Glossary of Terms

Here I will just include common words used in Mystery Shopping and denote their definitions.

• Bonus - A bonus is offered in addition to a shop fee when a scheduler needs a shop completed immediately. Bonuses = Extra money.
  
• Certification - This is not necessary to begin mystery shopping, but once you get started it may be something you'd like to look into. There are two types of certification: Silver and Gold. Certifications are recognized as setting shoppers apart. Priority of assignments is given to Silver or Gold certified shoppers.
  
• Fee - In mystery shopping, a "fee" denotes what YOU will get PAID. It's not the same as the definition where something costs you.
  
• Mystery Shopping - A profession where various companies pay independent contractors (mystery shoppers) to complete an assortment of shopping trips undercover, who pose as regular customers to evaluate customer service and the like.
• Scheduler - Your "right-hand" man/woman. These people are like your "online boss." They schedule assignments for you whenever you contact them about a bonus shop or a regular shop.
  
• Shop - A Shop is a mystery shopping "assignment." An assignment is where you will be completing your undercover work (ie; a grocery store, the mall, etc).

If you're new, please start at the Feb. 3rd post. Begin following this blog to immediately receive a Mystery Shopping packet. Once you join, e-mail mysteryshoppersunite@ymail.com.

"Your E-mails"

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From: Adam
To: mysteryshoppersunite@ymail.com
Sent: Sunday, March 1, 2009 5:52:31 AM
Subject: Mystery Shopping Info

Hello,

I am currently in "brain sponge" mode, soaking up all the info I can get. I would really appreciate you taking the time to forward me some things.

Thank you very much,
Adam

---

Hi Adam,

Thank you for taking a second to write me. I can send you the information, but you must be a member of the blog Mystery Shoppers Unite. There are directions on the website about how to set up one as well as tips for new bloggers. If you need direct help setting one up, let me know and I can help you.

Hope to hear from you,
Whitney

http://mysteryshoppersuniteblog.blogspot.com

[next e-mail]

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From: D.C.
To: Whitney At Mystery Shoppers Unite
Sent: Friday, February 27, 2009 12:24:26 AM
Subject: Re: I'm new

Hi Whitney. I got my first email today its due sat but I don't understand it says only between 21 and 30 yrs old can do this its about going and getting cigarettes. I'm not real sure what to do thanks for your help.

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From: Whitney At Mystery Shoppers Unite

To: D.C.
Sent: Friday, February 27, 2009 7:42:39 AM
Subject: Re: I'm new

Hi

I want to make sure I understand-- a company sent you your first e-mail, correct? If you have not physically gone to the website to accept the offered cigarette shop or if you have not requested this shop by e-mailing a scheduler, you have not been assigned this shop yet.

Schedulers send out e-mails to shoppers who have registered on their websites. But, until you accept the shop you do not have to complete it. Some shops do have requirements and expect shoppers to fit the exact profile-- such as the e-mail shop offer your got: "Must be 20-30 years of age." If you do not fit the description, please do not sign up for the shop. Companies are very specific and each have a role to fulfill for their client.

I hope I understood your question fully, please message me back with any additional concerns.

Whitney

[next e-mail]

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From: Susan
To: mysteryshoppersunite@ymail.com
Sent: Saturday, February 14, 2009 8:40:49 PM
Subject: Saw you on the Coupon Mom Forum about Mystery Shopping...

Hi,

My name is Sue. I saw you posted under the Work at Home ideas and you said that you are a "mystery shopper". I have never heard of that.

I was wondering if you could tell me what it is, and how it works? Do you get paid cash? Do you have to pay something to start out?

I need to make some extra cash or gift cards, due to recent layoffs and budget concerns.

Please write back and tell me what a "mystery shopper" is. I tried to PM you on the site, but your PM box was full.


Looking forward to hear from you.

Sue
Have A Blessed Day

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From: Whitney At Mystery Shoppers Unite
To: Susan
Sent: Wednesday, February 18, 2009 9:08:04 AM
Subject: Saw you on the Coupon Mom Forum about Mystery Shopping...

Hi Sue.

I hope you are doing well. I apologize in the delayed response, I'm just getting used to checking this e-mail more often ;)

Yes, Mystery Shopping. It's a pretty fun profession. Mystery Shoppers are the equivalent to self-employed persons, or Independent Contractors. The majority of Mystery Shopping Companies pay via PayPal. And, the money deposited into your PayPal can be transferred to a bank account (secured transaction) or you can keep it in your PayPal to purchase items online. It's a very flexible payment regime.

No, you are not required to pay anything to get started. If any company tries to get you to pay something to get started, don't sign up for it because this information is free to the public and it should be illegal to charge for it.

Please join us on the new Mystery Shopping Blog:
http://mysteryshoppersuniteblog.blogspot.com

Look forward to working with you! (Mystery Shopping of course!)
Whitney

If you're new, please start at the Feb. 3rd post. Begin following this blog to immediately receive a Mystery Shopping packet. Once you join, e-mail mysteryshoppersunite@ymail.com.

Confused Yet? Start at the Feb. 3rd Post.

UPDATES FOR 2/5/09:

• You have spoken. Your thoughts DO count, so thank you for contacting me with your suggestions and ideas to make this an exceptional Blog for all of us to enjoy. I have received e-mails and various messages about your needs. With that being said, immediately I will be including a post on an introduction to blogging for newbies. This will help you with setting up your first Blog in order to participate on Mystery Shoppers Unite, or with any other Blog in the Blogosphere. Creating your own Blog will really help you to grasp the idea of this entire Mystery Shoppers Unite page; and, you'll be introduced to some additional other fabulous Blogs as well. [I am only one person, so until I can get this informational post out, please take the initiative to sign up for Blogger.com and follow the easy step-by-step instructions to create your first blog. Once you have done this, begin surfing the Blogosphere on your own; it's just like surfing the Web].
  
• I am working on getting set up on YAHOO! Messenger too. YAHOO! Messenger is like an instant messaging tool. Once set up, you will be able to get in contact with me immediately concerning the brand new Blog I'm creating for you. After we get established, YAHOO! Messenger will be used for "Instant" type-of interactive activities for us within the Blog. Please take a moment and sign up for YAHOO! Instant Messenger and add me to your contacts list: mysteryshoppersunite@ymail.com. I will let all of you know when I have that up and running, but if you're quick like me you'll probably see me pop up on your messenger before I create a post about it! ;)
  
• Continue to spread the word about Mystery Shoppers Unite. This social network is for you and it will flourish most by word-of-mouth from all of you.
  
• You can always e-mail me any time, I check it frequently: mysteryshoppersunite@ymail.com.

Enjoy your Thursday! ;)


UPDATES FOR 2/4/09:

• New Button created for distribution! Yaay, I'm excited. The directions on how to get it are below in the first post. Post it to your page, tell the whole world! ...tell the Blogoworld too ;) (I think I just made that word up, lol) ...send it to your favorite people, :D :D
• Poll Questions added with more choices.
• More Interactive Activities added to list.
• Continue to spread the word about Mystery Shoppers Unite. This social network is for you and it will flourish most by word-of-mouth from all of you.
• You can always e-mail me any time. I check it frequently: mysteryshoppersunite@ymail.com.
  

Thank you all and I'm really looking forward to this new phenomenon within the Blogosphere! :) It's going to be great, it's kismet! I'm happy that you're apart of it too ;)

Let's get the word out about Mystery Shoppers Unite!
Go TEAM, GO! ;),

If you're new, please start at the Feb. 3rd post. Begin following this blog to immediately receive a Mystery Shopping packet. Once you join, e-mail mysteryshoppersunite@ymail.com.

Welcome to...

Brand New Blog as of 2/3/09.
Become an Affiliate.

As soon as you begin following this blog, the sooner I will send you the information on how to get started in Mystery Shopping/List of great and legitimate companies to shop for and links to their websites.

New Blog will include:

• Tips, suggestions and advice from a seasoned Mystery Shopper. [These will be all of the items listed under the labels "Tips & Advice" as well as "Resources."]
  
• How to get started with Mystery Shopping companies that are legitimate. [This will be sent via e-mail as soon as you begin following this blog].
  
• Ways to combine couponing with your Mystery Shopping to capitalize on the opportunity to save even more. [These are listed under the label "Couponing + Mystery Shopping"]
  
• Interactive activities: "Your Questions: Answered," Monthly Blogger "Show & Tell" with Mr. Linky's, Mystery Shopper [Discrete] Spotlight, Additional success stories from YOU + more.
  
• Giveaways
  
• & there's even more to come, if you can believe it. My ideas are constantly brewing... you'll see :D
  

Not a member of Blogspot yet? Sign up for an account
here.

Not ready to become a member of Blogspot yet?

• To participate in any giveaways and special incentives hosted by Mystery Shoppers Unite, you must have a blog. These are the rules I am setting forth. [updated 3/1/09 - Also, to receive the shopping information from Mystery Shoppers Unite, you must follow this blog].
• It can be any Blog, not just Blogspot. But, it must be a Blog.
• To interactively participate in any Blog [that allows it], not just Mystery Shoppers Unite, but any Blog-- you must own one yourself.
• You can set up your Blog at Blogger.com.

...Spread the word about Mystery Shoppers Unite... spread it like wildfire! ;) Add my button to your HTML Widget and enjoy! [Copy & Paste HTML code from left-hand side panel].

Memo:
This is a Blog. Blogs are free. Any company that makes you pay to get started (ie; pay $19.95 for a list of Mystery Shopping companies), don't sign up for it because it's more than likely a scam.

mysteryshoppersunite@ymail.com