Frequently
Asked Questions
1) What is Mystery Shopping?
2) What is a Mystery Shopper?
3) What makes a good Mystery Shopper?
4) What does a Mystery Shopper look for at a job?
5) Does one have to pay to be a Mystery Shopper?
6) How does one become a Mystery Shopper?
7) How does a Mystery Shopper receive assignments?
8) How often will a Mystery Shopper receive assignments?
9) How are Mystery Shoppers paid?
10) How much can one expect to make doing Mystery Shopping?
11) When does ESP pay for Mystery Shopping?
12) Can one Mystery Shop for anyone, or is Mystery Shopping an exclusive contract?
1) What is Mystery Shopping?
Mystery Shopping is a method to gauge the customer service skills at a business, as well as gain feedback for the business through the customer experience.
2) What is a Mystery Shopper?
A Mystery Shopper is an individual who enters a place of business posing as a normal customer. In reality, the real goal is to evaluate the level of customer service at the business, as well as the selling abilities of the employees. It is crucial that a Mystery Shopper remain anonymous, as discovery by the employees could invalidate the assignment.
3) What makes a good Mystery Shopper?
A good Mystery Shopper is a conscientious, impartial, and hard working individual who is also hard working and self motivated. ESP generally prefers college graduates or individuals with business experience - after all, the shoppers have to thoroughly evaluate every aspect pertaining to their shopping experience and record the information accurately and effectively. Access to the Internet is helpful, but not required.
4) What does a Mystery Shopper look for at a job?
For every type of successful business there is always a checklist of “things” their employees should do or say, which distinguishes them from less successful businesses. Simple things, such as the number of times an employee allows a telephone to ring before answering it or putting someone on hold for an unreasonable amount of time can dramatically affect the result of a sale. Pleasantness, friendliness, empathy, enthusiasm, and product knowledge can be measured by objectively observing items such as eye-contact, smiles, good manners, hygiene, good listening skills, full attention to needs, unbiased suggestions, and asking appropriate questions, to name a few.
5) Does one have to pay to be a Mystery Shopper?
Absolutely not! You are being hired to perform a service, rather than paying for a service to be performed. There are no fees required to join the ESP team. Provided that your resume meets our requirements and you have complied with our testing procedures and/or Mystery Shopping Challenge, you will be added to our database of mystery shoppers.
6) How does one become a Mystery Shopper?
For ESP, on our Shopper Contact Us site, download and fill out the Mystery Shopping Challenge. It is available in OpenOffice/StarOffice, Microsoft Word, and Adobe Acrobat formats. Once completed, fax or mail it in to the supplied address, and include a resume, if available.
7) How does a Mystery Shopper receive assignments?
Once assignments become available in your area and you meet the specific criteria/eligibility, you will be contacted via telephone or email. Shoppers who are willing to travel or make themselves available in larger areas will be offered additional jobs. In some cases, we may offer an incentive to travel further. You will be given thorough instructions about the assignment, including procedures, location, and pay. You are not under any obligation to accept the assignment; however, if you are interested, you should reply ASAP since most assignments are on a first-come, first-serve basis. Please note that every shopper will be rated on every report that they submit. Shoppers who continuously have high ratings on their assignments will, for obvious reasons, be offered more jobs. If you accept an assignment and cannot complete it by the due date, you must contact us via telephone or email in a timely manner. Failure to do so immediately will result in the termination of your association with ESP. Completed assignments may be submitted to us by fax, email, or regular mail. For regular mail, we strongly advise you to make copies of your reports in the event that they get lost.
8) How often will a mystery shopper receive assignments?
This depends upon the ability of the shopper in question, as well as promptness in returning assignments. Assignments should be returned with clear reports, using good grammar, syntax, and spelling.
9) How are Mystery Shoppers paid?
Mystery Shoppers are paid per assignment. If this is telephone calls, it is per call. If it is an in-person assignment, there is a set amount. The amount is given at the time the assignment is offered, as well as what extras may be available. Compensation can range on the average between $10-$20 a shop. If you are required to make a purchase, then you will be provided with reimbursement according to our stipulation.
10) How much can one expect to make doing Mystery Shopping?
Many companies make outlandish promises about the earning potential of mystery shopping. We do not make any promises other than that we pay on time and pay a fair price for the shop. We have been in business for over twenty years and could not possibly have succeeded if we did not treat our shoppers fairly. Your earning potential depends on several factors: your availability to perform numerous evaluations in various locations and the depth of the assignments. Some specific examples can be given, but it is virtually impossible to make an actual estimate of potential earnings
11) When does ESP pay for Mystery Shopping?
Checks are sent via USPS by the 15th of the following month in which your assignment was conducted.
12) Can one Mystery Shop for anyone, or is Mystery Shopping an exclusive contract?
Many mystery shoppers work for a number of different companies. This is only reasonable, as assignments can be irregular, and different mystery shopping companies have different clients.
