Hire a Mystery Shopper
Mystery shoppers are hired to pose as regular customers in stores to gauge and report on the quality of products and experience. They also provide feedback on the customer service, the general environment, and detail if specific standards are being met. These shoppers play an essential role in helping companies meet clients’ expectations by observing and determining factors that might require improvement. Mystery shoppers often are referred to as secret shoppers. These individuals work as independent contractors and are employed by stores, retail establishments, and other similar businesses. Most often, mystery shopping presents a supplementary income source and a part-time job, though some professionals earn enough to pursue it as a full-time job. They mostly are paid on a per job basis. Shoppers usually earn an average salary of $36,000 per year, with benefits ranging from schedule flexibility, mileage reimbursement, store discounts, and more.
Responsibilities of mystery shoppers
The work involved in mystery shopping tends to vary from job to job, but usually, these shoppers are provided a specific set of instructions before visiting a shop or store. A mystery shopper visits retailers and other similar establishments to evaluate the overall shopping experience. Their primary duties involve purchasing a specific product or type of product and assessing and documenting the shopping experience. While visiting stores, they must remain discreet and pose as a regular customer. In order to gauge the quality of customer service, they should interact with store staff and test their people skills. The mystery shopper will have to detect possible concerns and areas for improvement and report back to the manager. When making the purchases, they should retain the shopping receipts as proof for later reimbursement. Once the assigned job is done, they should submit a detailed report for each store visit. They should disclose competing interests, including loyalty to or dislike of any particular store or products. Some employers also require them to store copies of completed assignments for future reference.
Required skills and qualifications
Employers primarily advertise mystery shopping opportunities on their websites or through marketing firms. Most positions require individuals to be a minimum of 18 years old. However, some establishments require the shopper to be at least 21 years old if the product is age-sensitive. Although no formal education is necessary, applicants should have a high school diploma or equivalent. Previous experience as a shopper is a huge plus. When allotting the assignments, employers also prefer that incumbents have their own transportation. An ideal candidate must have excellent communication and interpersonal skills. They must be organized, pay attention to detail, and should be able to conduct duties discreetly and impartially. The ability to work independently with no supervision is also a crucial requirement for the role. The candidate must be results-oriented, with an engaging personality, and have a passion for improving the retail experience.
