@MSF wrote:
IMO, "mystery shopping" is a huge misnomer. MSing is about evaluating the customer experience, the quality of service, and the environment. It involves reporting on experiences at lots of places both men and women frequent in the course of a normal day, week, or month. Even retail shops aren't so much about shopping. You are generally required to purchase something nominal or to purchase and return something more significant, in order to evaluate the experience. The skills required mirror those of a P.I., which is why a P.I. permit is required for shoppers in NV.
There's nothing I despise about this business as much as the term "mystery shopping" or "secret shopping."
It has scammy connotations and sounds like a fake job that people do for free lunch at McDonalds.
I wish we could all agree on a more accurate term for those of us that do more than $6 purchase and return jobs at Bob's Stores.
I don't SHOP at resorts and it's no MYSTERY when I walk into a gas station wearing a hi-vis vest.
If we can do something to make people take this industry seriously, we really should. It would start with giving it a less childish name.
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Seriously, nobody cares that you're offended.