Posted by Leigh Trapp on Thu, May 06, 2010 @ 11:15 AM
The best Mystery Shopping Suppliers review their shop evaluations before submitting them to make sure all typos, grammatical issues and misspelled words have been eliminated. Although a good spellchecker will pick up any “shopping crats” that might have escaped your eagle eye, you should also be on the lookout for less common errors that many people don’t even realize are incorrect.
Just for fun, take this short quiz to see if you can spot the correct sentence in each pair: (Don't scroll down too far - the answers are below!!)
PAIR #1:
A. If I would have known about the party, I would have gone to it.
B. If I had known about the party, I would have gone to it.
PAIR #2:
A. He doesn’t care about me anymore.
B. He don’t care about me anymore.
PAIR #3:
A. When we go to the party on Saturday, let’s take a bottle of wine.
B. When we go to the party on Saturday, let’s bring a bottle of wine.
PAIR #4:
A. If you have ten items or less, you can use the express lane.
B. If you have ten items or fewer, you can use the express lane.
PAIR #5:
A. We were supposed to go to a dance last night, however, it was cancelled because of lack of interest.
B. We were supposed to go to a dance last night; however, it was cancelled because of lack of interest.
PAIR #6:
A. She could have had anything she wanted.
B. She could of had anything she wanted.
PAIR #7:
A. I’m not speaking to anybody in this class.
B. I’m not speaking to nobody in this class.
PAIR #8:
A. He has took the train.
B. He has taken the train.
PAIR #9:
A. I should have went to school yesterday.
B. I should have gone to school yesterday.
PAIR #10:
A. It’s going to be sunny tomorrow.
B. Its going to be sunny tomorrow.
Don't go down any further until you are done - the correct answers are below.
Here are the correct sentences:
1. B; 2. A; 3. A; 4. B; 5. B; 6. A; 7. A; 8. B; 9. B; 10. A B; 10.
Posted by Leigh Trapp on Tue, Apr 06, 2010 @ 01:37 AM
The best secret shoppers are constantly on the lookout for tools to help them perform their shops more efficiently. Did you know that one of your best resources is literally in the palm of your hand? That’s right…it’s your cell phone!
Mobile functionality has mushroomed over the years from simple communications devices to awesome, multi-featured technological marvels. Adding an extra service such as texting to your phone can enhance its usefulness to you as a shopper. But if your phone is equipped with texting, Internet access and a camera, the sky’s the limit!
Here’s a sample of some ways you can capitalize on your cell phone’s features to maximize your shopping experience:
· Phone-A-Friend – Even if all your phone does is allow you to make and receive calls, you can use this feature to your advantage. Keep your scheduler’s phone number handy (or program it into your phone’s directory) in case you encounter issues or need clarification before, during or after your shop.
· Smile for the Camera – Most later model cell phones contain a built-in camera you can use to covertly snap photos of things you’d like to remember when writing up your report (i.e., dirty dishes at a restaurant, unkempt landscaping, etc.). Many phones also have video/audio recording capabilities. Just make sure you don’t get caught!
· Note to Self – If your phone has built-in notepad capabilities, you can type in comments and notes to yourself to help you remember key facts. If you don’t have a notepad, you can use your texting feature to make notes. Here’s a link that shows you how: http://www.trap17.com/forums/Set-Notepad-Mobile-Phone-t52899.html
· Where Am I? – If you have Internet access on your phone, you can use Google Maps, MapQuest, Yahoo Maps, etc., to locate the address and find the best route to use.
· What Time is It? – Some projects require you to time certain portions of the shop. You can use your phone’s built-in timer to keep up with your time.
· Stay Connected – Many phones allow you to send instant messages and emails to your contacts. When phoning your scheduler might not be an option, you can IM or email her with your questions.
Got other ideas? We’d love to hear them!
Posted by Leigh Trapp on Mon, Mar 08, 2010 @ 04:05 PM
If you haven’t visited the Mystery Shopping Providers Association’s website in awhile, you’re missing out on a valuable resource for secret shoppers all over the world. Here are a few of the goodies you’ll find:
- Alerts about scams, what to do if you are contacted by a scammer and how to proceed if you become a victim
- Announcements of upcoming conferences and certification opportunities. Gold certification is now available on DVD so you don’t even have to travel to get certified!
- Informative newsletters
- List of mystery shopping companies that are MSPA members. NOTE: Many unscrupulous companies attempt to lure shoppers with promises of instant wealth while requiring them to pay a fee for the privilege of shopping. None of MSPA’s member companies will charge you a fee to shop for them.
The MSPA is in the process of updating their website, so you might find some pages that are under construction. Even so, there is a ton of information available right now. Here’s the address: http://www.mysteryshop.org.
Posted by Angie Hullett on Mon, Mar 16, 2009 @ 08:46 AM
Dear Mystery Shopper:
MSPA has some very important, and quite serious, information for you. There are some very serious legislative threats that could deny you the right to work as an independent contractor and threaten the mystery shopping industry. We urge you to contact your Senators and Members of Congress and implore them to oppose legislation that would undermine the legal recognition of independent-contractor status. We ask that you contact your Senators and your Congressional Representatives in three ways:
- Call their Washington or home district offices.
- Send them an email or submit a web-form message to them
- Write and mail a letter to them (and copy us at the address on the bottom of this message or send a copy by fax or email)
The following are suggested points you should make in your communications:
- I am an independent contractor (I do mystery shopping on contract with companies) and I strongly urge you to oppose any proposals that would threaten my right to work as an independent contractor.
- New laws that increase the risks to companies that do business with independent contractors put legitimate self-employed service providers – like me – out of business, because our clients will be afraid to do business with us.
- Many companies that are clients of Independent Contractors qualify for Section 530 protection and need the certainty that Section 530 provides in order to continue doing business with independent contractors – like me.
- IRS data indicate that the federal tax compliance rate for independent contractors whose earnings are reported on Forms 1099 is 97%, which is only 2 percentage points lower than the 99% compliance rate for employees--that is, we are, as a group, tax-paying, law-abiding citizens.
- Now is an especially inappropriate time for the government to take any action that will depress economic activity, especially in the entrepreneurial sector.
If you have other "bullet-point" issues you think other MSPA shoppers might find useful in crafting their own messages, please send them to us via email to vikki@mysteryshop.org and we will add them to the list.
Thank you for your support in this very important effort.
Contacting Your Senators and Congressional Representatives
Click here for a complete list of Senators and their addresses and other contact information.
Click here for a complete list of Congressional Representatives and their addresses and other contact information.
To find who represents you in Congress (both Senate and House of Representatives), simply go to this link:http://www.usa.gov/Contact/Elected.shtml.
You can find detailed contact information for your Congressional representative at: https://writerep.house.gov/writerep/welcome.shtml.
You can find detailed contact information for your Senators at: http://www.senate.gov/general/contact_information/senators_cfm.cfm
Thank You!!
Posted by Angie Hullett on Wed, Sep 03, 2008 @ 02:04 PM
For the past two years, MSPA has orchestrated our "Wait Time Survey," which measures the time shoppers have to wait in line to be served in a variety of environments. With the support and assistance of shoppers, MSPA has been able to capitalize on the inherent interest in wait time to generate significant media coverage of mystery shopping. That translates into great visibility for mystery shopping, which in turn translates into growth in the number of types of businesses that recognize the value of mystery shopping to their bottom line. And that translates into more opportunities for mystery shopping companies and for shoppers! Please, take just a few moments to participate by reporting on your most recent experience (within the last 24 hours) of waiting in line for service.
Every "10th" participant will receive a payment of $5 (on Friday mornings) to their PayPal accounts. Your participation will help MSPA in our efforts to market the value of mystery shopping...which will help generate more business for mystery shoppers...and your participation can give you a quick $5 reward!
Go to http://survey.mysteryshop.org/ to participate!
Thanks!
Posted by Angie Hullett on Wed, Sep 03, 2008 @ 02:02 PM
This email is to let you know that an MSPA Gold Workshop is going to be held near you! Don't miss this great opportunity to become Gold certified.
Schedulers prefer Gold Certified shoppers. Why? Because the Gold Workshops help you become one of the industry's finest shoppers. From writing commentaries to the latest in technology, the workshop is the best. The workshops are fast-paced, fun and incredibly worthwhile.
And the networking opportunities are amazing. You'll meet shoppers from your area to exchange ideas, business cards and opportunities.
For just $99 and a few hours of your time you can become Gold Certified!
Don't delay...register right now!
Here's the information:
Where:
Trump International Beach Resort
18001 Collins Avenue
Sunny Isles Beach, FL USA
305.692.5600
800.340.9789
Date: 09/27/2008
Time: 9:00 am - 4:00 pm
Discounted daily valet parking rate for local attendees (only) $10.00
Hotel rate 189.00
To make your reservation today, please visit the following link http://www.mysteryshop.org/shoppers/gold.php#dates
Thanks!
Posted by Angie Hullett on Tue, Jun 24, 2008 @ 08:26 AM
Would you like to have a direct impact on gaining recognition for the value of mystery shopping? All you need to do is simply participate in an MSPA national survey on customer wait times.
The brief survey will ask you to report on recent experiences waiting in lines at various establishments during your regular, day-to-day routines. No special trips are necessary! You may report on just one experience, or you may complete the survey multiple times to reflect different experiences. The important thing is to participate!
How will participating in the survey benefit you, the shopper? The MSPA will use the survey results to highlight the type of valuable information mystery shopping gathers and share it with media in the largest cities across the United States. Ultimately, increased media attention will help gain additional mystery shopping recognition among business owners, in turn, increasing the number of mystery shopping assignments available to you!
To participate, simply visit http://survey.mysteryshop.org/.
Thanks, in advance, for your support of MSPA’s efforts to increase the use of mystery shopping!
Posted by Angie Hullett on Tue, May 06, 2008 @ 01:23 PM
Hi Shoppers!
The MSPA is hosting its 5th Annual Educational Conference for shoppers in Pittsburgh Friday, July 18 - Sunday, July 20, 2008
If you've never been to an MSPA Annual Educational Conference for Shoppers, 2008 is the time to go! We'll celebrate the 5th Anniversary of the Educational Conference for Shoppers in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania! The program for the 2008 Conference is full of exciting and informative sessions, sure to make you a more productive shopper! You'll get tips on how to make your shop scheduling as efficient as possible to maximize your income! You'll hear from key schedulers, company owners, and other shoppers who will share their best ideas! And we just learned that the early-bird registration, which saves you $50 from the regular price, has been extended to June 22! Be sure to make your hotel reservations soon, too, because the deadline for the MSPA rate is June 30th.
Finally, don't forget that there is an MSPA Gold Certification Workshop scheduled for Friday, July 18, so if you're not yet Gold Certified, this is a terrific opportunity to go for the Gold and attend the Educational Conference.
For more information and to register go to: http://www.mysteryshop.org/events/shopperconference.php
Some of the companies who will be represented at the Conference are:
Coast to Coast Scheduling
Baird Consulting, Inc.
Beyond Hello
BMA
Service Sleuth
Second to None
Ann Michaels & Associates
The Mershimer Group
Intellishop
SurfMerchants/SASSIE/JobSlinger
Customer Service Experts
ClientSmart
Market Force Information
KSS
Draude Marketing
Customer 1st
Special Interests
GFK
A Closer Look
Customer Perspectives
Service Evaluation Concepts
Ath Power
Thanks!!
Posted by Angie Hullett on Fri, Feb 29, 2008 @ 04:34 PM
What are your thoughts on being certified? I would like to hear both sides....
If you are certified do you think it has helped in getting better shops or better pay? If you have not chosen to become certified - is there a reason that you have not? Is it because the workshops have not been in your area? If that is the problem - this might be an answer that you are looking for.
Click on the link below and learn about the New DVD certification that is available through the MSPA. Let us know your thoughts........
http://www.mysteryshop.org/shoppers/certification.php
Posted by Angie Hullett on Fri, Feb 29, 2008 @ 04:23 PM
Mark your calendars for the 10th anniversary MSPA Annual Conference!!
When: September 24-28, 2008
Where: Miami Beach, Florida at the beautiful Fontainbleau Hotel!
5th Annual Educational Conference for Shoppers!!
When: July 18-20. 2008
Where: Westin Hotel, Pittsburgh, PA
Click here for details !! ----> http://www.mysteryshop.org/events/shopperconference.php