Mystery Shop Certification

Is there an advantage to have a mystery shop certification? And can anyone tell me exactly what that is? I have seen it on mostly all MS applications but don't really know what it is.

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More About Certification

It is a program offered by the MSPA, which is a professional organization of the companies that provide jobs for shoppers. If you use the 'Search' feature on the forum you will find many many many many many many many many many discussions of it.

My personal opinion is that it is a waste of money. YMMV.

That's all I wanted to know, it is worth it. You have answered my question, thank you.
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> It is a program offered by the MSPA, which is a
> professional organization of the companies that
> provide jobs for shoppers. If you use the
> 'Search' feature on the forum you will find many
> many many many many many many many many
> discussions of it.
>
> My personal opinion is that it is a waste of
> money. YMMV.

tigerlillie,
Flash and I have agreed to disagree on this subject. Check out the several threads on the subject for more details and opinions, please.

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.

Heres my 2C. I have more offers for good shops than I care to do without spending money for certification.

Shopping Bama and parts of Georgia.
I'm still learning 24/7.

Thanks, I appreciate that. Wasn't quite sure if it was worth it because I also get plenty of shops without the certification.

tigerlille - If you're already getting all the work you can do, then you wouldn't be able to take on any more even if certification did help you get more work. I don't know of any companies who require it, but lots of them will ask about it on the application.

I shopped for a little while before I did the silver certification, and for a few months more before I did the gold. I was relatively inexperienced and I picked up information that made me a better shopper.

Certification is a training program. It is not a work guarantee program. You build your reputation with the companies based on your dependability and job skills.

Mary Davis Nowell. Based close to Fort Worth. Shopping Interstate 20 east and west, Interstate 35 north and south.

Yes, I know certification is not a requirement. I was just curious if MS certification was beneficial for an reason because that is asked on applications, whether a person has it or not.

We differ petty much in opinions on this one. The best answer I could give you is that a family member who also mystery shops lives in the same town as I do. We have both been shopping about 4 years. I am certified and he is not. We both see the same jobs and we are paid the same fees. I am not convinced I have gotten more or better shops or higher fees because of certification.

I'm not certified and have been shopping for 18 years now. You get more shops by proving yourself to be a hardworking, ethical, trustworthy person to the MS company. While not all MS companies value us. There are those that do and consider some of us their "go to" people regardless of whether you've paid the MSPA to call you "certified".

And that's my 2 cents worth.

Her Serene Majesty, Cettie - Goat Queen of Zoltar, Sublime Empress of Her Caprine Domain

I have found that certification does help, especially with self assign shops. Some won't let you self assign if your score is under 8.

none

My $0.02 ... I would recommend certification as it proves that you are a serious shopper, IF you are serious about shopping.

I have Silver Cert and that is good for most things, like being able to self-assign.

Mostly, Certification is about your credibility.

MrsFrank Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> My $0.02 ... I would recommend certification as it
> proves that you are a serious shopper, IF you are
> serious about shopping.
>
> I have Silver Cert and that is good for most
> things, like being able to self-assign.
>
> Mostly, Certification is about your credibility.

Actually, you do not have to be silver certified to self assign. I am silver certified but one of my family members who is NOT certified also mystery shops. He sees exactly the same shops I do and he is able to self assign all the same shops I am able to self assign. I don't necessarily think becoming silver certified is a bad thing - it only costs $15 (unless inflation has raised the price within the last 4 years) but I haven't found it particularly good for most things....actually I haven't seen any value in it.

About four years ago I got my silver certification and then a few months later the gold one. It was easy and not that expensive. I ordered the Gold Certification DVD and the certification was not a pain in the back. The MSC's give you more attention and I am sure that it counts when it comes to be approved to work for them when you apply.

I have only come across one company recently who insists on every shopper being silver certified. It makes me wonder how tight they're in cahoots with MSPA to put our money in someone's pocket and what their cut of the $$ is.

Her Serene Majesty, Cettie - Goat Queen of Zoltar, Sublime Empress of Her Caprine Domain

It seems the MSPA will list any MSC who pays them to be put on their list. There are some sketchy MSC companies on there that have gotten numerous complaints, many found on here, for non-payment or poor treatment of shoppers. What IS the point?

The MSPA is not a regulatory agency regulating the actions of mystery shopping companies. The MSPA is a organization of mystery shopping companies. All members are listed on their website whether they are "bad" companies or "good" companies. The MSPA makes no guarantees to shoppers and does not regulate payments to shoppers or treatment of shoppers. MSPA is basically a private club of companies. The best way to be sure you take jobs with the "good" companies is to research the companies yourself on this forum and on Volition. The certifications they sell to mystery shoppers represent income to the MSPA. Once certified, a shopper gets a number and that's it. The MSPA does not care how the companies pay or whether they pay.

Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 05/07/2012 11:54PM by AustinMom.

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