FAQ Weekly Feature: What is “Validation”?

Sep 09, 2009 by Confero Inc.

Each week, we will feature one of our frequently asked questions and explain in detail.

All good research must be validated. Validation is a form of documentation that shows us that a mystery shopper was at the assigned place, at the assigned time and ordered the assigned items. Remember, mystery shopping is research, so client requirements are put into place to assure the reports from all shoppers can be accurately compared on a national basis. Sometimes, this means each shopper must make the same purchase so we can measure consistency of service around the country. Sometimes, this means that shoppers must visit locations within the same time period or dates, so that service during specific dayparts may be researched. Our schedulers must make sure all locations are included and accounted for during the project. Shoppers choose the locations they are interested in mystery shopping for Confero and our schedulers assign specific locations to make sure every location is covered.

For each shop, the client-required guidelines outline what type of validation is required. Validation may include a cash register receipt, a ticket stub, boarding passes, park map, business card, weekly sales flyer or calendar of events. The specific validation item required will be stated in your guidelines and is relevant to the specific research we are conducting at the location you are shopping.

After completing the mystery shop visit, mystery shoppers submit validation via upload or fax. We prefer that shoppers upload their validation to the shop form. This speeds the process for the shopper, the editor and the client. We do accommodate shoppers who don’t have scanning capabilities. For shoppers who must fax, please fax to the number listed on your guidelines. This ensures that the fax goes directly to the correct project team. Our editors then compare the information from the validation documents to the information that the shopper fills out on the online survey to confirm that everything matches and is correct.

More information can be found on our website under the: shopper FAQs section of our website.

Tagged: confero, mystery shopping, mystery shopper, national, scheduler