Hi fellow members.
I'm new here! Great information on this MSF! I am shopping for the first time as a MS and I feel that after only one month and 25 jobs later, I need to be better organized. Does anyone know of any software out there which I can download and use to keep track of my shopping? I did read somewhere on this forum about an Excel SS that is a very useful tool. Does anyone have information about this?
Help!
Thanks, Lizzie

If it helps, this is what I do: Spreadsheet (date of shop) (Name of Co.) (Name of MSC) (Mileage) (fee) (reimbursement) (date paid) (amount paid)

Each month I skip two or three lines and sub total the columns. This gives me an opportunity to see how much I have made so far.

Simple but effective for me. I am sure you will get more helpful hints from everybody on this forum. Good luck.

Lizzie - Setting up a spreadsheet with columns for everything you need to know is a good way to go. On my spreadsheet, the pending jobs are always at the bottom. I can arrange the pending jobs in date order and print out that portion of the spreadsheet for a handy current job list to carry with me. At the end of the year, it's easy to total the fees and reimbursements received.

Here are my columns: My Job #, Date and Time of Shop (together), Store Name and City (together), Street Address, MSP, MSP Job #, Fee, Reimbursement, and Mileage. I don't use a paid column, but you could use whatever you wanted.

I make a folder for each job which I take with me, and later keep in a pending drawer. After the job is paid, I pull the folder and send it to a permanent file.

I don't print instructions unless they have changed, or it is a new job for me. I keep instructions for each job in a three hole report cover, and I use the same set until something changes. I do print out the basic job assignment information for each job and put it in the job folder. You can cue your printer to print only Page 1 of the assignment if that is appropriate. Also, you can set up your printer to print on low quality resolution and that will save you a lot money on ink. I have been able to find a knock off ink cartridge on Amazon that works well and saves me $26.00 per cartridge at Amazon or $50.00 per cartridge compared to the price bricks and mortar. You have to be careful about these cartridges as apparently some of them don't work.

I keep a small notebook with MSP information which I can carry with me. This could also be put on a spreadsheet and you could carry a copy of the spreadsheet if you prefer. I have a spreadsheet with log on information, but I found I needed a page for each company in a small notebook.

You will learn as you go along what works best for you and how you prefer to do things. Welcome to Mystery Shopping.

I keep an sortable Excel spreadsheet with the date of the shop, MSC, client, base pay, additional expenses and column for notes (address of the client, in the event of multiple locations, and any extraneous information or reminders). I bold everything that hasn't yet been completed, and when I apply for a shop, I highlight that line as red. (If accepted, I change it to black, and if not, I delete it). After I complete the shop, I unbold the text. When I'm paid, I cut and paste the shop to the bottom section of the sheet. That section has an additional column, the date I was paid. (I don't do folders, and only keep copies of collateral, for the specified time.)

A lot of folks have different methods, but that one works for me. At the end of the day, it's trial and error. You'll eventually discover what works best for you.

Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 07/02/2011 08:22PM by nicelytwicely.

I use an excel spreadsheet and there are some great tips on this thread which I'll be using, thanks!

In addition to my spreadsheet and my accordion file for the car, Google calendar is my brain anymore. I include the MSC in the event name: 2pm Store/Town shop for MSC name. In the event details, if it's in an unfamiliar place, I paste the address, which becomes a link for maps. In description, I include a link to the report page for the MSC. I can have the calendar send me email, text and/or pop-up reminders at any intervals I choose. It's great!