FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
The following are commonly asked questions about mystery shopping.
What exactly is mystery shopping?
Simply stated, mystery shopping is a tool used by business management to ensure that employees are complying with stated company standards even when management is not visibly present. By using mystery shoppers following scripted scenarios and posing as regular customers, management is able to use these audits to evaluate and improve their customer's experience.
Will purchasing Mark Tunis' MYSTERY SHOPPING GUIDE ebook be the only cost that I will have to get started as a mystery shopper?
It should be the only out of pocket cost that you should incur. As with any business venture, you will have other cost associated with your venture. These cost will be a petty cash fund (you will have to pay for merchandise, meals and admissions out of pocket and then get reimbursed) and some minor equipment.
If I purchase Mark Tunis' MYSTERY SHOPPING GUIDE ebook today, how soon can I expect to be working as a mystery shopper?
Many factors are involved in how quickly you may begin receiving shopping assignment offers. Things such as your geographic location, the number of current shoppers in your area and time of the month will all be factors in how soon you begin receiving assignment offers. I can tell you that although living in a larger metropolitan area will make you available for a larger number of assignments, I am constantly receiving offers in more rural areas in my state begging and I mean begging for available shoppers.
How much can I expect to earn as a mystery shopper?
It is impossible to estimate what any individual shopper will earn. 99% of all mystery shoppers work as independent contractors which means your earning potential will vary with the effort that you put forth.
The average median shopping assignment I have heard stated is $15. I have personally accepted shopping assignments from as low as a $5 fee plus a free meal to a high of a $35 fee for an A.S.A.P. scheduled apartment shop with no purchase necessary. The vast majority of my shopping assignments fall in the $10 to $25 range, but again that is my personal shops. I have been offered shopping assignments that paid for a four night's hotel stay ($225 value) plus a $30 fee. I have declined other shops as high as $50 for a simple bookstore shopping assignment due to the distance of the shop.
Do I need a special license or certificate to be a mystery shopper?
With the exception of the state of Nevada, you do not need any special licenses or certificates to perform most mystery shopping assignments. There is state by state exceptions with regards to certain types of assignments (such as age verification shops).
Will I be paid for the 3 practice shops included in the ebook?
No, these practice shops are included to give you an idea of what is expected of you when you accept and perform mystery shops as well as to help you gain confidence. They are optional but I highly recommend that you complete them.
How many of the mystery shopping companies and agencies listed in the ebook can I realistically expect to receive shopping assignments from?
It is impossible to make an estimate like this because of so many variables. These variables include your location, how many shoppers are in your immediate area and your willingness to perform a variety of shopping assignments. I can tell you that the vast majority of agencies listed offer assignments nationally and internationally.
What are the eligibility requirements to mystery shop?
Actual eligibility requirements will vary from assignment to assignment. Sometime they are looking for general demographic, other times they are looking for a more specific type of shopper (age 22 to 32, female, Spanish speaking). In general, attention to detail, good writing skills and 18 years or older (in most cases) are the only requirements to being a good mystery shopper.
What if I receive assignment offers that are farther than I am willing to travel or assignments that I would be uncomfortable doing?
Using the system described in the ebook, you are the boss. Mystery shopping as an independent contractor (free agent) allows you to look at all available assignments in your area and select only the ones that you feel comfortable doing.
I want to buy this ebook, but I don't have a PayPal Account. Do I have other options available to pay?
You do not need to have a PayPal account to use their secure payment method. They also accept most major credit cards and debit cards as payment form. Simply click on any BUY HERE button and when the PayPal checkout page appears, click on the button in the middle of the page that says, "If you do not currently have a PayPal account click here". This will take you to a secure link that will allow you to complete checkout as a non-member. As a buyer, PayPal cost you nothing to use so don't worry about incurring a service charge fee on your card. I only accept online payment for this ebook as opposed to phone, check or money order payments as a cost saving measure to you the consumer. These savings allow me to offer this ebook directly to the public with dramatically reduced administrative cost thus allow you to purchase it at about a quarter of the actual retail price. Online payment also allows me to deliver this ebook to you immediately so you can get started without delay.
