Is there a list of which MS companys shop what stores? Or who has the most shops in a certain area? Looking for MS companies that shop in AZ.

Jeepster,

As it has been said on the forum, you will find that we don't for the most part, give new shoppers a list of MSCs that shop this company or that company and where they shop.

Basically, we've done the work, so why should we? It's up to YOU to find the companies, go through the forum and read.

Competition is way too tough out there - I should know, I shop in AZ also, and there's no way in hell-o I'm listing my favorite MSCs and Schedulers I've taken the time to develop a good rapport with.

Don't get me wrong - you will definitely find the companies - but you'll need to do your own research to find them. I've spent hours upon hours into my own shopping company research; I have my list, it's time for you (and other newbies) to do it on their own. Yup, you'll get help, but no one is going to do the work for you. I also work a FT job about 60 hours a week, and a second PT job in addition to shopping, so my time - like a lot of others - is very valuable - and I don't give it away for free.

I hate to say it, but a lot of jobs have been drying up around here at least, unless I want to take a long route - however, with the cost of gas, that's very debatable. I'm HOPING it's just because the snowbirds are around, and over the summer we'll find more in AZ. Right now, the pickin's are slim.

So, here's what I suggest to new shoppers:

1. Pull up a chair, a cup of coffee, tea, soda, whatever, and READ.

You don't just start applying and magically believe things will fall into your lap. You need to "educate" yourself on the ins and outs of being a Mystery Shopper. So - you start reading.

And when you get tired of reading the forums and learning about how to be a shopper, you leave for a few hours, and then come back and READ some More!

2. You set up your Office at home. You will need a good connection, paper, printer, ink, most likely a camera with a phone, and/or a scanner. You will also need to organize yourself with a good job of an Excel spreadsheet or old-fashioned calendar/date book.

3. You need to have a PayPal account. Set one up before you start shopping. I'd advise to also set up a separate email account - yahoo, gmail - and use it ONLY for Mystery Shopping.

4. You should set up a separate bank account only for Mystery Shopping. I'd also advise using this new checking account tied to your PayPal account, and DO NOT use your "normal" bank account. You MUST CLAIM TAXES ON ALL YOUR INCOME. Co-mingling will really make things a headache.

5. You will need to READ MORE. You also need to realize that as an Independent Contractor (IC) you are a Professional. Therefore, you need to learn the correct use of the following: Grammar, Punctuation, Spelling, and Capitalization - yes, even on a Forum.

6. You will need to realize that as an IC, you get paid AFTER you complete a job and fill out a report (survey). Most of the time you get paid $7.00 to $10.00 per job and 45 - 90 days AFTER your survey is accepted.

**YOU DO NOT Get a "big check" in the mail asking you to deposit it, then "do some job paying $180-$200 and return the remainder of the check". That's a SCAM - do not fall for it. Mystery Shopping jobs pay LESS than $20/PER JOB - and you always get paid AFTER completion AND acceptance by the company.**

7. Finally - go here: [www.mysteryshopforum.com] At the top of this page are 6 "Stickys". Read through all of them. Then go back and read it again.

When you've done all of that, at the bottom of every forum page underneath the posting box is the: "Official List of Mystery Shopping Companies" - click there and start going down the list and applying.



Edited 2 time(s). Last edit at 03/29/2012 04:57PM by r@inyDayZ3.

Thanks for your "time" )

Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 03/29/2012 05:19PM by jeepster75.

LMAO! Love it!

I'm in the "I'm-so-freakin-sick-of-auditing-videos-and-writing-these-clip-descriptions" mood - just what my boss would love to hear. (I audit videos and write up video clip descriptions, and we are launching a new site this weekend, so they've had me scrambling this week, thankfully it's telecommuting!)

What better place to play than on a forum. (Since I really don't feel like working on my taxes or working!)

Have fun reading the forum though, post often too - everyone is really nice here, and you'll learn a TON!



jeepster75 Wrote:
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> Thanks for your "time" )

Hi, jeepster, most mystery shopping companies require you to sign up, provide your contact information and social security number, AND sign their Independent Contractor Agreement (ICA) before they will disclose the clients they shop for. The ICA that you sign for each of the mystery shopping companies in almost all cases includes a confidentiality agreement which states that you cannot reveal the names of the company's clients or any other confidential information you learn about their company while working with them. Because we have all signed the ICAs, we are not able to reveal the names of the companies who shop particular clients. There is a great list available here on the forum of mystery shopping companies although it does not list the companies' clients or the locations of their clients (and the clients and locations change often). The more you sign up with, the better. I am signed up with over 150, most shoppers are signed up with more than that.

Welcome to the forum!

Thanks everyone. This is my first foray into the world of "Mystery Shop Forums", but I am not a newbie to the industry at all. I have approx 600 shops in so far, and it has been a 99.9% positive experience.

r@inyDayZ3, thanks for all the pointers....I have most of them in use already.
AustinMom, thanks for the reminder about the ICA. I have never had reason to ask or discuss any of this so that portion slipped my mind.

I too am signed up with many MS companies, but I recently relocated to the "Valley of the Sun" from the East coast and find that most MS companies I work with have slim to zero opportunities out here. I understand your reluctance to share your hard earned insights and respect that. Guess I just need to grab a chair and start applying.

If I could add one point to r@inyDayZ3's list, it would be a tag on to #5. Just as important (if not more) as grammar, punctuation, spelling, etc, is the quality and accuracy of the feedback you are providing. The MS company's clients invest a sizable amount of money into these MS programs. And they do it with the intent of training and developing their staff to provide better service. Accurate, detailed and honest feedback that contains relevant information allows the client to develop training programs to address the opportunities. It also allows certain clients to recognize outstanding service by one of their staff. As crazy as it sounds, I actually prefer the shops that require narrative. It allows you to explain a "no", or give extra credit when an employee deserves even more than a simple "yes".

Happy Shopping

Edited 2 time(s). Last edit at 03/30/2012 04:09AM by jeepster75.