Let Me Introduce Myself, and HELP!!!!!

January 30, 2011 12:48AM

Hi Everyone, Like most of you in this thread I am new to "Mystery Shopping". I took the advice given and signed with a company that does pay peanuts. My first assignment is tomorrow. I will earn $4.00,and get to spend up to $1.00.....I am an intelligent and articulate woman, but HELP! How do those of you with experience remember names, descriptions of the people, and what they were doing? I really could use some advice here. I want to do this right. I've more than invested hours of time studying what is wanted, practiced my scenario, etc. I just can't figure out how all of you with experience remember 6 peoples' names, and what they were doing. Oh yes, how many customers are in each aisle. LOL It is rather funny, and I am trying to be good natured and looking at this company with the peanut jobs as my training grounds. Still, I wouold like to get the $4.00 and succeed. I will appreciate all of the advice you want to give.

My name is Deb, and I look forward to learning and perhaps one day sharing tricks of our trade.

Take care, Deb

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January 30, 2011 01:33AM

$4 with a $1 reimbursement sounds like a rip-off. Just saying.

As for remembering, it's a skill that you'll eventually develop. Most people are "untrained observers"; they miss a lot. As you do more and more shops you'll notice you won't stress as much. You'll eventually memorize the shop questionnaires for the places you do frequently, and you'll naturally spot everything worth spotting.

It's perfectly normal to miss and forget on your first shops.

January 30, 2011 03:04AM

Oh, it is a rip-off. I know it. However, it is about a mile from my house, and I want to experience what to do. I want to use it as a learning tool....Thanks for reassuring me my skills will improve...I know they will. It's nice to meet you, Deb

January 30, 2011 03:37AM

Nothing wrong with starting with the cheapie shops. That's what I did, and when I got more comfortable and confident, I do far fewer shops and I select the ones that pay more. You'll be nervous at first but later it will all seem so natural and be much easier. Market Force is a good training ground. Their jobs don't pay a lot, but they have a lot of shops, you can decide the dates yourself, and you can self-assign. Their report forms are really easy. After doing a few of them, you'll pick it right up.

January 30, 2011 05:55AM

Good luck, Deb, and welcome to the forum.

Carol

January 30, 2011 02:48PM

Deb, it is likely that you have a restroom check to do. Stop in the restroom mid way in your shop, take notes of what you have seen thus far. Go over your list of what else you need to observe and head out to do the other half. Once you leave the store, get in your car and write down the other names, the time out and any other quick things.

And certainly the reason for suggesting the cheap shops first is learning the observations needed and developing the memory and tricks. It would be much more painful to you if this was a $15 job and it was rejected for one small thing you forgot to do. It would also be much more painful to get on the bad side of a company that offered $15 jobs by messing up than on the bad side of a company that rarely offers anything more than cheap shops.

I suspect you will do just fine!

January 30, 2011 05:37PM

Deb, welcome to MSing...I took whatever came my way when starting just to learn the writing part and what they wanted. Move up quickly, look for jobs at least paying 7.00 (many out there).....go to Jobslinger or try our thread for companies, sign with many. Most of us had "professional" carreers and do this part-time. Read this forum and find the "good" companies, money isn't the object of this trade, for me it's a better quality of life, and a few bucks here and there helps. The memory thing was a challenge, but you find a way, I jot down notes while checking out the restroom, looking in my purse, howevr you find your way works, it becomes easier. Good luck!!

Live consciously....

January 30, 2011 10:36PM

Remembering names should not be difficult.
Some of them may belong to your family and friends and if not.
compare them with similar names that may be known to you. You should get along.
Lets say Jerrick, try to mind with Jerry so that you remember.
Nick

February 17, 2011 01:45AM

I don't do the big box hardware store for $4 but when it comes open for $15+ I go for it. Then I have to remember 6 names and where 3 of them were and whether they greeted me, etc.....

I used to do the restroom visit trick to help me remember. I've also used grandkids to remember two each. lol

Now I have a digital voice recorder that I turn on and off to capture names and descriptions and locations, etc....when I'm far enough away that I'm not heard talking. Or when they greet me I say, "Thanks, Jennifer". Then I just remember who was where. It gets easier!

February 17, 2011 11:09AM

As long as you are comfortable with it and you cannot get revealed as a shopper, its O K.

Thanks. nick

February 21, 2011 09:30PM

I think you were looking for practical suggestions.
Carry a small notebook in your purse or pocket. Catch a few names & detail then head to the washroom to make notes. Carry the store flyer around with you, refer to the specials & write a few names or make notes on it. When you leave a location and realize you are missing the clerk's name, go back looking for your sunglasses. When the clerk is wearing a name tag, use his/her name, "Thanks Sammy!" You will remember it if you used it.
After awhile, you will just remember more.

February 22, 2011 12:23AM

I use an Olympus digital recorder (available at Radio Shack) They cost $30-$60.
If I see a name tag, I get a respectable distance away or go to the next aisle. I put my hand up to my mouth, so no one will see my lips moving, like I am pondering the price or feature when The other hand is pointing like I am reading the price tag. Recorder is taped to my forearm below the elbow hidden by my long sleeve shirt or jacket.

Speak clearly and slowly. It is not rocket science. It is sneaky.

In the summer when you use short sleeve shirts you can ask Radio Shack about a microphone. My wife who is also a shopper puts the microphone on a bra strap. Neither of us has ever been caught.

Practice before you go so you can be confortable.

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