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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. Feature Article: "The Top-10 Skills & Qualities You Need To Make It As A
Merchandiser"
2. "Ask The Coach"--my answers to your mystery shopping questions
3. Feature Article: "Paying For Your Holiday Shopping By Doing Your Holiday Shopping"
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1. Feature Article: "The Top-10 Skills & Qualities You Need To Make It
As A Merchandiser"
One question I have been receiving quite often from readers of this e-zine is "what kind of skills do I need to be a good merchandiser"? Most people can be merchandisers--male or female, young or old, fat or skinny, tall or short, any race or religion.
Here is my list of ten skills and personal qualities that I feel you need to make it as a merchandiser. As you will notice, just about all of them are skills you also need to be a top mystery shopper, which is why the fields of mystery shopping and merchandising work
so well together.
If you don't possess all ten, it just means you may need to work on some of them. Keep at it and you'll get better in time!
1. Good interpersonal skills
2. The ability to follow instructions
3. Pays attention to detail
4. Is reliable
5. Is honest
6. Does not mind abrupt changes
7. Acts professionally
8. Is well-organized
9. Thinks on their feet
10. Has basic internet/computer knowledge
Editor's Note: For more information, check out my Merchandising section CLICK HERE and check out my article "Creating Your Dual, Flexible, Home-Based Career" CLICK HERE
The book "The Quick And Easy Guide To Making Money As A Merchandiser" is available at my Book Corner 24/7 CLICK HERE
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2. "Ask The Coach"
Question: What do you do when you've completed the shop and have lost a receipt?
Answer From Melanie: That's a tough one. Usually you won't get paid for the shop unless they will accept some other form of proof--perhaps your credit card statement (if a credit card was used) when it comes in, or your credit card company may be able to send a copy of your receipt (this takes a long time and may not have the data the company wants). Some firms want the receipt as proof of the shop's date and time; others require it for more in-depth information so nothing else will do.
Contact your scheduler and politely explain the situation and see what can be done. And in the future please be careful--this kind of mistake can cost you money and hurt your reputation! A top-earning shopper has to be organized!
Question: How do you know what the mystery shopping company has rated your reports after you hand in your work?
Answer From Melanie: This varies by company. Some like those who use the SASSIE automated system have formal rating programs and will let you know exactly what you scored. They will then use the ratings to determine whether or not you will get another assignment with them, or the assignments for which you will be eligible. Others do not have such a system in place, or informally know which shoppers did a great job and which did not. For example, one of my the companies I work with that still likes to use snail mail for their reports simply writes "great job on your last report" on my next assignment sheet.
In general, my rule of thumb is that no news is good news--if there was a problem with your report, you'll hear about it.
Question: What do you do when you have a shop and your car breaks down?
Answer From Melanie: This one has happened to me. In fact it happened when I was doing an oil change shop so not only could I not get to the shop, the car was essential for the shop! The best move is to let your scheduler know ASAP and see if they have enough leeway to extend your deadline to allow time for your car to be repaired (that's what happened in my case). Otherwise, at least your courtesy will let them still schedule another shopper in time so they will use you again.
Overall, life happens, but it is your responsibility to do what you say you will do. Can you borrow a friend or relative's car? Can you get a cheap rental for a couple of days if you have several
assignments so that effort would be worthwhile? A local place like Enterprise might have a great deal (in my area they do $9.95 a day for Friday through Monday rentals). The rental may also be tax deductible--check with your tax advisor.
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 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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3. Feature Article: "Paying For Your Holiday Shopping By Doing Your
Holiday Shopping"
Before you know it, the holidays will be upon us. If you're smart, whether you are first considering mystery shopping, or are a seasoned mystery shopper, this year, instead of running up the
credit card bills, how about doing your holiday shopping the smart way? By getting paid while doing it!
As you know, I am not a big fan of relying on retail mystery shopping as a major source of income. Top-earning mystery shoppers focus on conducting research for companies that fall into the
service category such as apartment complexes, home builders, financial service companies, testing centers, car dealers and fitness centers, and do the technology-based shops (audio and video-taped). But since you are likely going to be hitting the malls and your local stores, as well as eating out more as you rush around trying to get everything done once the season is in full swing, you might as well have a game plan in place to get paid for as much of that effort as possible.
For those of you who are new to retail mystery shopping, you can expect to make $7-$25 for each retail-based assignment you do between actual cash and free merchandise. The more you are asked to do, the more the assignment pays. I suggest that everyone focus on the best-paying retail shops--"purchase and return" shops, where you buy something and then return it anywhere from a half an hour to a day later to report on how both parts of the transaction were handled. So, for example, if you did 10 of these shops, you would make $250 to help stretch the holiday budget. Plus, while you are out and about, you can take on a fast-food or restaurant shop and have that paid for as well.
Once the holidays are over, if you enjoyed the experience, you can keep doing mystery shopping as an ongoing source of income on a flexible schedule. If there is a good demand for mystery shoppers in your area, it is entirely possible to make up to $1,000 in a month's time in actual cash and high-end freebies depending upon the types of assignments you do. Mystery shoppers in strong markets who get into the hot new fields of audio and video mystery shopping can make
double this amount. Many good shoppers make between $300 and $600 monthly.
So how do you get these assignments to help pay for your holiday shopping and maybe even launch a new, home-based career as a professional mystery shopper? I go over the many ways to do this in great detail, along with lots of other great tips and techniques in my book "The Perfect Work-At-Home Job: Mystery Shopping". But feel free to start by visiting the "Mystery Shopper Lead Resources" page of my web site for a few free links. CLICK HERE
There's a lot more to being a professional, top-earning mystery shopper than just this, but it's a way for you to dabble, make some money this holiday season and get a feel for what is possible. And for those of you who regularly do mystery shopping, this is a great time to make retail and fast food shops worthwhile and use your time wisely for the upcoming holiday season.
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The next issue of "Perfect Work-At-Home Job Update" will be released on October 21st. 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.
Copyright 2002 Melanie R. Jordan E-Publishing
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