mystery shopper

[taurus]

hi, does anyone know how you become a mystery shopper?, there must be companies that employ them as the 2 jobs ive had both had mystery shoppers coming round, then they would do a report on the call and send it to us, so there must be an industry?? i knew someone that worked for a brewery, they were employed by them so regular wage, but they travelled around to different pubs, they couldnt drink the drinks as they had to drive around but they could take a friend with them, then do the report on the staff that served them etc, what a good job!!, does anyone know who has vacancies like that?

[Buenchico]

The vast majority of mystery shoppers are employed on a casual basis. Simply put 'mystery shopper' into Google and you'll find dozens of firms offering to put you on their lists. Here's just one of them:
http://www.mystery-shoppers.co.uk/becoming_a_m ystery_shopper.htm

Most firms don't employ their own, full-time, mystery shoppers because it doesn't take long before someone recognises them and their presence is no longer a mystery!

Only very big organisations normally have in-house teams. One of these is the Association of Train Operating Companies. They have staff who travel around the country, taking notes on the standards of service provided. Unlike most mystery shoppers (who usually try to stay inconspicuous), the ATOC people often deliberately act out the r�le of the awkward customer to see what response they get. Some individual train operating companies also employ their own staff for discreetly monitoring staff performance. So, it might be worth writing to ATOC or your local train company.

Chris

PS: If you do get a job as a mystery shopper, it helps if you don't tell too many people about it. When I was running a railway station, I was once approached by a woman who asked me if she park her car for free for a while. She explained that she was a mystery shopper, checking up on the W H Smith bookstall. I was happy to write out a parkin permit for her. Then, while she went to park her car, I had a quick word with the manager of the bookstall! By the time she got back, the floor was swept, the staff had all put their badges on and the all of magazines were lined up with military precision ;-)

[Dee Sa]

I got a casual job as a mystery shopper once, a friend introduced me [ but they no longer in business] and I got thrown out of Sainsburys in Ilford ! and my employers were really upset with me so I decided it was more trouble that it was worth and quit.

[Eve]

I used to help a friend out who worked for a brewery company.

Got to go in and test the staff on the promotions and such they were meant to be offering as my friend would have been recognised.

Had door to door transport, free drinks all night, had a great time :)

A friend of mine did it as well and used to get some great free meals and drinks in very nice bars and such.

[Eve]

Found another one here for you...

http://www.retail-maxim.co.uk/mystery_shopper_ questions.htm

[welshfox]

It depends if you want a full time job doing it or a part time job doing it. I used to do it a few years ago but now theres all new procedures to abide by and training to be done.

Firstly I'd decide if you want to do mystery shopping at shops or if you want to do things over the telephone.

To be honest, eventhough the money was good when I did it - approx �15 for a visit to a shop, they werent very often so theres no way I couldve made a living out of it. There are some internet based companies who deal with both so search for consumer research and see what happens
good luck

[meltoadhall]

i have done one or two for retail eyes, but its more for a bit of spare cash than a job - they dont come up often enough.

[sdmj]

I did the retail maxim shopper test, at the end they are asking for my full bank details, obviously I havent giveen them that info. They hadnt even said that they have work for me.

No mystery shopping for me then.

SDMJ