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| Slowly but surely, a new specialty is gaining momentum in the
mystery shopping industry--video mystery shopping. Audio taping of mystery shops has
been around for awhile, but video mystery shopping is just now starting to come into its
own.
What is it? It's the same as any other mystery shopping assignment except you are
carrying hidden miniature video equipment--the old Candid Camera show meets mystery
shopping. |
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Now before you envision yourself as a cool undercover P.I. (and by the
way, check the regulations at the state and local level to make sure that video and audio
mystery shopping is not considered surveillance work that requires a private investigator
license in your area), like anything else in mystery shopping, there are many pros and
cons to this type of specialty work.
Many mystery shoppers are uncomfortable with the idea of doing video mystery shopping, but
two major advantages are the pay (typical is $25-$50 per shop, and it can go as high as
$100 for a very complex shop), and the fact that in most cases, the video you have shot is
the shop report, so paperwork is minimal post-shop.
Shoppers who have concerns about taking their "secret shopping" to a new level
can be reassured by the fact that most employers who undertake these programs understand
that they can be audio or video recorded by a mystery shopper under their employment
agreement. The employers then use this tape to provide further training to their
employees. It can also be included in their performance evaluation. Of course this makes
both the shopper and the client highly accountable.
This last part is something to think about. Not only is everything the employee does
captured on video, it is also very obvious as to whether or not you conducted the shop
according to guidelines (although your proof that you did it right is also on the tape in
the event of a dispute). But suppose something happens to your "proof". I always
say technology is great...when it works. The downside of audio or video mystery shopping
is that technical difficulties can occur. If you forget to turn on your recorder, the
battery dies, the focus is off, etc., you may not be paid for your shop.
Overall, for experienced shoppers who are comfortable with the idea of using video
equipment in their work, it looks like it could be a good way to earn higher shop fees
than the norm with less paperwork. I advise newbies and beginners to wait until they have
many shops under their belt before they attempt video mystery shopping. They first need to
be very comfortable with "traditional" mystery shopping, and can pull off a
scenario with ease, before they add the distraction and complexity of concealed equipment
to the mix.
Right now, there are a few assignments, mostly in major cities, being posted on various
lead boards, and the competition is pretty fierce for them. But if the opportunity comes
up to try a video shop, why not try it? You could open the door to a nice part-time
career, and if you are already a mystery shopper, you just might take your income to a
whole new level.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Melanie Jordan is a veteran mystery shopper, author of two books: "The Perfect
Work-At-Home Job: Mystery Shopping" and "How-To Finally Make Money As A Mystery
Shopper", an e-zine publisher and personal mystery shopper coach.
Subscribe to her award-winning free monthly e-zine "The Perfect Work-At-Home Job
Update" by e-mail to: mscoach@aweber.com. Her web site is Mystery Shopper Coach's
Corner at http://www.mysteryshoppercoach.com
(c) Copyright 2002 By Melanie R. Jordan E-Publishing
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