Hi Dan, I am a MA shopper. The following is a quick list I put together several months ago that you may find helpful. Please feel free to contact me directly as well.
FORUM:
[
www.mysteryshopforum.com]
ORGANIZATIONS/TRAINING/CERTIFICATIONS
[
imscinfo.com] (Pam)
[
www.mspa-americas.org]
[
videoshoppingpros.com] (Jeff)
SAMPLE OF REPUTABLE COMPANIES
[
shopper.marketforce.com] (Easy but lengthy multiple choice report--fast food)
[
app.epmsonline.com] (apartments)
[
bareinternational.com] (retail)
[
shopper.persontopersonquality.com] (banks)
[
www.sassieshop.com] (https://www.intelli-shop.com) (cars)
[
www.a-closer-look.com] (restaurants)
[
www.strategicreflections.com] (gas)
[
shops.dsgai.com] (credit unions)
[
www.gbw.solutions] (cars, retail)
[
www.athpoweronline.com] (banks)
[
ipsosus.shopmetrics.com] (post office, major appliances, phones)
Secret Shopper, Harland Clarke, International Service Check, Primo Solutions
PLATFORMS:
[
www.jobslingerplus.com] ($50/yr), Jobslinger Free
[
isecretshop.com]
TOOLS:
DCU $5 share account, checking no minimum, no monthly fees (Shared Branching)
Paypal
[
www.burnerapp.com] (alias phone # for apt. shops)
Mail.com (for free alias email accounts for apt. shops)
Screen Shots for verification (online leads)
Geoverify (Sassie) App
[
greyhawkvideosolutions.vpweb.com] (Dan Thomas: BEST video equipment & support)
[
www.mysteryshopforum.com] (Excel style spreadsheet)
BASICS:
SAFETY first!!!
Never reveal yourself as a shopper to a client.
Only accept what you can finish.
Never argue with a Scheduler/Editor.
Keep a calendar for scheduling, payment tracking, and assignment reporting follow-up.
After you file a report, keep checking your emails (junk, too) and website for requested follow-up.
Make sure your phone is charged. If you don’t have a Smartphone, a digital camera will do.
Inexpensive Smartphones and phone rates at Walmart, Target, MetroPCS.
Request a bonus/toll reimbursement.
Read guidelines and review questionnaire carefully: Is there a time frame for shop, i.e. only between 9:00 AM - 11:00 AM. Can you pay with a credit card or must in be in cash? If you are assigned to McDonalds in Westboro do you know which one you are going to? If the question requires two or more observations, make sure you address each one in order to answer Yes, i.e. Did the valet make eye contact, smile, and offer a pleasant greeting. If the valet made eye contact and offered a pleasant greeting but did not smile, then the answer is, “No.” Remember to support all "No" answers in your comments.
Make sure to file your report on time. You can lose points which may affect the jobs you are offered. Request an extension if you are unable to complete an assignment. Not all companies are on a point system but nonetheless companies do keep track at their end as to who is a reliable shopper. If you forget to do a shop, likely you will receive a “1”, a citation, and be considered a “flake.” Don’t be upset. Just be more mindful the next time. Overbooking is a frequent mistake, especially if you get stuck in traffic and cannot get to a location within the required time frame.
Give yourself plenty of time in the beginning and don’t be too hard on yourself. Everyone makes mistakes. That’s how we learn. The key is not to make the same mistake.