLY to the company and the shopper and do not involve VMW in any way.
How often can I do shops and how can I increase the frequency of doing shops?
The frequency with which you can conduct mystery shops depends, in large part, on your availability, the needs of the companies, the number of shops in your geographic area, and the number of shoppers that companies deal with in your area. To increase the likelihood that you will regularly receive assignments, sign up with several companies and accept shops as often as you can…but be sure that you do not accept shops that you cannot do. Reliability is a key factor in companies’ selection of shoppers, so work to prove your reliability. If you cannot accept a shop, let the company know…it is better to decline a shop than to fail to deliver as you promise.
Can I count on doing mystery shopping on a full-time basis?
It is unlikely, though a few people do. More likely, you might find yourself able to do a few per month. To build up a large number of shops per month, it is likely to take quite some time…to prove your reliability and to convince the companies for which you do shops that you should be contacted before other shoppers. If you want to work full-time as a mystery shopper, understand that may be your goal, but it may not be achievable for a very long time, if ever.
How do I sign up to be a mystery shopper?
The best way to sign up is to visit the application form. Respond to shopper assignment requests and be RELIABLE. It may take quite some time to be contacted about doing a shop, but once you start, you can expect to be contacted again periodically so long as you do a good job and are dependable.Is Special Expertise Required?
No. Mystery shoppers are unbiased data gatherers. They observe and listen. We do not want shoppers to be experts in an industry they are assigned to shop. We seek reliable and dependable people who will take assignments seriously and conduct them as instructed.Why is Mystery Shopping Important?
Our clients use mystery shopper feedback to:
- Evaluate training programs
- Reward outstanding employees
- Revise procedures to improve service
- Identify employees who need further training
Who Are VMW Shoppers?
Shoppers are teachers, doctors, firefighters, homemakers, secretaries, salespeople, etc. Most shoppers are employed full time elsewhere, but enjoy conducting assignments in their spare time. For VMW, they serve as independent contractors. Mystery shopping is not a full or part-time job. Assignments are occasional. Mystery shopping for VMW is NOT an employment arrangement.May I Shop for Other Companies Also?
Of course. As an independent contractor, you may provide your mystery shopping services as you wish. We do caution you that, if you do shop for more than one company, you pay careful attention to your current employment contract specific procedures and requirements.How are Shopping Assignments Made?
Individual companies will have their specific requirements for VMW shoppers who live or work near an available assignment location. If your name is identified by this search, THEY will contact you to determine if an assignment at a specific business location interests you. THEY will tell you about how long the assignment will take to complete, when they need you to visit the specific location, and the compensation offered for the assignment. The preferred method of contact is up to the company.
Will I Be required to Accept Assignments?
No. You are not required to accept any assignment.
How Often Are Shoppers Contacted?
Availability of assignments depends solely upon locations. Some companies ask for regular shops, while others request shops only at certain times of the year. Assignments may be more frequent in some areas of the country than in others. Also, shoppers may be rotated so that the same person does not visit a location repeatedly. Do not be concerned if you are not contacted for a while.What is Required During Assignments?
Typically, if you accept an assignment the procedures "generally" will be as follows (each companies procedures will differ) . The instructions will be sent to you along with the shopper survey (via email, fax or snail mail). You must thoroughly read the instructions and survey for each assignment to ensure you understand what to do and how to answer the questions. You must enter the business with an open mind, as an "average customer". You must listen for and look for the answers to our survey questions. Immediately after the visit, you must complete the survey while details are fresh in memory. Depending on the assignment, you must snail mail, e-mail, phone in or key in your responses to the shopper survey. You must also mail in your verification of the visit, usually a receipt, within 24 hours of your shop.
The company contracting with you most likely: verifies that all questions are answered, detailed constructive comments are provided, the visit was conducted by the deadline at the correct assigned location, etc. After reviewing your first assignment and how well you followed our instructions, the company will decide whether you are eligible to be contacted about future assignments. We at VMW expect you to complete an assignment if you accept it. If you do not complete an accepted assignment, or complete it late or do not follow instructions, you will lose opportunities for future contracts as companies will not be willing to work with you. Furthermore, companies will offer us feedback, and we will not be able to provide you with good references.
How are Shoppers Compensated?
Compensation varies depending upon the complexity of the assignment. Compensation depends upon your ability to negotiate. Don't forget that this is a direct to company model of Mystery Shopping. Normally there is a middleman taking a BIG cut from your work. Therefore it is in the interest of the company to pay you more than you would expect to earn if you worked for a Mystery Shopping middleman.
What about Taxes?
As an independent shopper, you are responsible for reporting your own earnings. If you have questions regarding tax liability, contact your tax advisor. We cannot provide tax advice. We do not provide a statement or listing of your earnings.
Still have questions? support@vmwinc.com
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CONTACT US AT Support@vmwinc.com
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3) An efficient way to create an online presence that will draw traffic to your site. This is achieved through our association with SITE BUILD IT. Site Build It is the IDEAL way to create an affordable website while at the same time, driving internet traffic to your online store. There is clearly NO BETTER vehicle available to the "ordinary" person with limited computer experience.
SITE BUILD IT will give the novice, powerful tools normally reserved for computer programmers.4)
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