What are the best things about mystery shopping?

Mystery Shopping is stimulating, rewarding and exciting. If you are a diligent, organised person who's passionate about good service, this is a way for you to help improve standards in businesses in your local area. It can provide a real sense of satisfaction, both when you spot things that are being done well, and when you know you've identified something that a business manager or owner is probably going to want fixed. It is also surprisingly mentally challenging, in terms of observation skills, memory, and the ability to multi-task, and it also helps you to develop your commercial awareness.

What are the worst things, or any “catches” that I should know?

There can be a lot to remember, and the requirements for how each visit is carried out can be extremely specific – but instructions must be strictly adhered to.

Also the reporting that follows straight after each visit must be completed fully, clearly and accurately, without mistakes, and without inconsistencies. This can take significant amounts of time and requires real concentration.

It is essential that clients are not let down in terms of speed of delivery or the standard of reports. Mystery Shopping is an activity that's only suitable for those who are fixated on quality and accuracy.

I’ve heard about scams involving mystery shopping: reassure me!

The scams usually involve potential shoppers paying a fee in order to be given preferential access to lucrative or high value shopping assignments. We would recommend that you never pay a fee to anyone to register for Mystery Shopping jobs and we certainly would never ask for one.