Various Mystery Shopping Jobs

When mystery shopping first came on the scene many years ago, you went and did the shop, and then filled out a survey type questionnaire and sent it back in to your employer, who then paid you for your work. You were given a long form, with questions on both sides, and you simply checked a box as you went down, was your food hot, yes or no, did the employees seem friendly and focused, yes or no, and so on down the line. While some mystery shopping jobs will still use this type of form, there are many others now available, so you should take the time to learn about all of them if you are serious about your mystery shopping job.

Thanks to the advances that have been made in modern technology over the years, many of your mystery shopper reports can be filled out and sent in electronically, via email or website. This cuts down on the time it takes for your employer to receive your feedback, and your wait for payment.

In some ways, however, this same technology has helped limit the demand for mystery shoppers somewhat. Thanks to so many people now being able to shop online for their needs, companies who do business in this manner don�t really have to be concerned with what you think, as you don�t ever see the inside of their store, or have any one on one contact with any of their employees. So, in the world of mystery shopping, technology has been both a blessing and a curse.

Many businesses operate call centers, where customers can call in for product service, questions, or complaints as needed. The company who provides this service has to be certain that their employees are taking care of the needs of their customers in a polite, friendly manner, and that wait times are at a minimum, etc. That being said, you may be assigned a mystery shopping job that you can do right from the privacy of your own home, calling in to one of these customer service centers, and rating your service. You will likely be asked to report on your wait time, employee friendliness, and the support you received, as well as many other details as the employer sees fit.

Another way that some companies are erasing the need of hiring mystery shoppers is by installing video surveillance cameras in the workplace. These cameras are usually linked into the corporate office, where anyone at any time can link up and see what is going on in any given store. If a customer has a complaint about a specific day, a supervisor can even go back to the day in question and view the scenario, visualizing the problems and then taking action to correct them as needed. Not every store does this, as it can be quite expensive, and some still prefer the anonymity of the mystery shopper. Employees know that cameras are installed, and they adjust their actions accordingly, where if you, as a mystery shopper, do a good job, they will be none the wiser that you are there.

Just remember, no matter what type of mystery shopping assignment you receive, you are the voice of the customer. If you see something that needs to be changed or done differently, you should speak up, that is your job, after all.

City works to open ‘bark park’ (Terre Haute Tribune Star)

The city of Terre Haute continues to work toward opening its first “bark park,” perhaps as early as the end of this year, a city official said Monday.

Ripped off (Red Deer Advocate)

Beware of ads for secret shoppers says a Red Deer woman who is out about $1,500 as the result of a sophisticated scam. Now the woman, who doesn’t want to be identified out of embarrassment, is fearful she will be the victim of identity fraud next.

BBB: Scam is no secret (Wichita Falls Times Record News)

An e-mail scam offering people cash to “secret shop” has been floating around for a few years, and it is one that Better Business Bureau of North Central Texas president Monica Horton still refers to as a “pretty big problem.”

UPDATE: Hillary Clinton returning to Terre Haute Thursday; Saturday Mellencamp concert details finalized (Terre Haute Tribune Star)

Hoosiers for Hillary announced Saturday, April 26, that Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Rodham Clinton will return to Terre Haute on Thursday.Sen. Clinton will stop Thursday at Terre Haute South Vigo High School at 3737 S. Seventh St.Legendary Hoosier singer-songwriter John Mellencamp will perform at an event with Hillary Saturday, May 3, at White River State Park.

Northwest suburban religion notes (Daily Herald)

Immanuel United Church of Christ will hold a new weekly Parents Group Mondays in the west classroom during the same time as the Lifeboat High School Community Youth Group, 6:30 to 8:30 p.m., 1500 Old Church Road Streamwood.