Companies you should become a mystery shopper with-
There are several companies in India which provide mystery shopping assignments. I myself is registered with 3-4 companies. Out of which I really like working with Bare and Trans MR. I have done some great assignments with both of them. I used to do it as a part time work after coming home from a 9-5 job. My frequency was a little less in the earlier time. But as I got to know the skills and I am much more confident now, I love doing mystery assignments. I usually take up more assignments from Trans MR as they have audits in bulk. Their staff provide proper training prior the visit. They even provide a feedback post visit so that you can improvise in your further visits. Also, the payment cycle is fair as I get my payments regularly from them. I rarely have to follow up with them. I have also done some assignments for HS Brands, they too provide a fair deal of assignments.
There are hundreds of legitimate mystery shopping companies. One sign that the company is safe to work for is that they are a member of the Mystery Shopping Providers Association.
Legitimate mystery shopping companies will not charge you a fee to apply. Do not pay. You should always search about them in Google to find if their shoppers are getting paid every month or so it is enough to know if it is legit or fake.
The biggest warning is that no mystery shopping company will ever send you a check for thousands of dollars and ask you to cash it and wire money somewhere. That is ALWAYS a scam. Always. Some of these scammers use the names of real mystery shopping companies or other legitimate companies, but they are not associated with them in any way.
If you receive an email out of the blue saying you have been selected as a mystery shopper, it is probably a scam. Real mystery shopping companies do not sent spam emails to solicit shoppers. (First hint that the email is a scam: Their email address is at Gmail, Hotmail or Yahoo, never at the domain of the company they claim to represent. Second hint: The spelling and grammar are atrocious. Third: They are offering you hundreds of dollars for a couple of hours of work.)
Apply only to legitimate companies (such as those that belong to the Mystery Shopping Providers Association), never pay a fee to apply, and never wire money as part of a "mystery shop."
Many mystery shopping companies have national clients and hire shoppers wherever those clients have locations. If you apply to as many mystery shopping companies and scheduling services as you can, you will be notified when they have jobs in your area. Never pay a fee to apply for mystery shopping jobs. Legitimate mystery shopping companies do not charge fees.
LinkShare is not a mystery shopping agency, but they may be affiliated with companies that provide market research services, such as mystery shopping. LinkShare helps companies with online marketing.
Yes, merchandising and mystery shopping often go hand in hand, meaning that mystery shopping companies often look for merchandisers as well. They involve different duties, so you have to see what you like doing.
Mystery shopper companies are companies that will shop for you. However, I would not use them. I would do your shopping yourself so you know exactly what you're getting.
It doesn't matter where the mystery shopping company is, if you are looking for secret shopper jobs in North Dakota, you want companies that have clients in North Dakota.Many mystery shopping companies have national clients and hire shoppers wherever those clients have locations. If you apply to as many mystery shopping companies and scheduling services as you can, you will be notified when they have jobs in your area.Never pay a fee to apply for mystery shopping jobs. Legitimate mystery shopping companies do not charge fees.The Secrets of Mystery Shopping RevealedDo you love to shop? If so, you may be tempted by unsolicited emails or newspaper ads that claim you can earn a living as a secret or mystery shopper by dining at elegant restaurants, shopping at pricey stores, or checking into luxurious hotels. But, according to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), the nation's consumer protection agency, marketers who promise lucrative jobs as mystery shoppers often do not deliver bona fide opportunities.What is Mystery Shopping?Some retailers hire marketing research companies to evaluate the quality of service in their stores; these companies use mystery shoppers to get the information anonymously. They assign a mystery shopper to make a particular purchase in a store or restaurant, for example, and then report on the experience. Typically, the shopper is reimbursed, and can keep the product or service. Many professionals in the field consider mystery shopping a part-time activity, at best. And, they add, opportunities generally are posted online by marketing research or merchandising companies. Nevertheless, fraudulent mystery shopping promoters are using newspaper ads and emails to create the impression that they're a gateway to lucrative mystery shopper jobs with reputable companies. These solicitations usually promote a website where consumers can "register" to become mystery shoppers - after they pay a fee for information about a certification program, a directory of mystery shopping companies, or a guarantee of a mystery shopping job.The truth is that it is unnecessary to pay money to anyone to get into the mystery shopper business. The shopping certification offered in advertising or unsolicited email is almost always worthless. A list of companies that hire mystery shoppers is available for free; and legitimate mystery shopper jobs are on the Internet for free. Consumers who try to get a refund from promoters of mystery shopping jobs usually are out of luck. Either the business doesn't return the phone calls, or if it does, it's to try another pitch.The Facts of Mystery ShoppingBecoming a legitimate mystery shopper for a legitimate company doesn't cost anything. Here's how to do it: Search the Internet for mystery shopping companies that are accepting applications. Legitimate companies don't charge an application fee. Many accept applications online.Do some homework about mystery shopping. Check libraries or bookstores for tips on how to find companies hiring mystery shoppers, as well as how to do the job effectively.Visit the Mystery Shopping Providers Association (MSPA) website at www.mysteryshop.org for information on how to register to be a mystery shopper with a MSPA-member company, a database of available jobs, and additional information on the industry in general.In the meantime, the FTC says consumers should be skeptical of mystery shopping promoters who:Advertise for mystery shoppers in a newspaper's 'help wanted' section or by email. While it may appear as if these companies are hiring mystery shoppers, it's much more likely that they're pitching unnecessary - and possibly bogus - mystery shopping "services."Sell "certification." Companies that use mystery shoppers generally do not require certification.Guarantee a job as a mystery shopper.Charge a fee for access to mystery shopping opportunities.Sell directories of companies that provide mystery shoppers.If you think you have encountered a mystery shopping scam, file a complaint with your local consumer protection agency, the Better Business Bureau, your State Attorney General, or the FTC (ftc.gov).The FTC works for the consumer to prevent fraudulent, deceptive, and unfair business practices in the marketplace and to provide information to help consumers spot, stop, and avoid them. To file a complaint or to get free information on consumer issues, visit ftc.gov or call toll-free, 1-877-FTC-HELP (1-877-382-4357); TTY: 1-866-653-4261. The FTC enters consumer complaints into the Consumer Sentinel Network, a secure online database and investigative tool used by hundreds of civil and criminal law enforcement agencies in the U.S. and abroad.
Mystery shopping is necessary for companies to get an objective opinion on how their business is doing. If they used their own employees to evaluate their service and operations, it would be biased. So Mystery Shoppers are used who don't already have a connection with the company, to provide honest feedback.
No. Although merchandising can have a relationship to mystery shopping and some Companies offer opportunities in both. Merchandising involves announced contact with the business (prior or on the day) and involves some form of stocking, display set up, or demo. I have done minimal merchandising but have done plenty of auditing or mystery shopping of the work of the merchandising rep!
Many states have no regulations regarding mystery shopping. In Florida however, a private investigator's license is required to engage in mystery shopping.
A Mystery Shopper goes into a company to evaluate its service and operations. Because the staff never know who this person is, what they look like, or what time they're arriving, it is termed a mystery shop. The idea is that the Mystery Shopper is supposed to come across like your average shopper. Hence, the term 'mystery shopping'.mystery shopper is a tool used externally by market research companies, watchdog organizations, or internally by companies themselves to measure quality of service, or compliance with regulation, or to gather specific information about products and services.
Do you love to shop? If so, you may be tempted by unsolicited emails or newspaper ads that claim you can earn a living as a secret or mystery shopper by dining at elegant restaurants, shopping at pricey stores, or checking into luxurious hotels. But, according to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), the nation's consumer protection agency, marketers who promise lucrative jobs as mystery shoppers often do not deliver bona fide opportunities. Some retailers hire marketing research companies to evaluate the quality of service in their stores; these companies use mystery shoppers to get the information anonymously. They assign a mystery shopper to make a particular purchase in a store or restaurant, for example, and then report on the experience. Typically, the shopper is reimbursed, and can keep the product or service. Many professionals in the field consider mystery shopping a part-time activity, at best. And, they add, opportunities generally are posted online by marketing research or merchandising companies. Nevertheless, fraudulent mystery shopping promoters are using newspaper ads and emails to create the impression that they're a gateway to lucrative mystery shopper jobs with reputable companies. These solicitations usually promote a website where consumers can "register" to become mystery shoppers - after they pay a fee for information about a certification program, a directory of mystery shopping companies, or a guarantee of a mystery shopping job. The truth is that it is unnecessary to pay money to anyone to get into the mystery shopper business. The shopping certification offered in advertising or unsolicited email is almost always worthless. A list of companies that hire mystery shoppers is available for free; and legitimate mystery shopper jobs are on the Internet for free. Consumers who try to get a refund from promoters of mystery shopping jobs usually are out of luck. Either the business doesn't return the phone calls, or if it does, it's to try another pitch. Becoming a legitimate mystery shopper for a legitimate company doesn't cost anything. Here's how to do it: * Search the Internet for mystery shopping companies that are accepting applications. Legitimate companies don't charge an application fee. Many accept applications online. * Do some homework about mystery shopping. Check libraries or bookstores for tips on how to find companies hiring mystery shoppers, as well as how to do the job effectively. * Visit the Mystery Shopping Providers Association (MSPA) website at www.mysteryshop.org for information on how to register to be a mystery shopper with a MSPA-member company, a database of available jobs, and additional information on the industry in general. In the meantime, the FTC says consumers should be skeptical of mystery shopping promoters who: * Advertise for mystery shoppers in a newspaper's 'help wanted' section or by email. While it may appear as if these companies are hiring mystery shoppers, it's much more likely that they're pitching unnecessary - and possibly bogus - mystery shopping "services." * Sell "certification." Companies that use mystery shoppers generally do not require certification. * Guarantee a job as a mystery shopper. * Charge a fee for access to mystery shopping opportunities. * Sell directories of companies that provide mystery shoppers. If you think you have encountered a mystery shopping scam, file a complaint with your local consumer protection agency, the Better Business Bureau, your State Attorney General, or the FTC (ftc.gov). The FTC works for the consumer to prevent fraudulent, deceptive, and unfair business practices in the marketplace and to provide information to help consumers spot, stop, and avoid them. To file a complaint or to get free information on consumer issues, visit ftc.gov or call toll-free, 1-877-FTC-HELP (1-877-382-4357); TTY: 1-866-653-4261. The FTC enters consumer complaints into the Consumer Sentinel Network, a secure online database and investigative tool used by hundreds of civil and criminal law enforcement agencies in the U.S. and abroad. Source: Federal Trade Commission A Cautionary Word to the Wise The Internet hosts many "get rich quick" schemes and offers, be "Net Savvy"! Be wary of mystery shopping company directories and certification programs being hawked on the internet! Save yourself needless costs and grief. No legitimate company conducting mystery shopping charges any fees to apply for assignments. A simple search on the internet will produce a host of legitimate companies. Go on their site to determine if they have assignments in your immediate area before taking the time and effort to submit an application. Good Luck! Source: http://crg2000.com/ProShoppers.htm#ProShopper%20Qualifications
the weakness of mystery shopping is (if you dont have enough money to buy 12 gallons of water
Your best option is through google. As per my search, I found AQ Services to be the best in offering a quality mystery shopper services.