Mystery Shopping

[malpal]

I once saw an advert asking for mystery shoppers. I was working at the time and wasn't interested but now I'm semi retired I'm wondering what it is. Can any ABers enlighten me please.

[janetsflower]

I used to be a mystery shopper and some of it was quite fun. You have to go to certain restaurants between certain times and order certain things and then afterwards fill in a report about it and send it off. You are given an allowance of what they will refund but if you spend more thats ok you just don't get all the money back, usually allowed to take a partner or friend, sometimes a family. I also did a couple of hotel visits which were the same thing. Shops - you usually have to go buy an item in a certain price bracket then take it back and report on whether they are awkward, whether they offer you a refund or try and make you exchange etc etc and i also used to do few tool hire shops where we would have to hire some power tool or something for a weekend, which was good cos we always managed to get jobs done, one weekend we had huge sander that we stripped our floorboards back with stuff like that - with those you are reporting back on whether they give you a proper safety demonstration etc. You don't have to use the stuff but it is a good opportunity to take advantage of the stuff for free. Its all stuff like that but you don't tend to get many jobs come up all at once because they have a whole bank of people and they like to send ifferent ones in so the shops don't suss out who you are. Occassionally you will be asked to go back to something you did before to see if its improved. the pay is very minimal because you are having the advantage of a free meal etc. The worst one for me was having to do a McDonalds and at the end tell them you are a mystery shopper and they did great so here a certificate,very embarressing but on the whole its quite pleasant and you will probably enjoy it

[malpal]

Thanks janetsflower, I'm sorry I was late saying thanks but computer was playing up. Some of it sounds fun. I wouldn't want to do it very often but I wouldn't mind now and again. I may look into it although on saying that gardening time is almost upon us and everything takes a backseat then!!

[terrorvicky]

hey malpal, mystery shopping is interesting and you can get a few quid out of it :) i use quite a few websites, not sure the exact addresses but a google search will find them... some company names include Gapbuster, ABA Research, Retail Eyes, TNS, Lodge Services / React Surveys :) good luck :)

[mysteryshop]

Amber Arch is another well known mystery shopping supplier, with assisgnments available all over the UK and Ireland. You can apply using the 'contact us' page at www.amberarch.com.