You’ve made the wise decision to start earning money working from home as a mystery shopper and you are about to perform your very first apartment mystery shop! Follow these tips to help you do your best. After all, if the shop goes smoothly, you will feel better about accepting more jobs and making more money.
One of the first things you should do is get a good night’s sleep. You will need to be alert and observant on the shop, so try to get the rest you need. In the morning, have a bite to eat and then start making your calls to the apartment community. Most apartment communities start answering their phones around 9:00 AM, but this can vary a bit by location.
When you call, make sure you already have a timeline in mind for your move. Don’t hesitate when asked for that information! Doing so will make the agent will wonder why you don’t immediately know when you will be moving and that may compromise your identity as a shopper. Remember to also have a reason why you are moving. Most people move because of a job or because their lease ended. Just be sure your reason for moving is plausible.
After the call has been completed, you are ready to complete the on-site portion of your shop. Wear better clothes to make a good impression, but dress comfortably as well. You will likely have to walk to the model or empty apartment. Make note of the time you arrive at the shop and the time you leave.
Lastly, when you have finished your shop and return home, you will want to write the report ASAP, while the information is still fresh in your mind. If you took notes during your visit, you will be ahead of the game and your report will be accurate.
Once you’ve completed a few shops, you’ll find that most of these practices begin to come naturally!