i'm looking at the guidelines for a shop I have set for tomorrow, and in bold, that is one of the first things said. supposedly this client tries to fish out mystery shoppers and it's extra important we have our stories down pat. so apparently this MSC wants the shopper to have a mind set full of anxiety going in. that'll really help deliver a great shop. it won't effect me, but I can imagine someone who is new to shopping reading that, and freaking out.

Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 04/13/2016 04:22PM by jay225.

It should say, "Be normal." or "Be yourself." or "Relax. Your just another customer."

Be Paranoid! - This is not helpful. In other words, have your head on a swivel and stare at the employees. Way to not stand out.

Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 04/13/2016 05:01PM by scanman1.

It's mystery shopping, not the CIA. The exciting sense of paranoia is certainly not one of reasons I got into this.
What was the shop?

@ scanman

yup, paranoid is like the worst word they could have chosen haha.

@hoju

it's a mattress shop.

Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 04/13/2016 05:38PM by jay225.

I'm never paranoid...I KNOW they're out to get me.

I will never understand why the sales associate won't knock your socks off and get commended. Instead they want to call a shopper out and risk failing a shop... This just doesn't make sense. I teach - when I am being observed, I do all I can to get a good review. Not call out my observer and make them feel like they have no right to be in my classroom.

I stay away when the offer is full of negativity or threats. Just not my cup of tea.

@risinghorizon wrote:

I stay away when the offer is full of negativity or threats. Just not my cup of tea.

I would normally agree with that. If they are threatening you before you even take the job, then I can only expect abuse from the editor.

There is one company that has a bunch of threats that are very weak, like $2 off per 24 hours late when submitting the report and some really stupid things a good shopper would never do wrong to begin with. The rant in the job offer looked like a very frustrated scheduler. I shop them anyhow as I like a dining company they have that is well compensated plus a shop fee and never once had an editor kick back a report or ask a question and the checks arrives on time. This is a no feedback is good company. Never even get an email acknowledging the shop completion or anything written in the job log.

I have heard mystery shopping is used as a coaching tool but I do not believe no one has ever been fired due to a mystery shop. People are crazy! That poor mystery shopper woman who was found dead in a parking lot at the mall a little over a year ago made me paranoid to the max. I also read a forum where one mystery shopper hunted another down to get crotchety about the other shopper taking gas stations before the high bonuses were put out. Any job where photos and revealing oneself are required puts us at risk even from fellow shoppers. We should all be paid at least double and these ridiculous guidelines that make us stand out like a sore thumb need to be thought over. The dress code is also ridiculous. Who the heck dresses business casual to go the the mall except the little old ladies and men ( some of them). We are responsible for our own insurance, transportation, gas, clothing for jobs, internet connection, supplies and our money is put up front. I love shopping most of the time, desperately need the income and have learned NO FEAR must be the main rule.

Yeah, I'm pretty new and that would definitely make me a little nervous. Just like with these car dealership shops...I almost didn't complete one because it felt too devious and dishonest, until someone pointed out that I was helping the business become better, and sales person become more adept at selling. Hey, he might even get a bonus if the report is good!

I'm doing one of those shops tomorrow. Now I'm paranoid!

Paranoid was a poor choice of words, but they're probably just pointing out that people need to take time and come up with a convincing backstory and be prepared. You shouldn't blab your backstory when you first encounter a salesperson, but it should all be ready to dole out as you're asked.

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.

@cas wrote:

. The dress code is also ridiculous. Who the heck dresses business casual to go the the mall except the little old ladies and men ( some of them).

For me, in my home town, business casual is a pair of khakis and a polo shirt. I did a route in Florida earlier this year. The weather was very nice and it coincided with a day of video furniture shops...so business casual became shorts with my video shirt.

Business casual depends a lot on the nature of the business. I would never shop a car dealer in shorts. By the same token, while I might wear a polo shirt for a Porsche shop, for a Rolls or Bentley shop, I'll go in wearing an Oxford shirt, maybe without a tie, but looking like I belong. Also, for the longer shops, your attire should fit your backstory. I've bought scrubs on a shop, then worn them on other shops where I've been a veterinary assistant. Make sure that your attire matches your backstory.

People run errands during their lunch break and after work so dressing nice isn't odd to me. I don't think it would be seen as you sticking out this way either.

If I read anything in the invite that "Everyone who misses a shop gets a citation," that shop is in my 10-foot-pole lineup. No amount of bonus would encourage me to take that shop because of the bad vibe that it creates.

"Just because you're paranoid doesn't mean they're not out to get you!"

You guys mentioned the business casual dress. It's kind of funny because I was wearing business casual and the one time I was suspected, she started interrogating me as to why I was wearing business casual, as in asking why I was dressed up, what I had done that night and etc.

For many shops in many locations overdressing could be a big problem. It isn't about jeans, khakis or shorts, it's about clothes that are appropriate, clean and fit well. I've worn shorts to shop for virtually everything because that's what I do IRL. I've also been in Porsche dealerships with my jeans and been the best dressed person that wasn't a sales associate.

"Paranoid" isn't the word I would choose, but I get their point and don't see it as negative. On some shops you can discreetly take a note on your phone, snap a photo, etc. when nobody is looking. On other shops, the associates are watching you in the security mirrors because they are trying to catch a shopper. It pays to know which is which.

Completed the shop and received a grade of 10. It wasn't too bad, I got to lay around on beds for an hour and get paid. I did record the shop for my own well being since they wanted such details. I deleted it after doing the report.

@loghomelover wrote:

Completed the shop and received a grade of 10. It wasn't too bad, I got to lay around on beds for an hour and get paid. I did record the shop for my own well being since they wanted such details. I deleted it after doing the report.

same here... recorded it, got the 10, and received some nice compliments on my narratives. turned out to be an easy shop, almost too relaxing... nearly fell asleep some of those beds were so comfortable. the fee was fair, way higher the other mattress shop i did in the past which required even more narratives, and questions.