I received a letter today from Mystery Shoppers Inc and a check for 3,850 to become a mystery shopper.  Of course I am skeptical, but I have heard of Mystery Shoppers and wonder if anyone here has had any dealing with them. 

Answered my own question.  This is a fraud.  I will just send it on to the Attorney Generals Office. Anyone who receives a check from these people beware, it is a scam.

It is fraud yes
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mystery_shopping#Fraud

Anytime you recieve a check in the mail, it's usually fraud.  Even if it has Ed McMahon's face on it.  In this world, you never get something for free

It is fraud yes
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mystery_shopping#Fraud

Anytime you recieve a check in the mail, it's usually fraud.  Even if it has Ed McMahon's face on it.  In this world, you never get something for free


Yep got one last year, its a scam, I turned it over to the local authorities.

How do you become a mystery shopper?  ???

How do you become a mystery shopper?  ???


By winning a goat on "Let's Make A Deal"

By winning a goat on "Let's Make A Deal"



That only happens when you choose the wrong door.

I received a letter today from Mystery Shoppers Inc and a check for 3,850 to become a mystery shopper.  Of course I am skeptical, but I have heard of Mystery Shoppers and wonder if anyone here has had any dealing with them. 



Funny, the first case on people's court today was just about this very subject  ;D

That only happens when you choose the wrong door.


Which door would you choose?

Which door would you choose?


I would take the money,forget the door,it could be a goat. ;D

Funny, the first case on people's court today was just about this very subject  ;D


I caught the end of that case.  Were they both police officers?

I would take the money,forget the door,it could be a goat. ;D


You would have a good supply of goat's milk

I caught the end of that case.  Were they both police officers?


They met while in the police academy. He ended up working for a university police dept.... despite the rep I find campus cops are usually smarter than that.  She ended up leaving the profession after a year which, in my experience, means she failed out of the FTO (Field Training Officer) program.  ;D

what do you have to shop for?

They met while in the police academy. He ended up working for a university police dept.... despite the rep I find campus cops are usually smarter than that.  She ended up leaving the profession after a year which, in my experience, means she failed out of the FTO (Field Training Officer) program.  ;D


I just saw that episode last night.  I loved the Judge's reactions to the case.  Especially when she figured out that the girl was only supposed to keep $200 and send the rest back.  ;D

what do you have to shop for?


Secret shopper jobs aren't shopping for a particular thing, they are checking out the establishment and employees.  Employers hire companies to send shoppers in to make sure things are being run properly.  There are legit secret shopper jobs but you should never pay anyone money to get a job.  That would be your first tip off to it being a scam.

Secret shopper jobs aren't shopping for a particular thing, they are checking out the establishment and employees.  Employers hire companies to send shoppers in to make sure things are being run properly.  There are legit secret shopper jobs but you should never pay anyone money to get a job.  That would be your first tip off to it being a scam.




Nut I used to date .. she thought 'Mystery shoppers' ... sounded somewhat glamorous ?    :-\\    Well, whilst I never had any solid evidence ... I couldn't help wondering if shed' not gotten a 'five fingered discount SOMETIMES ... when she went shopping ?    :-\\ ... she just struck me as the type .... who could/ might ?    :-\\    Regardless of my theories ...  I think it was more the TITLE 'mystery' .... that appealed to her psyche ........ (how weird /bizarre / sad ?  ???  ::)    :-X    ).

So the cheque is not worth the paper it is printed on?

Usually it is not even a real account. 

Usually it is not even a real account. 
Does the bank exist?

Does the bank exist?
Come to think of it, does any bank still exist today?

Come to think of it, does any bank still exist today?


Chase/Wamu exists.

Has the culprits be caught yet?

Has the culprits be caught yet?



No Not yet.

No Not yet.
Are the police on the case?

Are the police on the case?


Only when they steal.

Come to think of it, does any bank still exist today?


;D

my mom was a district manager for Denny's and she would pay me to go to her various restaurants and check the cleanliness and the service and what not....


I always wanted to do mystery shopping as a side job because I am a judgmental consumer anyway so why not get paid for it! But haven't found a legit service yet.

my mom was a district manager for Denny's and she would pay me to go to her various restaurants and check the cleanliness and the service and what not....


I always wanted to do mystery shopping as a side job because I am a judgmental consumer anyway so why not get paid for it! But haven't found a legit service yet.


Local council must have people in that position, especially health inspectors.

Local council must have people in that position, especially health inspectors.


usually its corporations- they want to see how their staffs look/act when the big bosses aren't around.

Its more about customer service and customer appeal than health issues

Someone I 'knew' (as in an on-line friend not real life) worked as a mystery shopper. I remember her saying she went to Clarkes shoe shop a few times and also some department stores.

Someone I 'knew' (as in an on-line friend not real life) worked as a mystery shopper. I remember her saying she went to Clarkes shoe shop a few times and also some department stores.


see I wanna be a shopper for Best Buy, or Circuit City  ;D  TOYS!!!!!

see I wanna be a shopper for Best Buy, or Circuit City  ;D  TOYS!!!!!


I'd rather be a mystery shopper for Pathmark. ;D

I don't think you actually get to keep the stuff  ::)

I don't think you actually get to keep the stuff   ::)


So what is actually the consellation prize?

So what is actually the consellation prize?
Expenses and luncheon vouchers?

So what is actually the consellation prize?


Money

Expenses and luncheon vouchers?


when you mystery shop for restaurants they will reimburse for the meal (up to a certain $ amount) and pay you $10 or $20.

I was a list to do this in LA but they always wanted someone to have a drink in a restaurants bar...and I don't drink so I didn't get much mileage out of that service.

I'm on the look out for a legit one for mainstream stores if anyone knows of any PM me.

Money



How much money does a mystery shopper get? ???

How much money does a mystery shopper get? ???


not a lot that's why the people who do it do it on the side.

not a lot that's why the people who do it do it on the side.



Although what they do on the side ....    :-\\

















THAT'S what makes them 'mystery' shoppers !    ::)    :P  :D

Although what they do on the side ....    :-\\

















THAT'S what makes them 'mystery' shoppers !    ::)    :P   :D
Do Mystery Shoppers hide their faces?

Do Mystery Shoppers hide their faces?



Is this person a mystery shopper ?


















http://forgottenjournal.com/wp-content/uploads/2007/12/blog2-michael-jackson.jpg











http://images.usatoday.com/life/gallery/michael-jackson/mask.jpg


Can our top detectives crack the case of who he might me ?     ???    ::)

Is this person a mystery shopper ?


















http://forgottenjournal.com/wp-content/uploads/2007/12/blog2-michael-jackson.jpg











http://images.usatoday.com/life/gallery/michael-jackson/mask.jpg


Can our top detectives crack the case of who he might me ?     ???     ::)
I have no idea who it is, for that person is wearing a mask.

Mystery shoppers ....























http://img389.imageshack.us/img389/1517/muslimwomenshoppingmu8.jpg

imported from Saudi Arabia / Kuwait (?) .... frequently found shopping around Edgware Road, London !











:D

Is this person a mystery shopper ?



http://www.tvguide.com/images/pgimg/lone-ranger.jpg

Who was that masked man?  and why did he never use coupons?  ;D

Is this person a mystery shopper ?


















http://forgottenjournal.com/wp-content/uploads/2007/12/blog2-michael-jackson.jpg











http://images.usatoday.com/life/gallery/michael-jackson/mask.jpg


Can our top detectives crack the case of who he might me ?     ???     ::)



Michael may be one.

I don't like shopping.  I am a misery shopper

Are tere Mystery Shoppers at Pathmark?

Are tere Mystery Shoppers at Pathmark?


I'm pretty sure there are,It's hard to spot them.

I'm pretty sure there are,It's hard to spot them.
The obvious ones will be wearing masks.

The obvious ones will be wearing masks.


No they don't wear masks.

No they don't wear masks.
They come in plain clothes.

They come in plain clothes.


I would assume they wear regular clothes.

I would assume they wear regular clothes.
With regular shopping bags?

Since mystery shoppers identities are supposed to be secret the people who are shopping for the company look like any regular customer.

The idea is to test how customers are treated in stores and how the store appeals to shoppers. 

It would defeat the purpose if the shopper came in wearing a uniform and a name tag that read "Hi, I'm _____ & I'll be your mystery shopper today"  ;D

If you knew who the shopper was you would treat them nicer than some other customer to get a good score (because in their reports they name the employees they talk too and rate how professional and helpful they were.

Since mystery shoppers identities are supposed to be secret the people who are shopping for the company look like any regular customer.

The idea is to test how customers are treated in stores and how the store appeals to shoppers. 

It would defeat the purpose if the shopper came in wearing a uniform and a name tag that read "Hi, I'm _____ & I'll be your mystery shopper today"  ;D

If you knew who the shopper was you would treat them nicer than some other customer to get a good score (because in their reports they name the employees they talk too and rate how professional and helpful they were.
When I was at work, we did have a governmental body checking out the grant our parent charity was receiving and one way on checking was to either call into my work or phone. When one such person did contact us, the "mystery shoppper" stuck out like a sore thumb for he (in this case) showed signs of research done in the questions that were asked, not like the kind asked by a normal patron who knew nothing about us.

When I was at work, we did have a governmental body checking out the grant our parent charity was receiving and one way on checking was to either call into my work or phone. When one such person did contact us, the "mystery shoppper" stuck out like a sore thumb for he (in this case) showed signs of research done in the questions that were asked, not like the kind asked by a normal patron who knew nothing about us.


yeah true in specific fields (if we had one for my job I would know because the questions would be specific as well)

but in retail- the shopper isn't asking those specific types of questions. A Pathmark shopper might ask where the bread is and the difference would be (did the employee walk the shopper to the location or grunt a lane number and point in some general direction)

They would look at the shelves to see if the products were full and displayed orderly or just thrown on the shelves.

They would go in and see if the restrooms were clean (not by health inspector standards but common usage standards)

They might ask Howard to help them to the car and rate on how friendly and helpful he was

They would judge the number of carts in the lot and the number of carts available at the front of the store.

When I would shop my mothers restaurant she wanted to know
1. How long did I wait for a table
2. How friendly was the hostess & did I get water fast
3. How friendly was the waiter/waitress
4. Did they get our food order right
5. How was the food prepared? Did it come hot? Was it to order?
6. Did the wait staff check on us and refill our drinks
7. How clean was the restaurant? Bathrooms?

With regular shopping bags?


No,no shopping bags.

No,no shopping bags.
Wicker baskets?

I wonder if MysteryWoman is a mystery shopper. Anyway, my ex-wife used to do mystery shopping. It was actually pretty cool since they'd just re-imburse us for what she bought (up to a certain amount, anyway). We used to get a bunch of products in the mail to try out as well.

Wicker baskets?


No I believe regular shopping wagons.

No I believe regular shopping wagons.
...and the carts?

I wonder if MysteryWoman is a mystery shopper. Anyway, my ex-wife used to do mystery shopping. It was actually pretty cool since they'd just re-imburse us for what she bought (up to a certain amount, anyway). We used to get a bunch of products in the mail to try out as well.


too bad it's your ex-wife cuz then you could PM me and tell me which company or how to go about finding a reputable company.... unless you're on positive speaking terms with her...  ???

...and the carts?


They use wagons.

They use wagons.


I've never heard them called wagons before you used that term on this message board.  Isn't that weird?

When I hear wagon, I picture these:

http://re3.yt-thm-a04.yimg.com/image/25/f11/200767656http://re3.yt-thm-a03.yimg.com/image/25/f12/626568655http://re3.yt-thm-a02.yimg.com/image/25/f10/421321935http://re3.yt-thm-a02.yimg.com/image/25/f11/168891988http://re3.yt-thm-a04.yimg.com/image/25/f12/731056520

I've never heard them called wagons before you used that term on this message board.  Isn't that weird?

When I hear wagon, I picture these:

http://re3.yt-thm-a04.yimg.com/image/25/f11/200767656http://re3.yt-thm-a03.yimg.com/image/25/f12/626568655http://re3.yt-thm-a02.yimg.com/image/25/f10/421321935http://re3.yt-thm-a02.yimg.com/image/25/f11/168891988http://re3.yt-thm-a04.yimg.com/image/25/f12/731056520
He may mean 4x4s

I've never heard them called wagons before you used that term on this message board.  Isn't that weird?

When I hear wagon, I picture these:

http://re3.yt-thm-a04.yimg.com/image/25/f11/200767656http://re3.yt-thm-a03.yimg.com/image/25/f12/626568655http://re3.yt-thm-a02.yimg.com/image/25/f10/421321935http://re3.yt-thm-a02.yimg.com/image/25/f11/168891988http://re3.yt-thm-a04.yimg.com/image/25/f12/731056520
something like this?

http://www.virtual-showroom.co.uk/images/vehicles/417_1015.jpg

He may mean 4x4s


No, I think he does really mean shopping carts/trolleys that he wrangles (because that is what his co-workers refer to them as)  Kind of like a secret language  ;D :

http://re3.yt-thm-a01.yimg.com/image/25/m4/2845433514

No, I think he does really mean shopping carts/trolleys that he wrangles:

http://re3.yt-thm-a01.yimg.com/image/25/m4/2845433514
Wrangle a wagon?

Wrangle a wagon?


Could this be Howard?  ;D http://www.flickr.com/photos/andreil/47374763/

An interesting photo montage of abandoned carts/trolleys... http://www.flickr.com/photos/nomoreabandonedcarts/

Could this be Howard?   ;D http://www.flickr.com/photos/andreil/47374763/
On his day off?

On his day off?


http://farm1.static.flickr.com/33/47374763_a46a00237c.jpg?v=0

Wow Thanks I have a good idea.^  ;)

http://www.elle18.com/careers/article_assets/mystshopper/02.jpg

Is this a mystery shopper?

http://www.elle18.com/careers/article_assets/mystshopper/02.jpg

Is this a mystery shopper?


kinda defeats the purpose of being incognito doesn't it?  ;D

kinda defeats the purpose of being incognito doesn't it?  ;D
In that disguise you cannot tell who it is.

In that disguise you cannot tell who it is.


That person should show his/her face.

That person should show his/her face.
THe customers should have friendly faces like the supermarket staff.

THe customers should have friendly faces like the supermarket staff.


Some of them do and some don't.

Some of them do and some don't.
Those that don't do not last long.

Those that don't do not last long.



Some of them do stay but I guess they just keep a smile inside,they know they want to be home but the smile hides inside at work.

I will be in a few shoops today, shall I play "Guess The Mystery Shopper"?

I will be in a few shoops today, shall I play "Guess The Mystery Shopper"?



How would you tell?  ???

How would you tell?  ???
Guess work.

I will be in a few shoops today, shall I play "Guess The Mystery Shopper"?


Is it in his eyes?
Oh no, you'll be deceived
Is it in his signs?
Oh no, he'll make believe

I will be in a few shops today, shall I play "Guess The Mystery Shopper"?

Is it in his eyes?
Oh no, you'll be deceived
Is it in his signs?
Oh no, he'll make believe
btw, I did not see any.

What does the mystery shopper shop for?

What does the mystery shopper shop for?
Mystery items?

Mystery items?


I'm guessing they shop for food? ???

I'm guessing they shop for food? ???
...or any product within the supermarket that can be purchased there.

...or any product within the supermarket that can be purchased there.


I think they go through all the aisles.

I think they go through all the aisles.
In a mysterious way?

In a mysterious way?


How mysterious?

How mysterious?
surepticiously

I don't like shopping.  I am a misery shopper


;D ;D

too funny!


We are constantly mystery shopped at our place (the 'shopper' usually asking for an obscure ingredient for a meal or dish they are making.
Until we get a full 100% in several areas we are on tenterhooks..but even when we do get a full mark we won't be allowed to rest on our laurels as high quality service and especially product knowledge, is seen as the norm here.

;D ;D

too funny!


We are constantly mystery shopped at our place (the 'shopper' usually asking for an obscure ingredient for a meal or dish they are making.
Until we get a full 100% in several areas we are on tenterhooks..but even when we do get a full mark we won't be allowed to rest on our laurels as high quality service and especially product knowledge, is seen as the norm here.
Hopefully it is a different mystery shopper each time.