Never would have I expected to have to out-run a love-starved goat while doing a mystery shop. It wasn’t exactly in the shop instructions but then, I tend to have some adventures uncommon to most shoppers. It all started that bright summer day when I visited the zoo in a nearby city to do an…
Welcome to the fifth issue of Mystery Shopper Magazine. Our mission is to support mystery shoppers. That’s why we publish reviews of companies, and show you how to get started with specific assignments. That’s also why we publish the Adventures of a Mystery Shopper, by Cettie. She might possibly have the most ‘writing personality’ of…
IF you’re looking for a new mystery shopping company to add to your roster, Insula Research is worth looking into. They offer low to average pay, but have a good reputation in the industry. Some of their assignments include fast food audits and electronics retailer assignments. Columbus, Ohio based Insula Research was founded in 2005…
If you’re looking for a company with a wide variety of assignments, and above average pay, look no further than JM Ridgway. Founded in 1924, JM Ridgway is “in business to improve your business” according to the header on their website. The company headquarters are located in Los Gatos, California and based on their job…
Overview: While the faint-hearted or shoppers with weak stomachs need not apply, nursing home, or assisted living assignments can be very profitable and rewarding. Most of the assignments require an actual tour of the facility so if you have never visited a nursing home, be prepared for some unusual (and sometimes unpleasant) sights, sounds and…
Overview: With forum posts ranging from “love them” to “hate them” apartment shops are definitely not for every shopper. However, as they usually requiring extensive narrative with every question, these shops do generally tend to pay more than other types of shops. For the experienced shopper, multiple locations are almost always available, and if you…
Welcome to the fourth issue of mystery shopper magazine. In this issue we feature 2 mystery shopping companies, and show you how to get started with 2 assignments. This week, we feature Travel Center assignments. If you weren’t scared away by Cettie’s Adventure last week, then this is your chance to learn how to get…
Company Overview: Mystery shoppers are always on the hunt for a new-to-them company. Sometimes this isn’t as straightforward as it seems. It can be challenging to pin down who is who, especially with the plethora of MSC name changes, as well as the many active relationships between companies in the mystery shopping world. Interactions is…
Overview:This is a standard piece of equipment for almost all mystery shoppers. Yet they vary in features and capabilities. If you ever wanted to know what’s available out there in the way of cellular phones and plans, here’s your chance to find out all about them and get paid for it. Project Variations:Most scenarios require…
Company Overview: If you are willing to deal with consistent but slow pay from a nationwide company with a wide variety of interesting and worthwhile assignments, then check out Service Sleuth. Service Sleuth is a division of HS Brands International, which is also the parent company for The Mershimer Group. HS Brands has offices in…
Overview: Hey, citizen! Wanna boogity to the upcoming convoy real estate for some 40-weight and a hubcap? 10-4, good neighbor! Translated from trucker lingo, this means: “Although you’re not a trucker, would you like to meet up at the nearest truck stop for a cup of coffee and an egg sunny side up? It’d be…
Welcome to the third issue of mystery shopper magazine! In this issue, we feature our first column by Cettie. It’s a harrowing account of her first mystery shopping assignment, over twenty years ago. We’ve also reviewed 2 mystery shopping companies, and show you how to get started with 2 assignments. The review of Secret Shopping…
Nervously I looked around the truck stop, trying not to be conspicuous or over play my part. It’s not every day that I had to pretend to be a trucker and was eager to get it just right. This was my first mystery shopping assignment, over 20 years ago. I sat at a counter and…
Company Overview: Although it bills itself as the largest customer research company in the U.S., Maritz Research forgoes the latest in technology to conduct its mystery shopping endeavors. Instead, it relies more heavily on having human contact with its shopper base, probably more so than most mystery shopping companies. Virtual Customers is the name of…
Overview: This is one of the assignments that initially draws potential mystery shoppers into the industry. At first glance, they seem very enjoyable and appealing, and they can be. But sometimes these projects are not as glamorous as one might think. Restaurant assignments can vary from upscale casual to formal fine dining. For those that…
Overview: One of the businesses that people least like visiting nowadays happens to be a favorite destination for mystery shoppers. They’re not fun or fancy places by any means. But the payoff can most definitely be worthwhile. A mystery shopper can make some decent cash while fueling up their vehicle when conducting gas station assignments….
Looking for gas station assignments? Read about them here. Company Overview: Many mystery shoppers are continually on the hunt for “the best” mystery shopping companies, but sometimes it is just as important to know which ones to avoid. There are MSCs out there that have unethical business practices which cause shoppers great misery. Secret Shopping…
Welcome to the second issue of mystery shopper magazine. We have two new reviews of mystery shopping companies, as well as two assignments for you to learn more about. My hope is that the magazine will help mystery shoppers succeed. Our goal is to give voice to mystery shoppers everywhere, and to make your mystery…
Overview: Do you like attending sporting events? Going to concerts or theater productions? Checking out tradeshows? You can do all this and get some well-earned entertainment while mystery shopping! Venue assignments can be a lot of fun, and it’s a great way to get free tickets to an event. But they do require some work….
Overview: Surprisingly, one of the assignment types that most would think would be the easiest also happens to be one of the most problematic to complete successfully. A majority of shoppers have at one time or another had a report rejected and/or payment declined due to noncompliance issues with one of these. If you’re an…
Company Overview: Sometimes mystery shoppers need a little recreation and entertainment after completing a steady stream of the tried-and-true usual assignments. For a change of pace in that boring routine, check out the assignments with Service Scouts. This mystery shopping company offers all kinds of opportunities in venues for sports, musicals, shows, concerts, tradeshows, conventions,…
Company Overview: With so many mystery shopping companies using similar names, it can be easy to get them confused. Unfortunately, Secret Shopper is one of those MSCs that has been frequently mistaken for less reputable entities in the business. Because of this, many shoppers have avoided getting involved with Secret Shopper, and are missing out…