I took Carrie's video class back in October. After ordering my own PV the first of November I have had a steady stream of video business. As soon as companies find out that I took the class and have my own equipment they are eager to have me complete video shops for them. I have gotten calls from several companies offering me multiple shops out of the blue. I would highly recommend Carrie's class to anyone, whether you are an experienced video shopper or have never done one. Carrie offers valuable information about every aspect of video shopping. The class was well worth the investment for me!

Hi. Are you a Mystery Shopper or simply promoting this class?

I've been a full time mystery shopper for nearly 3 years. I have no incentive to promote anything. I got a lot of work from taking the class, I think that's something worth letting people know.

OK. Just checking since that was your first post here...

I've never posted on any of the shopper sites before, this is the first thing that I thought was noteworthy.

Sheryl, I received a camera pen for Christmas. (I returned it) I know nothing of video shopping and would like your input. I live in California and don't even know if it is a legal activity. What are your thoughts?

I would have to look at the list that Carrie gave us, in class, to tell you if it is legal. It is here in CO...I purchased a PV500 Digital Video Recorder from Measure Consumer Perspectives, you get everything you need and more for $400 plus shipping. It has a button cam that fits into a shirt I had modified, you could never tell. It really looks just like a button and the unit is so small it could fit into a cigarette pack, I just put it in my jeans or pants pocket. You can use equipment from "the company", in most cases, but you take your chances on how well it will fit or work. The pay for these shops is usually quite good and little, if any, narrative on the reports. Lots of new home, HIGH end retail and new car shops are doing video.

lbarlbar,
A camera pen will never meet the production standards of the real video shopping companies.

For discussions of when and why video and audio shopping is legal, please do a search here and at volition. Try searching "video,", DVR, and similar subjects. Read, read, read.

Great answer walesmaven...don't ever think that you can do this without the proper equipment. Quality matters!!!!!!!

I am signing up for the class next month. I have done some work with some of the companies on the list. The first thing they always asked was did I have my own equipment. I think it is going to be an investment for me but to each his/her own. She will talk to you to make sure it is right for you. I felt no pressure at all. I will follow up after my class as well.

I already had enough jobs lined up, before I even received my camera, to pay for it. It has made video shops easy for me, dealing with some of the equipment that companies send you is enough to make you not want to do video. The equipment can be bulky and unreliable.

The class is worth the money, she teaches you techniques and how to deal with all different types of equipment.

I would like to purchase my equipment prior to the training. Can you tell me which one you purchased. I have a shop sitting with EPMS that's been there for months because of equipment. You can respond Private message if you like.

I spoke with her directly and she was very helpful. She was already giving suggestions about the companies that needed video shoppers. I knew that to be true because I have worked for some. I know I can get more work having my own.

SherylR Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> I already had enough jobs lined up, before I even
> received my camera, to pay for it. It has made
> video shops easy for me, dealing with some of the
> equipment that companies send you is enough to
> make you not want to do video. The equipment can
> be bulky and unreliable.
>
> The class is worth the money, she teaches you
> techniques and how to deal with all different
> types of equipment.

I got a PV500 from Measure Consumer Perspectives. It is completely idiot proof and the kit that they put together has more than everything you could ever need. For the entire kit it was $400 plus shipping, I found just the DVR (with none of the accessories) for about the same price online. Kimberley put together the most complete video shopping kit you can imagine.

Having your own equipment does make you more flexible as a shopper. You are also more marketable. I usually advise shoppers to decide if they like video shopping before investing in the equipment, although, like Sheryl said,

"dealing with some of the equipment that companies send you is enough to make you not want to do video. The equipment can be bulky and unreliable. "

It is purely a personal choice! There is a void of second hand units available on Ebay, so, in the worst case, you could probably sell the equipment for more than you bought it for....

Hi;

I'm wondering if the video class/equipment is worth it.

When you say you are getting a steady stream of video shops, how many and how much do you mean you are paid? I do a lot of apartment shops at $40-60 each (sometimes more) and nusing homes. I usually hold out for $75 or more without video for the nursing homes. I have to input narrative, but don't mind that.

Are you being paid more than that to do video? I'm not sure it would be worth the investment price. I don't see that many video shops available. For what companies are you doing video shops? The only one I've seen in my area is BARE and they don't pay enough for me.

Terry,
Bare pays far less than most, and the most active video shoppers do not work for them. Hence, they are one of the few MSCs who put their video shops on a shop board. The company founder has stated publically that "clients are unwilling to pay enough to make video worth marketing to them." His competitors are proving him wrong, big time!

My video shops pay between $60 and $100, depending on the anticipated length/complexity of the onsite visit, plus bonus $$$ for travel. I am very lazy, so I seldom do more than 2 videos a day. Some do up to 5 apartment videos and 3 to 4 new home or assisted living/retirement home shops per day.
I only do about $1000 per month in video fees, plus travel bonuses. I do about 6 multiday video shopping routes a year, plus a ton of day-trip shops. My schedulers help me put together the long routes and are willing to coorperate so that I can shop for 2 or 3 MSCs on one multiday route. I don't get enough bonus for travel to stay in upscale hotels, but I'm just there to sleep and upload video. I join all of the hotel chains' "frequent sleeper" clubs and accumulate a ton of points to spend on nice hotels when I'm not working.



For lists of video shopping companies, just seach "video" and read the threads. Most videos are not on any shopper boards. The schedulers work with a list of shoppers who have provided test videos and taken their inhouse training or Carrie's class.

Hey Terry,

The average video shop pays about $70. It all depends on what type of shops you are doing. I did a route in Nov/Dec of auto service shops and made significantly more than that (a tough 3 weeks on the road, but about $9000 profit- this is above average pay!). If you own your own equip most MSCs will pay you more since they are saving money on shipping. You also have more flexibility to work for several different MSCs on a route of shops. As Wavensmaven said, Bare does not pay near what other video MSCs pay and most true video shoppers don't do their shops because of that.

The other NICE thing about video is that the fees I am quoting are your true fees because most video MSCs pay your expenses as well as the fee. Travel fees are the norm on top of your shop fee! Some video companies do not pay travel, but their shop fees are calculated to include average expenses.

There are a few things that make a good video shopper. It is not for everyone. To be successful you need to be available during weekdays and business hours, as this is when most of the shops are scheduled. You need to be able to commit to certain dates, as opposed to a range of days and you need to be willing to travel more than 50 miles away from home (with travel compensated, of course). If these things fit your shopping "style" then you would be well advised to get into video shopping.

Very good information. I have been thinking that once I get my feet wet, I would like to travel all over the US to do shops, that way I get to travel and it will be paid for (I have an RV for non-hotel shops.

What do ya think?

Thanks for feedback!

Most companies pay for hotel and gas. I have one company that I've done routes for that will even rent a car for me, along with giving me $40 daily for food. Do Carrie's class, get your own equipment and get good at asking the companies for what you need to do the shop. The traveling is great but don't forget you will be doing a lot of work on these trips. Shops, reports and uploading all take quite a bit of time.

Tumbleweed,
Most campground and library Internet access will not be adequate to upload large video files that may take an hour or more even with very fast Internet, and 14-16 hours with a slow connection. Some companies require that they have the file within hours of the shop. You may want to find the companies that will let you mail in the SD card via priority mail, if you will be traveling. Also, most companies will not pay travel if you will be in the area "anyway."

She is right on the money here...the upload is very important and the time spent is lost money. Mailing in the card is usually an option, but upload is preferred. I arrange one or more shops with a company, with travel and then add more on from other companies. It's not very ethical to take travel from more than one company.

When and where are classes?

2011 Workshops are currently scheduled for the following areas- Exact dates will be posted in the next week or 2:

February-
Feb 9th- Hampton Inn- Las Colinas-Irving, TX From 9am to 5pm
Feb. 11th - Galleria Area-Houston, TX from 9am to 5pm

March-
Sacramento, CA
Los Angeles, CA


April-
Denver, CO

May-
Washington DC
Orlando, Florida 5/16

June-
New York/New Jersey
Rochester, NY

July-
Minneapolis, MN

August-
Seattle, WA

September-
Cleveland, OH

October-
Atlanta, GA
Phoenix, AZ

November-
Las Vegas, NV- 11/2

Hi

Does Carrie ever do training in the northeast MA, CT or even NH?How much are the classes.Clearly from the posts it appears video mystery shopping is the way to go.I have never done any do they require long narratives I do understand you have to upload the video.It appears the pay is good and then maybe I can stop doing 5 dollar assignments.

LOL. I have nicknamed myself the "sadity" shopper I am taking the class next week and I just got equipment yesterday. In the mean time I did a video yesterday for $50. I can't wait and I am already planning my month.

mysteryme Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Hi
>
> Does Carrie ever do training in the northeast MA,
> CT or even NH?How much are the classes.Clearly
> from the posts it appears video mystery shopping
> is the way to go.I have never done any do they
> require long narratives I do understand you have
> to upload the video.It appears the pay is good and
> then maybe I can stop doing 5 dollar assignments.

Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 02/01/2011 06:21PM by prettygul1.

Mystery Me....

The closest I will get this year is Upstate NY .Many shoppers are now seeing the value of the certifcation and traveling to take the workshop. I have had several shoppers plan shopping routes on their way to the workshop, so they make money along the way!

The cost is $99.This is the fee for Certification, the bulk of the workshop is paid for by the Mystery Shopping Companies who sponsor and recruit from the workshops. www.undercoveressentials.org is the website for more info.

Thanks for the prompt reply.I will definately check out the website.Where in upstate new york will the classes be held.Is this a one day class.I could drive to New York I was concerned about accomodation if I have to plan for that too

I'm taking the class in Cleveland. I've enjoyed the shops I did with Bare and am really looking forward to it! Which version of the PV500 is recommended? I know the PV500 ECO is the one sold by Measure CP. Is the main difference between it and the PV500 EVO a touchscreen? Which one is used in the class, Carrie?

Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 08/04/2011 04:19AM by TechSavvy.

I have a general question about video shopping. Are you required to do a report in addition to the video recording?