Three Unlikely Candidates For Mystery Shops and How To Be Successful

When you think of mystery shopping, you probably think of a department store or clothing retailer as being the typical client. Today, however, more unusual types of retailers are discovering the unique benefits of mystery shopping. Here are three good examples:

Restaurant Shops

Many restaurants gauge their success on their busiest or weakest hours, so don’t miss the timeframe in which this shop must be done.

Digital recorders, stopwatches and timers can be indispensable in both timing how prompt the restaurant is and the chronological order of events for purposes of your written report.

Frequently, you will be required to take someone with you and order a certain dish or appetizers, or sit at the bar and order a drink to assess the bartenders and standard bar practices.

Some shoppers use their cell phones to record notes, or they call themselves, pretend to be on the phone, and leave a message for themselves with details of the shop. The way people use their cell phones today, it’s unlikely that this would arouse suspicion. Of course, you will want to excuse yourself to talk so servers and other staff do not overhear you.

If possible, download the menu or obtain it beforehand, and compare it to the guidelines. If you’re required to bring one person, bring only one person. If you’re told to go to the bar first, do just that. As always, take the guidelines literally – but never bring them into the establishment.

Two Rules To Live By As A Mystery Shopper

Rule #1: Be Detail Oriented
The beauty of mystery shopping is that it allows companies to use you, the mystery shopping professional, to view the company’s customer service operations through the ‘customer prism’– and supply the necessary data that will cause changes when needed and make the customer experience that much better.

Unlike a typical customer, a trained mystery shopper will have in hand a detailed list of expectations based specifically on the standards and goals of that particular brand. And where the average consumer might not notice details like the time it takes to be seated or whether the background music is playing too loudly, a good mystery shopper will note these issues and will paint a detailed portrait of how well the restaurant is performing its duties and services when managers aren’t looking or the owner isn’t there.

People want consistency – the same experience every time they visit the store or restaurant. The company that masters this concept is most likely to impress their customers, keep them coming back, and receiving good “word of mouth” – the most effective form of advertisement.

Rule #2: Hone Your Memory Skills

Memory skills are especially important when you’re unable to record your mystery shop on video or audio equipment. Factors contributing to memory include adequate rest, proper nutrition and hydration. While these are basic, common sense items necessary to good health in general, they also affect your memory.

Viewing your Mystery Shopping ‘Job’ as a Business

Working as a mystery shopper is like being in business for yourself. The more seriously you prepare as a business owner, the more successful you will be as a mystery shopper.

Along with the skills of reliability, flexibility, organization and a pleasant and professional demeanor, a few more tips may help you grow your business:

A resume and letter of interest go a long way. This demonstrates a level of professionalism and a commitment to the work. It also helps companies better provide work that suits your field of experience. For example, if your resume indicates experience as a restaurant manager, you will likely receive mystery shopping assignments in a restaurant.

Consider business cards. Not only are these good to hand out to potential clients, they can also be sent along with your resume and letter of interest to companies you apply to work for. If you purchase perforated cardstock and download the correct software, you can print your own business cards. This modest $30 investment conveys a business like image.

The Do's and Don'ts Of A New Mystery Shopper

Like any other job, mystery shopping has a few do’s and don’t’s to be aware of:

DO: Make sure you only accept assignments that you have time to do. If you try to squeeze a shop in between a dozen other errands, the chances are that you’ll miss something and your report will indicate a haphazard effort.

DO: Turn in your report on time. Like everyone else, mystery shopping companies are working on a tight deadline. If you can turn in a report earlier than scheduled, they will most certainly favor you when selecting a shopper for the next assignment.

DO: Always be as honest as possible. Mystery shopping schedulers know that not every shop goes smoothly. If you are unable to complete the shop because of a screaming child, or for another reason, it is better to be honest than to fudge the report. Ask to reschedule the shop for another day.

DO: Be sure to review the questionnaire before shopping. You could possibly miss specifics on the report like, how bright were the lights in the dressing room? Were the employees wearing the proper attire? Were the trashcans cleaned up or were cigarette butts littering the sidewalk outside?