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Finally, People I can tell I'm a Mystery Shopper smiling smiley

September 09, 2010 04:55AM
Hello!
I'm an 18 year old female in the Pacific Northwest who recently began mystery shopping. I've gone for it full tilt and completed two shops and an audit today. I hope my information was good enough to get paid for :/.
It appears that a lot of this is a live and process. Any tips on how to do more learning without messing up first? smiling smiley

I have done assignments with Intelli-shop, B. Bussiness Solutions, Jancyn and JMRidgway. Do these companies really pay? (My mother is very suspicious of this whole endeavor). Also, has anyone worked for Premier Service?

Thanks so much for your input,
and nice to meet you!

Moll
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September 09, 2010 01:03PM
Hi Moll. All this covert stuff is more fun when you can share. Welcome and I'm glad you found us. Reading the different sections of the forum should help you learn. It's kind of like an everything you ever wanted to know about mystery shopping but were afraid to ask forum ~ except someone has askedsmiling smiley

I've worked with Intelli, B Business and Jancyn. They really pay.
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September 09, 2010 02:29PM
My understanding is that JMRidgeway is being slow to pay these days, so once the pay date is passed you may need to contact them for payment. Intelli-shop is one of the slower payers in the business, but they do seem to honor their terms. I have not worked with Premier Services or heard any comments about them that I know of. Considering your area, are you signed up with Northwest Loss Prevention?
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September 09, 2010 03:12PM
Moll, welcome aboard! Tell your Momma, this is the real deal. Stay tuned in to these boards and you will learn a lot, These folks have been there and done that. Sorry to say that many times you learn by trial and error (at least, that's how I learn some times). If you have ANY questions, this is the place to come -- there are many here that will help you. Remember, the only silly questions are the ones you don't ask.
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September 10, 2010 05:59AM
Yay! Thank you all for being awesome and nice smiling smiley. It's really a breath of fresh air to have intelligent people making kind comments.

I see hope for the world winking smiley. Mystery shoppers unite!
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September 10, 2010 06:23AM
Gosh, gee whiz, blush, blush!! Enjoy -- this will be the most fun you ever got paid for. It has it's ups and downs, but overall, it's great!
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September 10, 2010 10:11PM
I've been doing mystery shops for about two months now and am a little leary of all these mystery shopping companies. I usually try to do one shop for a "new" company until I find out it is legit, then I plan to go 'gung ho' and do as many as I can handle. I find the hardest part, or at least the most time consuming, is filing the report. Of course, my memory could be better. I often forget at least one important detail I was supposed to notice and report on... Any suggestions on how to remember EVERYTHING I'm supposed to? Thanks!
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September 10, 2010 10:57PM
My 'cheat sheet' is a little spiral notebook that is a 3x5" one. I can put a post it 'flag' on the page for the shop I am doing. It is easy enough to haul it out of the pocket or purse, glance at it, flip the page to something else and perhaps look like I am noting a price, etc. Very primitive but useful.

After a few of the same shops I don't need the cheat sheet any more unless there are new requirements added. Although I read the instructions on a new job, my cheat sheet is mostly based on the specific questions I am being asked to respond to.

A DVR can help record the information through 'talking to yourself' either in the store or as soon as you leave the store. I have no qualms about sitting in the car looking at my cheat sheet and recording info on the DVR before leaving the site. I would be more cautious about doing written notes in the car on site.
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September 11, 2010 12:33AM
Hello, mabwhite76 and welcome to the forumsmiling smiley

Until you know the shop requirements like the back of your hand, another method is the restroom, with your cheat sheet. Before leaving the restaurant, grocery store, gas station, etc., you have to do a restroom check. I do it near the end of my visit. Check the restroom, and see if anything has been forgotten from your cheat sheet.
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September 11, 2010 03:22AM
Thank you, I'll try those ideas...I made myself notes on my cell phone, but some of the instructions say not to use your cell during the shop...hence, the restroom check?... Guess I just have to figure out how to be sneaky!
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September 11, 2010 08:08AM
specialpi Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Moll, welcome aboard! Tell your Momma, this is
> the real deal. Stay tuned in to these boards and
> you will learn a lot, These folks have been there
> and done that. Sorry to say that many times you
> learn by trial and error (at least, that's how I
> learn some times). If you have ANY questions,
> this is the place to come -- there are many here
> that will help you. Remember, the only silly
> questions are the ones you don't ask.

The forum is here to learn by other's trials and errors. If you read about it, you can possibly avoid it. Experience teaches a lot. Other people's experiences are less painful than having that experience yourself if it is a negative experience. Thank you all for your experiences.
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September 11, 2010 01:52PM
Something else you may want to consider is a good digital recorder. The prices have come down now and you can slip it in you bag, shirt pocket, etc. The best product I've found is the Olympus recorders (Target, Best Buy, Walmart). Happy note taking!
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