I just got an email about one coming up near me. A day of training and "certification" (whatever that means) for $100. Has anyone ever done this and is it worth it?

Yes, Yes and Yes. The training will teach you how to use the equipment properly. The companies actually recruit from the workshop. I took it 2 weeks ago and my plate is full of shops ranging from $40-$60. It's good if you are comfortable doing video. Everyone has a different opinion.

Carrie Porhammer, who does this training is acknowledged in the video shopping community as THE best trainer of newbies. Video work is not for everyone, so I recommend taking training before buying your own equipment. Have I taken this course? Nope; but I was one of Carrie's mentors when she first took up video shopping, lol. There is quite a long thread of accolades from shoppers who have done Carrie's course over on the v forum.

Hey tgb...

Anyone who asks about whether the training is worth it is encouraged to see what others have said on the v forum as well as contact the video shopping companies to verify that they really do recruit shoppers directly from the workshops.

As Walesmaven said, video shopping is NOT for everyone. It is the most lucrative branch of the mystery shopping industry, but it takes hard work and you must be available to shop mid-week during the day to make the best money. It can also be stressful because you have equipment as well as complex scenarios and aliases to deal with. I love it, but some people don't like it at all! Quite frankly, I love the shopping, but I love the money even more. The average video shop pays about $70 plus expenses per shop.

Walesmaven...I thought we started about the same time. You, me, Aimee and and Debbo...?? The Sisterhood and all! Ah..those were the days!! *grins*

Carrie,
I went back a few days ago, looking for something on the video equipment thread and I think that I was a bit ahead of you there. Started video in late 2005, but may not have been on any forum that early. Regardless, you are now the "mentor in chief." I don't miss the days of equipment failures, but will always treasure the Sisters and Brothers of the Traveling Shirts (SABOTS).

If you are interested in video... PLEASE take this course!
Carrie's recommendation means a lot in the video shopping world.

(Porhammer & Walesmaven- you made me giggle )

Could someone describe a typical video shop? I'm not familiar with these type shops.
Thanks

CES1948,
Well, it is NOT a shop where you go to Blockbuster to evaluate the customer service, as I once thought!

A video sho is performed wearing a concealed video camera and microphone. It is usually do for a longer duration that the typical, written report, shops. This is because you are likely to be in a situation where a much longer interaction is required, such as in a new home sales office, an apartment lor office leasing office, at an assisted living facility or a new or used car sales location. The shopper muct typically have a seperate scenario (why are you moving to West Timbuctoo; who is your employer; how many kids/elderly relatives are involved, etc) along with a different name, phone number and email address (for getting follow-up contact from the sales person) for every shop.

I call these "long format" shops. They take some planning, and considerably more acting and memory skills than the average bank or retail shop. The shopper may also be given a travel allowance because the locations may be widespread. some of us regularly do multi-day route shops using video and/or audio. The video shops usually have little or no written narrative. You go home (or to your hotel) and upload the recording to the MSC and answer a few questions about timing, name used, etc. You then check your emails and phone lines for follow-up and report those, often by just uploading them to the MSC. Video shops average about $70, plus travel allowances, and I have done quite a few at $100 or more. That sue beats doing 7-10 written shops at $10 a pop!

Some shoppers are worried about being discovered because of the video equipment being seen. What's more likely is that one's story just won't hold water over 60-90 minutes of interaction with trained salespersons. That's where Carrie's workshops are invaluable. not only will you learn to be comfortable with, and almost forget, the equipment, but also, you will learn how to plan and execute great scenarios, use multiple sources for phone numbers and emails, and plan routes. Carrie and I, like all earlier video shoppers, learned by trial and error and sharing with one another. Carrie has distilled all of what we learned into one day that gets rave reviews from shoppers. And, yes, most video MSCs do recruit directly from her trainees!

tgb, I got the same email and thinking about it. I need to know if Video shopping is legal in CA....so many different answers, does anyone really know. NichOliver, you'd be the one, help please!!

Irene and tgb,
This legal issue in California is very complicated. The general answer for states that require that both parties to a recorded conversation have given consent applies BUT California has a few extra bells and whistles added to the nature of the required consent of the party who is not doing the recording. You might want to ask the MSCs that do video and audio shops in CA to explain what they require the clients to provide in terms of proof of consent, and the reasoning behind the specifics. There is NO absolute bar on video (really, audio, as that is the legal issue) recording in CA; it's just that the "consent" bar is set higher than in the other 13 jurisdictions that require the consent of both parties.

Again, it is NOT the video that is the legal issue,; it is the audio part of the recording. If you do ANY audio recording in CA, you must have the consent of the other party, so be careful if you are using you digital voice recorder to record the shop targets there or in the other 13 "two party consent states."

I understand it to be in CA that shoppers need to sign a form, simply put, shoppers are responseable for anything negative happening down the road....this "might" be an unforeseen problem to the shopper, what is the worst thing that can happen? I am told many MSC's do shop in Ca, but not without having shoppers sign to release them from any problems.

edited to say, I bow out, too involved and confusing at this time in my life...more power to you who do it.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 03/04/2011 10:44PM by Irene_L.A..

I have video shopped California many times and I have never signed a form releasing any MSC from any liability.

I will say, though, that we are Independent Contractors, liable for all actions we take. No MSC can take liability from you for any type of shopping. You are not an employee. If any person is fired because of your report, written or video, they can decide to take you to court. I prefer to have the video as proof that I reported accurately and legally (in 2 party States I am always sure that the employee has signed a consent for audio/video within their employment contract). This will always protect me from legal action down the road. If you just have a written report, it is a game of "he daid, she said..." The fired person could claim that you lied and commited slander or libel.

What Carrie said! No one has ever challenged any of my video or audio shops.

I took the class and am working with 3 companies for the video. I think that is all I can handle just yet. LOL. Still getting my feet wet. I had 4 with company A, 7 With company B and already Completed 5 with Company C.

My hardest challenge has been being able to reach targets on specific days. I was devoting my Saturday to complete 4 shops but could not reach the targets for 2. I still got 2 done for $60 each. I remember doing 6 or 7 gas shops and not making that much.

I'm not a paid spokesperson. I am just excited and hate that I didn't do this earlier.

Wow! I almost never have weekend apartment or new home videos. What sort are you doing that permit weekend shops?

Walesmaven,

There are a few companies that allow weekend apartments and occasional new homes. As a matter of fact, this is increasing. I usually screen video shopper candidates by asking about weekday availability but I had one company ask me to allow some weekend/evening only shoppers in if they come recommended.

That's good news. More work opportunities for me when putting together a road trip.

I just wanted to come back and tell everyone that this is a profitable business. For March alone, I have hit over the $1,000 mark from working with just 2 companies. One company offers a travel bonus. I bought my own equipment plus some other things that I felt necessary but I've gotten it all back. ALso I work full time and haven't given my all to the video world but I look forward to the summer.

Prettygul....congratulations on all the work. I'm tired just hearing how hard everyone works!

I loved the workshop with Carrie. She is entertaining (probably to make you more at ease) as well as serious about the business.
I would not just jump into doing this kind of work without the training. It is totally different from the written reports. You are also being heard, so there is no way to make a mistake. It's all right there on the audio. In other words, there is no wiggle room for mistakes. There is also the fact that the equipment malfunctions, and or user error. When that happens, you do not get paid. it is your responsibility to make sure it's working. It does occasionally happen.
I like a challenge and this work is!

Well, I'm excited to hear all this information. In the years of mystery shopping, I have never done video. Geez, I might be a little late on all this, haha. Is there enough work for all who are interested? I'm attending Carrie's class next month and looking forward!

Based in SW WA
Shopping Seattle, WA to Medford, OR
Southern CA and Western MT

There's definitely enough work. Carrie works closely with MSC's to see where the need is, and workshops are scheduled in those regions. She also makes sure she does not train too many shoppers and glut the market. I can't recommend Carrie and this class enough!

GoldMS3 Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Well, I'm excited to hear all this information.
> In the years of mystery shopping, I have never
> done video. Geez, I might be a little late on all
> this, haha. Is there enough work for all who are
> interested? I'm attending Carrie's class next
> month and looking forward!
>
> Based in SW WA
> Shopping Seattle, WA to Medford, OR
> Southern CA and Western MT

My wife and I are attending her class next month. I just signed up with a VS company recently. Got called by the recruiter, and sent in paperwork. Today the VP sent me an email about a job about an hours away from where I live. I am anxious to do the shop, but want to get trained first. I have the equipment too.

Would someone suggest which equiptment to purchase and who to purchase it from.
Thanks
Roy

roy,
For equipment information that is up to date, please visit [www.videoshoppingnetwork.org]
the Video Shopping Network and read, readread. The curret indusrt standard is a version of the PV-500 available at a discount through MCP. DO NOT just go out and buy equipment without trying out equipment loaned by one of the big 7 spnsors of that network or EPMS. People either love or hate doing video, so bbuying $400 worth of equipment before trying this out is not a great idea. Also, the less expensive versions, even of the PV-500, sold on the internet do not have all of the components and/or meet the tech standards required by the industry at this time,\.

Also, you may wish to search "video" for "all dates" on this forum for lengthy discussions of video concepts and misconceptions.

Do you know if video shops training happens in Canada?

Temarie,
Undercover Essentials is no longer in business. For information on video training, do a search here on "video" for the last 90 days and you will find information on training opportunites.