The Shop Logs

I talked to a potential shopper back in December (Hi TJ!) and posted some information for her here soon after, see original post.
How about any tips from other shoppers out there? What information would you give a newbie?
Post a comment here for TJ and others!
Mystery Shopping Resources FAQs
Volition.com is a good resource also….before posting on Volition read these FAQs

I had to turn down one of my favs tonight…..Mystery Guests called about a restaurant shop in my soon-to-be-neighborhood. I told the scheduler I would gladly take anything in the second week of July, but she said they can only schedule 7 days out….too bad I got that call so soon!

I have officially closed the window on shopping in Michigan.
I just scheduled my first Georgia shop via A Closer Look……*sniff*…….it’s a turning point.
I started Mystery Shopping when my DH & I moved back to Mich. for him to start his business. I was looking for a way to still be a consumer, but save the cash because he was now self-employed. I have been shopping now for five years. I am still liking MSing, but now it holds a different interest for me; I am hoping it will familiarize me with my new surroundings.

See my recent post.
I sent in my application today……I am hoping for a call back.

INTERESTING thread over at the V really got me thinking……
Mystery Shoppers are Independant Contractors (ICs) and by definition are supposed to control the means of production (of the MS report) according to the IRS. The vast majority of Mystery Shopping Providers (MSPs) however, ask mystery shoppers to sign IC Agreements that specifically prohibit subcontracting. The pay structure per shop not only discourages my trying to farm out any shopping work, because of the lack of financial reward, but also benefits the MSP because by keeping me an IC they do not have to treat me as an employee. The MSPs really do control the means of production at this point and I wonder what the IRS thinks of this?

As an aside for Volition readers, someone mentioned the possibility that some rogue MSPA/scheduler/MSP owner posted this….are we kidding people……the high tone of those MSPA posts could not change that much in one year….would Ray really tolerate that subtrifuge anyway?

^sigh^
There are many things I normally tolerate, but sometimes they break through when I am not paying attention..
this is one of those times.

Focus on Service posted this on the V:

Title: “Mystery Shoppers for Longhorn Restaurant - GA, PA, OH, IN and NJ” (p.s. nice confidentiality, oh well..)
Content:"Focus On Service is in immediate need for Mystery Shoppers for Wooster, OH, Merriville, IN, Hamilton, NJ , Daphne, AL and Morgantown, WV Longhorn Steakhouse restaurants. There is a new Longhorn opening in Commerce, GA and shoppers are needed right away! We reimburse up to $40 per shop. You can sign up at www.focusonservice.com Wooster, Ohio needs shoppers immediately! You must go to www.focusonservice.com and sign up so we will have your information available when searching for shoppers!Please only email me if you have an important question, as your scheduler will contact you when ready. All locations need shoppers right away! Thank You and Happy Shopping! tiffanym@focusonservice.com”

It is also worth noting the obnoxious colors didn’t copy - pity.
I see that Pennsylvania = West Virginia? Alabama? Do they want that shop filled? Forget the casual spelling error we have a failure to know state acronyms or even read a map……..geez.

Mystery Shopping Providers Association, MSPA, has announced they are looking for a replacement for Cathy Stucker. The requirements are:

1 Must have experience as a shopper or currently be a shopper (this is a must!)
* Gold or Silver Certification a plus

2 Strong public speaking background – speaker or instructor experience

3 Available roughly two weekends per month (Friday, Saturday, Sunday)

4 Must enjoy airplane travel and staying in hotels

5 Must be able lift carry on luggage and LCD projector in airplanes, taxis, etc.

6 Be flexible and have a good sense of humor

7 Register, attend and interview at the 2006 Shopper Convention in Chicago on July 7, 8 or 9, 2006 (at own expense)

8 Be willing to attend three Gold Certification Workshops in 2006 to train and work with Cathy (August, September and November)

9 If an active shopper, be in good standing with the MSPA and all member companies

10 Be willing to join the MSPA and attend all shopper and member conventions

11 Have an interest and be willing to work on curriculum, workbook materials, promotion and program to keep certification fresh and valuable for shoppers and members

12 Be extremely well organized – handle some hotel arrangements, billing for MSPA, coordinate other workshop details with MSPA staff, and follow up with shoppers and MSPA promptly after each workshop

I won’t lie, this sounds like something I would like to do…..luckily for my DH……. I don’t think the two Fridays per month would work with my new job. I think it’d be interesting if on the way to my new teaching job I have already accepted in GA I stop by C-town to interview for a job that may require me to miss a couple of Fridays here & there…… In all honesty I wonder what is happening Friday nights? Do any of you remember a Friday thing at the Gold Workshops?

Yes, I have noticed that I have all the issues from 2005 & none from 2006 posted.
No, it is not a tech. glitch; it is indicative of my life. DH has taken a job 800 miles south of here & I have seen him four times since the start of the year (coincidence? I think not….). I signed up to live with someone, not commute to a marriage, so life is hard these last many months.

So, in July I will relocate and you can expect newletters from Aug-Dec…..you can exhale now….. I know you have been on pins & needles.

I do have some nice ideas and plan on a new layout (along with reformatting this Wordpress - new templates, considering Canvas - any feedback woudl be appreciated!).

I would like to advertise a “Shopper of the Month,” sadly review the MSPA Conf I will be missing this summer, and continue blog excerpts of those that we shop, I’d like to get some media reviews in too, I am not sure what programs/spreadsheets yet - I can def. use more book reviews.

If you have other ideas that you would like to see, let me know before 8/1…..it’s nice to set a deadline again! hahahaha…