For mystery shopping you will need to view and download materials from the mystery shopping companies’ websites. If you don’t have Adobe Acrobat Reader, you can easily download it the first time you need it and most of the company websites provide a link to it.

Many shoppers do not have the Microsoft Office Suite with Word, Excel and Power Point. All of these programs will be useful to you, but you can get a free download of Open Office at openoffice.org that can open, create and save the same type of documents that Microsoft Office does and the software is totally free. The Open Office equivalent of Word allows you to save in pdf format or doc formats. This is an excellent alternative to laying out the big bucks for a Microsoft product or using the very truncated versions of Works that frequently come with computers. Open Office and Microsoft Office can be installed on the same computer without conflicts in case you want the Power Point or other parts of Open Office.

Most mystery shopping companies indicate that their website can be accessed using Internet Explorer or Firefox as browsers. I noted the other day the first one that indicated they were best accessed with Firefox. Your computer can easily accommodate different internet browsers without conflict. I personally run Internet Explorer for some things and Firefox for most things. A free download of Firefox is available from Firefox.com. It does a good job of installing itself on your system. My personal preference is to use Firefox as it changes its overall functionality less between versions than Internet Explorer.

Remember that any time you are installing new software it is advisable to close all open applications except the download window unless instructed otherwise. This makes for a smoother installation that is more likely to be error free.

Roboform is available for free download from oldversion.com. This is a little software utility that makes filling in all those applications when you register with all those new shopping companies a piece of cake. It will also remember passwords for you, but don’t get lazy, keep a list of your companies, user name and password elsewhere as well.

As a shopper you will be extensively using the web, so if you do not have anti-virus software on your machine already, you need some. A free version is called AVG Anti-Virus and is available at [free.grisoft.com].
While you are at it, you may want to download Spybot from www.safer-networking.org and Ad-aware from [lavasoft.com]. As you browse the internet, some websites put will put spyware and other uglies on your computer. These pieces of software will clear off that junk.

You will need some software to work with digital photos and scanned images. This will generally come with your digital camera or with your scanner. A computer running a Windows operating system will have come with Paint. This can be used to resize pictures, though it is somewhat clumsy. Sneakers suggests using Irfanview which is free and available at www.irfanview.com. I have never used this software, but she has had great success with it.

With any and all of these pieces of software it will work to your advantage to take some time and experiment with them so that you are comfortable with their use when it comes time to use them.

A final note, a number of shoppers have used the Google equivalents of Word and Excel only to realize that their data seems to be saved out on the web rather than on their hard drive. You need to think long and hard about what of your information you want saved on the web. I have heard reasonable arguments that it makes the information available from any computer linked to the web, but my personal reaction is that my data is safer and more secure when it is stored on my computer, especially since I do frequent backups--but that is another conversation.

Thank you so very much Flash for this information I have it written down, and I am going to do just what you said and this does assist us an awful lot. You are really so very kind to share that with the rest of our shoppers we all appreciate you very much. As quiet as it is kept, I always look for you on the Forum with your wonderful advice for not just some of us but for all of us shoppers. A million thanks to you.

I agree with everything Flash posted in regards to antivirus, spyware, and keeping your data! I have created some tips on my blog as well as to how to setup some type of organization system for storing things on your computer such as receipts, reports, etc. and how to name your files so that you can easily find things if you ever need to go back.
I also think it should be stressed that you do want to have a central location for all your companies--whether it's a word document, etc., back that sucker up! Burn it to CD, or to a flash/jump drive so that if your computer fails, you still have your records.

Just wanted to add--I have found Google toolbar's Auto fill feature to be extremely useful. Google's Picasa photo editing software is also fantastic.

Also, Microsoft now lets you download trial versions of their software for 60 days. You can also take free online training classes on their website if you so desire.

MSPA Silver Certified!
Chicagoland

www.mysteryshopaholic.blogspot.com

After a recent little disaster with my wireless internet I remembered a service that it is useful to download to your computer for future reference. Juno is a dial up internet service provider. They will give you up to 10 hours of free internet use per month via dialup. Here is the link: [account.juno.com]

I would NOT recommend trying to use this connection to upload data and probably not even try to do reports with it because it is slow. But it will allow you to get to the web so you can check web based email. Download the software NOW and save it to your computer and install it when you have a disaster and you need it. In the sign up process you will be prompted to create an email account. Do so, but don't use it because I don't think it is accessible except by using a connection through them. They will stop functioning when you have reached your 10 free hours per month, but most internet problems get fixed within a few days.

If you lose your internet connection, be aware that most public libraries have computers with internet connections. Usually you just need to have a library card. Many also offer wireless connections if you have a laptop machine.

In my area Starbucks has a pay-for-use wi-fi connection, Panera Bread has a free one, as does IHOP. McDonalds has a pay-for-use that in my area can be paid by credit card on line at a rate of $2.95 for up to 2 hours. As you shop, keep your eyes open for places where you can hook to the internet with a laptop if you own one.

After registering at a mystery shopping site recently I was forwarded to a site for "mystery shopping software". It was $24.95 and claimed to do a number of things to keep mystery shoppers organized. Is anyone familiar with this? And is it worth the $$? Thanks for your help!

I can't imagine what they are selling you but obviously it would sound wonderful enough that a number of folks would plunk down $25. I should open such a business and sell my spreadsheet :)

I use an Excel spreadsheet that was started by a friend and I have customized to my own needs.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 07/18/2008 01:06PM by Flash.

I use more old -fashioned products, and I'm still super-organized. A small notebook to keep a list of shops, date, pay, etc. One page for each MSP. I check this when payments come. A part of my filing cabinet for guidelines, folders for each month of shop notes. Pens, a highlighter, real dinosaur stuff, which I already had. Of course I have folders in my computer too, for info regarding each MSP, or guidelines. Total outlay: about $1.25.

Indeed the critical information to track is:

what shops you have and when they are due--some folks just put this on a wall or desk calendar

what the agreed on price and reimbursement are--however you keep this, it is good to mark when it is paid in the same place

some sort of method for preserving the instructions for that specific shop--useful if they reject a shop for something that you were not required to do (this happens when shop instructions were or were not updated at the time you accepted the shop and the editor thinks you were instructed to do something you were not)--I keep these as saved pdf files though many folks print out everything and save it.

some sort of method for preserving receipts and collateral and notes from the shop for a year or more--monthly files for hard copy stuff work for me because if I know the month of the shop the information is relatively easy to retrieve the hard copies as I only do around 40 shops per month

some sort of listing of what companies you are signed up with, what their website is, your login and your password

some method for keeping track of your mileage and other "business expenses" for your taxes.

We all differ in how we keep track. I do it all on Excel spreadsheets except for a milk crate size box of hanging files to keep my latest 6 months of notes/receipts/collateral at hand and computer folders to save shop information, copies of questionnaires (raw and finished), and photos and scanned receipts uploaded. I use my Excel shop sheet as a calendar of jobs to be done as well as personal appointments so that I don't get overlap and can get routes and days organized.

Flash Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> I can't imagine what they are selling you but
> obviously it would sound wonderful enough that a
> number of folks would plunk down $25. I should
> open such a business and sell my spreadsheet :)
>
> I use an Excel spreadsheet that was started by a
> friend and I have customized to my own needs. If
> you want to PM me with your email I would be happy
> to email you a copy of my basic blank. But I
> would encourage you to have some knowledge of
> Excel as the formulae are not "frozen" so the
> sheet can potentially get screwed up.

IF POSSIBLE PLEASE SEND ME YOUR EXCEL SPREAD SHEET FOR MYSTERY SHOPPING - THANK YOU - vjbarranco@earthlink.net

Flash I am very interested in having a copy of your excel spreadsheet,it may help organize me more.
I really am greatful for all the information you on this subject. I learned alot,Thanks again....



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 07/19/2008 03:43PM by goldierebel.

msj Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Thank you so very much Flash for this information
> I have it written down, and I am going to do just
> what you said and this does assist us an awful
> lot. You are really so very kind to share that
> with the rest of our shoppers we all appreciate
> you very much. As quiet as it is kept, I always
> look for you on the Forum with your wonderful
> advice for not just some of us but for all of us
> shoppers. A million thanks to you.

Flash I gave you my information,I have that software that sneakers suggested and maybe now i can download your spread sheet.can you please send it over to me, I need to really get a better system of all my jobs, and pay, and mileage. My calendar is not going to help me....and I need a filing system for all my write offs, and things I spend money on that for business...ink,paper,camera, etc. I wish I knew all the write offs, a good folder for receipts and a good accountant will help.
Sorry to bother you but I want to see if I can download it now. Thanks kathy goldierebel

I just found out about this download for saving to pdf...[www.cutepdf.com]
You select it as you would a printer, and then save as a pdf into a file. Very happy with it so far. Wish I had know about it in January. I have stacks of stuff waiting to be scanned and saved, but I think I'll be lazy and stick it all in a box ala Bugspost. (Not the lazy part, sweetie, the box part):)

Joan
[www.premiershoppers.com]
[www.sendearnings.com]
[www.inboxdollars.com]

Any other interesting sites that may help people ......

I wouldn't consider it "software" but my blackberry allows me to connect my laptop to the internet from anywhere. Not only do I get shops via the blackberry, I can do my reports from anywhere. Tmobile has service starting at $29 a month for unlimited data/internet/email.

I had the Blackberry before I started Msing so I took advantage of it :)

I am assuming that your blackberry is not your sole telephone line. If it is a secondary line you will want to check the IRS rules about deductibility of all or part of the expense as a business expense. (You do need to file a Schedule C with your tax return for your mystery shopping business, so all expenses such as mileage deduction, supplies/equipment etc. make sense to keep track of to offset your fees and reduce your net income.)

Hey Flash,

I too would like a copy of your spreadsheet.

Thanks

Ditto for me, Flash.
Thanks much.

Dear Flash. Just starting up again to Mystery Shop after 10 years off. This is a great forum to see the great strides it has made. I look at my old book I paid for and laugh! I also would like that excell download. It sure beats creating a new one. Thank You. eurekapays@gmail.com

I wish Flash and several other super helpers could hear me singing thier praises. I couldn't have gotton back into this biz w/o all the great advise they so willingly share. Bugs great big hugs to you. As in said I am re-entering this biz an the more companies I get signed up with the more confused I get.Yrs ago 2 or 3 companies were able to keep me busy enough I didn't need so many files.
I have files for:
Paypal infor
W-9's, copies of drivers id-ie things most companies ask for
Companies I signed up for and have been accepted with
Jobs-up & coming
Jobs Completed
Jobs I have been pd for
On a legal size pad I have names of companies,web sites, my passwds for thier companies that I have applied for work.
But I still feel disorganized.....any suggestions..yes I am anal about being organized and sometimes its a real curse.
dee
cedar city ut.

I keep it all on the thumb drive that I can move easily between my laptop and the desktop machine. (The desktop is hooked up to the printer but most of my data input and such I do on the laptop.)

The thumb drive is used for some several projects I am involved in, so there is a folder on it for "Mystery Shopping". At the 'root' of that folder are my shop sheet spreadsheets for each year I have shopped. There is also a 'list of companies' I am signed up with.

There are folders for each company I am currently working with that contain the downloaded instructions and questionnaires for upcoming shops as well as after the shop the receipts and materials I need to upload and usually a copy of the questionnaire before I submit it. I am also likely to save the narratives written in WORD, all raw photographs if it was a photo job and a copy of the DVR file (as well as any transcriptions or notes thereof).

At the end of each month I backup the contents of my thumb drive to my desktop computer and then go through and delete the folders or files on the thumb as necessary to have it have only current information for the new month. My desktop therefore has a section called "Thumb backup" which includes a file for each month's backups. During the course of any month I will have backed up my thumb drive to the laptop several times and once the information has gone to the desktop, I usually delete old backups on the laptop to conserve space.

On the thumb, in the Mystery Shopping folder is a 'Misc Stuff' folder which includes things like my current resume (which a few companies ask for), a copy of my driver's license, a W-9, the current narratives I am using for writing samples on company registrations. There is also a list of companies I have heard of but have not yet researched to decide whether to sign up or not.

I am signed up with several hundred companies. They get listed on a spreadsheet when I sign up along with a date of sign up. The spreadsheet gets updated when I am approved with login and password. Later I may revisit the entry to make notes about pay cycle, schedulers, etc.

When I am looking for jobs, I use bookmarks in Firefox. My "Useful MSPs" bookmark has the companies with whom I am finding jobs these days. It gets checked daily. My "New MSPs" is companies with whom I have signed up in the past few months that I watch weekly to see if they have something in my area and to determine who they shop and whether the shops look interesting. Then there is my alphabetical list of all companies, divided up into bookmarks of 30-50 companies each. These I check every month or two and are generally not productive to my area.

As for hard copies of paperwork, there are some instructions (or parts of instructions) I print and there are the receipts and collateral I collect. These get stapled together and shoved into the front of a file folder for the month with a new folder each month. The materials thus are in date order from the back of the folder to the front of it. As checks come in with stubs, the stub is thrown in the folder of the month received and so is in date order with the rest of the stuff. Every 3 months I shove the oldest 3 months' folders in my hanging file bin into a FedEx or UPS envelope and put it away, leaving me with about 6 months of monthly information in my file bin and the other stuff accessible if I need it. My old ICA agreements are likely filed in FedEx envelopes from way back, but I have never found I needed them.

Re: Internet Explorer / Firefox. Today's news reports a serious security breach with IE passwords. Presently, the security issue deals with gaming passwords, but the feeling is it's only a matter of time until all passwords could be compromised, unless Microsoft rolls out a patch immediately. What I'm hearing and reading suggests switching to Firefox, Opera, Chrome or Safari until the coast is clear.

What's the advice from those tech-ier than me? Some MSPs only work with IE.

IE has and has historically had a whole lot of security holes and glitches. In general, Microsoft products get introduced before they are well beta tested and there are often things that don't work, cause conflicts or provide opportuities for hackers to break. It is a major reason why I use Firefox. Hackers in general "have it in for" Microsoft so take special glee in hacking Microsoft products. They also have disdain for the mere mortals who use Microsoft products so there is the double whammy glee effect.

Any product that is NOT Microsoft is generally safer because it is less likely to be subject to hackers. That does not mean that the product is better or worse, just less likely to be attacked.

My personal preference is Firefox and it works with all the MSP websites I use except Pinkerton and sometimes Second-to-None.

Or a mac. Macs have less breaches, to date. I teach on PC's, but I have only onwed macs, starting in 1992 and going on....

Macs were always much more interesting for graphics. I have used PCs since they came out because there was a wider choice of productivity software and competition on hardware kept the prices down. One son is a Mac fan and these days his employer buys them for him :)

And yes, thus far the Mac has been much less subject to hacking. But my sense is that the hacking is more frequently aimed at embarassing Microsoft than anything else.

Re: Security breaches in IE/ some MSP sites work only in IE

Some companies say their sites work only with Internet Explorer (IE) or work best with IE.

What I do is to use Firefox for everything, unless and until it doesn't work. Only then do I load IE, update it and go. I do this for security reasons. So far, only second-to-none has not let firefox work.

In general, we should demand the sites we visit work with a variety of browsers including Opera and Chrome. Contact those MSP's to let them know you prefer to use their site with your choice or browser.

This is one of the things we can do to be safer on the internet.

I use FF on a mac for Second to None, and though I get a warning, it works just fine. ie for a mac is years out of date.

I am a new mystery shopper and right before I started filling out application I was suggested to download a product called Roboform. It prefills much of the applications and it stores all of my passwords. It is just the handiest tool I have ever used on the web. If you do a Google serch I am sure you can locate it. I hope this helps other newbies. Happy New Years to all!

I understand that the free version of Roboform has a limit on the number of passwords and such it will store for you. You can get the same effect with FireFox as a browser.