Hello everyone!
I am new to mystery shopping. I hope not to fall for scams and learn some excellent information. There seems to be a lot of great people here who all seem to want to help each other! From what I see, you all seem to care a lot about good information and sharing.
Thank you!
Teresa

Hi TK! I look foward to hearing about your experiences, best wishes!

Hi I am in MS, new to this type shopping, eager to learn and hope to avoid pitfalls and "bad companies". Thanks to all for helping us newbies.

Welcome to the Board!

Thank you for the warm welcome!
I hope to continue here and get to know you better.
Is it best to sign with my first name of my handle?
Thank you again
Tkjohnson

Hi TK - you'll find that many of us want to remain "Anonymous" therefore, we just use our nicks or forum handles. Some will sign their "real name" on their posts - or you can make up a "Signature Line" (like I have at the bottom of my posts). It's just a matter of preference!

I saw mention in another post that you said you are wheelchair bound and normally receive terrible customer service. I'm sure that there are many MSC's (Mystery Shopping Companies) that will welcome someone who uses a chair; and I know that when my dad & mom were here last Xmas, with Dad's Parkinson's I tried to get shops so I could see how they treated him. Just remember to remain completely objective. For example, the one restaurant I was able to shop with mom & dad, they put us at the back of the room. Well, there was another table available but it was too close to the walking area for servers. I could have complained I guess, but when I looked at how high a traffic area was where the other table sat, I knew it was the best choice for the comfort of everyone in the restaurant - and I didn't complain or even comment on it in the survey.

I'm sure you will be a welcome addition to any MSC that you sign up with. I don't recall any of them (that I signed up with) asking if a shopper had a disability - with the exception of wearing glasses!

Anyway - here's a "Welcome to the Forum" letter I sometimes post to new members:


Hello!


Welcome to the forums - sit back, grab a drink and start *Reading*! It's the best way for you to learn the ropes and get started!!

Try and spend as much free time as you can find READING the forums. Too many new shoppers come in, post 1 time, and then skeedaddle. There is so much valuable information you can find just by visiting (even lurking), and reading!


~~~~~~~~~~~

You are probably feeling somewhat overwhelmed, wondering where to begin. Here are some facts and tips:

1. Mystery Shopping is NOT "quick money" or a "way to make a living". (True, few people do, but they are gone on over-the-road video trips for several weeks at a time, and they BUILT their Reputation by starting at the beginning.)

--> (A) Mystery Shopping is work - hard work.
--> ( You are self-employed.
--> (C) You pay taxes on ALL of your income (YES, EVEN on that single $7.00 Shop Pay you got from one company you did work for once in the year!).
--> (D) You need to keep a spreadsheet and/or track of ALL of your expenses.
--> (E) You should have an office with a good computer, internet, printer, paper, ink, a good camera (if you decide to get into auditing), or a good cell phone with a camera.

2. You get paid (starting usually) $4.00 to $10.00 AFTER you complete a job, submit a survey free of errors, have your survey accepted, and hopefully had no deductions!

3. You get paid - 95% of the time - 45-60-90 days AFTER your survey is accepted. (There are a few companies that may pay in 30 days, just don't count on it, and it really helps to learn how to balance/budget your future earnings.)

--> (A) Most of the time, you will need to lay out money first. Example - that Fast Food shop? You need to pay in *CASH*. You'll get reimbursed - and also a "fee" - but that will come later (See #2 above)

4. You need proper Grammar, Spelling, Capitalization, and Punctuation. Yes, that should include our forums. We consider ourselves professionals, even on a forum.

5. READ - pull up a chair and Read. Tired of reading? Don't like to read? Well, you are not going to learn anything unless you start reading. Grab a soda, coffee, tea, whatever your preference and start going through all of the threads - at least threads on the first page of EACH forum. Forums are listed at the bottom of all of the pages.

--> (A) When you get to "New Mystery Shoppers" Forum: [www.mysteryshopforum.com] - there are "Sticky Threads" at the top of this forum. READ through ALL of the information that a long time shopper/member (Flash) wrote for new shoppers. Then, go back and read it again. Some people have been known to print out the information that Flash has written (not all of the follow up threads, just her first post).

6. Get yourself set up with a spreadsheet to keep track of your future jobs. Search here on the forum "spreadsheets" - and you should pull up ideas on how others set them up. You NEED to keep track of your expenses - you will need those for tax time!

7. Get yourself set up with a PayPal account.

--> (A) I would also suggest that you set up an Email ONLY to be used for Mystery Shopping - and use that email to connect with your Paypal account and the one you use signing up with MSC's.

8. I'd also recommend that you start a new checking account - Again, ONLY to be used for Mystery Shopping. At tax time - especially if you stay interested in shopping - you will be SO glad that you had separate accounts! Someone recommended it to me when I first started - and I am definitely glad that I did get one!

Have fun shopping - but you do have to do the work yourself. It's the only way you are going to learn - and find out what type of company works best for you.

Welcome Rollsroyce and good luck to you!

Rainydayz3,
This is an awesome welcome notice to send to all the newbies! I just wanted to let you know how much this (and all the other advice) is appreciated! I have printed this out and begun my reading. There is so much information! It is all excellent!

I used to be a personal contractor for about seven years before my disability. Unfortunately, I am unable to continue in that line of business anymore. I thought this would be a good alternative. It appears to me, I might have made an excellent choice. I don't expect to be the number one personal shopper! I do expect it will help me get out more and keep my mind active.

This forum has dispelled a lot of the myths I had about mystery shoppers. I appeared to have put my foot in my mouth right of the bat. I would like to apologize to everyone if I gave off that my disability would get me jobs. I just was wanting to get an opinion and a feel for the companies if that is something they look for in MS.

as far as being objective? Can I do that? Yes, I can! Rude is not when you are placed at an ackward table. Like you said. If you have a good hostess or waitress, they are going to search for the best solution for all involved! experiencing both good and bad, I have learned to withhold my opinion until the experience is completed.

So once again, I sincerely apologize to all I offended! I really, true want to be apart of this forum and learn everything I can. I really Ppreciate all of the tools, articles and post set up by everyone before me! I and reading, printing, and rereading until I can't see anymore. So know that all of your endeavors are being utilized and appreciated!

Thank you!