The art of being a secret shopper is, operating in secrecy.

Mystery shopping, the industry is designed around an organisation that requires feedback and looks toward a third-party, independent evaluator for a professional assessment of what works and what does not. Whether it's a product or service, mystery shopping is a valuable tool in helping companies to improve their customer satisfaction and product development.

When we are hired as a mystery shoppers, we would either be conducting evaluation in person, via the telephone or online. If we are hired to assess a physical storefront, we would likely be entering into a store, possibly making a purchase and evaluating customer service. If the assignment involves actually going out and shopping, we would require to dress casually and in a way that we would normally dress for a day of shopping. The basis of secret shopping is to be secretive and to not let others know that they are being evaluated. If we show up in a business suit and look prepared to take notes, there won't be much of a mystery in mystery shopping excursion. In a nutshell, we should dress according to the assignment.

If we are hired to conduct a mystery shopping evaluation via the internet or over the telephone, attire would not be important. Instead, professionalism would come into play greatly as we would be required to ask questions pertaining to evaluation and in a way that makes we sound like a regular customer. Most companies value customer service and, as such, are looking for ways to improve their policies. If we are placing an order, we would require determining how fast and convenient the checkout process is, whether or not any aspect was difficult or confusing and how quickly we received order.

As a secret shopper, whether in person, over the phone or via the internet, we would require to master the combination of professionalism and subtlety. We require having an eye for detail, which means we would require being able to notice even the smallest detail that another may miss. Not only that, but we may require to find a way to convey that detail to the organisation through the form of a written evaluation.

Mystery shopping is designed to promote improvement, recognize achievement and learn from experience. As we become more knowledgeable in the industry and complete more evaluations, we would better realize what an organisation is looking for and how we could best achieve it. Perhaps we would be evaluating a hotel by staying overnight or a department store by making a small purchase. Whatever assignment, being a professional mystery shopper could be both fun and financially rewarding. And best of all, we would never find ourselves in a work slump when the assignments vary so greatly from one day to the next.