1. Forums
  2. Mystery Shopping Discussion

Acronyms and Abbreviations

February 10, 2026 10:36PM
I'm having a hard time following the discussions here because of the many mystery acronyms used in mystery shopping. Is there a key here? A list? A link to a list?
Reply
Log In
x

Create an Account or Log In

Membership is free. Simply choose your username, type in your email address, and choose a password. You immediately get full access to the forum.

Already a member? Log In.

February 11, 2026 12:08AM
We keep the mystery in mystery shopping! Most riddles can be solved after a bit of pondering the various threads and posts.
Reply
February 11, 2026 12:14AM
We keep the mystery in mystery shopping! Most riddles can be solved by pondering the various posts.
Reply
February 11, 2026 01:11AM
That's cool. Thing is, I've got several heavy duty things going on with my family, I don't have the time or energy to decipher posts on a message board, a forum that's supposed make this profession easier to understand, not harder.

Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 02/11/2026 01:13AM by Peace Cricket.
Reply
February 11, 2026 01:50AM
MSC - Mystery Shopping Company
MF - Market Force
BM - Best Mark
CVS- an American Pharmacy ? ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

I can't think of many. You might have to ask as you come across them. Some are likely the actual names of MSCs.

We are not to reveal the clients of MSCs. But people do give hints. Maybe that's what you're seeing?

When a flower doesn’t bloom, you fix the environment in which it grows, not the flower.
Alexander Den Heijer
Reply
February 11, 2026 02:49AM
@Peace Cricket wrote:

That's cool. Thing is, I've got several heavy duty things going on with my family, I don't have the time or energy to decipher posts on a message board, a forum that's supposed make this profession easier to understand, not harder.
We abbreviate and use roundabout ways to communicate without naming things directly because we all signed contracts to not discuss the jobs. If you are doing this work, so did you. I'm sorry you are having a difficult time right now but we can't all violate our contracts to make it incrementally easier for one forum member. You will find this pattern repeats elsewhere for the same reasons.
Reply
February 11, 2026 04:08AM
May I add that mystery shopping is WORK. We all need to keep digging to find opportunities. It takes consistent time and energy, which you say you don't have. With all due respect, maybe you should seriously reconsider this "profession." There are no shortcuts.
Reply
February 11, 2026 05:07AM
.

Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 02/11/2026 05:12AM by purpleicee.
Reply
February 11, 2026 05:10AM
TBH (to be honest), and not meant to be insensitive, with a little time, you will learn that many of us have several heavy duty things going on in our family/lives.
Reply
February 11, 2026 08:50AM
My observation is that sometimes people here seem to enjoy the obscurity or riddles - probably for various reasons.
I might be different. As long as I don't break the naming rules, I will come out and answer
your question. Again, as directly as I can. I've been there, I know the frustration.
If you ask a simple question, you should get an answer.
If you ask for heavy lifing, people will direct you to the great resources found in the subforums.
Check them out - someone(s) have done the work there for you...

Life was passing like a hand waving from a train I wanted to be on


Edited 2 time(s). Last edit at 02/11/2026 08:51AM by BarefootBliss.
Reply
February 11, 2026 09:13AM
My post up thread was a reaction to just that because honestly, I don't have the time or the patience for it. I had read the pinned posts and resources, used the search feature, didn't see anything about acronyms, but I get the reasoning now. Thank you for your helpful response.
Reply
February 11, 2026 09:15AM
Of course, that's life. Ups and downs, peaks and valleys.
Reply
February 11, 2026 09:18AM
With all due respect, I did not say that.
Reply
February 11, 2026 09:25AM
Could be. Lots of helpful information, thanks!
Reply
February 11, 2026 12:40PM
@Deedeezthoughts wrote:

@Peace Cricket wrote:

That's cool. Thing is, I've got several heavy duty things going on with my family, I don't have the time or energy to decipher posts on a message board, a forum that's supposed make this profession easier to understand, not harder.
We abbreviate and use roundabout ways to communicate without naming things directly because we all signed contracts to not discuss the jobs. If you are doing this work, so did you. I'm sorry you are having a difficult time right now but we can't all violate our contracts to make it incrementally easier for one forum member. You will find this pattern repeats elsewhere for the same reasons.

^^^ This.

I've been on this board for many years and am signed up with many MSCs, and many acronyms used here are still unknown to me. If you need help deciphering stuff, just ask.

I don't think there are any Russians / And there ain't no Yanks
Just corporate criminals\ / Playin' with tanks
Reply
February 11, 2026 02:24PM
The flexibility that mystery shopping allows is a big drawing card for those of us with life challenges.

Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 02/11/2026 03:52PM by Nikki21.
Reply
February 11, 2026 02:25PM
@purpleicee wrote:

TBH (to be honest), and not meant to be insensitive, with a little time, you will learn that many of us have several heavy duty things going on in our family/lives.
Reply
February 11, 2026 03:12PM
I also was faced with your situation. A few yrs. back, I thought, due to my post, that YMMV was you make me vomit. Somehow I figured out I could type such mysteries into the address bar and Google would educate me. Since then, it has always worked.
Reply
February 12, 2026 02:49AM
QSR - Quick Serve Restaurant
Reply
Sorry, only registered users may post in this forum.

Click here to login