What can I call myself instead of a Mystery shopper?
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I use some combination of the words Independent, Marketing, Research, or Consultant (my actual title varies by day and who I'm talking to), Then I quickly change the subject.
Happiness is not a goal; it is a by-product. Eleanor Roosevelt
I just indicate I am a consultant. If they make the mistake of asking more they get bored to death about analyzing and evaluating retail, services and financial institutions for compliance locally, nationally and internationally. I can assure you it is not that short and simple but never do I mention 'shops' or 'mystery shopping' or how brief the evaluations are, etc. And of course I can not name names of clients and why would I want to mention any 'agencies' I work with? The purpose is to bore them into going to look for more hors d'oeuvres or change the topic.
Confidential Retail Statistician. You collect very selective data for various retail entities. It's all highly confidential and you had to sign confidentiality agreements with each entity, so you really can't disclose any relevant information. Baffle them with B.S., then change the topic. Or throw a drink on them.
I only do this PT on the side, but I don't tell anyone. My mom, sister and boyfriend (current and ex) are only ones that really know. Not sure why I don't tell people, probably not wanting to encounter what you have. I have a big mouth on day to day basis but this has been my best kept secret for years.
Only time I've wished I could tell more people, is when I want to do a restaurant shop that needs a second person and my boyfriend can't come with me. End up having to pass on some, as I don't like taking people on shops who don't know what it is I'm doing, especially if there are restrictions or something they may find weird.
Only time I've wished I could tell more people, is when I want to do a restaurant shop that needs a second person and my boyfriend can't come with me. End up having to pass on some, as I don't like taking people on shops who don't know what it is I'm doing, especially if there are restrictions or something they may find weird.
Try compliance inspector, business inspector, independent contractor or auditor (retail, business or independent).
Auditor, marketing consultant, retail compliance expert, independent marketing contractor.
My favorite is mystery shopper.
My favorite is mystery shopper.
"I told myself to quit you; but I don't listen to drunks." -Chris Stapleton
Customer service inspector, compliance auditor, photographer, business owner who specializes in auditing for customer service. Never had a problem except that people think that I make a lot more money than I actually do.
Yes, that seems to be the belief, isn't it?! Or that everyone and anyone can do it. I've gotten maybe three people on board in almost ten years of shopping!@teriraia wrote:
Customer service inspector, compliance auditor, photographer, business owner who specializes in auditing for customer service. Never had a problem except that people think that I make a lot more money than I actually do.
Doing what I can to enhance the life of my family! I LOVE what I do 
My own fiance is skeptic of mystery shops. He says that he keeps seeing me get money, but isn't sure how it works... even when I explain it 
MegglesKat
Yes, friends and family quickly drop out when they realize it is actually work!
I call myself "a glutton for punishment" after working all day and staying up past midnight writing reports.
I don't tell them anything. Keep the mystery in mystery shopping.
I'm unemployed and I get paid almost as much as a homeless person.
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Seriously, nobody cares that you're offended.
Seriously, nobody cares that you're offended.
{hands Hoju one of my "free" pizzas...post photos, of course!}
Customer Service Specialist. I consult various business's on there customer service practice by pointing out the good and what needs improvement.
I tell people I work for a company's IAB (aka rat squad) and work with guys named Martens and Fraker.
edit: for grammar
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 09/15/2016 03:30AM by coloneltigh.
edit: for grammar
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 09/15/2016 03:30AM by coloneltigh.
@coloneltigh wrote:
I tell people I work for a company's IAB (aka rat squad) and work with guys named Martens and Fraker.
edit: for grammar
NYPD Blue, that was a really fantastic show. My wife is a Sgt with LAPD so I'd never say that : )
My title when doing the airport shops for years was Auditor so I use that or Consultant. That's it. I don't need to explain, nor do I want to tell a story.
My kid once told the owner of a coffee shop in town that I "write about restaurants."
She asked me about it one day- more accosted than asked. I denied it and went home and told him to stop telling people what I do.
He went back and told her he can't tell her what I do.
Now she thinks I'm the Phantom Gourmet.
#newenglandreferences
She asked me about it one day- more accosted than asked. I denied it and went home and told him to stop telling people what I do.
He went back and told her he can't tell her what I do.
Now she thinks I'm the Phantom Gourmet.
#newenglandreferences
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Seriously, nobody cares that you're offended.
Seriously, nobody cares that you're offended.
If I have to say something, it's usually something like "I do some freelance writing." I have a background in English Lit, I've copyedited and formatted books for publication, and I've had a couple of minor little things published myself. I was also an English tutor for a very brief stint until it became too futile and depressing to maintain.
If someone asks questions about my "other job," I rattle off a couple of those phrases and try to make it sound boring. Of course I never mention that some of the "freelance writing" involves filling out mystery shop reports. ;-)
If someone asks questions about my "other job," I rattle off a couple of those phrases and try to make it sound boring. Of course I never mention that some of the "freelance writing" involves filling out mystery shop reports. ;-)
"The future ain't what it used to be." --Yogi Berra
I am a consultant. If it's good enough for the IRS, why not? If pressed, "I get paid to tell managers what their customers like and don't like."
Based in MD, near DC
Shopping from the Carolinas to New York
Have video cam; will travel
Poor customer service? Don't get mad; get video.
Shopping from the Carolinas to New York
Have video cam; will travel
Poor customer service? Don't get mad; get video.
"I count the number of times people shake fries."
Because I don't have a job besides Mystery Shopping it's hard to reply when someone asks what I've been up to. I REALLY want to share some of the funny shop anecdotes, but there's no way to do it without putting things in context.
@dkk5685 wrote:
I only do this PT on the side, but I don't tell anyone. My mom, sister and boyfriend (current and ex) are only ones that really know. Not sure why I don't tell people, probably not wanting to encounter what you have. I have a big mouth on day to day basis but this has been my best kept secret for years.
Only time I've wished I could tell more people, is when I want to do a restaurant shop that needs a second person and my boyfriend can't come with me. End up having to pass on some, as I don't like taking people on shops who don't know what it is I'm doing, especially if there are restrictions or something they may find weird.
Happiness is not a goal; it is a by-product. Eleanor Roosevelt
I tend to stay away from the word 'consultant,' at least in the majority of the projects I work as a mystery shopping, auditor, etc. I'm pretty certain that the majority of us shoppers on this forum do not providing actual consulting for the mystery shopping company or their client; rather, the mystery shopping company does the consulting for their client. We're merely reporters and field evaluators working for the mystery shopping companies. Of course, I wouldn't be surprised if there are some exceptions where there are IC's providing consulting services to MSC's and / or clients directly as a field auditor / mystery shopper or whatever you want to call it.
To go back to topic, I'd say 'Field Evaluators' or 'Field Auditors' could be a proper alternative to 'Mystery Shopper.'
To go back to topic, I'd say 'Field Evaluators' or 'Field Auditors' could be a proper alternative to 'Mystery Shopper.'
Shopping the Greater Denver Area, Colorado Springs and in-between in Colorado. 33 year old male and willing to travel!
I say that I'm a freelance writer, which I am. Then when pressed as to what I write about, I can either talk about the other writing that I do (mostly unpaid, some paid) or I say that I write customer service audits. Every once in a while, someone will say, "Oh, you're a mystery shopper?!" and I say, "It's similar to that, in a way."
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 09/15/2016 09:14PM by Alter_Ego.
We are all here on earth to help others....What on earth the others are here for I don't know.
--W. H. Auden
--W. H. Auden
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 09/15/2016 09:14PM by Alter_Ego.
@Tarantado wrote:
I tend to stay away from the word 'consultant,' at least in the majority of the projects I work as a mystery shopping, auditor, etc. I'm pretty certain that the majority of us shoppers on this forum do not providing actual consulting for the mystery shopping company or their client; rather, the mystery shopping company does the consulting for their client. We're merely reporters and field evaluators working for the mystery shopping companies. Of course, I wouldn't be surprised if there are some exceptions where there are IC's providing consulting services to MSC's and / or clients directly as a field auditor / mystery shopper or whatever you want to call it.
To go back to topic, I'd say 'Field Evaluators' or 'Field Auditors' could be a proper alternative to 'Mystery Shopper.'
From Wikipedia: "External consultant - someone who is employed externally to the client (either by a consulting firm or some other agency) whose expertise is provided on a temporary basis, usually for a fee"
My expertise is collecting data about customers. That's what I tell myself at least, you are technically correct though, but I like the word consultant so I'm going to stick with it.
Oh, I am so glad I am socially sheltered. I do meet "new" people from time to time at family gatherings, and I am a part time merchandiser, so that's boring enough in itself I guess. Most people don't ask thank goodness.
I thought the technical term for what we do is "Service Auditor."
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