Top 4 Mystery Shopping Tips
October 18th, 2007 by Katrina Gallagher1. Print out and read your report details well before you visit.
A lot of mystery shoppers will do their assignments out of office hours, so make sure you give yourself time to phone up and ask any questions before your assignment and report is due. This reduces the risk of having to repeat your visit, or submitting poor reports.
2. Type up your reports as soon as you can.
Handwrite notes against your report questions immediately after your trip, and type up at your first opportunity. If you leave your report until the last minute, you may forget important details.
3. Use leading questions to get the information you need.
This will vary depending on the assignment, but giving examples of what you might need the product or service for - relating to your present, past or a friend’s situation can often help. For example “I’ve just moved house, and was wondering what broadband options were available in my area”.
When you’re given a mystery shopping assignment, you’ll usually be given some leading questions that may help if your struggling to get your advisor to volunteer the information you need. We’re also generating a list of useful questions on the blog to help you, and we’d love to hear some of your examples. Just add your comments below.
4. If you’ve been hovering and no-one has approached you, approach them discreetly.
Try to be as natural as you can - because if your victim suspects they are being mystery shopped they will perform differently and your results will be skewed. Asking for the time, directions, or smiling and saying hello may be all you need to strike up a conversation.
