shopperpro

Okay let’s break this down - a mystery shop phone call might be the entire assignment or it might be part of your assignment. Please be sure to read the instructions/job outline before accepting one. If it’s just a phone call it doesn’t matter where you are, but if there’s also a visit required make sure that you live close enough to do the visit without having to drive to another state.

Pre-visit phone calls are fairly common. I would actually recommend making a pre-visit phone call on EVERY shop whether it’s required or not. Call to verify the location’s hours of operation and any useful landmarks to help in locating the store. This is particularly useful when shopping a store located in a mall. Ask what major store they’re closest to and you know where to park.

If the entire mystery shop is nothing but a phone assignment odds are the phone call will be recorded using the Vocazilla system. It’s not hard although you do need to make SURE that you ask all of the questions outlined in your shop guidelines, as this call will be played for the client. Just like with any other assignment be very familiar with those shop guidelines before making the call.

With anything else Vocazilla has its pros and cons. I’ll chat more about it tomorrow, but in essence just remember to make sure that you hit all the points that you are supposed to and you’ll be fine.

Mystery shopping by phone pays a bit less than actual visits, but the plus is that you don’t even have to change out of your pj’s! I have seen phone assignments listed for .50 to $10. Even if it’s a nominal fee, they do add up quickly. As previously noted by me, they can also turn into your worst nightmares.

Even with their ups and downs I do tend to prefer phone shopping as I spend less time driving around in circles! Yes, I still haven’t gotten any kind of navigation device for my car - it’s on my list, but I’m so busy with ’start of the month’ shops I really don’t have the time right now!