Here is my actual experience as a first time Mystery Shopper. I am really not sure I want to do this again. I'm separating this into Pros and Cons so people get an idea of what is involved in a
SHORT piece, quick and tight (hopefully):
But before I list those pros and cons, let me just give you an idea of what is involved. I had a detailed packet of info to study beforehand and I had to go through a bunch of steps to make sure I was officially enrolled. If I missed one step, the lunch was on me, as I was supposed to eat lunch at a restaurant. I even had to call the place before I went there and write down info about that! After some of the Pros and Cons, I'll tell you about the job itself. Here goes:
Pro:
A lunch that woud have cost 39.00 cost 14.00, after the $25.00 rebate.
Con:
Who says I would have eaten lunch out or that I wanted to spend $14.00?
Pro:
I had a new experience and learned how detailed those evaluations are!
Con:
It is a lot of work and made the lunch less relaxing. A LOT of work!
Pro:
I felt like I was helping to make the place better, possibly.
Con:
The restroom was disgusting!
I am not sure if I ever want to do this again. It was a bit fun feeling like a secret agent. On the other hand, I had to judge people for things that didn't matter to me, along with some things that did. What difference does it make if I am greeted within 5 seconds? 10 or 15 seconds or even 30 seconds would be fine by me. This isn't a fast-paced city and I don't expect that kind of speed. Besides, the hostess waved to us and let us know she'd be right over. She was talking to a customer and maybe helping them. She clearly noticed us and wasn't rude, had a nice smile and a friendly wave.
You would not believe all the requirements! I had to talk to the manager, get the server's name, find out what they suggested,how well they answered our questions, evaluate the decor, the noise level, make a restroom visit and evaluate that. I had to time how long it took to get our drinks and entrees, down to the second! I barely had time to eat my food, let alone talk to my friend. I had to notice if they suggested specific specials or try to get us to order more expensive drinks or even suggest dessert. The server failed to do many of these things and didn't refill our drinks, even after we asked twice, politely. She was too busy bussing the tables, cleaning them, even though it was NOT busy in there.
The restroom was so horrible that I nearly walked out. One sink didn't work at all and the lock on the bathroom stall didn't work. I had to take a paper towel to open the door after I washed my hands because that door really looked filthy! Maybe I was overly picky but I am used to mess, having 3 sons who were all babies at one point, spit up, had dirty diapers, got sick,etc. I'm not prissy. But it was truly yucky! I could practically see the germs! The door looked dirty and was full of fingerprints and spots. No way was I touching that!
Finally, I wasn't happy to have to pay for something that I expected to get for free. I probably would not have eaten there or I would have done something else, like meet my friend for coffee.Still, $7.00 per person for a giant lunch is very reasonable. Even so, I really thought we'd get out of there for $25.00 or less, especially at lunchtime, so the bill was a shocker!
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Comments: 43
It is a good practice to check the menu prices before accepting the shop, unless it is a place you love and would go to anyhow. The timings on deliveries etc. get much easier after a while as well. I am surprised that you accepted a shop with reimbursement only and no shop fee though - even for a casual lunch (and this was clearly an easy, casual shop) the fee should be around $10.
I also would use a digital voice recorder to remember everything said and sometimes when I went to check the restroom I would call my cell phone and leave myself a voice mail with details to check later or record it on my voice recorder. Also, just a comment on things like greetings, etc. They usually consider an acknowledgment of any kind as a greeting just because you have to factor in them having to assist other customers, too like you noted.
If you want cheap meals, fast food shops are usually good for those. They usually reimburse your food and pay $5 for the report. The reports are WAY different than those detailed ones. You only have to answer a few questions and narrate a little bit. I just got bored doing them.
My favorite company sends me for fantastic meals that can cost over $100 and the reporting is really simple after the super detailed ones I was used to. But, of course, those shops are hard to get and they are the only ones I want to do anymore!!!
Here is what I decided. I did it because I had the free time, wanted to see my friend and thought she'd find it fun, an adventure. We aren't desperate for money and I'm on a diet so I'm not eager to eat out. I'm used to preparing meals in controlled portions. It was too much work for NO profit! I won't be eager to do it again. Plus, I have to have the report in EARLY tomorrow.
Jennifer, Jane's shop was a simple one of they only wanted a couple of timings. Having done some shops for Orillio, you know what a complicated shop looks like ;-) ABout 10 hours of writing or so... But then, they also reimburse about 10 times more ;-)
Jane, feel free to send me a message if you need any additional info on MS. I'll be glad to help.
I've signed up to do it before, but was never given a job in the area I lived. However, I was shown an "example" of the typical questionair to fill out, and there is no way I could have done it quickly. Add to that the time required to be somewhere (with some of the store ones, they ask for a time specific trip- be at X store between the hours of 3 and 5 for at least 45 minutes, ask for the help of X amount of associates, etc). I factor in travel time, cost of gas to get there, and how much time it would take to fill in the paperwork and make the trip.
If it comes out at longer that 2 hours, you make less than minimum wage. Some things are quicker and easier, but from the people I talked to, it seemed the "easier" jobs went to the more experianced shoppers- the people who are with the company for longer.
That aside, I know Wal-mart hires (or used to) their own Mystery shoppers, because my Grandma was one for several years with them. She would go into work, punch in, then drive around to local stores and "shop", while recording non-sale prices, such as price drops, in store specials, that sort of thing.
That's how Wal-mart knows when to drop a price.
You are welcome. Someone else might want to do this, not me. In all fairness, if someone eats out a lot, paying seven dollars for a huge lunch that would normally cost way more might seem like a deal. But I don't consider it saving money to spend money I would not have spent.
I hope if you decide to do it again you find it more enjoyable next time.
I signed up again recently and didn't like all the effort required: tutorials, specific things to do like you mentioned, etc.
You could have the same experience using a two for one coupon that is commonly offered and filled out the "How did we do" courtesy cards that are typically available at a place you wanted to go to.
Blessings
Heather R.
DO NOT sign up with companies that charge you to sign up. Good companies need competent shoppers and they should pay you. Since writing this article, I have found others that pay upfront, although I'm not sure it is worth it. For example, one company would pay me twenty five dollars to take a test drive in a car and then report on the salesperson, dealership, etc. That might sound like easy money but not when you factor in driving time to get there, time to do the report and the rest. You aren't allowed to bring children along, so a mother with small children would have to find a sitter.
Focus groups are the way to go. You get paid and they want your opinion and the last one we did involved having a couple of guys watch us buy gas and then they paid us $200. Worked out to about $100 an hour. If only we got those chances EVERY day. Well, maybe not.
Me either. I have tried and tried to enjoy stress but I have never succeeded :)
I have heard that some companies do practice shops. Maybe you could ask them?? If it costs you money that is no deal! The experience alone isn't worth it, like you found out.
Maybe you know what to look for the next time:)
It was worthwhile just to learn about it because I am naturally curious. I learned:
how some restaurants are evaluated
how much detail goes into the evaluation and what they want to do
the time and energy it takes to complete the survey
they pay rate
I will never walk into a restaurant again and not think of what the employees are supposed to be doing or how the decor and restrooms are evaluated or even how long it is supposed to take to get our food. Even the appearance of the servers are judged - and closely.
Hmmm . . . I'm so undecided now, lol