What is Mystery Shopping?
Mystery shopping is a tool used by businesses to measure the quality of customer service. Businesses will hire mystery shoppers to pose as customers and report back on their experience. Mystery shopping can be used to assess everything from how employees greet customers to how quickly they resolve complaints.
Businesses use mystery shopping as a way to improve customer satisfaction and loyalty. By understanding the customer experience, businesses can make changes to improve it. Mystery shopping is a type of secret shopping that can also be used to assess employee performance and compliance with company policies.
Definition
Mystery shopping is defined as a paid job that involves going to different businesses and evaluating if they meet specific standards anonymously, such as customer service, cleanliness, etc. After signing up with one of many consumer research panels, mystery shoppers are given various assignments.
Mystery shopping is a valuable tool for businesses of all sizes. It can help businesses identify areas where they need to improve and make changes that will lead to happier customers and improved bottom lines.
What Is a Mystery Shopper?
A mystery shopper is a person who is hired by a business to anonymously visit a store or service and provide feedback about their experience. Mystery shoppers are also sometimes called secret shoppers or undercover shoppers.
Mystery shoppers are used by businesses to measure the quality of customer service, compliance with company policies, and other factors that can impact the customer experience. Mystery shoppers provide an objective view of the customer experience and can offer valuable insights into how a business can improve.
Mystery shoppers are often hired by consumer research firms or market research companies. They may also be hired directly by businesses. Mystery shoppers typically sign up with a consumer research panel or market research company and are given various assignments.
How does Mystery Shopping work?
Mystery shopping works by businesses hiring mystery shoppers to visit their store or service and provide feedback about their experience.
Mystery shoppers are given specific instructions, such as what to say or do, and are typically asked to take note of the employees’ reactions and responses. Mystery shoppers may be asked to make a purchase, return an item, or ask a question. They may also be asked to take photos or videos of their experience.
After the mystery shopper has completed their assignment, they will provide a report to the business that details their experience. Mystery shopping can help businesses identify areas where they need to improve and make changes that will lead to happier customers and improved bottom lines.
Why use Mystery Shopping?
Mystery shopping can be used to assess a variety of factors that impact the customer experience, such as customer service, compliance with company policies, and cleanliness. Mystery shopping can also be used to assess employee performance. By understanding the customer experience, businesses can make changes to improve it. Mystery shopping can also help businesses identify potential issues before they become bigger problems.
The mystery shopping industry is a valuable tool for businesses of all sizes. It can help businesses improve customer satisfaction and loyalty, and can also help businesses identify areas where they need to make changes. Mystery shopping can also be used to assess employee performance and compliance with company policies.
How Much Do Mystery Shoppers Make?
The average hourly pay for the mystery shopping jobs, according to ZipRecruiter, is $23. According to Indeed, the average hourly pay for this position is $21.86, based on 50 salaries reported. How much you make as a mystery shopper varies depending on your experience, the company, and whether you work full-time or only do occasional jobs.
Mystery Shopping Companies To Consider
Some of the popular and legitimate mystery shopping companies are
1. BestMark
BestMark is a mystery shopping company that has been in business since 1986. They provide services to a variety of businesses, including retail, restaurants, financial institutions, and more.
Mystery shoppers can sign up to be a part of the BestMark panel and will be given various assignments. Payment for each assignment varies depending on the length and complexity of the job.
2. Nielsen Homescan
Nielsen Homescan is a consumer research panel that pays members to scan their grocery purchases. Mystery shoppers can sign up to be a part of the Nielsen Homescan panel and will be given a handheld scanner.
They will use the scanner to scan their groceries as they shop and will be paid based on the number of items they scan.
3. Service Evaluation Concepts
Service Evaluation Concepts is a mystery shopping company that provides services to businesses in the United States and Canada.
By signing up to be a part of Service Evaluation Concepts, mystery shoppers can apply to a plethora of available assignments. Payment for each assignment varies depending on the length and complexity of the job.
4. Secret Shopper
For 25+ years, Secret Shopper has been providing mystery shopping services to businesses. On average, Secret Shopper pays $15 to $25 for each task. Some assignments may only offer you a free meal or money toward the item you must buy.
While it might not be the best-paying gig, mystery shopping could help you gain some experience in the industry or get freebies like a casino resort stay or lunch at a new cafe.
5. Signature Worldwide
Signature Worldwide is a customer experience company that provides mystery shopping services. Mystery shoppers can sign up to be a part of the Signature Worldwide panel and will be given various assignments.
Mystery shopping services are available through the firm to businesses in a variety of sectors of mystery shopping providers association such as Construction and equipment rental Hotels and resorts, Apartment leasing, Casinos and spas, Party rental, Assisted living communities, Government agencies, Medical offices, Diet centers, Restaurants, etc.
6. IntelliShop
IntelliShop uses mystery shoppers for a range of prominent companies. You can learn about new chances by subscribing to the email list, using the mobile app, or going to the job board once you’ve been accepted. According to Glassdoor, IntelliShop shoppers make between $11 and $12 per hour.
The best way to increase your chances of being hired for the most prestigious assignments is to receive the highest rating possible. Your score will be determined by a variety of factors, such as if you arrived on time, followed instructions, and submitted high-quality reports. Accepting offers that include a Hero Citation, which is a notation on your record indicating that you’re a trustworthy shopper, will also help you improve your rating and access the best jobs.
7. Market Force
Market Force is a customer intelligence solutions company. It’s a fantastic approach to breaking up your mystery shopping routine. It has many food-related tasks, but it also caters to a big clientele.
Hiring companies may be from the following industries Restaurants, Gas station convenience shops, Grocery stores, Hotels, Health and wellness, Financial services, Pharmacies, Fitness, etc. You may earn $10-$14 an hour as a Market Force mystery shopper! All you need to do is fill out an application.
8. Mystery Dining by HGEM
HGEM is a mystery shopping company that hires remote workers to evaluate restaurants. Mystery diners will be given a set budget to spend on food and drink and will be asked to provide detailed feedback about their experience. Mystery Dining by HGEM is available to businesses in the United Kingdom, the United States, Canada, and Australia.
Mystery Dining gives free meals at select restaurants to culinary experts (or nearly) who are willing to record their experience afterward. You won’t be able to join us until you first pass our application process. Make sure to read everything carefully and thoughtfully–the rejection rate is quite high.
9. iShopFor Ipsos
Ipsos is the world’s largest consumer panel. There are many Ipsos Mystery Shopping tasks available in the United Kingdom, ranging from small towns to large cities.
The reporting process with Ipsos can be time-consuming since you’re paid according to how long it takes you to complete the job. However, they do pay well! Restaurant inspections or sports events are a few of the Ipsos mystery shopper jobs that are unpaid, although you’ll get a free meal or activity as compensation.
10. GBW (previously GAPbuster)
GBW, formally known as GAPbuster, has many distinguished clients but is most famous for McDonald’s. If you’re ever in the mood for some free food from Happy Meals, then this is the company for you!
If you’re searching for a job that will offer some variety, this might not be the best option for you. They have been known to send employees back to the same location multiple times in order to ensure improvements are being made.
11. Clickworker
If you love photography and traveling, Clickworker offers the perfect job for you. With its locations in Europe, the Middle East, and the USA, there’s sure to be a mystery photography job near you.
Clickworker is a reliable micro-tasking company that recently began offering mystery shopper services. The majority of the missions entail visiting a store near you and snapping pictures of product shelves. You’re given the autonomy to pick any store from the list of chains–they don’t force you to go to certain locations. All that’s usually necessary is a quick stroll down the high street or nearby retail park.
12. RedWigWam
The primary goal of RedWigWam is to provide temporary employment services; nevertheless, it also offers mystery shopping opportunities as part of this.
You’ll receive a notification from them when there are job openings in your vicinity, which you will then need to quickly claim. The jobs we’ve seen available have ranged from going to a store and asking questions, to handing out vouchers.
13. Assosia
Another mystery shopping company that is lesser known, but with different types of jobs is Assosia.
You typically talk to employees and pose as a customer during these tasks, although it’s not much of a mystery if they know you’re coming. The website may be confusing to use at first, but once you click on Field Team, you’ll know what to do!
14. GBW (previously GAPbuster)
GBW, formally GAPbuster, is utilized by some well-known companies, with McDonald’s being their most notable client. If you’re ever feeling hungry and happen to be near a McDonald’s location, keep GBW in mind as they occasionally hand out free Happy Meals!
If you’re searching for something new, this may not be the ideal choice since they’ve been reported to repeat tasks at the same location and track improvements.
15. Grassroots
If you’re not interested in constantly receiving emails advertising mystery shopping positions, then grassroots mystery shopping is a great choice for you.
The greatest method to get employment with Grassroots is to check their website every day since it’s constantly updated. Other video-based options tend to pay more. You can expect to receive payment three to four weeks after finishing the job.
These were some of the best mystery shopping companies. If you’re looking to start your own mystery shopping business, or just want a Mystery shopping job as a part-time gig, these companies are a great place to start!
Conclusion!
Mystery shopping is a great way to make some extra money, but there are a few things you need to keep in mind. Make sure you only work with reputable companies and be on the lookout for scams. If you do your research and use your common sense, mystery shopping can be a fun and easy way to earn some extra cash.
Though some mystery shopper scams exist, using a reliable mystery shopping company can be a great way to shop and get paid. Mystery shopper companies provide an important service to businesses by helping them improve their customer service and operations. When you become a mystery shopper, you can choose when and where you work, and how much you want to earn.
If you’re looking for a flexible way to make some extra money, a mystery shopping service may be right for you. Be sure to do your research and work with reputable companies to avoid scams. With a little effort, you can start earning money as a mystery shopper.
What do you think about the benefits of the best mystery shopper companies? Have you ever done it before? Let us know in the comments below!
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