Flexible Working Life

Photo bykalandraka

Fancy getting paid to shop?  Sounds like a dream, and in most cases it is.  You won’t earn much (if anything) but you do get to buy things and keep them.  So if you’re a bit of a shopaholic, it might be for you…

If you appreciate good customer service and have an eye for detail, then becoming a mystery shopper may be a nice way for you to gain some extra money.

It won’t make you rich, but it does mean you can be paid for visiting shops, bars and restaurants and reporting on your experience.
So if you’re going to the shops anyway, why not get paid while you’re at it?

 

What is Mystery Shopping?

Mystery shoppers, also known as ‘secret shoppers’ or ‘spotters’ are becoming more common as the service industry realises the value in having an unbiased, first person account of how their establishment is performing.It’s a way for companies to evaluate their products and services, allowing them to improve and develop.
Recent reports show that two out of three customers stop dealing with a company because of poor customer service, so when you consider that, you can begin to understand the value in employing people to become a ‘secret shopper’ and just how important the reports are to business.

In exchange for a fee, a mystery shopper is expected to undertake a visit to a company and give feedback on their findings. The company may want the visit to be undertaken in a certain way or for the mystery shopper to ask particular questions or for a certain service. A report is usually filed by the mystery shopper which is sent back on the same day, or very soon after the visit, either by phone, online or by post.

Mystery Shopping AssignmentsGoing on a mystery shopper assignment is not like going on a normal shopping trip, there are responsibilities and although the job can be fun, it is a serious business.Firstly you must have an unbiased, objective point of view and accept any assignment with this attitude in mind. Once you have agreed to undertake a mystery visit, you must then study the ‘scenario’ or ‘experience’ that you are expected to do.
This may involve memorising facts such as the appearance of the establishment, if the staff were attentive to your needs or if you were offered any special promotions. When you have completed your visit, you then need to fill in the report as soon as possible so you don’t forget any details and send it back to the agency with your expenses and receipts. Visits can include shops, pubs, restaurants, hotels, supermarkets, leisure clubs and many more.
I once had an assignment which involved staying away for the night in a hotel with my family, eating at the restaurant and visiting the leisure facilities, not bad for a day’s work!

Each assignment will vary and with most agencies you do have the choice of which visit you decide to take.

 

How do I become a Mystery Shopper?There are many agencies that undertake mystery shoppers. See the page Apply to Become a Mystery Shopper and you can start applying. Remember that mystery shopping is not a full time profession and the work is spasmodic, so you’ll need to join a few if you want to do this on a regular basis and you can always turn assignments down if it doesn’t fit in with your day.You should never pay to become a mystery shopper. Some agencies may ask for a fee, avoid them; they should be paying you not the other way round!
How much can I earn?

Pay varies from company to company and assignments can be offered from £6 a visit up to £40. Each fee depends on what you are expected to do and how long the visit is likely to last. With each job, check that expenses are paid and that if you do have to buy anything that you will be reimbursed.

 Mystery Shopper book