Effective Product and Service Evaluation through Secret Shopping Market Research Tool

Mystery shoppers are those individuals who get paid to visit and shop in various stores. Mystery shoppers can be found in large numbers evaluating the stores. It’s been quite some time that mystery shopping has become a legitimate brand research tool. Mystery shoppers are sent regularly on mystery shopping assignments, which require them to pose as regular shoppers just like any other normal customer. The only difference between a mystery shopper and an ordinary customer is that the former gets paid on successful completion of the mystery shopping task. That is why being a mystery shopper is a great way to earn some part time income. Those who love to shop for long hours and have good surveillance skills can easily qualify for mystery shopping jobs.

Companies are always on the look out for mystery shoppers who can perform the mystery shopping assignments effectively. Mystery shoppers are actually hired by market research firms or mystery shopping companies who are hired by other big companies.

Mystery shoppers or secret shoppers are always in high demand by the companies because the former allows them to have a clear view of their brand performance from an unbiased customer’s standpoint. The feedbacks provided by the secret shoppers allow the companies to find out how their businesses are faring, if there are any underlying unattended issues, and whether there is a need to improve the products and customer service standards. That is why companies pay good money to the mystery shoppers.

Completing a mystery shopping brand evaluation assignment is fairly easy. All one has to do is keep his eyes and ears open and remember all that are observed and heard. Companies that hire mystery shoppers want to know every little detail happening inside a store. Mystery shopping is also an excellent way to recognize and reward an employee’s outstanding performance. This in turn boosts the morale of all other employees.

Any individual, preferably above the age of eighteen, can become a mystery shopper provided he is determined to work hard, has good observational and writing skills. Good writing skill is extremely important as mystery shoppers need to provide accurate and grammatically correct contents that are easy to understand. The data presented in the mystery shopping assignment reports are first reviewed by the concerned mystery shopping companies and then forwarded to the client companies. Once the reports get approved, the mystery shoppers get paid for their efforts.