MSPA recognizes shoppers are the backbone of the industry. Without shoppers there would be no MSPA or shopping companies. Although some shoppers have an impression that MSPA is not for shoppers is simply not true, although up until a few years ago I may have agreed. MSPA has made great strides in its support of shoppers. Benefits of being a shopper member include free membership to the ABENITY discount program, deep discounts on video equipment if you are a video shopper, quarterly newsletter, current information in independent contractor issues, job board where MSPA shopper members have first glance of shops posted by member companies, our annual Shopperfest (our first in Orlando in 2015 far exceed expectations and this year's in Anaheim looks like we will beat that record), members only Facebook page, video training at a discounted price for members), certification opportunities and more. New benefits are being added.
Like any association MSPA is not an enforcement agency. For example, if a restaurant belongs to a restaurant association and the restaurant is known for bad customer service, unreasonable prices, etc, they won't be banned by their association. MSPA does look at shopper complaints on a case by case basis and will terminate membership if enough shoppers complain and the complaints warrant to be valid and is a violation of our code of ethics. Sometimes it takes time because we have to do our due diligence.
Back to Shopperfest. Shopperfest is put on by MSPA. You can network with company owners, the board of directors, schedulers and others in the industry as well as other shoppers. We even have a panel of MSP's where you can ask them questions about the industry. How about an actual client who talks about why and how they use mystery shops?
The MSPA Member only Facebook page is where you can post questions about the industry. It is monitored by myself, the president of MSPA and Vice President of MSPA along with other MSPA member company representatives where your suggestions, comments and questions are acknowledged from those inside the industry.
For the original poster, if you IM me with your email I can forward it to MSPA Europe so they can tell you about their region since I am not involved in Europe.
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