What Is A Mystery Shopper?
A mystery shopper enters a business as an average customer,
evaluates the products and services offered, interacts with employees as a customer
normally would, and reports findings to Confero by completing a detailed customer service
survey. As anonymous customers, mystery shoppers do what managers can’t –they
receive unbiased treatment and thus can give accurate, objective feedback on service
quality.
Why is Mystery Shopping Important?
Our clients use mystery shopper feedback to:
- Evaluate training programs
- Reward outstanding employees
- Revise procedures to improve service
- Identify employees who need further training
Who Are Confero’s Clients?
We serve clients nationwide in a variety of
industries--retail, banking, food service, real estate and automotive services.
Who Are Confero’s Shoppers?
Shoppers are teachers, doctors, firefighters, homemakers,
secretaries, salespeople, etc. Most shoppers are employed full time elsewhere, but enjoy
conducting assignments in their spare time. For Confero, they serve as independent
contractors. Mystery shopping is not a full or part-time job. Assignments are occasional.
Mystery shopping for Confero is NOT an employment arrangement.
Is Special Expertise Required?
No. Mystery shoppers are unbiased data gatherers. They
observe and listen. We do not want shoppers to be experts in an industry they are
assigned to shop. We seek reliable and dependable people who will take assignments
seriously and conduct them as instructed.
How Do I Get to Shop for Confero?
No fee is required. Before we will consider you for shopping
assignments, we must receive a completed Shopper Profile. Your name will be in our data base of eligible
shoppers. When the next available shopping opportunity arises in your area, a Confero
Scheduler will contact you.
May I Shop for Other Companies Also?
Of course. As an independent contractor, you may provide your
mystery shopping services as you wish. We do caution you that, if you do shop for more
than one company, you pay careful attention to Confero’s specific procedures and
requirements. Not every mystery shopping company is the same. If you would
like to shop for other companies also, we suggest that you make sure you shop
for reputable firms. Check to see if the company is a member of the MSPA:
Mystery Shopping Providers Association.
How are Shopping Assignments Made?
Schedulers use a sophisticated information system
and mapping software to identify Confero shoppers who live or work near an available
assignment location. If your name is identified by this search, we will
contact you to
determine if an assignment at a specific business location interests you. We will tell you
about how long the assignment will take to complete, when we need you to visit the
specific location, and the compensation we offer for the assignment. Our
preferred method of contact is email.
Will I Be required to Accept Assignments?
No. You are not required to accept any assignment. However, if you DO accept an assignment, we expect you to
complete it, as promised.
How Often Are Shoppers
Contacted?
Availability of assignments depends solely upon our
clients’ locations. Some clients ask for regular shops, while others request shops
only at certain times of the year. Confero shops for national companies, resulting in
thousands of shops spread out all over the country. Assignments may be more frequent in
some areas of the country than in others. Also, we rotate shoppers so that the same person
does not visit a location repeatedly. Do not be concerned if you are not contacted for a
while.
Will the Client Know Who I Am?
As the Independent Shopper Agreement states, we will hold your name in
confidence and never disclose it to our client(s). Likewise, as per that Agreement, you
agree not to mention to
anyone the name(s) of the businesses you visit on assignment for Confero, any specifics
regarding your instruction for the shop visit, or any information about the shopper survey
format or questions.
What is Required During Assignments?
If you accept an assignment, you must thoroughly
read the guidelines and survey to ensure you understand what to do
and how to answer the questions. You must enter the business with an open mind, as an "average
customer". You must listen for and look for the answers to our survey questions.
Immediately after the visit, you must complete the survey online while details are fresh in
memory. You must
also fax in your Verification of Work (your invoice to us), along with your
proof of visit (receipt, business card, flyer, etc) within 24 hours of your
shop. When we receive your survey, a Quality Review team verifies that all questions are
answered, detailed constructive comments are provided, the visit was conducted by the
deadline at the correct assigned location and sent to us within 24 hours of the visit.
After reviewing your first assignment and how well you followed our instructions, the
Quality Review team will decide whether you are eligible to be contacted about future
assignments. We expect you to complete an assignment if you accept it. If you do not
complete an accepted assignment, or complete it late or do not follow the
guidelines, we
will not contact you about future assignments.
How are Shoppers Compensated?
Compensation varies depending upon the complexity of the
assignment. Compensation depends upon the nature of the assignment and client
requirements. We will tell you the compensation when we contact you about
an assignment--before we ask if you would like to accept the assignment.
What about Taxes?
As an independent shopper, you are responsible for
reporting your own earnings. Confero will provide a 1099 Miscellaneous Income form,
as required by law, if you
earn more than $600 from us during a calendar year. If you have questions
regarding tax liability, contact your tax advisor. We cannot provide tax advice. We
do not provide a statement or listing of your earnings unless the $600 amount is exceeded.
However, you may access your shop logs at any time to obtain this information.
Still have questions?
Click
here to send an
email message to our recruiter:
mailto:recruiter@conferoinc.com.
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