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Copyright 2002 Melanie R. Jordan E-Publishing
The free monthly e-zine devoted to professional mystery shopping for newbies, beginners and experienced shoppers.
Also From Melanie Jordan:
Healthy Eating Coach's Corner
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Welcome! In this issue you'll find:
1. Great News From Melanie!
2. Feature Article: "Canceling An Assignment The Right Way"
3. "Ask The Coach"--my answers to your mystery shopping questions
4. Feature Article: "The Top Mystery Shopping Trends"
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1. Great News From Melanie!
Forgive me for being off-topic for a moment, but there is a world out there besides mystery shopping and merchandising (sometimes). And with the latest news that a recall of contaminated hamburger linked to E.coli bacteria has been expanded to 18 million pounds and 21 states, the time to consider some healthy lifestyle changes has never been better.
I just wanted to share the great news with you that my book "Have Your Cheeseburger And Keep Your Health Too!" is now available as a high-quality print paperback through Booklocker.com and is gradually working its way to all the major on-line booksellers too.
This is the book that shows you how deliciously possible it is to achieve your goal of healthy eating, while continuing to eat all your favorite foods such as cheeseburgers, buffalo wings, BLTs,
To buy "Have Your Cheeseburger And Keep Your Health Too!" 24/7, at the introductory price of $14.95 in print paperback format, go to:
You may also use the links on my Healthy Eating Coach's Corner site at:
By the way, if you prefer to save money with the e-book format ($11.95), it's also available in Adobe PDF also through Booklocker.com. All purchase links are clearly marked at Melanie's Book Corner at http://www.healthyeatingcoach.com.
And please tell everyone you know! Thanks!
--Melanie Jordan
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2. Feature Article: "Canceling An Assignment The Right Way"
It's Summer. One of the peak periods for sun, fun and...cancellations! Whatever you reasons for canceling an assignment, here are some tips for doing so with grace, and for the savvy mystery shopper, how to turn cancellations into opportunity.
1. Don't Cancel
This seems obvious, but it is worth repeating. If you can possibly avoid it, don't cancel an assignment once you accept it. A cancellation, except for a true emergency can be hazardous to your bank account. Why? The mystery shopping company, your scheduler and the client have deadlines to meet and they are counting on you to keep your word and do the assignment you have accepted. Canceling an assignment can keep you from getting future work from that company or scheduler, or at the very least, put you at the bottom of the list.
2. If You Must Cancel
It should be for an emergency, not because you've decided you want to go to the beach instead or because the job was tougher than you originally thought. And make sure the emergency is not a constant occurrence. When I was managing the Marketing Department for a bank, it seemed like every week one of my employees had someone in the hospital--when her grandmother who had passed away two months ago, was now in the hospital again, that was a dead giveaway (sorry,
I just had to use that pun)!
Don't wait until the due date of the shop to say you could not do the job. Give the mystery shopping company or scheduler the news right away as a professional courtesy. This way, they may still be able to reschedule the assignment with another shopper without blowing their deadline.
3. Surprise--You Might Not Have To Cancel
Did you know that mystery shopping companies and schedulers often have a built-in "fudge factor" on the deadlines for shop reports? This isn't meant to be deceiving--it's just good project management. In fact, you should be using your own "fudge factor" when you do a shop. For example, if you know you have 5 days to complete a job, don't wait until day 5 to do it. Based on Murphy's Law, that's when something will go wrong and you'll never get it done in time. Give
yourself till day 3, or day 4 at the latest to do your assignment. This way, if something comes up, you'll have a day or two to fall back on.
If you have been a reliable shopper turning in quality work who now has to cancel due to an emergency, and you give as much notice as possible, you just might be able to extend your deadline so you can keep the gig! If this is not offered to you, and you know that you are absolutely sure you will be able to finish your work if you had a day or two more, ask! You'll be surprised at how often you'll be given an extension--just don't abuse the privilege.
4. Using Cancellations To Your Advantage
Suppose you're not the one canceling, but you're the shopper who is instead contacted to jump in at the last minute? Can you use this to your advantage? You bet! This is a great opportunity to get your foot in the door and show what you can do. Since the company or scheduler has already been disappointed by another shopper, their expectations are pretty low. So when you do a great job on time in a pinch, it gets noticed and puts you in a strong position to get more assignments from that contact in the future.
Also, keep your eye out for the lead e-mails and board posts for cancellations. When you see them, seize the opportunity and offer your services immediately. In fact, if you are absolutely positive you will deliver on the shop if assigned, add a line saying "you can count on me not to cancel"! I do this and it really helps you stand out during a time when everyone is canceling and the busy scheduler is wondering if I give this assignment to this person, what are the odds that he or she will cancel on me? Just make sure you can deliver, as there is nothing worse than having opportunity turn into a cancellation.
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3. "Ask The Coach"
Question: I tried to apply for a job through SASSIE for a company. When I tried to pick up the job, I was told I did not qualify because my shopper rating was not a 7. Do you have any idea what
this means? Will I not be able to receive any more jobs with companies that use SASSIE?
Answer From Melanie: The SASSIE system used by some mystery shopping companies and schedulers includes a rating for each report that you submit as a shopper using their own evaluation system, and then they average them together to create an overall rating for you. It does
not mean that with a 7 you can't get any future shops through the system, but what it does mean is that particular client has said that they don't want someone with a rating of 7 or less for that job,
so you are unfortunately ineligible for it.
Question: I mystery shopped the wrong scenario! Should I call/ email the company and request to do it again, or should I just go back today or tomorrow and do it over?
Answer From Melanie: Generally if you shop the wrong scenario, you could try to do it over prior to submission as long as it is one where you would not give away your anonymity by doing a repeat that quickly. If in doubt about whether doing it over would be an issue, you should explain what happened to the company and let them make the call.
In the future, it is always very, very important to review all paperwork prior to doing a shop and if you have any doubts always ask the scheduler or company for clarification and document in
writing what they say so there is no issue later on.
Question: I keep getting e-mail requests at 5 PM on Friday evening for shop locations that are 30 miles away. Do I accept? Being new to this business I feel as though I should accept any and all requests. What do you think?
Answer From Melanie: The way I advise my readers and coaching clients is that in the beginning, if you possibly can accept an assignment offered to you at the last moment, by all means do so.
Getting contacted like this means another shopper cancelled or a rush job came in and it's one of the best ways to get your foot in the door with a company or independent scheduler. And not just for that assignment, but for getting "brownie points" that will likely win you other assignments from the same contact or even others that they know. The mileage is a bit much at 30 miles unless that is the norm for your area, but it could be worth this going the extra mile --literally--to get those first shops under your belt.
Do you have a question to "Ask The Coach"? Please e-mail me your question at mysteryshopcoach@aol.com. I will select the best ones received each month for publication in this e-zine. Either way, I will personally answer your question as quickly as my schedule permits via e-mail. So feel free to contact me--you will get my response back (not an autoresponder--as long as you use the e-mail address noted).
--Melanie Jordan, editor
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AT MYSTERY SHOPPER COACH'S CORNER
This is where you can get your copy of "The Perfect Work-At-Home Job: Mystery Shopping" and/or "How-To Finally Make Money As A Mystery Shopper".
Remember--you save 20% when you buy both!
And don't forget the new "The Quick And Easy Guide To Making Money As A Merchandiser".
You can make your purchase 24/7 with no shipping or sales tax. It's easy, fast and secure and your book will be immediately accessible!
WANT TO SAVE 20% ON ALL 3 BOOKS? Order directly from me.
PAY PAL, CHECKS and MONEY ORDERS ARE ALSO ACCEPTED FOR ALL BOOK PURCHASES--just place your order directly with me. Please e-mail me at mysteryshopcoach@aol.com for the simple details.
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4. Feature Article: "The Top Mystery Shopping Industry Trends"
In the past year since I launched "Perfect Work-At-Home Job Update", the free monthly e-zine that over 4,000 professional mystery shoppers of all levels now rely upon, there have been many changes in the industry. Here's a look at the four most important trends that I see and how they are shaping our world.
1. Increased Use Of Automation
Both independent schedulers and the mystery shopping companies themselves are increasingly using automated scheduling. This can mean that shoppers receive announcements of shops and then apply through a system that will use shopper rankings and other factors to determine automatically who gets the job. The SASSIE system is an example of this type of usage.
There are also some company web sites that post their available shops and let shoppers select, or "self-assign" the job to themselves. Usually it is the lower-end shops that are made available this way when this method is used.
I believe that this is a trend that is here to stay. On the plus side, many shoppers like the idea of being able to pick a shop and know that they have it. On the negative side, few companies operate this way; not all systems take into account shopper quality (or take too much into account--one bad shop and you're toast); the higher-paying narrative shops are not often part of such systems; and it removes some of the ability to build rapport with companies and schedulers. Automation is also cutting down on the demand for schedulers--so what is often every shopper's fantasy job, is even harder to obtain.
2. Technology-Based Shops Begin To Come Of Age
While still making up a relatively small percentage of mystery shopping assignments overall, technology-based mystery shops--those that involve the use of a digital camera, audio taping or video equipment--are definitely becoming more commonplace. (By the way, in the August 1st issue of my free monthly column "Coach's Diary" which is automatically e-mailed to all "Perfect Work-At-Home Job Update" e-zine subscribers, I've got a great story about what happens when a video shop goes awry.)
For mystery shoppers who either own this equipment, or are doing enough work to justify the expense, it can be a great way to earn more money as a mystery shopper and get a competitive edge over other shoppers. I have two chapters devoted to this topic in my second book "How-To Finally Make Money As A Mystery Shopper", but overall, if you are an experienced shopper, the pros of doing this kind of work outweigh the cons. I don't recommend it for newbies as
I like to see them get comfortable with just pulling off a routine shop without the added distraction of dealing with equipment first (digital camera usage is an exception as this is always an open
audit, meaning you are not working incognito).
One of my big concerns though is that as mystery shopping starts to use equipment and looks more and more like private investigator work to lawmakers, we may see more states get on the same bandwagon as Nevada and require P.I. licenses for shoppers. That would be a definite setback to the profession.
3. Increased Competition, Slight Decreases In Available Assignments
While you may find some people who still don't know about mystery shopping, thanks to the higher profile of this work in the media, this field is no longer a mystery to many. Competition for
assignments--especially those perceived as the "fun" assignments--is much stronger than it used to be. Some schedulers are also more reluctant about giving out shops to untested shoppers, or to give multiple shops to the same person for fear of being let down.
Plus, with the slowdown in the economy, some clients have cut back or placed their shopper programs on hold. I have seen this first-hand as a company in my area had one of the automotive clients I routinely shopped for them stop their shops for awhile. You can't control the economy.
The popularity of mystery shopping is not about to die down anytime soon. However, keep in mind that many shoppers are just "dabblers" and work for hamburgers or free trips to the mall for the quickie $8-$12 shop. Those who take on the more complex, higher-paying service category and technology-based shops develop the skills to stay in demand, and learn to make the connections to maximize their incomes. Also, client rotation requirements can keep the same shoppers from hogging all the shops.
4. The Boom In Pay Sites & Services
First of all, you have to be on your guard when anyone asks for money upfront simply to register on a site or for the possibility of obtaining work. In many cases, it is a scam. To know the
difference, if you missed my article "Shopper Round-up: Your Feedback On The Mystery Shopping Scam Issue + How To Tell Who's Likely Legit And Who's Not" that was in my April issue of "Perfect Work-At-Home Job Update" e-zine, CLICK HERE to read it.
There are now several sites out there that shoppers can pay a fee to register with and possibly secure some assignments. I have heard mixed things from shoppers about them, but I believe that the ones that really do help shoppers will survive.
One site that I know is legitimate because I put it to the test myself for 30 days and found that it may have value for some shoppers (but not for everyone) is ShadowShopper.com. This was
Before you consider registering with ShadowShopper, I highly recommend that you get a copy of the special investigative report called "The ShadowShopper.com Experience--The Test Results, Pros & Cons", which I put together based on this test. It will let you know, among other things, every shop that came up for me during the 30-day test, how much it paid, the overall income potential and the true advantages and disadvantages of the service to see if it's right for you. "The ShadowShopper.com Experience--The Test Results, Pros & Cons" is just $5 (to help defray the cost of the time I devoted to this research), and it'll either save you $25 if you decide ShadowShopper.com is not for you, or you'll get three times your money back through a special offer from ShadowShopper.com with $15 in free services when you join using the special URL you will find only in my special report.
To order "The ShadowShopper.com Experience: The Test Results, Pros & Cons" for just $5 24/7,
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The next issue of "Perfect Work-At-Home Job Update" will be released on August 16th. Your comments, questions and suggestions are welcome. Please feel free to pass along this issue in its complete form with all contact information intact to any other mystery shoppers you know, or anyone who might never have otherwise thought about the possibility of mystery shopping as a work-at-home career. New subscriptions are welcome by e-mailing me at mscoach@aweber.com.
Guest features are provided for your information and may not represent the views of the publisher.
This publication offers information on the subject matter of mystery shopping. It is not intended to substitute for legal or other professional advice. Readers should consult with a professional whenever expert advice is needed. As laws and regulations may change from time to time, it is recommended that readers contact the appropriate authority to assure compliance with applicable statutes.
The author and publisher shall assume no responsibility or liability with respect to any loss or damage caused, or alleged to be caused, by the application of the information contained in this publication.
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