Dooh Da Day: September 2009

As I prepare my e-book on mystery shopping which will be due out in the spring of 2010, I want to be able to take you on some shops with me so you can get a feel for what it's like to be a mystery shopper. Normally, my shops require eating out at five-star hotels and resturants (not a bad gig by any means). Other times, I do a little role playing and pretend I am shopping for a retirement home for my parents.

This was a new assignment for me, so I carefully read my instructions and guidelines, memorized my script, made my pre-call to set up an appointment, and I was off on my "new" assignment. What I did not anticipate was the pouring down rain, the traffic, my GPS device sending me to the wrong location, and getting a parking ticket because there was streetside side parking only and my meter expired while I was performing the shop.

I learned a valuable lesson that day, sometimes "more is less." The fee of $60 was simply not worth the $15 parking fee, the 45-minute interview, and the two hours it took to write up the report. I went back to mystery shopping basics, "if it sounds too good to be true, it probably is."

As an independent contractor, I am always in the driver's seat and can decide whether I want to perform the shop or to decline it. Upfront fees don't always tell the entire truth. You decide what your time is worth, not the mystery shopping company. In the future, if I choose to take those particular types of assignments, I will negotiate for mileage reimbursement and parking fees. Going back to the basics is crucial in performing any shop, something I momentarily forgot!

Until next time, happy shopping!