Anybody in my area with suggestions on legit companies?
Thanks

Pretty much everybody on the list on this site, but it all depends on what you're looking for.

At the foot of this page you will find a list of nearly 200 legitimate MS companies. A few have merged or closed, but it is probably the most comprehensive list that you will find. Also, if you post asking for the top MSCs for new shoppers, the forum will respond. Most have a national presence, so would be good to start with. After signing up with good MSCs for newbies, you will need to do more research and read what other forum members have to says about each MSC. This is the real sweat equity needed by anyone starting their MS business. You local shoppers are probably not going to just increase their competion for shops by naming their favorites; and non-local shoppers won't know the information that you might want about area favorites.

@Hoju wrote:

Pretty much everybody on the list on this site, but it all depends on what you're looking for.

That list is overwhelming. Do ALL of those companies have work in my area?

I'm assuming that you are not only a new participant on the forum but also a new shopper. I'm in MA and would be happy to help you. The following is a duplicate of one of my recent postings for your consideration.

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.”

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.


MERCHANDISING:

Lots available in the immediate area especially during holiday season (lower pay but plenty of
hours)

@ShopperSavvy - BARE has several evaluations available in your area. Are you a registered evaluator with BARE?

@ShopperSavvy wrote:

@Hoju wrote:

Pretty much everybody on the list on this site, but it all depends on what you're looking for.

That list is overwhelming. Do ALL of those companies have work in my area?

The thing about that list is that, although they don't all have work in this area at the moment, you should still sign up because most will likely have work in the future.
If you want a good place to start, go with MarketForce for simple, relatively quick work. A-Closer-Look for some really good restaurants, a lot in the Burlington and Market Street in Lynnfield. Those two will get you a good idea of how this all works. Then you can branch out from there.

Yes, the list is overwhelming, but if you want mystery shopper work, you have to sign up for the companies. Just sign up for 5 every day until you are through the list.

@ShopperSavvy wrote:

@Hoju wrote:

Pretty much everybody on the list on this site, but it all depends on what you're looking for.

That list is overwhelming. Do ALL of those companies have work in my area?

I know it looks like a lot of work, but it's actually not as time-consuming as it seems. Registering with companies is a lot faster and easier than filling out job applications and looking for a job. You'll provide personal information but in most cases, these mystery shopping companies do not require that you disclose your educational info or your past employers. Most do not want personal references and won't check anything. Only a few have a background check, so the process of registering with these companies is a pretty fast, expedited process.

If it is your intent to start your own mystery shopping business, it's in your best interests to register with as many companies as you can. Researching and learning the business will actually take you a lot longer than registering with companies. A lot of times, your browser will help fill in the repetitive information when you register, and you can cut and paste, using the same writing sample for multiple companies. And very few companies require writing samples.

The companies that have already been mentioned (Bare, A Closer Look, and Marketforce) all have jobs in this area. I'm on the NH seacoast. Do what others have said and sign up for all the companies on the list. Some don't have jobs here, but you don't know what the future has in store. One of the first companies I signed up with had no jobs here. A couple of years later I get an email from them with their job listings, and one of their clients had opened a store in Portsmouth. Now that MSC has another client in this area. If you're serious about this business, sign up with a few of the companies every day.

If you start with the "15 most discussed" companies list, you will have a pretty high likelihood of finding work. They are all larger companies with work nationwide.

Thanks! I'll start that way.

Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 03/29/2018 11:39PM by ShopperSavvy.