I saw some jobs come across my JobDinger today for Albatross.

I have never worked with them. I started completing the registration process, and I was flabbergasted at the questions:

"Company Name 'Required' " Uhhh, mystery shoppers are independent contractors, not companies.

This company is on now my list of companies that I WILL NEVER sign up with. Most of this stuff they want to know is none of their business.

Here are their demographic questions, which are WAY too personal:

What are your hobbies (required)
What sports do you practice (required)
Which hotel do you usually go to when on business trip (required)
Have you ever been traveling abroad, if yes, where (required)
Favourite Magazines (name at least 2) (required)
2 or 3 Clothes Brands you usually buy (required)
How much did you spend last month on clothes (required)
2 or 3 Cosmetic Brands you usually buy (required)
How much did you spend last month on cosmetics (required)
2 or 3 Shoes Brands you usually buy (required)
How much did you spend last month on shoes (required)
Brand of watches you own (list if several) (required)
Favourite shopping place (required)
Do you have a or several cars? (required)
Have you ever been to a fashion show (required)
How often do you go shopping (required)
Based on your experience, what brand has the best customer service level (required)
Do you like to pay attention to details (required)
Do you remember people easily (required)
Have you ever been a mystery shopper (required)
Would you be interested to participate to other marketing research programs with us (interviews, focus group... (required)

When I registered, some of my answers were very rough guesses, and I didn't put a lot of thought into any of them. I did 3 shops for them and really enjoyed working with them. They don't have much in my area, though.

Yeah, I had the same issue as Stacy. It was mostly me just... putting stuff. My favorite sport? I hate sports... so, soccer. Why not?! My favorite place to shop? Umm, anywhere that has a flattering mirror and is devoid the flocking myriad of doped teenagers and screaming children? Heheh. Seriously, my answers look like that.

For the company name, you can put in your own name, or just "independent contractor". They do high-end shops, hence those questions, to determine if you have a familiarity with premium brands. With that in mind, I don't think those questions are out of line in trying to determine your profile, but if you feel uncomfortable answering, totally understandable.

Just FYI, other companies that do these types of shops ask similar questions, the pay is relatively good, and they're usually short on male shoppers.

I agree, so much personal info., although I remember filling out app. with Helion, and it was the same. I think European
companies require more than this country. Somethings are insane, like the brands of watches you own, brands you wear. I presume they are looking for shoppers that shop a certain class of stores, and are weeding out others. I did sign up, we shall see. Hope they pay according to the info. they need.
SteveLA Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> I saw some jobs come across my JobDinger today for
> Albatross.
>
> I have never worked with them. I started
> completing the registration process, and I was
> flabbergasted at the questions:
>
> "Company Name 'Required' " Uhhh, mystery shoppers
> are independent contractors, not companies.
>
> This company is on now my list of companies that I
> WILL NEVER sign up with. Most of this stuff they
> want to know is none of their business.
>
> Here are their demographic questions, which are
> WAY too personal:
>
> What are your hobbies (required)
> What sports do you practice (required)
> Which hotel do you usually go to when on business
> trip (required)
> Have you ever been traveling abroad, if yes, where
> (required)
> Favourite Magazines (name at least 2) (required)
> 2 or 3 Clothes Brands you usually buy (required)
> How much did you spend last month on clothes
> (required)
> 2 or 3 Cosmetic Brands you usually buy (required)
> How much did you spend last month on cosmetics
> (required)
> 2 or 3 Shoes Brands you usually buy (required)
> How much did you spend last month on shoes
> (required)
> Brand of watches you own (list if several)
> (required)
> Favourite shopping place (required)
> Do you have a or several cars? (required)
> Have you ever been to a fashion show (required)
> How often do you go shopping (required)
> Based on your experience, what brand has the best
> customer service level (required)
> Do you like to pay attention to details (required)
>
> Do you remember people easily (required)
> Have you ever been a mystery shopper (required)
> Would you be interested to participate to other
> marketing research programs with us (interviews,
> focus group... (required)

I have done several high end lucrative shops for their Asian and European counterparts as well as for one of their US offices.
They are one of the best paying foreign companies and do have high end clients. If you do not feel comfortable going into high end stores or retailers their shops might not be for you.
I don't remember filling in all of their questions as most of their shops are in Europe. There is an Indian company and they ask very detailed questions too as the application is universal and mostly for people in India..I filled out what I wanted and was hired. If you don't try, you don't know.

I specialize (if you will) in highend, and was accepted, so looking forward to working with them.