Mystery Shopping Tip #3

The word "FEE" is used in mystery shopping, but it doesn't mean the usual "What it COSTS you." In Mystery Shopping, the word "FEE" denotes what YOU will get PAID.

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Harris Teeter Triple Coupons Week

Whenever I can combine my couponing hobby with my mystery shopping, I'm a happy camper. I usually try to schedule my shops according to when items will be on sale and according to when a coupon may expire. By using coupons I get to get more items for my money in addition to getting reimbursed for groceries.


Harris Teeter is tripling coupon values up to $.99 until Tuesday, March 31. I went couponing yesterday (no mystery shop) and check out what I got. I only shop for myself, so it's not a lot of stuff. But, still good stuff :)


2 Wisk Detergent 2x 50oz BOGO $3.75 each - $1.50Q - $1Q = $1.25 for two
2 Dawn Dish Liquid $1 each - 2 $.50 tripled Q's = $1 profit
4 Green Giant Frozen Broccoli & Cheese $1 each - 2 $.60 tripled IPQ's = $.40 total
1 Kellogg's Frosted Mini Wheats Strawberry Cereal BOGO = $1.71 each - $.70 tripled Q = $.39 profit
1 Dentyne Ice Gum $1.19 - $.75 tripled Q = $1.06 profit!

Total Spent = $1.02
Total Savings = $29.95

Now, your mileage may vary; meaning that you may or may not be able to re-create the scenario above. Totino's Pizza Rolls 7.5oz are also on sale BOGO $1.15 each - $.35 tripled Q = $.10 each. Both stores I went to are out, but I plan on going back soon.

Legend:
BOGO = Buy One, Get One
IPQ = Internet Printable Coupon
Q = Coupon

Harris Teeter triple coupon resources:

Coupon Mom
Hot Coupon World

Happy couponing!,
Whitney

Become a Mystery Shopper for Harris Teeter!
Follow me on Twitter: SecretShoppers2

Friday Freebie Briefs

This sample is still available as of 3/27/09. Next time you're mystery shopping at the grocery store, grab some of these Quaker Cheddar Cheese snacks. Incredibly delicious. I ordered a free sample a while ago from here and my free sample arrived shortly thereafter! Great snack with a coupon to go along with it. Grab your free sample while it lasts: Free Quaker Sample.

Happy Friday!,
Whitney

Follow me on Twitter: SecretShoppers2

Grocery Shops, Ongoing

High-end grocery store shops are now being offered. These are fun shops filled with variety. This is one of my favorite companies to work with! There are many different shopping scenarios to choose from and many scenarios include free groceries!

These evaluations require shoppers to assess cleanliness, merchandising/product display, customer service, and employee efficiency with particular focus on timing. These are non-revealed shops.

The shop fees have a wide range as there are many different scenarios (and varying degrees of requirements) and ALL shops also have a reimbursement that brings your fee + reimbursement total up to $10 - $30 based on the scenario.

The reports do not require narratives and most all comment questions can be answered in one or two sentences. Shopper feedback on this program has been extremely positive!

There has never been a better time to register as a shopper with this company! In addition to brand new high-end grocery store shops, we are also currently offering healthy sandwich shops, competitive grocery store shops, electronic audits and much more!

Pay is given via PayPal, 2-3 weeks after you have entered in your report.

If you are not already registered, please go here to register.

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Int'l Mystery Shopping

Mystery Shopping opportunities are available in the UK with Tern Consultancy. The current assignment is to be completed April 3-April 19. You will be visiting a Health & Leisure Centre to evaluate its cleanliness and general management levels. You will be required to swim at the Centre if it has a pool area and you'll also need to purchase a snack at the Cafe. Apply here or here.

CouponDad is a pretty cool resource for mystery shoppers, couponers and simply those who want to save on everyday items. I particularly enjoy this website because it's inventive. It displays various pictorial icons in which the coupons are neatly organized. Great resource. I've already printed some Coffee-Mate coupons which I still have stored in my coupon binder. Love it. CouponDad.

Friday Freebie Briefs

I just received my T.G.I.Friday's "Give Me More Stripes" member's card in the mail yesterday!


By signing up, there are lots of perks. One of my faves is a coupon e-mailed to you for a free appetizer. Yahoo! That's gonna be fun, can't wait for that.


Sign up for the T.G.I.Friday's member's club here, it's free and you get coupons for free stuff! Wooot woot.

Mystery Shopping Tip #2

Registration
Your PayPal.com account e-mail address must be the same e-mail address you used to sign up for the Mystery Shopping company you're going to shop for, otherwise you more than likely will not get paid!

Friday Freebie Briefs

I got my second free Dr. Pepper coupon in the mail yesterday! The last one I spent at Wal-Mart a few days ago! Don'tcha just love these things? Not sure how long the promotion lasts so get yours early. Get your free Dr. Pepper here.

Work at Home Opportunities

LiveOps
"The Virtual Call Center Company"


Work from home as in independent contractor for a call center company. As independent contractors, the agents choose when and if to make themselves available to take calls for a particular program. This ensures that when an agent is online and taking calls for our customers, each agent is excited and committed to delivering results. The community of agents enjoy the freedom that providing services to LiveOps allows, and has created a sense of commitment, dedication and loyalty that ultimately benefits each customer.

LiveOps is the only virtual call center solution provider that delivers a complete solution including a flexible on-demand call center platform and applications, a network of over 20,000 independent home agents, and proven best practices. No other vendor in the industry provides a complete solution that truly enables companies to extend their call center into a virtual call center model.

LiveOps.
Apply here.

The Mystery Shoppers Manual

This is the first and only book for mystery shoppers to receive the endorsement of the Mystery Shoppers Providers Association, the international professional association dedicated to mystery shopping. You’ve seen the come-ons about mystery shopping. Now get the truth. This is the book that tells what mystery shopping is really like, and how you can make money as a professional shopper.

If you are looking for a flexible, fun way to make extra money, mystery shopping may be for you! You can get paid to shop, eat in restaurants, get your hair cut, go to the movies and more . . . and Cathy Stucker will show you how. This updated and expanded edition of the industry-favorite guide is jammed with tips and insider knowledge from mystery shopping companies. Both beginners and experienced mystery shoppers will become better, more successful shoppers with the information in this manual.

The Mystery Shoppers Manual is your complete guide to launching and growing your shopping career, whether you are male or female, whatever your age and wherever you live.

Get the Manual here.

Grocery Shops, Ongoing

Grocery store mystery shopping assignments to be filled immediately. More than 5,000 assignments each month are offered for store locations throughout the U.S.

Program Overview

• Counting the various service associates, check-lanes open and shoppers/transactions waiting in line.
• Looking to see if a supervisor is present in the front of the store and whether or not the Self Checkout Attendant is using an iPAD.
• Evaluating various areas of the store for cleanliness.
• Observing some employees working. These include your sales associate, service associate, the Deli Associate and 3 other back of store employees.
• Purchasing any deli assisted item and interacting with a deli counter employee.
• Time required in store is 30 Minutes. Data entry on website is about 5-10 minutes.

Basics of Shop

• These are ongoing assignments
• Time Restrictions: Monday through Friday between 4 p.m.-8 p.m. only, Saturday and Sunday between Noon-6 p.m. only
• Minimum of 30 minutes in store and 5-10 minutes to complete online report
• Submit reports by 11 p.m. your time the same day your shop was performed

If you are interested in these assignments please do the following

1. Apply here.

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Your E-mails

This e-mail is very important. Thank you to the person who wrote me concerning this matter. This is a must-read. Write me anytime at mysteryshoppersunite@ymail.com and/or IM me on Yahoo! Messenger: mysteryshoppersunite@ymail.com.

[the e-mail]

From: -----
To: mysteryshoppersunite@ymail.com
Sent: Friday, March 13, 2009 1:36:41 PM
Subject: Whitney - I PM you also on CouponMomForum

Can you help me Whitney?

Hi I wrote to you before about "mystery shopping" and surveys. You PM'd me back. Well, I signed up for some surveys and at the end of one (or two) it asked if I would like to be a "mystery shopper". Well today I got an envelope with a letter and a check and a "Company Evaluation/Survey Form. The check is for $3,875.00. I am to keep $400.00, funds for shopping are:$35.00-Walmart, $20.00-Sears,$20.00-McDonald's. $3400.00 for Money Gram. Can you email me, as I can't write alot with PM.

My email is: ----- Put your name in the subject line (Whitney-mystery shopping). I did a Mapquest and it gave me directions for this bank Mellon Bank, Pittsburg, PA Wondering if this is a scam or legit? When I did the Mapquest the bank Mellon Bank at 500 Ross St., Pittsburg, PA 15262 showed up and also gave me a phone number. I tried to call but it says "all circuts are busy".

Also, the check is from the company Time Warner Cable, Shared Service Center, 7800 Crescent Executive Drive, Charlotte, NC 28217

The check is made in my name, with date of 03/05/2009, routing numbers, check numbers - looks totally legit - looks like a company printed check.

Do you know anything about this. The company who sent me my letter (dated 03/06/09) is called: MarketStar, Consumer Research Group (Best source for secret shopper employment), 11 Highland Dr. Cortlandt Manor, NY 10567

Is this real or a scam?

Please get back to me as what to do.

Thank you Whitney

[my reply]

From: Whitney At Mystery Shoppers Unite
To: -----
Sent: Friday, March 13, 2009 5:35:23 PM
Subject: Re: Whitney - I PM you also on CouponMomForum

Hi -----,

I am so glad you contacted me before doing this. Yes, it is a scam and I am sorry that you have been a target. Do not do it. I suggest you shred the check. There was something on Dr. Phil about how a woman cashed a check and got scammed out of so much money. Please do not do this. Only shop with companies listed with MSPA (Mystery Shopping Providers Association). Their website is here. Either shred the letter or if you want to be proactive, report the scammers to the BBB (Better Business Bureau).

Check-cashing scam press release found here.

Whitney

Pizza Shop, [Expires: 3/29/09]

Pizza Mystery Shop available in which you will call a specified pizza location and order one of the required pizzas. This shop must be completed as a delivery and requires digital photos of the pizza.

For this shop, you will receive a commission and full reimbursement for the pizza purchase upon successful completion of the shop. This shop must be completed between 2/23/09 and 3/29/09.

If you would be interested in completing this shop and are not a current shopper, please email Whitney at mysteryshoppersunite@ymail.com for the scheduler's contact information. If you are a current shopper, you can log onto the site here to self-assign.

Couponing 101

Combine your grocery Mystery Shopping with couponing and you'll maximize your savings.

10 secrets from coupon masters

By Katie McCaskey, Geezeo.com
Pictures, emphasis and extra tidbits added by Mystery Shoppers Unite.

How is it that some people seem to get ridiculous savings with coupons — and some of us can barely remember to take our canvas bags to the grocery store, let alone remember to bring coupons? The answer is simple. It takes time to plan a grocery shopping trip. But the time invested can yield big savings!

Here are some tips shared in the free e-book, “Cut Your Grocery Bill in Half” from CouponMom.com:

1. Know Your Top 10 Grocery Items.
What do you consume the most? For example, growing up our household always had milk, eggs, and bread on the shopping list. Make a list of the items you regularly consume. If you track just the prices of these specific items you can reap major savings. Make a list of your “top 10″. Then compare the prices, apples-to-apples and week-to-week, in the stores you shop.

2. Does Your Store “Double Coupon”?
Common sense says that the store brand is generally less expensive than the name brand. But, if your store doubles coupons a name brand item can end up costing less than the store brand. The secret is to track your top 10 items so you know first when the price is the lowest and second, if/when a coupon will be doubled.

3. How Is “Buy One, Get One Free” Calculated?
Ask your store manager how the “buy one, get one free” is calculated. Does one item ring up full price and the second item free? Or are both items rung in at half price? If the latter you can legitimately use two coupons for the purchase, thus saving more!

4. Can Coupons Be Electronically Delivered to Your Loyalty Card?
Some stores will automatically add coupons to your loyalty card so there is no need to cut them out of the paper, or remember to bring them with you! You can find out by going to the website of your favorite grocery store. If you use Upromise to save for college or pay off your student loans you can also link coupons electronically to your debit card.



5. Will the Store Email You Coupons or Weekly Circulars?
If you subscribe to several grocery “weeklies” you can quickly see who has the best prices for your Top 10 items. Sometimes stores will email you coupons you can print at home, too. Keep all your coupons in an organized folder.

6. Can You Join Specific Programs Like “Pet Care”?
Some stores will provide coupons for different shopper demographics. For example, new mothers can sometimes get emails for discounts on baby care items. Pet owners can get discounts based on the pets in a household.

7. Does Your Store Accept Competitors Coupons?
If so, it makes it a lot easier to choose which store to patronize. Choose the one with the best deals for you.

8. Are There Additional Loyalty Card Perks?
Will you get a money-off coupon if you spend a certain amount at their store? If so, know the threshold and factor that into your shopping decisions.

9. Can You Use Both “Store Coupons” and “Manufacturer’s Coupons” on the Same Item?
Some grocery stores allow you to double up. If so, you can use the coupon issued for the store AND a manufacturer’s coupon and double your savings. Buy when an item is already reduced and you’ve got greater savings.

10. Are There Coupon Limits for the Same Order?
Some stores impose a coupon limit for each visit. No problem. Just send your kid, friend, spouse, or partner through another line with the other items to take advantage of deep discounts. Consider splitting large bounties with the person who helped you buy at a discount.

Even casual coupon use can save you some money if you’re buying something you regularly use.

Grab My Button

Free exposure for your blog.

"Buttons Galore from some of the creative best couponing
& frugal lifestyle blogs in the blogosphere."

http://grabmybutton.blogspot.com

A different hip and/or creative blog and button will be featured every day. This is a (my) brand new blog that will make an excellent resource for Mystery Shoppers and couponers alike. This new blog caters mostly to a Christian worldview, couponing and related topics of interest.

If you desire your blog and button to be featured, drop a comment or two. Most featured blogs are ones that I have stumbled upon while surfing the blogosphere, so there will always be unique and notable ones with great quality and content.

http://grabmybutton.blogspot.com.

See you soon,
Whitney

Freebie Briefs

I have found some pretty good freebies. If you don't need 'em, get 'em for somebody else! I've gotten plenty of freebies and I enjoy each and every one of them! Your turn :) :)

Betty Crocker Warm Delights
Freebie
[Expired]

Kashi Entree
Offer valid until March 15.
Freebie
[Expired]

Kotex Overnights
Freebie

Ziploc Fresh Shield
Freebie
[Expired]

TinyURLs are shortened website page links. This helps to shorten the http:// address, hence the name "Tiny" URL. These are mostly safe to click; it all depends on who you trust.

Enjoy,
Whitney

Coupon "Previews"

You can actually get a "preview" of the coupons you will be receiving in the Sunday Paper. Taylortown Preview sends out weekly newsletters with simplified coupon previews that look like this:



The preview includes the coupon type, the coupon amount and the expiration date. It's perfect for couponers who buy their newspapers individually; you can decide whether or not to purchase a paper for that week.

It's also good for couponers who like to plan their grocery trips. You can also save the coupon previews on your computer in a Word document for quick reference and in order to keep track of the coupons from week to week. Taylortown is a magnificent resource and you can sign up for the newsletter and visit their website here: http://www.taylortownpreview.com/.

Tell them Mystery Shoppers Unite sent you! http://mysteryshoppersuniteblog.blogspot.com.

Mystery Shopping Tip #1

1. Mystery Shopping seems to have a bad reputation. I've been seeing tons of shows talking against it, Dr. Phil, Dateline, etc. It can get overwhelming. Just follow this tip and you should be armed against the fakes:

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. And, do NOT pay any company to shop for them.