What is mystery shopping?

If I ever let people know that I am a mystery shopper (and it does come up from time to time) then the most common response I get in return is-

"What is mystery shopping?"

 It is a really interesting subject and people always have a load of questions to back up that first one, such as-

• How did you get into it?
• Can you make a lot of money from it?
• How can I get started?

So let's begin at the beginning and give you an idea of what mystery shopping is. Companies have got bigger and bigger. The days of one store owner being able to watch, advise and support all of the team while serving customers are gone. Businesses are now run by a board that rarely see the inside of their own store or hospitality venues.The ability to see what is going on, reinforce best practice and advise where to put things right has disappeared from the hands of the decision makers.

So they have put it in the hands of the likes of you and I - the people that would normally frequent the stores anyway. So we report back on the experience we have had to see how closely it matches the experience that the big bosses expect.

Mystery shopping is the best way that big companies have at the moment to monitor the service that their customers are being given. If they have set rules on how customers should be engaged and served to ensure that they offer the best care and maximise sales.

So how do we fit into all of this?

Well I fell into mystery shopping when I was looking for a job. I saw it advertised online and thought I'd give it a go. I have now carried out hundreds of mystery shops and written a book on the subject.

Mystery shopping is a great way to earn extra money and get hold of free things but I haven't seen a way to turn it into a full-time job. The assignments are too far and between even if you live in a big city. It does change your life, though. I have been able to get free meals every week, a hand with my grocery shop and pick up stocking fillers for the kids birthdays and Christmas. It is a nice little lifestyle job which is why it fits perfectly for stay at home Mums or university students where you can work from home.

Mystery shopping is easy to get started. Just Google the words 'mystery shopping' and you will see lots of adverts for companies that need shoppers. Never pay to join one and make sure that you understand what is required of you. If you spend on a mystery shop and get it wrong then you won't get paid and you'll be out of pocket.

My book on mystery shopping is the best place to start your journey-

The 4 reasons why mystery shopping can help with your university finances

It's only a few weeks into the start of the university year and if you are anything like the way I was then reality is starting to kick in. The freshers week celebrations are a distant memory and the partying is slowly being replaced with the studying. Welcome to student life!

The other thing that used to hit me around this time of the year was the fact that my finances were looking a lot thinner then they were at the start of term. Having a big chunk of money in my bank account was a real novelty (and it still is!) and the first few days and week saw pizza being delivered, taxis everywhere and "getting a round in." But as that money raced away I turned to beans on toast, walking or hitching to every destination and counting the pennies to buy a drink.

And that is where mystery shopping can come in really handy for student life. It is flexible, convenient and can help to stretch your finances when you need it most. Mystery shopping for student is a breeze. You have to spend a little time in a shop, restaurant or bar and then write a report. All you need is a little spare time (I know students have plenty of this) and internet access. I file most of my reports within an hour of doing the shop so it feels like I've drawn a line under it.

But you need to know what you are letting yourself in for, so here is my guide to the 4 reasons why mystery shopping can help with your university finances-

4 - Presents
Meeting many new people when you go to university means that you seem to celebrating someone's birthday every week. The partying is great but if toy need to buy gifts then this can pout a strain on your pocket. Mystery shopping takes in gift stores and perfume shops so you can ge access to great items that you can use as a gift. Saving your money for essentials such as food and heating is much easier if you can mystery shop for all the little luxuries in life. Try it!

3 - Stock up on groceries
All of the big supermarkets need their customer service to be assessed by mystery shoppers. The have extensive mystery shopping programmes so you can get that loaf of bread or your dinner paid for by someone else every now an again. The mystery shops at supermarkets and grocery stores are often among the easiest to carry out. You will have to go in, ask a question, buy something and the leave. It is a great way to get into mystery shopping when you start out.

2 - Cash
When it all boils down to it, cash is king. You may like the little treats that mystery shopping can bring you but none of it replaces the cold hard cash that you can earn. Don't get me wrong, mystery shopping can't make toy rich. The fees for mystery shops are usually under £10 but do a few of these a week and you can end up with a nice little extra income to help you along. Some more money every week can really help, especially now the weather is getting colder and the student loan feels like it is running out.

1 - Free food and drink
This can be a major issue when it comes to student life, especially if you live in a city. Eating and drinking can be quite a cost so anything that can help alleviate this burden is welcome. The top reason why mystery shopping can help with your university finances is to get free food and drink. There are many places that you can find mystery shops to carry out, including-

• Wetherspoons
• Pret A Manger
• McDonalds
• KFC
• Morrison's Cafe
• Greggs
• Bella Italia

and more.

If you want to get free food from these places then a mystery shopping account is the only way to go.You can get the chance to regularly visit these places and then report back on you experience.

If you are interested in mystery shopping then my book is a great place to get all the information you need. It takes you through the process of how to become a mystery shopper. Check it out today-

The 5 reasons mystery shopping is great for students

Mystery shopping can be carried out by just about anyone over the age of 18 with access to the internet. There are certain groups that are perfectly suited to mystery shopping. Students are ideal candidates to mystery shop because they have some free time, are often located in big cities and have a need for many of the goods and services being shopped for. Here are the 5 reasons mystery shopping is great for students-

5 - It adds to your CV

It can be difficult enough when you leave university to get your name in front of the right employers. Every company wants to know that you will know how to deal with their customers, so experience in mystery shopping lets them know you what it's all about. It also lets prospective employers know that you didn't spend ALL your spare time drinking.

4 - It helps with your skills

Although towards the end of your university course you will want to focus completely on your degree, at the start you will have time to hone your skills. The reports you file for some mystery shopping companies will stand you in good stead when it comes to putting together your uni reports too.

3 - It is flexible

University work can have peaks and troughs so you might be available to work a lot of hours this week but none the next. The flexibility of mystery shopping is perfect for student life. You can pick up assignments all over the country so you can work when at home or at university. You can pick and choose the assignments you want to do so it fits in around your schedule. Just remember to plan in advance or all the best jobs might have disappeared!

2 - A little extra money always helps

It always helps to bring in some cash when you are at university. Although you can't make enough from mystery shopping to earn a living it does add a little extra cash. It is always welcome to being in a few pounds here and there to help you with the essentials such as food and drink. Mystery shopping is great for students because you can do a few shops and earn some extra income.

1 - Free meals!

Money can be quite tight when you are a student. Thinking back to my university days I would have loved the chance to get some free meals to lighten the burden a little. I currently get between one and four free meals per week. This is the ideal reason for a student to get into mystery shopping.

If you are interested in becoming a mystery shopper then my book is a great place to start. Pick it up now at the Amazon Kindle Store.

Who is mystery shopping ideal for?

Mystery shopping is accessible to all kinds of people and is a great way to supplement your income and get your hands on some free items or food. Mystery shopping can make a real difference to your finances as you get those extra bits or the odd free meal that will lighten the financial load from time to time. But who is mystery shopping ideal for? Check out my guide to the people that will benefit the most from mystery shopping-

Students will love mystery shopping
Because mystery shopping requires you to have little more than some free time and access to a computer it is ideal for university students. As most universities are in or close to a big town or city then the number of available jobs will be great so a student can find access to a ready supply of mystery shopping opportunities. It is a great way to get a free meal, go for a drink or get some free items that will help when money is tight.

Mothers with children at school are ideal candidates for mystery shopping
Again this is a wonderful opportunity for stay-at-home mums because they can drop the kids off at school, go out and do a bit of mystery shopping and be back in time for the kids coming out of school again. Mystery shopping doesn't require you to commit week-in-week-out so you can take time off when the kids are on their school holidays. It gives you a chance to go out and meet people as well as picking up a free coffee or some bits for the kids. There are also many fashion shops that need to be mystery shopped so you can supplement your wardrobe too!

People who have retired can get a lot from mystery shopping
Again the way that mystery shopping is structured means that someone who is retired and has free time can get out there to mystery shop and earn a little extra money. It is a great way to pick up extra items for free when you go out and perform a mystery shop so it is well worth giving it a go. The forms that need to be completed online are usually quite basic so you won't be bamboozled by technology.

Anyone that lives in a big city will get loads from mystery shopping
Cities are great for mystery shopping because there are so many shops and restaurants there that need to be mystery shopped. Whenever I'm in a big city I get free meals to keep down the cost of spending time there. There are always so many restaurants to choose from that you can easily have at least a meal or two a week paid for by someone else. It is a great way to make the most from mystery shopping. I had four meals in restaurants from mystery shopping last week and over the year this saves a lot of money.

Mystery shopping is a really interesting way to pass the time and get free items while earning a little extra cash. I love mystery shopping and I'm sure you will too.

If you are interested in mystery shopping then my book will give you the lowdown on how to apply and how to be a successful mystery shopper. Check it out today-