1. Maintain
Anonymity.
You should remain anonymous at all times during a
mystery shop. Do not take any forms or papers with
you (especially reports you need to fill out for the
company!). Try not to take notes or do anything that
would identify you as a mystery shopper. Pretend
that you are an ordinary shopper, just as you would
if you were actually shopping or dining for
yourself.
2. Read your instructions.
Read all of the instructions AND the report form
that you will fill out later. Know ahead of time
exactly where you are going and what kinds of things
to keep an eye out for.
3. Fill out
ALL paper work timely.
Complete and return any reports, audits or forms
within 24 hours of performing the mystery shop. This
way things are fresh in your mind. Also many
companies do have a time limit for shoppers to fill
out their reports.
4. Details,
details, details...
As a mystery shopper you should try to remember and
relate as many details and facts of the shop as you
can. Being observant is very important.
Names of managers and
employees are also especially important. Look at
badges, sales receipts, etc. for names of employees.
If you cannot get a name try to provide a good
physical description such as sex, age, height,
weight, and hair / eye color. For example: "we were
served by a young man in his 20's with bright red
hair and wearing glasses."
5. Report,
don't comment.
Your job as a mystery shopper is to report facts and
details, not offer suggestions on fixing or
improving company policies. Companies will use your
reports to examine their own internal policies and
work systems. It's very important to let them draw
their own conclusions on such.
6. The
Good, the Bad, and the Ugly.
Try to give balance observations. You should try to
approach every mystery shop with a sense of
neutrality. Try to offer your observations not your
opinions. Providing an excessively negative or
positive report may imply that you did not carefully
observe everything during your mystery shopping
experience. Although this does not mean that you
should not report a very positive or negative
report, rather that your report should not be
completely positive or completely negative.
7. Neatness
counts.
Always try to neatly print or type your reports so
that they are legible. Be sure to read the
instructions as some mystery shops may REQUIRE that
you attach a typed sheet to the report.
8. Be
committed.
Remember when you accept an assignment to mystery
shop you are committing yourself to the job. Do not
miss your shop date or perform it late. Fill out
your report as soon as possible after the mystery
shop.
9. Enjoy
yourself.
Remember it may be work, but it can be fun too! Try
to pretend that you are doing your mystery shop just
as you would had you walked into the establishment
to shop or dine for yourself.
10. Shop
'till you drop!
Mystery shopping can be a great way to make a second
income or just provide a little extra spending cash.
Have fun with it. Perform as many mystery shops as
you can to make the most of this exciting job field!
