Ancient Mysteries are one of my passions

Ever since I can remember, mysteries of all sorts have intrigued me. The more ancient the mystery, the more I crave to find out the truth. I have many passions that drive me in life. I am a writer, a poet, a child advocate who supports any one who helps children. I am driven to post information about missing children. It is my private prayer every day that each child that vanishes be found quickly, safe and alive.

Treat your Palette to some Fine Cuisine

Mystery shopping is a professional skilled career that offers many rewards and diverse experiences. Your talents and skills will be tested in multiple areas so if you are a multi tasker who loves travel, new experiences and a sense of adventure, then I recommend this career choice to you. It isn't all work and no play however. Though you're paying attention to every detail and making critical observations for every assignment, there is time to enjoy that experience very much. After some practice, the shops become second nature and you will be able to go through them with ease. One of my favorite types of assignments that gives me great pleasure is fine dining.

Did you ever think that becoming a mystery shopper would allow you to treat your palette to some fine cuisine?

Well, today's restaurant isn't just upscale, it is among the finest in the city! And we are going to be the "Guests of Honor" today because the owners are picking up the tab.

Is Video Shopping too Risque?

The latest trend in mystery shopping is video shopping. This is performed secretly so the targets do not know that they are on camera. It's like a secret form of candid camera but you never get to say, "Surprise, you're on candid camera!" Some people believe that this form of mystery shopping violates some sort of ethics code. I wonder where that line crosses myself. To be honest, I have strongly considered investing in a "spy hidden camera" myself because let's face it, the pay is great for these shops.

But I still hesitate and wonder, is video shopping too risque?

It's a moral and ethical question, really. I ask myself where the line crosses between ethical and non-ethical. I given a lot of thought to both sides of the issue. Some days I have more resolve to accept this as an ethical form of mystery shopping while on other days, I still question it. 

I have my camera so I'm all set

One of the tools that is crucial in mystery shopping is a good digital camera. Now smartphones are a decent 'emergency' alternative but I would not recommend relying on the phone in lieu of a good camera. Invest the money because it will make  you money. Choose a camera that also takes great video. Be sure it has an audio that is top quality as well. I would also suggest choosing a camera that has an easy upload connection to your computer. Well, I have my camera so I'm all set! You coming with me on this secret shopping venture?

My camera is an essential tool for all aspects of my work. When I'm sleuthing to solve a mystery, I take two items with me: a digital tape recorder and a video camera that shoots great video and still shots. I take these same two tools with me whenever I go mystery shopping. The camera is very important for several uses during a mystery shop. Most assignments require a photo of the exterior of the store or any violations of health or safety codes. Often you will be asked to photograph the menus or sidewalk A frame signs at fast food restaurants. In completion of the shop, a digital upload of the receipt or business card is always required. That is where I rely upon my trusty digital camera. A smartphone will do the trick in a pinch but the image quality is not as clear.

All that said, let's pack our book bag with all the essential equipment and get on the road. I'm taking my SUV today because it has lots of room in the back to rest if I end up spending the night away from home. A motel isn't always in the itinerary! That's why I keep plenty of blankets and pillows in the back along with a suitcase that contains a few days worth of clothing for all types of occasions. By the way, I keep my video camera in a compartment next to the driver's seat. You never know what scenery you might encounter either! I double as a freelance writer so my eyes and my camera are always ready for what we can capture.

On this shopping excursion, we are not going very far. My assignments are within a thirty mile radius. We might even have time to stop off to visit some friends or hike one of my favorite nature trails. How I love my work!

The first stop is to fuel up at one of my favorite gas stations. I have to check the restroom, snap a photo, buy a snack then purchase five dollars in gas. I'll pay for that at the pump. While I'm fueling, I have to look around to check the pump island cleanliness. I can't be too obvious because I am on video as a customer so I'll glance around the station where I'm fueling, grab some paper towels to make sure there are plenty supplied, wash my window so I know there's a squeegee available and throw away my paper towels. If the trash can is not too full and everything else checks out, the gas station gets kudos today. You're probably wondering how I'm going to take a thirty mile round trip on five dollars in gas. No worries. I have two more gas stations on my list today exactly the same as this one.

Now it's off to breakfast at a fast food restaurant! Are you hungry yet? Okay, let's go then. The restaurant name is confidential so I can't list it here but you'll know soon enough when we pull up to the drive through window. You guessed it! We're not going inside for breakfast. It's grab and go today. Sit back, relax, turn on the radio and enjoy the ride. We'll stop at a nearby park to finish breakfast. We have two shops down and four to go. There's plenty of time to finish up. Three miles to the park. See, there it is now and breakfast is still hot. Let's eat and take a refreshing morning stroll down by the pond. I brought some wild food to feed the ducks. Oh yeah, grab the camera for me, will you while I carry the food for us and the ducks. This should give us the chance to take some nice photos for a nature article that I'm working on. You remembered that I'm a  creative freelance writer , didn't you?

To be continued......

Hotel Compliance Audits subsidize Travel Expenses

If you are a prolific traveler like me, then you know how costly it can be to pay for hotels or even motels on a nightly basis. In order to subsidize my expense account and trim the rough edges, I enjoy doing hotel compliance audits. These assignments provide more than some extra income and free nights accommodations. Hotel shops also give me the opportunity to sharpen my skills as a secret shopper and a super sleuth. Discretion is absolutely imperative when performing a hotel mystery shop. Keep that in mind foremost. Never reveal your identity! Act like a regular guest and perform the tasks in your assignment with a professional skill and ease that will keep your cover .

Be observant but not obvious. Make sure you read your instructions at the time that you receive your assignment. Often, hotel and motel audits require particular procedures regarding the check in and reservation process. Many companies will give you twenty-four hours from the time you accept the assignment to make the reservation. Usually, this will be done over the telephone. Some companies require you to use a credit card so that the room fee can either be waived by the owner at the time of checkout or reimbursed within a previously agreed upon time frame.

Many hotel and motel assignments are done without any special equipment. Memory exercises are an important part of this profession so find ways to sharpen your memory skills. Meanwhile, also learn how to take mini discreet notes for time, date, names and descriptions. There are the occasional hotel shops that require you to use a hidden spy camera. Now talk about covert! This makes it very real and you feel like a spy the first time that you attach that camera in your clothing and walk up to the hotel desk.

Lady Sleuth unravels the mystery

You may have heard the word “Mystery Shopper” or  “Secret Shopper” before and wondered what it was really all about. Well, you are not alone! There was always a lot of mystery surrounding this secret shopping force  in my mind, too. Private Eye Jane was so intrigued that she set out to solve the mystery for herself. How will she do that, you ask? By joining the mystery shopping force and becoming one of them, that’s how! And Jane wants to share her discoveries with you right here on her blog.
Follow along, as the Lady Sleuth unravels the mystery in secret shopping.