I have done a few of the aforementioned shops but must be considered stale or they're not doing them in my area this year because I haven't gotten them offered lately. I was really freaked out at first myself when I read the guidelines. After all was said and done, I got bonused on them because I did an excellent job. I like working for the MSC that does these, but they don't seem to have a lot of jobs to offer unfortunately.
But back to the shops.... Seriously, they are no big deal. Only at one of them did the sales person get all subtly pissy at me because she suspected me as a shopper. But to put things in perspective, what are these people going to do to you? Someone mentioned getting killed or maybe you get your tires slashed or your food thrown on the floor before being served...but what are the chances unless you're a huge unappeasable jerk that's gotten someone in trouble before more than once (or severely once) and they happen to recognize you? Your best defense is to never be detected.
The reason you must be "paranoid" is because you're shopping the company/employee for a client that is not the employee's direct employer. These workers you're evaluating don't have a clause in their employment contract that makes them have to comply with allowing secret evaluations. You're basically doing corporate spy work, and these employees don't have to play nice. That is why they can get nasty. I had no idea about this until I started to get more heavily into shopping. If a shop gets nasty, walk away. Do not try to salvage the shop. Trust me. Just walk away and save your sanity. I had one experience I never want to recall because it was horrific and I was too dumb and/or naive to give up. I personally appreciated that the mattress shop MSC went through the trouble to let me know that I had to be on my best game to avoid detection. I've gone in blind and that's when I had the one horrific experience. I'd rather be prepared.
I also have to agree with another poster, NO FEAR is a must in doing any mystery shopping job properly. I have had so many experiences that it's easy for me to say, but you really need to get your head right. The more natural and relaxed you are, the less likely they will suspect you. When you act a good bit of non-chalant, you're in it to win it. (As long as you're not too unenthused, of course.)
Edited 2 time(s). Last edit at 04/16/2016 05:27AM by Evalu8this.