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First, Welcome to mystery shopping.
2nd there is a specific section on this forum that addresses new shoppers. I only have 3 1/2 yeas on my belt and I refer to the section on a regular basis. An old girl can learn knew tricks.
3rd, sign up with all the companies that are easily found through this forum or MSPA. I realize this is a PITA . I will admit, I'm giving you do as I say not as I do advice. Personally, when I do it, I normally don't get through 3 companies in a day.
4th, AND THIS IS A BIG ONE!
DO.NOT.EVER.TAKE. UPFRONT. PAYMENTS, EVER! There are exceptions to this rule, but you will have already built a good reputation with the company, if it ever becomes necessary.
5th, Plan a budget for your shopping. Can you wait a solid 90-160+ days for a reimbursement only shop? Can you afford the big dining shop that will cost a minimum of $200 and because of no fault of your own with your impeccable MS skills gets rejected? Can you afford that $200?
6th, Keep your commitments. Schedulers have long memories & they talk with each other I personally have turned down shops that had bonuses that could easily triple what I normally earn in a month. Taking those shops would've required I flaked on my bread and butter shops. You need to look at the long game; if you're interested keeping MS as a going concern. I'd rather take a short month of my bread & butter shops, than burn my bridges for a one time wham bam shop. Build relationships with your scheduler. Build your professionalism & reputation. Am I thrilled that once in awhile I turn down huge shops, no. But I know for a fact I've earned !/2 the amount of the biggest bonus I was ever offered almost every month. Don't screw over your scheduler!
7th, Spreadsheets are your best friend. Set them up now. You can always tweak them and save different versions with different names. Before I forget, write down the odometer reading NOW! Learn a new habit of writing down your work mileage. It will help on April 15th. Track your income from MS on a spreadsheet. You will need it for your taxes. We are independent contractors. The MSC's don't need to issue a 1099 unless we earn over $600. This is the reason you need to set up a spreadsheet with your income per company. It also gives you an idea if the money earned is worthwhile. Spread sheets can hold a ton of information.
8th, do not take on more than you can handle. It's best to start small in this business and build a solid reputation.
9th, make a habit of asking for receipts. Don't be embarrassed if it's less than a $1. Better to look stupid than get home without a proof of visit.
10th, Read your guidelines! throughout the month. I have had guidelines change multiple times in one month. Do your best to never stray from the guidelines. READ YOUR GUIDELINES!
2nd there is a specific section on this forum that addresses new shoppers. I only have 3 1/2 yeas on my belt and I refer to the section on a regular basis. An old girl can learn knew tricks.
3rd, sign up with all the companies that are easily found through this forum or MSPA. I realize this is a PITA . I will admit, I'm giving you do as I say not as I do advice. Personally, when I do it, I normally don't get through 3 companies in a day.
4th, AND THIS IS A BIG ONE!
DO.NOT.EVER.TAKE. UPFRONT. PAYMENTS, EVER! There are exceptions to this rule, but you will have already built a good reputation with the company, if it ever becomes necessary.
5th, Plan a budget for your shopping. Can you wait a solid 90-160+ days for a reimbursement only shop? Can you afford the big dining shop that will cost a minimum of $200 and because of no fault of your own with your impeccable MS skills gets rejected? Can you afford that $200?
6th, Keep your commitments. Schedulers have long memories & they talk with each other I personally have turned down shops that had bonuses that could easily triple what I normally earn in a month. Taking those shops would've required I flaked on my bread and butter shops. You need to look at the long game; if you're interested keeping MS as a going concern. I'd rather take a short month of my bread & butter shops, than burn my bridges for a one time wham bam shop. Build relationships with your scheduler. Build your professionalism & reputation. Am I thrilled that once in awhile I turn down huge shops, no. But I know for a fact I've earned !/2 the amount of the biggest bonus I was ever offered almost every month. Don't screw over your scheduler!
7th, Spreadsheets are your best friend. Set them up now. You can always tweak them and save different versions with different names. Before I forget, write down the odometer reading NOW! Learn a new habit of writing down your work mileage. It will help on April 15th. Track your income from MS on a spreadsheet. You will need it for your taxes. We are independent contractors. The MSC's don't need to issue a 1099 unless we earn over $600. This is the reason you need to set up a spreadsheet with your income per company. It also gives you an idea if the money earned is worthwhile. Spread sheets can hold a ton of information.
8th, do not take on more than you can handle. It's best to start small in this business and build a solid reputation.
9th, make a habit of asking for receipts. Don't be embarrassed if it's less than a $1. Better to look stupid than get home without a proof of visit.
10th, Read your guidelines! throughout the month. I have had guidelines change multiple times in one month. Do your best to never stray from the guidelines. READ YOUR GUIDELINES!
Live your life in such a way that when your feet hit the floor in the morning; the devil shudders...And yells OH #%*+! SHE'S AWAKE!
11th prepare one strong cup of coffee or tea, your preference. Next measure 1/4th to 1/2 cup of rum or vodka, again, your preference. Now throw out the coffee/tea and drink the rum/vodka. Welcome to Mystery Shopping 
When you learn, teach, when you get, give. Maya Angelou
@somaliar1 wrote:
Hello all, I am new here and I'm a tad lost. Where do I begin to start mystery shopping? How are payments being made? I need help.
Good luck with your new endeavor. There are sample sheets of how to setup your spreadsheets somewhere else in the forum they may or may not work for you, but you will get an idea. But you will need to keep detailed records and enter them into your spreadsheet every day. It is way too easy to fall into the trap that you will do it later if you go that route you will kick yourself because you have over a week of entries to get into the sheet and your notes are rather cryptic and you're not really sure what you meant. Always if you are going to take shorthand notes translate them (ASAP) as soon as possible. If you want and can justify it there are apps that you can but that will work on your phone for keeping track of your mileage. But paper back ups are always good. Once you get into the habit it becomes second nature.
Take your time. Start with easy shops to build up a rapport with the scheduler and MSC. Only book one in a day to start. Be reliable! Get used to the Guidelines, each company is different. Timing is most important to most shops. Start time: End time: and any requested time.
I've just reported this post to Jacob. Dave is NOT a mystery shopper, and has no intentions towards such.@@#$%& wrote:
Were you able to get started with the excellent tips given you?@somaliar1 wrote:
Hello all, I am new here and I'm a tad lost. Where do I begin to start mystery shopping? How are payments being made? I need help.
You may feel lost, but you are not forgotten,
David
@#$%&
Mystery Shopping Magazine Article from September 4, 2017:
5 More Companies Hiring Mystery Shoppers
@#$%& is not a Mystery shopper. Please read the forum for new shoppers.
Please ignore @#$%&. He has ulterior motives that do not involve helping new forum members getting started with mystery shopping.
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