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Have you ever wondered just how valid the concept of being a "Mystery Shopper" really is? I mean, come one. Are your saying that I go out to different stores and pose as a "mystery" or "secret" shopper where the clerks and management have no idea who I am, or why I'm there; and then after assessing the situation and reporting back, I get paid? With real money? Hmmm...

I have done a little research on this and find that, to my surprise, this is actually a valid part of business and is, in itself, used by market research companies to evaluate and measure the "retail experience." In fact, this is quite an ongoing very real industry.

Here's the challenge, finding enough assignments to keep you busy as a professional shopping evaluator. If you live in a fairly densely populated area there will be enough work to make some nice money at this. Thinly populated towns and even rural areas, may have work assignments, but the amount you can earned may be limited.

Now what exactly does a mystery shopper do? You are given an assignment (kind of like a secret agent) where you visit a specific store, and even a specific department. You pose as a regular shopper, there to look around and eventually buy something. You may even be requested to complain and see how quickly and thoroughly your complaint is resolved. As a regular person who always can find something to complain about, I find that aspect kind of enticing. Find something wrong, complain and then get to really track how well the clerk and manager try to resolve the problem...and then report on how they did. Oh yeah! I must admit there are times when that would be really satisfying.

Anyway, there are other statistics to measure and record; being a mystery shopper isn't just a lark. You may be requested to ask certain questions and then rate the answers given against certain standards.

The bottom line is this, you are assuming the role of the all knowing, all powerful customer because you are there to not simply buy a product or service; no, you are there to evaluate, measure or statistically record, and then report on the buying experience.

For the person who really enjoys shopping and the whole retail experience, in other words, not just "getting something at the store" but the "experience" of shopping, will find it rewarding to be a Mystery Shopper.

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Article Source: ArticlesBase.com - Mystery Shopping - is it Viable?