Reply #9: Karenca...... [View All]

[demgurl]

a mystery shopper is someone who is hired by a company to evaluate a business and their level of customer service.

For example, last night I was doing grocery stores. Some of the things I was asked to evaluate were the landscape, cleanliness of the foyer, supply level and cleanliness of the bathroom and whether certain sales items were in stock. (one item from the dairy/frozen area, deli, meat, produce and one from the main area of the store - I pick which items this will be) I also ask one associate where an item is to see if he escorts me to the item, asks if I need any additional help and thanks me. I evaluate a bagger as well as a cashier.

I think my favorite shop is a restaurant and they do not even pay your full meal! It is The Melting Pot. It is so expensive that hubby and I only go, on our own, about twice a year. I check, with tip, usually nears a $100 every single time so it is a nice little chuck of change to eat there. The mystery shop people pay $50 toward your meal. We would eat there anyway and sometimes we even have a coupon to bring down the price of the meal. The write up is pretty easy so we do that whenever we get a chance.

Most restaurant shops pay for your meal. (they do tell you what to buy or what to keep the price under) Grocery stores usually pay a small amount toward groceries and a bigger amount for your pay. With apartment shops it is all money since no products have to be bought. Apartments are pretty easy. You make an appointment to see an apartment and then go and get a tour of the place.

I have been doing this for almost 20 years now and I love it. I do not have a job so I figure I could be home sitting on my butt or doing something useful with my time. You will never get rich from mystery shopping but you can try new things and go to businesses you have never visited before. I really enjoy my "job".