Tips for mystery shoppers

• To become a successful shopper requires meeting deadlines, good grammar skills, honesty, and regular communication with your assessor manager.

• It is important to submit complete, accurate and objective reports and maintain confidentiality among all parties. A good shopper will ask questions if needed, BEFORE completing their assignment but AFTER reviewing ALL the instructions.

• Essential equipment: Computer with internet access, Microsoft Word and Excel Programs, reliable transportation. Also helpful are fax machine, mobile phone, digital camera.

• Use an assignment log to keep track of your assignment start dates and due dates as well as when checks are due to be received.

• Develop an email account specifically for your mystery shopping business. Once you get recognized as an established shopper, you will start getting daily and weekly emails with potential job assignment.

• Get your Certification through MSPA (it will open up so many more jobs)-Mystery Shopping Providers Association is the largest professional trade organization dedicated to improving service quality by using anonymous resources. The Mystery Shopping Providers Association provides education to their shoppers and offers certifications to shoppers who successfully complete certain required education. www.mysteryshop.org.