Mystery Shopping Coach's Update

Mystery Shopping And Merchandising Are Not The Only Fish In The Sea

2009-02-23T13:48:00.000-08:00

Guess why I've been so busy? I have a new book out!

What You Know Is Worth More Than You Know(TM) - Achieving The Life You Were Meant To Have By Making Money From What YOU Know!

This is my comprehensive, 226-page guide to infopreneuring and marketing from my unique perspective. It’s based on nearly a decade of my infopreneuring experience and over 20 years of marketing experience. You can get your copy 24/7 at:

http://budurl.com/InfopreneurEBook

Yes I know, some of you are going to freak out because this isn't a book on mystery shopping or merchandising. But since I know most of you are doing mystery shopping and merchandising to create some side income, I felt it was my duty to make you aware of my newest book.

While mystery shopping and merchandising are just fine, people who are successful at self-employment usually have multiple streams of income, and this is a fantastic one to add to your endeavors.

And if you're still an employee, on any given day your livelihood can be taken away from you, and if you don't have a "Plan B" it will rock your world. This is the best way to have a sideline.

If you've already been laid off, I hear you--I've been there twice myself. What better way to get even than to decide to capitalize on what you know for your own benefit this time?

Infopreneuring has unlimited work-at-home income potential and all you need is your knowledge and an open mind. If you've got that, I invite you to join me on this journey. and go to:

http://budurl.com/InfopreneurEBook

P.S. There will also be an affiliate program launching in the next few days.

--Taking the mystery out of professional mystery shopping--Melanie Jordan http://www.mysteryshoppercoach.com/

Don't miss a post! Subscribe to my list Mystery Shopper Coach's Update to be notified when this blog is updated, ask mystery shopper questions and receive my e-zine, subscriber-only discounts and more! CLICK HERE

NEW! Melanie's Podcast--What You Know Is Worth More Than You Know(TM) Check it out here: http://budurl.com/WhatYouKnowPodcast

Check out Melanie's other blogs: The Healthy Food Review at http://www.thehealthyfoodreview.com/

What You Know Is Worth More Than You Know(TM) - The Blog For Infopreneurs at: http://www.whatyouknowisworthmore.com/

Copyright 2009 Melanie R. Jordan E-Publishing

Earnings And Liability Disclaimer: We cannot say for sure you willmake money with your Info Products, nor can specific outcomes be guaranteed from any project efforts, suggestions or advice. Results will vary and ultimately depend upon your effort to grow your business, your talents and abilities, quality, pricing, competition and the market for your Info Products, among other things. SunLover Publishing and its employees offer information and guidance on this subject matter, but it is not intended to substitute for legal or other professional advice. Users of this web site and the company's services should consult with aprofessional whenever expert advice is needed especially in regardto legal, tax and compliance matters. SunLover Publishing and its employees assume no responsibility or liability with respect to any loss or damage caused, or alleged to be caused, by the application of any information on this web site, in its materials, or offered in its consulting and coaching services.

How To Become A Scheduler For Mystery Shopping Jobs

2009-01-05T18:05:00.000-08:00

Question:

I don't just want to be a mystery shopper. How do I become a scheduler for mystery shopping jobs?

Answer From Coach Melanie:

I have an entire chapter devoted to this topic on how to become a mystery shopping scheduler based on my exclusive interview with a scheduler for one of the top mystery shopper scheduling companies in my book for experienced mystery shoppers How-To Finally Make Money As A Mystery Shopper called Scheduling: The Brass Ring.

However, the short answer is that there isn't really a short cut to becoming a scheduler for mystery shopping companies. It's all about making the right connections and positioning yourself the right way. Scheduling is perceived as the glamour job of the mystery shopping field, so it's very competitive. Plus, automated systems, in some cases, are replacing some demand for schedulers. But it is possible.

Happy Mystery Shopping!

Taking the mystery out of professional mystery shopping--Melanie Jordan http://www.mysteryshoppercoach.com/

Don't miss a post! Subscribe to my list Mystery Shopper Coach's Update to be notified when this blog is updated, ask mystery shopper questions and receive my e-zine, subscriber-only discounts and more! CLICK HERE

Follow me on Twitter http://Twitter.com/MysteryShopPro

NEW! Melanie's Podcast--What You Know Is Worth More Than You Know(TM) Check it out here: http://budurl.com/WhatYouKnowPodcast

Check out Melanie's other blogs: The Healthy Food Review at http://www.thehealthyfoodreview.com/

What You Know Is Worth More Than You Know(TM) - The Blog For Infopreneurs at: http://www.whatyouknowisworthmore.com/

Vegas Inside Scoop at http://www.vegasinsidescoop.com/

Copyright 2009 Melanie R. Jordan E-Publishing

Getting Back In The Good Graces Of A Mystery Shopping Company

2008-12-22T17:51:00.000-08:00

Question:

I did shops for a certain mystery shopping company who was great to work with. The trouble is, my account with them was deactivated after I missed doing a very important shop to which I was assigned. At the time, we had a serious illness in the family, and life was very stressful then, and I simply forgot about the assignment.

I would like to work as a mystery shopper for this company again, as they have many jobs in my area right now. What can I do to get mystery shopping assignments from them again?

Answer From Coach Melanie:

I'm not sure if you spoke with anyone at the mystery shopping company after you forgot about the assignment, or if your account just got deactivated without any communication between the two of you so they never knew why you missed the mystery shopping assignment.

If you had communicated with them in the past, I would try to call and ask to speak with a scheduler or someone else who liaisons with the mystery shoppers for that mystery shopping company, explain what happened and how you would never do that again under any circumstances.

Mention how you would greatly appreciate the chance to get your account reactivated or to apply again if your profile is gone. If they refuse and you really want to work for them, consider even offering to do one assignment for free to prove your reliability and skill so you can get back in their good graces.

Life happens, but it's very hard to repair damage to a working relationship after the fact, and mystery shopping companies, like any work resource, place a high priority on reliability. Check out my article Canceling An Assignment The Right Way so you'll know what to do in the future when life's unfortunate circumstances come your way.

Happy Mystery Shopping!

Taking the mystery out of professional mystery shopping--Melanie Jordan http://www.mysteryshoppercoach.com/

Don't miss a post! Subscribe to my list Mystery Shopper Coach's Update to be notified when this blog is updated, ask mystery shopper questions and receive my e-zine, subscriber-only discounts and more! CLICK HERE

Follow me on Twitter http://Twitter.com/MysteryShopPro

NEW! Melanie's Podcast--What You Know Is Worth More Than You Know(TM)
Check it out here: http://budurl.com/WhatYouKnowPodcast

Check out Melanie's other blogs: The Healthy Food Review at http://www.thehealthyfoodreview.com/

What You Know Is Worth More Than You Know(TM) - The Blog For Infopreneurs at: http://www.whatyouknowisworthmore.com/

Vegas Inside Scoop at http://www.vegasinsidescoop.com/

Copyright 2008 Melanie R. Jordan E-Publishing

Laid Off? Mystery Shopping And Merchandising Can Bring In Cash Quickly

2008-12-15T18:02:00.000-08:00

Hi All,

It's awful to be laid off. I know because I've been there twice myself.

What can you do about it?

1. It is possible to generate some supplemental cash in 30 to 60 days while you look for your next job with mystery shopping and merchandising. Check out my article on Getting Started In Mystery Shopping The Right Way CLICK HERE

2. Longer-term, to protect yourself against future layoffs and empower yourself and your family, you need to make your own job, or at least a side job. Check out my podcast episode Laid Off? Infopreneuring Is Your Next Job! CLICK HERE

Happy Mystery Shopping!

Taking the mystery out of professional mystery shopping--Melanie Jordan

http://www.mysteryshoppercoach.com/

Don't miss a post! Subscribe to my list Mystery Shopper Coach's Update to be notified when this blog is updated and receive my e-zine, subscriber-only discounts and more! CLICK HERE

NEW! Melanie's Podcast--What You Know Is Worth More Than You Know(TM) Check it out here: http://budurl.com/WhatYouKnowPodcast

Check out Melanie's other blogs: The Healthy Food Review at http://www.thehealthyfoodreview.com/

What You Know Is Worth More Than You Know(TM) - The Blog For Infopreneurs at: http://www.whatyouknowisworthmore.com/

Vegas Inside Scoop at http://www.vegasinsidescoop.com/

Copyright 2008 Melanie R. Jordan E-Publishing

Ask The Mystery Shopping Coach How To Know When You'll Be Paid For Your Shop

2008-12-07T21:10:00.000-08:00

Question:

Is there any way to tell the specific date of payment when signing up for a mystery shopper job?

Answer From Coach Melanie:

The answer is that it varies by company. Most mystery shopping companies (or the scheduler for the companies), will say in the assignment guidelines when payment is to be expected for your mystery shopper job. And that's typically within 30 days of the shop or 15-30 days from the end of the month from which your shop was completed.

In the first case, if you do a mystery shopper job on December 31st, it means your check will go out by January 31st. In the second case, it means that if you do a job on December 31st, your check could go out on January 15th or January 31st.

Happy Mystery Shopping!

Taking the mystery out of professional mystery shopping--Melanie Jordan http://www.mysteryshoppercoach.com/

Don't miss a post! Subscribe to my list Mystery Shopper Coach's Update to be notified when this blog is updated and receive my e-zine, subscriber-only discounts and more! CLICK HERE

NEW! Melanie's Podcast--What You Know Is Worth More Than You Know(TM) Check it out here: http://budurl.com/WhatYouKnowPodcast

Check out Melanie's other blogs: The Healthy Food Review at http://www.thehealthyfoodreview.com/

What You Know Is Worth More Than You Know(TM) - The Blog For Infopreneurs at: http://www.whatyouknowisworthmore.com/

Vegas Inside Scoop at http://www.vegasinsidescoop.com/

Copyright 2008 Melanie R. Jordan E-Publishing

Take $20 Of Mystery Shopping Earnings And Reinvest It In Your Knowledge

2008-11-07T10:24:00.000-08:00

Hi All,

Attention to all my loyal, open-minded mystery shoppers who want to earn more money than they do from mystery shopping or merchandising alone. As you should know by now if you regularly follow me, I am a big fan of having several self-employed efforts to create your ideal flexible lifestyle, or to add onto your day job to reach your dreams. Mystery shopping is but one way.

My biggest passion right now is teaching people to make money from what they know through infopreneuring. It's the topic of my free weekly podcast What You Know Is Worth More Than You Know(TM) and here's a great way to take just $20 of your mystery shopping earnings and get the essentials you need to start creating your own high profit teleseminars.

All you need is a phone, your voice and some know how which you can get on an information-packed Teleseminar Secrets preview call with my teleseminar mentor on December 4th.

Honestly, his full 8-module course Teleseminar Secrets is beyond your budget, but my teleseminar mentor always over delivers in everything he does, and I know that the $20 investment (you save $79 off the regular $99 price with the special priority code on the page from this link through me) in this preview call that will teach you all the basics on getting started in teleseminars.

Teleseminars can make you $50 to thousands of dollars per participant depending on the length, topic and your skill level once you get a following (and one of my podcast episodes just discussed 4 No Cost Ways To Do Marketing). Not a bad investment for $20 (or basically one mystery shopping job).

Go register for the Teleseminar Secrets preview call now. Do it today for yourself and your loved ones!

Taking the mystery out of professional mystery shopping--Melanie Jordan http://www.mysteryshoppercoach.com/

Don't miss a post! Subscribe to my list Mystery Shopper Coach's Update to be notified when this blog is updated and receive my e-zine, subscriber-only discounts and more! CLICK HERE

NEW! Melanie's Podcast--What You Know Is Worth More Than You Know(TM) Check it out here: http://budurl.com/WhatYouKnowPodcast

Check out Melanie's other blogs: The Healthy Food Review at http://www.thehealthyfoodreview.com/

What You Know Is Worth More Than You Know(TM) - The Blog For Infopreneurs at: http://www.whatyouknowisworthmore.com/

Vegas Inside Scoop at http://www.vegasinsidescoop.com/

Copyright 2008 Melanie R. Jordan E-Publishing

Mystery Shopping And Merchandising Book Special Offer

2008-10-14T17:56:00.000-07:00

Hi All,

My publisher has just made available a special deal on two of my most popular titles:

Mystery Shopping 2-Volume Set

The Quick And Easy Guide To Making Money As A Merchandiser

Get the print paperback book and get the E-Book for 50% off! Read the e-book and start making money while you wait for the hard copy for your ongoing reference. No need to print out pages!

Taking the mystery out of professional mystery shopping--Melanie Jordan http://www.mysteryshoppercoach.com/

Don't miss a post! Subscribe to my list Mystery Shopper Coach's Update to be notified when this blog is updated and receive my e-zine, subscriber-only discounts and more! CLICK HERE

NEW! Melanie's Podcast--What You Know Is Worth More Than You Know(TM) Check it out here: http://www.whatyouknowisworthmorepodcast.com/

Check out Melanie's other blogs:

The Healthy Food Review at
http://www.thehealthyfoodreview.com/

What You Know Is Worth More Than You Know(TM) - The Blog For Infopreneurs at: http://www.whatyouknowisworthmore.com/

Vegas Inside Scoop at
http://www.vegasinsidescoop.com/

Copyright 2008 Melanie R. Jordan E-Publishing

A Special Invitation To Mystery Shoppers and Merchandisers With An Open Mind

2008-09-24T23:37:00.000-07:00

Hi All,

When I discovered mystery shopping and merchandising years ago, I was so into it that I named my first book The Perfect Work-At-Home Job: Mystery Shopping. I do still believe that those two fields are viable ways to supplement your income with home-based work.

However, we all do evolve over time--at least I hope you do :) so if you have an open mind, I invite you to take an easy, but giant step forward in home-based income.

This IS something you can do part-time or full-time. In this crazy world, we all need to do whatever we can to take control of our livelihood so that no layoff, downsizing or furlough can ever disrupt our lives! I believe what I am about to share with you is the best way to do just that.

I have a hit FREE podcast called What You Know Is Worth More ThanYou Know(TM), The Podcast and it's all about what is beyond the perfect job, it's the ultimate job--infoprenuering or making money from your own knowledge. It is founded on my belief that everyone knows something that is worth something to others. That someone could, and should be you!

Intrigued? I invite you to listen to just two episodes that are perfect for mystery shoppers and merchandisers who might want to consider adding a powerful new revenue stream to their bank
accounts at:

http://www.whatyouknowisworthmorepodcast.com/

Check out episode 5 Why Infopreneuring Is The Ultimate Recession Proof Home Based Business

and Episode 7 The Money Side Of Infopreneuring

It'll take you just a few minutes that could really change your life, and the life of your loved ones. Listen live, download it, subscribe with iTunes or your Zune--your choice.

It doesn't matter where you live, how old you are, if you have a day job or not.

This is an opportunity to be in total control of your own destiny, because your ability to earn is limited only by your personal drive and your knowledge, and no one can ever take that away from you!

Again, while you can listen to them all if you like, just try episodes 5 and 7 at:

http://www.whatyouknowisworthmorepodcast.com/

I'm not saying to stop mystery shopping and merchandising--still good stuff, but I invite those of you who want more to take the next step and join me on this new topic too.

In the podcast episode will be instructions on how to get on my invitation-only list for my upcoming fr*ee teleseminars on infopreneuring, where you can ask lots of questions. So if you value my insights on this topic, please be sure to get on that list so you don't miss a thing.

Regardless of whether or not you take me up on my invitation--and I hope you do. Thanks for your time and happy shopping!

Taking the mystery out of professional mystery shopping--Melanie Jordan http://www.mysteryshoppercoach.com/

Don't miss a post! Subscribe to my list Mystery Shopper Coach's Update to be notified when this blog is updated and receive my e-zine, subscriber-only discounts and more! CLICK HERE

NEW! Melanie's Podcast--What You Know Is Worth More Than You Know(TM)
Check it out here: http://www.whatyouknowisworthmorepodcast.com/

Check out Melanie's other blogs:

The Healthy Food Review at
http://www.thehealthyfoodreview.com/

What You Know Is Worth More Than You Know(TM) - The Blog For Infopreneurs at:
http://www.whatyouknowisworthmore.com/

Vegas Inside Scoop at
http://www.vegasinsidescoop.com/

Copyright 2008 Melanie R. Jordan E-Publishing

A Mystery Shopping Occupational Hazard

2008-09-02T16:39:00.000-07:00

Hi All,

Hope you had a great Labor Day weekend!

Do you have this occupational hazard of mystery shopping? I've done so many mystery shopping jobs that even when I am not mystery shopping, every time I encounter a worker in a store, restaurant or other business establishment, the first thing I note is their name tag.

I just can't help it. There I am talking to them, or shaking hands, and my eye instantly searches for their name tag, or at least a name on a desk plate.

So many mystery shoppers have told me that they sometimes have trouble getting an employee's name, it makes me laugh that my knee-jerk reaction is always to grab a name when I don't need it. Such is the curse of being detail-oriented!

Based on popular request, here is one of my classic mystery shopping encounters, that I'm sharing once again since it has brought a chuckle to many a fellow mystery shopper:

The Name Tag Challenge

In Southern California, we have a popular salad buffet restaurant that also has many locations across the country. Recently, one of my schedulers notified me that this restaurant was now one of their accounts. The only thing better than going to a favorite place, is going there for free!

I don't do lots of restaurant shops since you don't really make much, if any, money on them, but if it's a place I like, fine. What I always find fascinating is that when you go to a business you always patronize, but now as a shopper, the experience does change because you are in researcher mode.

What I found most challenging was reading the name tags of the personnel behind the main salad bar because the top frame and sneeze guard were at a level that blocked my view of the workers. The first person was pretty easy. Salad bar attendant number two was giving myself and my husband the fits. She kept looking down with her body bent over where her name tag was while sweeping, and sweeping, and sweeping! Great--I have to get the worker whose goal is to have the world's cleanest salad bar floor!

I bent lower, acting like I needed to reach the broccoli-the worker is still sweeping. My husband went to the other side of the salad bar, she turns away just as he gets there. Does she turn in my direction? No, now she goes all the way down on the floor to investigate the broom bottom. We keep working at it as we fill our plates with salad items and move down the line; she keeps sweeping.

Finally, I decided to ask her a question, figuring I've got to see her name tag when she talks to me. Oh no! She stands with her hands on top of the broom as I speak with her--exactly in front of her name tag. As my mind raced for another idea, I finally hit pay dirt. I heard someone call out "Tanisha, I need you over here". As luck would have it, the mad sweeper's identity became known.

Tanisha, you are a credit to sweepers everywhere! And for the shoppers reading this--always stay alert, be creative and persevere.

Do you have a fun mystery shopping anecdote? Feel free to post it as a comment, or e-mail me CLICK HERE.

Have a great day and happy shopping !

Taking the mystery out of professional mystery shopping--Melanie Jordan http://www.mysteryshoppercoach.com/

Don't miss a post! Subscribe to my list Mystery Shopper Coach's Update to be notified when this blog is updated and receive my e-zine, subscriber-only discounts and more! CLICK HERE

NEW! Melanie's Podcast--What You Know Is Worth More Than You Know(TM)
Check it out here: http://www.whatyouknowisworthmorepodcast.com/

Check out Melanie's other blogs:

The Healthy Food Review at
http://www.thehealthyfoodreview.com/

Vegas Inside Scoop at
http://www.vegasinsidescoop.com/

Copyright 2008 Melanie R. Jordan E-Publishing; The Name Tag Challenge is Copyright 2002 Melanie R. Jordan E-Publishing

Is Mystery Shopping Dead What You Said

2008-08-05T12:32:00.000-07:00

Hi All,

Interesting feedback from mystery shoppers on last post's issue of whether or not you thought mystery shopping was dead. One mystery shopper provided some great feedback as a comment to the last blog post (or if you missed the last blog post, heaven forbid) check it out here:

http://www.mysteryshoppercoach.com/bloggerfiles/2008/07/is-mystery-shopping-dead.html

Other mystery shoppers wrote back to me with a variety of thoughts, and with one or two exceptions where those mystery shoppers lived in less populous areas so work was not as high volume, or they just didn't really use proper techniques to get a steady flow of mystery shopping work, the overwhelming majority felt mystery shopping was doing just fine, thank you very much!

Here's a couple of other comments from your fellow mystery shoppers:

"Mystery shopping is not dead from gas prices, but gas prices may be the straw that broke the camels back. The bidding wars and competition may be the real reason mystery shopping is dying. Start-up companies low bid for accounts and then can't even pay shoppers an honest amount. Companies that utilize mystery shopping need to realize that you get what you pay for. So, if you pay someone $8 to do a shop that takes them an hour or more in actual time and additional resources, they are likely to get a very poor quality shopper. I personally do not do any jobs that pay under $15 per job/hour."

"In scheduling out of area mystery shops I have to have 1-2 mystery shopping jobs jobs to make it worth the trip, then I'm not pressured to add anything else endangering my main goals and turning a potentially good day into a nightmare. "

"Mystery shopping is not dead. Most of on receipt surveys are taken by customers only when something happened, usually bad, or a manager specifically asks you to call and make you answers all positive in exchange for upgrading your fries to extra large at no charge."

Have a great day and happy shopping !

Taking the mystery out of professional mystery shopping--Melanie Jordan http://www.mysteryshoppercoach.com/

Don't miss a post! Subscribe to my list Mystery Shopper Coach's Update to be notified when this blog is updated and receive my e-zine, subscriber-only discounts and more! CLICK HERE

Check out Melanie's other blogs:

Make Money In Foreclosures
http://www.youcanmakemoneywithforeclosures.com/

The Healthy Food Review at
http://www.thehealthyfoodreview.com/

Vegas Inside Scoop at
http://www.vegasinsidescoop.com/

Copyright 2008 Melanie R. Jordan E-Publishing

Is Mystery Shopping Dead?

2008-07-28T20:31:00.000-07:00

Hi All,

Question:

Is mystery shopping still a good way to make money from home, or have gas prices, mystery shopping scams and stores doing their own surveys made mystery shopping something to stay away from?

Answer From Coach Melanie:

The three things you named are concerns. High gas prices mean you have to work smarter as a mystery shopper to make a particular mystery shopping assignment viable enough to be worth your time. Think grouping mystery shopping assignments together, combining mystery shopping with merchandising assignments, doing mystery shops where your daily life takes you anyway and negotiating higher pay for a shop (yes there are times the pay for a mystery shopper job is negotiable).

Mystery shopper scams from a few bad apples mean you have to use common sense and know that if someone sends you pay upfront (like the current check scams do), run for the hills.

And yes, many stores now use their register tapes and receipts to get regular shoppers to give their opinion to win cash or merchandise or at least a discount on a future purchase.

On my United Airlines boarding pass for my trip last week, an invitation to complete a survey for the chance to win airline miles was offered (I am going to have fun with that one since they broke my luggage and told me in customer service that "that's what the luggage is for--protecting its contents"). Eating places like Baja Fresh, Johnny Rockets and Johnny Carinos all offer you a freebie or discount for doing a survey by phone or via the internet after eating at their establishments.

However, I do not believe that any of these items, or even all of them together are nails in the coffin of mystery shopping so to speak. Mystery shopping does remain a flexible, legitimate way to make some money from home, and I suspect that it always will.

As always though, if you are looking to be self-employed, mystery shopping is one income stream, and you should be open to adding others to get to your desired level of overall income and not put all your eggs in one basket. More on this concept behind self-employment coming soon.

So do you think mystery shopping is or isn't dead? Let me know what you think!

Have a great day and happy shopping !

Taking the mystery out of professional mystery shopping--Melanie Jordan http://www.mysteryshoppercoach.com/

Don't miss a post! Subscribe to my list Mystery Shopper Coach's Update to be notified when this blog is updated and receive my e-zine, subscriber-only discounts and more! CLICK HERE

Check out Melanie's other blogs:

Make Money In Foreclosures

http://www.youcanmakemoneywithforeclosures.com/

The Healthy Food Review at

http://www.thehealthyfoodreview.com/

Vegas Inside Scoop at

http://www.vegasinsidescoop.com/

Copyright 2008 Melanie R. Jordan E-Publishing

Adding Merchandising Assignments To Your Mystery Shopping Work

2008-07-20T19:04:00.000-07:00

Hi All,

What's the most overlooked way to make money mystery shopping? Combining it with merchandising for a dual, home-based career. The more sporadic nature of mystery shopping can be reeled in by also doing merchandising. Merchandising is the "steady Eddie" to mystery shopping.

In case you didn't know, merchandising is The Perfect Work-At-Home Job, Part II! As I defined it in my book The Quick And Easy Guide To Making Money As A Merchandiser, "merchandising is the many different activities one does to support the movement out of a retailer's door" (no shoplifting is not merchandising).

Merchandisers do more physical, but generally not very hard work to set up signage and promotional displays, move and rearrange products on a store's shelves to conform to a retailer's strategy, inventory counts, making sure the right product is in the right place, in the right amounts at the right time and having coupons or other informational material on hand at the point of purchase.

Merchandisers can work by assignment like mystery shoppers do, or they may work hourly on a part-time or full-time basis. And doing mystery shopping assignments does not generally interfere with merchandising, and doing them together in the same geographic area can make both kinds of work much more worth your time than if they were done separately.

To learn more about merchandising, go to:

http://www.mysteryshoppercoach.com/merchandising.html

and check out my Merchandising FAQs here:

http://www.mysteryshoppercoach.com/merchandisingfaqs.html

Have a great day and happy shopping AND merchandising!

Taking the mystery out of professional mystery shopping--Melanie Jordan
http://www.mysteryshoppercoach.com/

Don't miss a post! Subscribe to my list Mystery Shopper Coach's Update to be notified when this blog is updated and receive my e-zine, subscriber-only discounts and more! CLICK HERE

Check out Melanie's other blogs:

Make Money In Foreclosures
http://www.youcanmakemoneywithforeclosures.com/

The Healthy Food Review at
http://www.thehealthyfoodreview.com/

Vegas Inside Scoop at
http://www.vegasinsidescoop.com/

Copyright 2008 Melanie R. Jordan E-Publishing

Getting Back Into Mystery Shopping After Relocating

2008-06-28T11:16:00.000-07:00

Hi All,

Question:

I'm a mystery shopper who just recently relocated to a new city and I don't know how to find mystery shopping assignments in my new area. What do I do?

Answer From Coach Melanie:

I'm not sure what your normal strategy for finding mystery shopping assignments is but it really isn't that hard to get re-established as a mystery shopper in your new location depending on how large or small the area is. Here are some tips:

1. E-mail all of your old scheduler contacts and let them know of your new coverage area. Ask them if they also handle mystery shopping assignments for your new location, or if not, can they refer you to another scheduler they know of who does.

2. Update your profile in any company or scheduling web sites that you may be registered with so you will start seeing availability in your new area--and don't forget your new e-mail and other contact info if any of it has changed (this may seem obvious, but it's easy to forget everything you need to update when you move)

3. Get on a few of the top mystery shopping lead boards and look for asssignments in your area and start making connections with the companies and schedulers who serve your new city. I have some mystery shopping lead resources at http://www.mysteryshoppercoach.com/MysteryShopperLeadResources.html

Blog Reader Bonus! E-mail me and I will send you a sample contact e-mail template for getting in touch with your contacts about your move.

Have a great day and happy shopping!

Taking the mystery out of professional mystery shopping--Melanie Jordan http://www.mysteryshoppercoach.com/

Check out Melanie's other blogs:

Make Money In Foreclosures
http://www.YouCanMakeMoneyWithForeclosures.com

The Healthy Food Review at http://www.thehealthyfoodreview.com/

Vegas Inside Scoop at http://www.vegasinsidescoop.com/

Copyright 2008 Melanie R. Jordan E-Publishing

Pay To Get A Mystery Shopping Job? Uh-Uh

2008-06-07T23:02:00.000-07:00

Hi All,

Question:

I have been interested in mystery shopping for a while, but I find it difficult to get into the field without having to pay a fee. At this time, it is not possible for me to pay for find a job, but I need flexible work schedule. Please let me know how to get involved without any upfront costs.

Answer From Coach Melanie:

While there are some what I call "Pay for leads" services out there that claim to have mystery shopping jobs for an upfront fee for the service, some of which are legitimate, it is never necessary to pay any upfront fees to be a mystery shopper.

I like to teach mystery shoppers how to find mystery shopping assignments on a regular basis using real-world business techniques that can be used over and over again to regularly generate work for themselves, and never involve paying any upfront fees.

There are several free mystery shopping resources on my web site at http://www.mysteryshoppercoach.com/ outside of this blog that offer such help, including my articles on getting started in mystery shopping and mystery shopper mistakes, as well as some lead resources to help you get your feet wet.

Have a great day and happy shopping!

Taking the mystery out of professional mystery shopping--Melanie Jordan http://www.mysteryshoppercoach.com/

Check out Melanie's other blogs:

Make Money In Foreclosures CLICK HERE

The Healthy Food Review at
http://www.thehealthyfoodreview.com/

Vegas Inside Scoop at
http://www.vegasinsidescoop.com/

Copyright 2008 Melanie R. Jordan E-Publishing

Mystery Shopping Gas Crisis Tips

2008-05-29T13:29:00.000-07:00

Hi All,

A common concern for mystery shoppers and merchandisers these days is the crazy gas prices we are all experiencing. No longer does it pay to do a shop that is so far away it costs you more in gas than you make, even if it is tax deductible in most cases since you're an independent contractor. How to deal with it?

1. Make sure you're getting the best gas price in your area first of all by using a gas checker like:

http://autos.msn.com/everyday/gasstations.aspx?zip=&src=Netx

Although take it with a grain of salt since it didn't have my local Arco stations on it which usually have the cheapest gas in my neck of the woods.

2. Try to take assignments within walking or biking distance(you'll burn calories too).

3. Group together mystery shopping assignments--don't do the onesies unless they pay enough and are close enough to make it worth your while.

4. Be both a mystery shopper and merchandiser so you can group the more regular assignments of merchandising together with mystery shopping to make it worthwhile.

5. In addition, successful supplemental and self-employment also requires having multiple irons in the fire. You may want to consider adding some more virtual ways to legitimately make some cash without burning gas in your spare time.

A great way is to sell the digital products of others online as an affiliate. The problem is, you need to find quality affiliate products thatare worth your while, have great copy and graphics that convertlookers into buyers, and you need to know how to drive traffic toyour site.

Well if you are interested in this concept but wish you had someoneto put it all together for you, wish no more because my friend, expert internet copywriter John Hostler has a fantastic turnkey service that provides complete makeovers of proven, top quality, high ticket internet marketing products.

Each month he makes over a product and gives you great sales letter copy, stunning graphics, video and follow-up sales copy. Then he includes video training on how to put together your site using these materials and webinars on how to drive traffic to your site. I'm even learning things I didn't know about the latest tricks. All for the cost of about a decent mystery shopper job and a half to two mystery shops a month.

So you could take some of the money you earn as a mystery shopper or merchandiser each month and put it into this secondary line of virtual business. Within a year, you could be an affiliate for 12 different internet marketing products and could be seeing some nice steady streams of income with proper effort on your part. Interesting, right?

Check out http://sunlover.homestead.com/renegadeaffiliatesmonthly.html

I'm a subscriber to this service which kicks off June 1st, and John strictly limits enrollment to the first 400 people. That sounds like a lot, but people are snapping this offer up as it's pretty much a no-brainer if you want to start or add to your virtual businesses.

Plus, I believe in it so much, I am offering two free bonuses of my own for everyone who registers for my bonus list for this offering--you'll get a free e-book that provides an introduction to foreclosure investing co-authored by yours truly called "MakingYour Fortune In Foreclosures" which gives you a sneak peek at the work I did with my friend adn foreclosure expert Dan Chaco. That freebie is yours even if you don't decide to sign up forJohn's service.

And you'll get a second freebie "Making Your Fortune As AnInfopreneur" which will give you a sneak peek at my next major project, that I hope some of you will be interested in, with proof of your purchase of John's service through me.

Details will be provided after you sign up for the bonus list at

http://sunlover.homestead.com/renegadeaffiliatesmonthly.html

If you only want to focus on mystery shopping and merchandising, I'm cool with that. But why not take two seconds of your time to think bigger and at least give yourself another way to make some cash?

Go to http://sunlover.homestead.com/renegadeaffiliatesmonthly.html to register for your free bonuses and learn more about my friend John's service. Do it right now while it's fresh on your mind, and you'll get immediate access to bonus #1 after you confirm your request to be on that bonus list.

Have a great day and happy shopping!

Taking the mystery out of professional mystery shopping--Melanie Jordan
http://www.mysteryshoppercoach.com/

Check out Melanie's other blogs:

The Healthy Food Review at
http://www.thehealthyfoodreview.com/

Vegas Inside Scoop at
http://www.vegasinsidescoop.com/

Copyright 2008 Melanie R. Jordan E-Publishing

Mystery Shopping Scams In The News

2008-05-22T21:33:00.000-07:00

Hi All,

As a service to my loyal readers, I always try to keep everyone up to date on the latest mystery shopping scams going on. Mystery shopping itself is absolutely legitimate, but there are bad apples in every bunch as they say and unfortunately there are those blankety-blanks that will prey on those who are naive.

I wrote about this particular mystery shopping scam in a March post experienced in Arvada, CO and discussed in this article:

Secret Shopper Scam Hits Arvada

Secret Shopper Fraud In Ontario, Canada

I also recently put up a post to remind everyone on how to spot mystery shopping scams, so here it is again. Basically, if it sounds too good to be true...it is.

Have a great day and happy shopping!

Taking the mystery out of professional mystery shopping--Melanie Jordan http://www.mysteryshoppercoach.com/

Check out Melanie's other blogs:

The Healthy Food Review at
http://www.thehealthyfoodreview.com/

Vegas Inside Scoop at
http://www.vegasinsidescoop.com/

Copyright 2008 Melanie R. Jordan E-Publishing

Mystery Shopping As A Second Job

2008-05-14T16:32:00.000-07:00

Hi All,

Question:

I am looking at doing a second job in the evenings, and think I would be good at mystery shopping, any suggestions on how to start?

Answer From Coach Melanie:

Mystery Shopping is perfect for evening or weekend supplemental income due to its flexibility in when assignments can typically be done.

You can use the free mystery shopping resources including my articles and lead resources on my site at http://www.mysteryshoppercoach.com. After checking out the free info there, you may want to consider making a very small investment in yourself, and get one of my books for mystery shoppers that will give you the guidance you need to get started the right way like The Perfect Work-At-Home Job: Mystery Shopping.

Have a great day and happy shopping!

Taking the mystery out of professional mystery shopping--Melanie Jordan
http://www.mysteryshoppercoach.com/

Check out Melanie's other blogs: The Healthy Food Review at http://www.thehealthyfoodreview.com/

Vegas Inside Scoop at
http://www.vegasinsidescoop.com/

Copyright 2008 Melanie R. Jordan E-Publishing

Spotting A Mystery Shopping Scam

2008-05-02T11:04:00.000-07:00

Hi All,

Question:

I got an e-mail about mystery shopping/saw a classified ad in my newspaper for mystery shopping/heard about site/heard about company (fill in the blank______________). Is it a scam?

Answer From Coach Melanie:

While the field of mystery shopping is definitely not a scam. Like many work-at-home jobs, mystery shopping has its share of scammers. First, consider the source. Did you send an e-mail requesting information about mystery shopping, or did it just show up in your e-mail inbox one day along with the bogus lose 23 pounds overnight, get a 2% mortgage (and you don’t even own a home) and ways to enlarge various parts of your anatomy? Or was it a response to a request you made for further information?

Is the classified ad from a legitimate mystery shopping company offering an opportunity for assignments it handles, or is it someone who wants money or more information from you (like a W-2 or bank account information that has nothing to do with applying to be a mystery shopper?

Pleas read my articles on this topic called “Shopper Round-Up: Your Feedback On The Mystery Shopping Scam Issue + How To Tell Who’s Likely Legit And Who’s Not”. It’s found on my web site at http://www.mysteryshoppercoach.com/Articles.html.

Have a great day and happy shopping!

Taking the mystery out of professional mystery shopping--Melanie Jordan http://www.mysteryshoppercoach.com/

Check out Melanie's other blogs:

The Healthy Food Review at

http://www.thehealthyfoodreview.com/

Vegas Inside Scoop at

http://www.vegasinsidescoop.com/

Copyright 2008 Melanie R. Jordan E-Publishing

Starting A Mystery Shopping Business

2008-04-11T11:05:00.000-07:00

Hi All,

Question:

I have been eying the mystery shopping business for a while and now feel that I am ready to get started opening up my own mystery shopping company. Where do I get the information to start, because if I do get started I want to make it work and make money at it?

Answer From Coach Melanie:

If you are looking to start a mystery shopping business, in my opinion, there's no better resources than those provided by my friend Shari Joseph. To access, use the following URL:

http://www.mystery-shopper-business.com/affiliations/mj.html

Also please check out the special interviews I did one-on-one with Shari:

Starting Your Own Mystery Shopping Business: What's In It For You?

The Business Of Mystery Shopping

Have a great day and happy shopping!

Taking the mystery out of professional mystery shopping--Melanie Jordan http://www.mysteryshoppercoach.com/

Check out Melanie's other blogs:

The Healthy Food Review at
http://www.thehealthyfoodreview.com/

Vegas Inside Scoop at
http://www.vegasinsidescoop.com/

Copyright 2008 Melanie R. Jordan E-Publishing

New Mystery Shopper Common Mistakes

2008-04-04T15:56:00.000-07:00

Hi All,

If you're looking to junp start your mystery shopping career, avoid these classic new mystery shopper mistakes:

1. Get your home office set up so you present yourself like a professional. You don't need a lot of fancy things--even the kitchen table will do. You just need to get organized. Simple things such as a business-like e-mail address and professional-sounding voicemail can go a long way.

2. Be very careful to follow instructions when applying for specific mystery shopping jobs. If you are requested to respond by e-mail with the city of the job in the heading, do it. If they ask for specific information about yourself, do it (Note--never give out your social security number to a scheduler and only provide it on a mystery shopping company web site when you know the company is reputable and it is a secure form.) If they tell you they are posting a job lead for a scheduler friend and you must e-mail their friend, and not them, absolutely do it!

The ability to follow instructions is an important part of being a good shopper. Demonstrate this by following them in applying for the assignment. After all, if you can't follow instructions to get the job, why should you get the job?

3. Come to the rescue of a scheduler or mystery shopping company who desperately needs to get an assignment completed because another shopper cancelled on them, they have a rush assignment or there were no takers for the particular area. This is your best chance of getting your foot in the door; it certainly was mine.

4. Not having a copy of my must-have guide for new mystery shoppers The Perfect Work At Home Guide: Mystery Shopping :) or at least having checked out the free mystery shopper resources at Mystery Shopper Coach's Corner.

Have a great day and happy shopping!

Taking the mystery out of professional mystery shopping--Melanie Jordan http://www.mysteryshoppercoach.com/

Check out Melanie's other blogs:

The Healthy Food Review at
http://www.thehealthyfoodreview.com/

Vegas Inside Scoop at
http://www.vegasinsidescoop.com/

Copyright 2008 Melanie R. Jordan E-Publishing

Mystery Shopping And Movies

2008-03-22T10:02:00.000-07:00

Hi All,

Question:

I'm a movie buff. Are there any mystery shop opportunities to view movies?

Answer From Coach Melanie:

Yes there are. As a mystery shopper, it's really more to check out the theatre and personnel from a customer service point of view, but you get to stay for a movie too! :)

You can find out how to uncover these specialty type of mystery shopping assignment opportunities with a secret technique that really works in either my Mystery Shopping 2-Volume Set or How-To Finally Make Money As A Mystery Shopper in the special chapter Finding Specialized Shops And Related Opportunities

You are also always welcome to use my free mystery shopping leads page on my web site at http://www.mysteryshoppercoach.com/MysteryShopperLeadResources.html

Have a great day and happy shopping!
Taking the mystery out of professional mystery shopping--Melanie Jordan http://www.mysteryshoppercoach.com/

Check out Melanie's other blogs:
The Healthy Food Review at
http://www.thehealthyfoodreview.com/

Vegas Inside Scoop at
http://www.vegasinsidescoop.com/

Copyright 2008 Melanie R. Jordan E-Publishing

Watch Out For This New Mystery Shopping Scam

2008-03-14T12:10:00.000-07:00

Hi All,

They're at it again--those son of a guns who take a perfectly good field like Mystery Shopping and give it a bad name. The latest mystery shopping scam that several Southeast shoppers have written in to me about involves a variation of a famous internet scam.

Classified ads are placed in local newspapers along with legitimate job ads in many different fields looking for mystery shoppers. The "assignments" involve being sent a check that you use from these scam artists to make a purchase at a major chain like Wal-Mart or to "evaluate" a bank, and then you are asked to send part of it back to the scammers and you get to keep what's left. Except it's a bad check! You will get nothing, the villains get money and make you the unwitting victim and accomplice in a money laundering crime!

As I've said time and time again, I have only one time seen a legit mystery shopper ad in a local paper. It's just not the way real mystery shopping assignments are obtained! Plus, any legit mystery shopping job where you make a purchase, always requires you to front the money (a nominal amount), and you get reimbursed once you submit your report. No one sends you an upfront check!

If you want to know how to get mystery shopping jobs for real, check out the resources and articles on my web site at: http://www.mysteryshoppercoach.com, and remember if something sounds too good to be true, it probably is!

Have a great day and happy shopping! Taking the mystery out of professional mystery shopping--Melanie Jordan http://www.mysteryshoppercoach.com/

Check out Melanie's other blogs:
The Healthy Food Review at http://www.thehealthyfoodreview.com/
Vegas Inside Scoop at http://www.vegasinsidescoop.com/

Copyright 2008 Melanie R. Jordan E-Publishing

Using Mystery Shopping Message Boards

2008-03-05T11:02:00.000-08:00

Hi All,

Question:

I bought your Mystery Shopping 2-Volume Set but I think I haven't fully grasped the message board thing you talk about in your articles and books. Do I need to find message boards that are just for my state?

Answer From Coach Melanie:

In regard to your question, while you may very well find a state-specific mystery shopping message board on Delphi or in Yahoo's groups, it really isn't necessary. Usually the important thing is to check out the more active boards like the ones I suggested in the book, and as you monitor them, you'll tend to see which ones are more active for your area. You can quickly scan the postings for your state and then make contact as I recommend.

Ultimately, you'll have networked well enough over time, that you will be in the databases of all the top schedulers for your area, and know which companies that let you self-assign that you like to work with and have many assignments in your coverage area (the only ones worth applying to directly in my opinion--for more on this, please check out my book Secret Mystery Shopping Sites Revealed! when you are ready.

Then you'll have accomplished your goal of having mystery shopping assignments coming to you, rather than you having to go look for them--the smart way to maximize your mystery shopping income.

Have a great day and happy shopping!

Taking the mystery out of professional mystery shopping--Melanie Jordan http://www.mysteryshoppercoach.com/

Check out Melanie's other blogs:
The Healthy Food Review at http://www.TheHealthyFoodReview.com
Vegas Inside Scoop at http://www.VegasInsideScoop.com

Copyright 2008 Melanie R. Jordan E-Publishing

Mystery Shopping Certification

2008-02-12T21:46:00.000-08:00

Hi All,

Question:

I would like to ask about "mystery shopping certification". I was on a web site where they had listed $15 for a beginner's certificate or "silver certification" and then after that, you could go to an event and pay $99 for a "gold certification". The gold certification had to be in person and it had to be after the silver.

What do you think about this? Thank you in advance for your response and for all the free information you share--L.R.

Answer From Coach Melanie:

I think it's totally unneceesary. I and lots of other shoppers have never gotten that certification and it didn't affect us at all. Save your money and time :)

Have a great day and happy shopping! Taking the mystery out of professional mystery shopping--Melanie Jordan http://www.mysteryshoppercoach.com/

Check out Melanie's other blogs:
The Healthy Food Review at http://www.TheHealthyFoodReview.com
Vegas Inside Scoop at http://www.VegasInsideScoop.com

Copyright 2008 Melanie R. Jordan E-Publishing

Mystery Shopper Coach's Corner Is Back!

2008-02-10T23:12:00.001-08:00

Hi All,

A funny thing happened. I had this mystery shopping blog and then I got busy and hadn't posted for awhile--yikes...a lot longer than I thought. So long that Google changed its log in mechanism and I couldn't log in!

I tried to get through to Blogger tech support and no luck. Can you imagine being locked out of your own blog? Finally today as I went through some papers as I was packing to move, I found scribbled my old log-in which allowed me to reclaim my blog--yay!

So I'm back, and I have many more endeavors going on now, but I'll do my best to provide some fresh mystery shopping material from time to time. Perhaps a few of you will also want to branch out with me into new directions. Mystery shopping is cool, but there are so many other ways to make a buck. In fact, lots of bucks legitimately on your own terms, so I hope that will also be of interest to you.

I am working with a few clients on Infopreneuring and Marketing, and when needed ghost writing, their own Info Products, more on this can be found at my in-process site http://www.sunloverpublishing.com/.

In fact, one client is about to release a down-to-earth course on investing in foreclosures--a hot topic today to be sure, but he does it with a heart and conscience. I ghost wrote it for him, and I even learned things I didn't know--such as the fact that it is trulypossible to get into foreclosure investing with no money using a special technique he teaches and actually recommends for newbies.

This may very well be the new ultimate work-at-home job! If you would like to get on the list to be notified when the foreclosures course is available in the next couple of weeks, check out http://www.youcanmakemoneyinforeclosures.com/.

I am working on my own books and courses offering my unique take on Infopreneuring and Marketing based on 20+ years of marketing experience and nearly a decade of Infopreneuring--I'll let you all know when they are ready--should be this Spring.

Lastly, I have another blog that is truly a passion for me--The Healthy Food Review at http://www.thehealthyfoodreview.com/. It's a fun blog with lots of honest and amusing good and bad reviews of healthy food products, commentary, fitness tips, etc. Check it out!

Be back shortly with th next mystery shopping pos. I just figured I should catch you all up on what I've been up to during my absence :)

Have a great day and happy shopping! Taking the mystery out of professional mystery shopping--Melanie Jordan http://www.mysteryshoppercoach.com/

Check out Melanie's other blogs:
The Healthy Food Review at http://www.TheHealthyFoodReview.com
Vegas Inside Scoop at http://www.VegasInsideScoop.com

Copyright 2008 Melanie R. Jordan E-Publishing