The modern mystery shopper has plenty of tools at their disposal, including:
• video cameras
• digital photography
• cell phones
• audio recorders
Video Cameras:
The newer cameras are smaller and more easily concealed than ever. These provide the benefit of a picture and recorded sound. Many can be concealed in purses, jackets or shopping bags. Most come with a USB cable which can be interfaced with your PC. This allows you to review the footage or sound they pick up. Some models can function as a regular digital camera.
Digital Cameras:
Digital cameras are also getting smaller. The benefit of newer storage allows you to take hundreds of pictures before running out of memory, especially when stored in a .jpg format. Like video, you can also connect these to your PC via a USB cord. These are handy for photographing on assignments involving loss prevention.
Cell Phones:
Cell phones perform the same functions as video cameras and digital photography devices and are virtually everywhere. Many also record audio, and allow you to conduct surveillance out in the open. Most are small enough to obscure the visibility of your message or pretend conversation with an answering machine from employees.
Audio Recorders:
Small digital audio recorders are now capable of storing hours of audio footage. Many of these can be interfaced with a PC via a USB cord, or with a small microphone. Sound files can be sent via .mp3 format, which creates small files easy to email and universally read by most software and other audio devices.
Printer/Scanner/Fax/Copier
To the modern mystery shopper, this device is indispensable. Not only does this allow easy electronic transfer via fax, but you can also scan any documents required by the report and email them as a .jpg file. You can also print out images on photo paper or any other medium as required.
Remember: Always ask your scheduler or mystery shopping organization if it is okay to bring surveillance equipment on a mystery shop. If you can, these can be invaluable when used in conjunction with your memory or that of whomever you may bring along with you on the assignment.
Additionally, It is important to conceal these devices in such a way that you have already turned them on and don’t have to adjust them before entering a store. While some of the highest paying assignments provide you with this equipment, newer models can be acquired at very low prices. Since these are a legitimate cost, they are also a tax write-off.
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