How to Become a Mystery Shopper

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Mystery Shoppers Deliver Results

Please read all the information below to find out what’s involved in being a mystery shopper, and how to get the process started.

Customer Perspectives™ originated in 1983 in response to a growing need for improved customer service. Our mystery shoppers provide evaluations for hundreds of banks, retail stores and restaurants throughout the US and parts of Canada.

Have you received an e-mail from Customer Perspectives asking you to deposit a check or money order before doing a shop? If so, please read more here.

Our mystery shopping company is committed to providing our clients with quality service and you, as mystery shoppers, play a crucial role in helping us in this unique type of opinion research.

Our mystery shoppers need good writing skills as one of our unique strengths is providing our clients with detailed descriptions of each interaction. And since our opinion research data is presented online, our mystery shoppers must have routine access to the internet.

Because mystery shoppers play such an important role, you must also be:

  • Reliable
  • Objective
  • Observant
  • Able to follow our clients’ detailed specifications
  • Articulate
  • Trustworthy

As a Customer Perspectives™ mystery shopper, you are an Independent Contractor and are responsible for declaring and paying your own taxes. CP does not cover you for Workman’s Compensation or Unemployment and does not pay any of your Social Security taxes. These are the responsibility of you, the mystery shopper.

READY TO BECOME A MYSTERY SHOPPER?

Please read all the information below to learn the ins and outs of mystery shopping, and how to signup online.

What is the Value of Mystery Shopping?

Mystery shoppers shop all kinds of service oriented businesses. These include banks, stores, restaurants and more. The information gathered from mystery shopping can enhance a company’s customer loyalty.

What does it take to be a mystery shopper? Will you…

  • Read carefully to ensure you will meet the clients’ specifications?
  • Notice details and report them accurately?
  • Write objectively and concisely?
  • Return phone calls or e-mails promptly?
  • Meet deadlines consistently and reliably?

How far will I have to travel and how much work might I get as a mystery shopper?

It depends. We try to assign work to shoppers who live close to our clients’ locations so the amount of work available will depend on how many locations are within your geographic area.

Is mystery shopping a full-time job?

Not usually. We may have several clients in your geographical area, or only a few. Some clients require we rotate mystery shoppers rather than sending the same person over and over. Some clients require monthly shops and others ask for shops only once a quarter or once a year.

Can I mystery shop for other companies?

Absolutely! In fact, we encourage you to do so. As with most skilled activities, the more you do it, the better you become at it. Visit the site for the Mystery Shopper Providers Association (MSPA) which posts a variety of shopping opportunities from its member companies. (www.mysteryshop.org)

How and when do I get paid for mystery shopping?

Mystery shoppers are independent contractors. Customer Perspectives™ pays, on a per shop basis, for satisfactory completion of shopping reports. The rate varies from client to client and is agreed upon in advance. In addition, some of our clients also reimburse for purchases and allow shoppers to keep the items. Payment to shoppers is made via PayPal on a monthly basis, paid around the 20th of the following month.

How do I become a mystery shopper?


Before you fill out our questionnaire, ask yourself these questions:

  • Can we always count on you to complete your shopping opportunities on time?
  • Do you have reliable access to a computer?
  • Would you still be willing to do shops for us even if sometimes we could only give you one shop/month?

If you answered Yes to these questions, please review a sample form by clicking HERE.
(Requires Adobe® Acrobat Reader. Click here to download.)

TO SIGN-UP ONLINE TO BECOME A MYSTERY SHOPPER, CLICK HERE FOR OUR QUESTIONNAIRE.

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