How A Great Close Can Open A New Door

a good close opens a new doorIt’s important to listen closely to closing techniques used by Leasing Professionals when you mystery apartment shop. Since this is such an important part of their job, make sure you report on the many “closes” they use, including assumptive, indirect, time-sensitive and direct closes.

The agent that uses a natural approach can be very smooth when essentially asking for your business; they may begin early in the presentation and use an assumptive close when referring to the apartment or certain features as “yours” when asking you for your opinion. When the Leasing Professional uses an indirect close he/she may ask you “yes”/”no” questions like, “Do you like the apartment?” or “Will this work for you?” Be sure to pay close attention; a time sensitive close may attempt to tell you there are just a few apartments available or there is a rent special or discount for a limited period of time and is meant to emphasize that you need to make a decision. And last but not leas(ed), you will most certainly be asked to complete an application or leave a deposit to lease the apartment; this is what is commonly known as a direct close.

When submitting your mystery apartment shop report, make sure you detail these closes in order for the agent to get full credit for their sales efforts. Remember, a Leasing Professional’s great close may open a door to a potential renter!

A Professional Image

proffesional imageThere are many attributes that create a professional image in the workplace. Whether you are wearing a suit and tie or dressing business casual, you can make the most of your wardrobe no matter the size. Online retailers as well as those found in indoor/outdoor malls always have suggestions found on mannequins and displays with suggested color combinations you may not have previously considered. You’ll love the compliments from your peers and others. The subject of dressing for success has been debated many times over the years as styles have changed. One thing the experts agree on is maximizing your wardrobe to the fullest extent; purchasing pieces that will mix and match on an everyday basis provides a fresh look each and every day when you venture out to face the world.

It’s easy to get into the habit of wearing the same clothing items on the same day every week. There’s one way to combat it though; start keeping track of what you wear and when. You can jot it down or make entries into your Smartphone, Tablet, PC or Laptop on a spreadsheet. It was especially helpful to me working in sales and visiting my clients on a weekly, semi-weekly or monthly basis. Once I put my plan into motion, I got results when people began to notice and complimented me on my versatile wardrobe. I rotated my suits, mixed and matched sport coats with dress slacks, shirts/ties, factored in time for my garments at the cleaners and before I knew it, my plan was working. I was perceived as not only being well-dressed, but successful. You can do it too, using any method you’d like!

Mystery Apartment Shopping is Educational

educational shoppingI became educated in Mystery Apartment Shopping through EPMS and they’re proven methods that work. My knowledge of mystery apartment shopping came in very handy when we decided to downsize and move to an apartment. I had a much better understanding of the process and it made our search much easier. As a shopper, I have a keen insight in regard to the Leasing Professional; if their job is performed properly, the potential renter gets the most out of their initial telephone call and on-site visit. When searching for an apartment home, specific needs must be clearly stated so the agent can spend vital time on matching needs to the community.

When mystery shopping I make my inquiries according to EPMS shop instructions and provide every opportunity for the Leasing Professional to respond. I watch for key signs and observe the agent walk me through the process of leasing the apartment. If you follow all the instructions and complete all sections of the report, your telephone call and onsite visit will tell a story. This input provides management companies the type of information they need to ensure their agents are following protocol and leasing apartments to potential renters that visit their communities.

Video/Audio mystery apartment shopping for EPMS adds a whole new dimension to the shop. The results are fantastic if you capture the entire picture and sound without drawing attention to what you are trying to accomplish. This is developed with practice, becoming familiar with your equipment and paying careful attention when you are learning the art of maintaining a good, clear picture of your subject no matter whether they are sitting or standing.

The Stuck Up Shopper

stuck up shopperI began mystery shopping when a friend that was already a shopper told me that I would be good at it. I was not familiar with it, but I always valued giving and receiving good customer service so I said why not. I began to shop and I got so deep into it that I forgot that she was doing it before I was.

In my mind, I was first and I referred her! We would often race to see who would get a shop if we both applied for them. We would also compare our ratings to each other- a friendly rivalry. However, I began to notice how hard I worked to keep my commitments to the shops that I applied for while she did not have a big problem cancelling. It may be because she was tired or maybe because she decided the pay was not enough after she already applied. She then began to wonder why I was getting more blind solicitations or referrals from other companies.

I would tease her about it and her response would be “Well, I am with 35 other shops so I have other options”. She felt that if she cancelled several times due to what she considered legitimate reasons that they should understand. If they did not, she felt that she was with 35 other companies and so she would just move on.

On the other hand, it was a rare occasion when I cancelled and I felt very bad about it. There are a lot of people counting on shoppers; the client, the schedulers, the reviewers and also the customer. I may not be with 35 companies, but the companies I am with know that they can count on me to keep my commitments. So the question is: Is it better to be with a lot of companies that may not be sure if they can count on you or to be with fewer companies that know you will keep your commitments and value you as a shopper? You decide.

Happy shopping!

In A Tight Spot? Try Mystery Shopping

student needing cashAre you thinking of moving out soon? Are you unemployed, in between jobs, a college student, or just someone wanting extra money? If so try mystery shopping. We will pay you what you are worth. We will pay you on time. We will give you more than enough work. We will give you possible bonuses every week. What more can you want.

When was the last time you got a bonus at work? …and then every week at that. Shop at fun stores restaurants and so much more. You will have a chance to critique everyone that you come to encounter with.

And let me be “Frank” EPMS is the mystery shopping place to contract with. I have had no problems with them and no delays. Mystery shopping is a great way to go and especially if you find the right company to do business with. EPMS is the right company to do just that. They have nice jobs to do and they are pretty consistent when it comes to work. I have never not had an opportunity to do some work within a few miles of my home. I like that.

So if you are thinking and I know you are…just come go to the website and get started now. The sign-up process will only take a few moments and then you will be off to the races.

I wish you much luck and prosper in your new career.

How Mystery Shopping Can Help You Get Back on Your Feet

mystery-shopperHave you just lost your job and you are steady sending out resumes and nobody is knocking on your door? Well I was once that person too. I lost my job after working there for 15 years and was left to fend for myself. Sure I got a small severance pay after the company paid off it’s debt first because of misuse of the money it was making. Now I was still jobless with money running low and bills still running high. Sound familiar? Well if it is then you should try mystery shopping!

Mystery shopping is the new crave of today. Yes there are some out there that say it doesn’t work or something negative about it but I will tell you this. It does work. What’s so hard about getting a shop which is the job that you are required to do and then completing a survey or questionnaire type form with a report of your findings and experience and then turning it in for payment? Does that sound hard? Some shops pay from 20 dollars to 60 dollars and you can complete them in about 3 hours or less which in today’s society is good money. I don’t know about you but that’s $20 an hour and that’s pretty good for a part-time position.

So if you are looking to do something fulfilling that won’t tie your entire day up and won’t have you fighting through traffic then mystery shopping is the way to go!

The Who and What of Apartment Mystery Shoppers

mystery apartment shopperApartment mystery shoppers are secret shoppers hired on a contract basis to visit apartments posing as potential renters. Their assignment is to collect information about the quality of the rental homes and and the level of service and sales skills of the leasing professional. In return they are paid.

The appearance, performance, and acquaintance of the shopper are as vital as the apartment appearance itself. The owners and management companies are reliant on the apartment mystery shopper’s feedback.

Apartment mystery shoppers might require a digital camera to take pictures and an email account to receive new assignments and respond to the completed assignments. A PayPal account might offer smooth and swift money transactions for your completed apartment mystery shopper assignments.

Mystery shopping for apartments involves touring to various places. Mystery shoppers for apartments are responsible for all their costs, so they need to keep track of their expenditures for gas and other necessities.

The same apartment mystery shopper cannot tour the same apartment community repeatedly since their identity may be recognized.

If you haven’t considered becoming an apartment mystery shopper, you should. More information can be found on the Ellis Mystery Shopper Jobs website.

 

Be Careful Who You Take With You

mystery shopper and guestWhen taking a guest with you on a shop, be careful who you take. Taking the wrong guest can blow your cover, distract you, or not allow you to take control of your own shop. A first time guest should always be warned of how mystery shopping works.

I tell my guest to just follow my lead by allowing me to ask all the questions that are needed and to let me order a meal first, especially if it is a food shop. I then give them a nod when it is time for them to order or ask whatever questions they may have.

Once they understand what is going on then they become what I consider “Professional Guests”. They know what to do and they understand my lead. I always have 2 to 3 people that I call on when I need a guest. I have someone my age, someone older, and someone significantly younger for those 21 to 28 year old shops. And let me not forget my 13 year old who is good for those underage video shops.

My Professional Guests are now just as good as I am as far as what to look out for, they just don’t have to do the reports. Train your guest well and they can be a great help in times when you have to..well..take a potty break!! Happy Shopping.

Fun & Excitement With Mystery Shopping

mystery-shopper-movingAre you moving? Are you looking for an apartment? How about turning your shopping experience into a cash cow system for you. Want to know how? Listen up.

Did you know that you can shop and make money without spending a dime. This is real legit cold hard cash! The best part about it, is that it is absolutely fun. Here’s how it works. You register with your personal information and how you would like to get paid, you take a few simple test to make sure that you know the difference between red and green and hot and cold. Pretty simple right?

Then the next day with your login and password that was sent to your email, you’re going to take that and login in and look for shops in your area or an area that you happen to be visiting. Let me explain. Let’s say you are going to Chicago for the weekend…well if this is the case then you could see if there are any available shops in Chicago to do. If there are then you can assign them to you. Now think of that, a vacation, recreation and a little work that makes cold hard cash. Can you beat that? Heck no.

So why don’t you try us out. We need good people like you to shop, survey and report your findings. Here there is no delay in the pay today. Sign up now everyone and get paid right away. You will not be sorry.

How To Spot A Mystery Shopping Scam

shopper-scamToo often our emails have shopper scam emails. Typically, a shopper scam email promises you a high rate of pay for a short duration of work. It is relatively easy to spot a scam email. Generally speaking, if it sounds too be good to be true it is.

In the event you receive an email seeking your help as a mystery shopper, you should always receive an email from a company’s domain name (i.e. @epmsonline.com) in lieu of someone’s name or another foreign domain name. In addition, the scam email generally asks for a host of personal information without further directing you to a corporate website.

A legitimate mystery shopping company will not solicit you without you first filling out an application to work for them. When in doubt, you can always check with the MSPA association for a list of legitimate mystery shopping companies looking for shoppers. In the event an email or piece of postal mail asks you to wire money to someone for any reason, you should never do so. This is always a red flag and a sure indication that such is a scam. Also, in the event you are sent postal mail with a check to cash in advance of doing any work, you should never cash the check because this too is a scam.

Always do your homework first, by researching the mystery shopping company prior to applying to work for them.