Author: lford

When doing a mystery shop you may need to keep accurate times and most likely remember names and descriptions of individuals. Moreover, you may need to keep accurate records of what the individuals you encounter wore and types of clothing.

Keeping all this information in your head can be overwhelming, but there are some tips to keep an accurate commentary.

First of all, when you go on your shop keep your cell phone with you. The easiest way to keep track of all the information is to look for an app that lets your record. So, on your shop you could say things such as: “That is a nice blouse, I like that color red” Or “I like your pants. Those are the same style I wear at work” and “Your shoes look really comfortable”. When you leave the shop you simply review your recordings when you are away from the shop location.

If you don’t have a smart phone and have a regular phone. You can remember certain things such as dress and times by excusing yourself to use the restroom. Once there make sure no one is around and call your message in to another answer machine or write it in a text you save for yourself. Again you keep notes and then wait until you leave your shop location to enter the information in when you have privacy.

Clear and accurate record keeping is a skill all mystery shoppers should have. Those shoppers who have the ability to keep an accurate account will be offered more shops those who do not.

As you perform mystery shopping assignments, you will discover that spelling and grammar are important when you submit a final report to the company. Many jobs are given to shoppers who submit well written reports that do not contain spelling or grammatical errors. You want your company representative to remember you when jobs are released each month so you get first choice at the well paying assignments.  Ensure that you have found a good spell and grammar check program, download it to your computer, and use it each time to check each report before it is submitted to the company.

Unfortunately, the computer spell check system does not always catch inappropriate word usage or missing words and a personal read through on each report is mandatory. I often re-read my reports at least twice and it is amazing how many times I find an error on the second reading that I missed on my first review.

Most spell check programs are free downloads, so search the Internet for free ones or find the least expensive and most effective spell and check system for your written documents. If you do not have another person available to read your text, a spell check program is invaluable for the mystery shopper to check each document. After you spell check, remember to read your text and then double check and re-read your written report.

This check and double check method will help you to ensure that your submission of your mystery shopping form will always appear professional, accurate, well written, and will help to always have representatives eager to offer you more jobs.

When you have been mystery shopping for a while, you will need to stay organized. Being organized means you are able to find files with ease and you have receipts for tax season. If you have a spare bedroom or a den then you have the room to get a filing cabinet and even a larger desk.

However, if space is a premium you can still have well-organized files to maximize your tax refund and have the ability to find all the files you may need. First of all you will need a filing system. So think of what would be easier for you to remember the places and companies you have been mystery shopping for. You could label them alphabetical or by name or date.

Next you will need a set of folders and a method of labeling. Handwritten is fine provided you can write clearly. If needed you could use a label system you can print from your computer. Label each file and put in what corresponds to each file and each mystery shopping job.

Plastic file boxes are easier to transport as they usually have a handle. Plastic file boxes are better than cardboard also because they will not get wet if something liquid is spilled on it. The newer boxes can hold up to 50 files and you can even get a separator so you can have your personal files as well as you mystery shopping files. Over all, your cost for these materials should run under fifty dollars and you will find you are better off than you were before after you made this small investment.