Company Overview: Located in one of the four towns named Holly Springs in NC, Service Performance Group is a mystery shopping company that shoppers seem to love—when they can remember them. Founded in 1992 by two former United States Marine Core officers, SPG provides shopper services in these areas: Apartments, Financial, Retail, Restaurants, Leisure, Travel, Hospitality, Grocery, Manufacturing, Advertising, New Home Sales, Healthcare and Telecommunications.
Their website is http://www.spgweb.com/index.html and registration is via the Sassie system.
Personal Experience: I completed one shop for them. It went completely as advertised and I was paid within the promised time frame. I keep forgetting about this company (see next section) and I need to put a note in my office to check their Job Board a couple of times each month.
What Others Have to Say: Shoppers on www.mysteryshopforum.com are almost completely universal in their praise of SPG. “I always forget about them as they do not have a lot of assignments in my area either, but I really like them as well. They are personable, treat shoppers with respect, have clear instructions, pay on time, and the assignments are fairly compensated.” Another shopper agrees, “I really love SPG as they’re one of a handful of MSCs that treats shoppers with respect. I also appreciate that SPG pays a fair and generous fee for services. I wish they had more in my area as well but I think once the economy improves the # of shops will increase as well.”
There was one negative post about SPG in the forum regarding a reimbursement only shop. As it was by a person who posted and never came back, I feel that it can be safely discounted.
Overall: I would respectfully disagree with the statement on the company’s website that they were founded by two “former” Marines. There is no such thing as a former Marine—Semper Fi! In all seriousness though, I do need to remember to actively check their job board as they don’t send out “e-mail blasts” like some MSC’s. My experience, as well as other shoppers I’ve spoken with, leads me to say that this company does have respect for the shopper, as well as the client. I believe that SPG “gets it” in that the shopper is as important a part of the process as the client.
On a scale of 1 to 10, Service Performance Group rates an easy 10.