There are so many perks and benefits attached to being a mystery shopper.

Read our guest blogger from Guwahati, Trisha Dey’s take on the same by clicking the following link:

http://trisha556.wordpress.com/2013/05/06/5-reasons-to-become-a-mystery-shopper/

I must make my first, and perhaps most important confession here- I did Mystery Shopping for the

‘Shoes’. I have  good taste in shoes, but can’t afford them always. That’s the reason I leave my credit back card home during my weekend outings. Friends who have accompanied me window-shopping describe me as profuse when it comes to talking about the subtle outer stitch-work on a pair of Oxfords. Of course, among those who can sense my love for shoes are the salesmen. They are called ‘sales staff’, but I’ve learned in over an year as a mystery shopper – they’re just looking to make you feel good when you’re trying out the shoes – and some have a trained expression of thinly veiled contempt when you’re back to your old, slightly frayed loafers.  I do have better looking shoes, but I choose to wear them as a barometer of how the sales staff responds.

The average Bata salesman is just a delivery-boy, from stockroom to your feet; it is only at the more upmarket stores that they might you feel inadequate – even the sales guy is could be better dressed than you! That’s my first real lesson to someone in shopping – ignore the sales people’s reaction- you’re not looking to impress them.

My ability to be extremely professional when I go shopping is probably why I undertake mystery shopping “missions”. I’m unfazed by the slightly pleading look of the sales staff who promise that fawn is the season’s brown. When not on a mission, I can rapidly walk out of a store when told that a 9 will be good enough for my 10 sized feet. Of course, when I’m on contract, it’s the perfect test – a younger sales guy might be ignorant. Or, it could be a cue of the “lets-make-a-quick-buck” mentality drilled into him by more experienced sales hands. And when they agree with him, I’m mentally ticking off items on my audit checklist!

I ask myself, why did I become a Mystery Shopper? Of course, to earn money – to buy more shoes!

I suppose I could have fished for a deeper reason; I’d have said I want to make a real change, a measurable one (of course, my checklists also exist in real life!), to a shopper’s experience.

But the truth is, not all of me is a steely cold being – it’s the joy of writing a good recommendation for a store that had sales staff (yes, notice the difference!) who patiently told me the difference between lambskin and cow leather – this kind of sales staff do exist!

When I go home, I know that my few hours today have played a tiny, but important role in how people shop tomorrow. I’m going to be one of those customers, tomorrow.

A shopper’s paradise is undeniably the most desirable place for all the women living on this planet. If this paradise were to be widespread, then most definitely women would be ruling the world. It’s not a secret fact any longer that women love to head out on a shopping binge every now and then.

The love affair of a woman and with her shopping propensity is an eternal relationship, which gets rekindled from time to time and keeps her in high spirits. Shopping habits of a woman are a reflection of her personality. The ins and outs of her heart and mind have earned her the title of a complete shopper. Here is an attempt to decode a woman’s shopping habits.

Shopping is all in the mind

The brain scan graph insinuates that a woman’s mind gets highly and effortlessly triggered with a strong neurological force whenever she indulges herself in shopping extravaganza. In due course of time the drive multiplies and becomes a shopping habit and turns them into a shopaholic.

Shopping as a morale booster

The social ladies justify their ‘shop till you drop’ attitude by saying that it is much easy on the pocket than a shrink or a psychiatric consultant’s fees. Shopping exercises acts as a morale booster and stress buster for a woman. Retail therapy indeed has a therapeutic affect which gives a feel good factor as it connects you to fun and gradually this fun inculcates into a habit.

Universal shopper

A woman’s heart is as big as her shopping bag. She not only indulges on herself but also loves to shop for her friends and family too.

Its believed woman don’t buy, they shop. Therefore a shopping habit of a woman soothes their mind and soul and gives her the gratification of being called as excellent shopper.

Read the curtain raiser on Redquanta by our guest blogger, Samarpita from Bhopal.

Click on the link below to see what she has to say about us.

http://sankshvet.blogspot.in/2013/05/are-you-mystery-shopper.html

The concept of mystery shopping has been around for quite some time. I first came across it a few years back when I had gone on a U.S for a trip to visit my cousins. I was highly intrigued by the concept and wanted to explore it more. In simple language, you are paid for availing the services of a particular brand in return of your valuable feedback. For example, if you are someone who has an eye for detail and cares about the quality of customer service being offered, then mystery shopping might be the job for you.

Most companies value customer feedback and want to improve or upgrade their services in order to fulfil customer expectations. Hence there are plenty of mystery shopping jobs available in across the globe. All you have to do is sign up with a mystery shopping company that will provide you with a plethora of options in your chosen interest area.

However, there are a number of facts that need to be kept in mind before taking up this job because it might sound fascinating at first but you need to show professionalism and integrity before you give your commitment. Following are the points that I have always kept in mind before, during and after my assignments:

1. Someone paying for your shopping and restaurant bills sounds fascinating, but there is a ground rule to it. Normally you are reimbursed after a period of 30-40 days post your audit report has been submitted to the Mystery Shopping company that has engaged you as a Mystery Shopper. So in case you are among those impatient shoppers who cannot wait to get reimbursed then this might not be the job for you.
2. Do not be in a hurry to earn money. Apply for a shop only when you are completely sure about fulfilling the commitment and meeting expectations. After all, someone is dependent on you to complete the assigned audit within the specified period of time.
3. Submit the audit report along with all the required documents within the given deadline otherwise there are chances that your report might get rejected and you won’t be paid for it. I am sure you don’t want your effort going down the drain. Similarly you would not want the company to be stranded with an incomplete audit.
4. Remember, you do not have to pay a company to be a mystery shopper. There are many mystery shopping jobs available on the net. Just read the terms and conditions carefully before signing up. Do not opt for the ones that ask you to pay for registering.
5. Another tip for getting recommended or selected by the company is to be concise and specificwith your report. It doesn’t matter how you personally feel about the service. You should objectively fulfil the required purpose of the audit in a clear and concise manner. It is about making factual observations, not writing an opinion or giving suggestions.

Finally, mystery shopping can be fun, do not forget to complete the task at hand and you will be brimming with exciting shopping offers. Go ahead and have fun shopping!

Well, it was my best friend’s birthday and like every year, our old school group decided to plan something special for the birthday boy. This time it had to be his favorite restaurant with his choice of food and wine. The plan was a well kept secret, so the birthday boy had no clue about what was coming his way. But never the less, we decided to have a blast in the very same restaurant.

When I called the restaurant to make a reservation, my call was promptly answered. The staff was extremely polite with their communication. The lady on the call asked me if it was our first time dining with them, and if we were celebrating any special occasion. She took our information such as telephone number, and repeated it to make sure that the detailed were accurately noted down.

On the D- day, as we entered the restaurant, we heard a happy birthday song playing aloud. That song instantly got a smile on all our faces. The staff also started singing along. Our table was in a corner of the restaurant which ensured that our party does not disturb the other customers. The table also had a birthday card from the restaurant, decorated as per our specifications. That feeling was just WOW!

The service was at its best! We did not have to wait for the waiter to come to our table as one of them was constantly around the table, but never let his presence felt until required. That was true professionalism! There was a complimentary wine bottle on the table as a part of their customer program scheme by the restaurant management.

When we called for the cheque, we were simply amazed to see that the bill amount was relatively cheaper compared to the experience and long lasting memory the restaurant gave us.

I always wondered why my friend would always want to go to that restaurant repeatedly when there are plenty of other options available. Now I have my answer! After my friend’s birthday bash, all our birthdays are celebrated at the same restaurant and it has never failed to give me some of the best experiences ever.

Some wise guy said, ‘Do what you love. Success will follow’. I am sure he didn’t have ‘shopping’ on the list of things to-do while penning this quote. But a bunch of smart people after being inspired by this mantra (purely my assumption), combined the pleasure of shopping with the art of making money. And voila! Mystery shopping was created!

And who got most benefitted by it? Besides of course the companies that are audited and most importantly, the consumers. Someone like me, who love to shop and get to earn money by doing what she loves.

I, like millions of teenagers was hounded by the thought of doing something interesting along with learning and earning my own pocket money. And one fine day a feature article in a leading newspaper answered all my woes. The article was about the rise of ‘Mystery shopping’ in India. Intrigued by the concept, I sat in front of my laptop and researched online about it for God knows how many hours. What I discovered filled me with lot of excitement and curiosity. It was like a light bulb moment. Mystery shopping had all the elements that I was looking for – fascinating, rewarding, not run-of-the-mill and mystifying. And the very instance I signed up to become a mystery shopper at Red quanta.

My first assignment was a clothing retail store. I felt like Carrie Bradshaw (from Sex and the City – my favorite) who is asked to play Sherlock Holmes for one day to unfold some hidden secrets! The experience was nerve-wracking but very satisfying. Since then, I have never looked back. I take up assignments almost every weekend and have never regretted dabbling in this field.

For all those who think being a secret shopper is a cake walk and a way to get a free meal ticket, then you couldn’t have been more wrong. Because it’s more than that. Imagine while eating in a restaurant, observing, analyzing, remembering and making a mental note of the quality of food, quality of service, ambience, décor, staff behavior (especially when they think no one is watching), hygiene, time taken to serve, etc. Phew! Doing all that while eating calmly and making sure that you don’t reveal at all that you are in fact a mystery shopper. Agreed, it is lot of fun. But there is lot of hard work too. Trust me.

Just like any other job where you learn many things on-the-job, mystery shopping also helps you to acquire many skills. Importance of giving attention to details, observational skills, analytical thinking, improved memory, handling responsibility, timely report submission are the things that I learned as a mystery shopper. So will you. Also, you learn to differentiate between a good and a bad service. You don’t just make money, but help companies to improve their services and help consumers to get more value for their money.

For those considering on becoming a mystery shopper, please do a lot of research before you zero down on any company. Be careful from scams and bogus companies. Do a thorough background check. Stay away from companies that ask you to deposit money in order to get work or ask you to share your debit/credit card details.

On a lighter note, my mother these days can’t complain, “Don’t waste your time eating out with friends or shopping. Learn something. Be productive”. As she now knows, I am learning, earning and being productive by shopping and eating out! How convenient for both of us. Touchwood!

It is not just about winning, as they say. It is about participating. I completely agree to this. Hence I don’t miss out on taking part in any contest I am invited to. At work, the other day a colleague told me, when we put in so much effort and do an honest day’s work, a contest just boosts enthusiasm to keep it up! If I win, I am in the ‘spotlight’. I get so much attention and accolades that I feel like a super star. The same day I got to know about being a Redquanter. And I said to myself, I am surely “in”!

Becoming a Redquanter is something I really want to give a shot. Reasons are pretty simple.

-          I love Mystery Shopping. I would love to be called Redquanter.

-          I would enjoy being featured all over the place, and my moments of fame on Social Media (after all everyone I know and care for is connected to me on Facebook).

-          It’s easy. Simple questions. Simpler answers. Its not rocket science, it is about being able to give witty answers. I am game to start framing my answers already.

-          Last but not the least; I need a break from my daily routine. This contest seems like a good break to me!

So guys wear your thinking caps and get cracking. It is going to be one among us who stands to shine and shine for one whole week, in all places that matter to Redquanta!

Click on the link below to submit your entries:

http://goo.gl/MB3m8

Last date of sending in your entries- May 20, Monday, 6:00 PM.

May the best shopper win..!!

I have always been fascinated with the intriguing world of mystery shoppers. My aunt in the U.S had told me that how it was a popular trend there and she being a mystery shopper herself had travelled to lot of exciting places, eaten in some of the finest restaurants in town and reviewed interesting movies. So when I recently got the opportunity of visiting her during an extended vacation, I immediately signed myself with her mystery shoppers group and then there was absolutely no looking back.

Apart from giving a quick boost to my pocket money to take care of my expenses, it was a thrilling experience in itself. The idea of being a mystery shopper and getting to shop at some of the expensive brand outlets such as Gucci, Tremode, Walmart and Samsung etc was completely out of this world. During one such outing, we went to Starbucks for a coffee and I ordered for a customized Chocolatte (wherein I requested them to blend the hot chocolate with ice- cream) but they took almost 45 minurtes to get my order after which I was extremely unhappy with their service and complained to the manager as well. Not only did he get the new coffee made in no time but he also did not charge for it, which was a sweet make-up gesture on his part. Also while I was about to leave the coffee shop they gave me a sorry card with my name printed on it. This was one of the finest Customer Relationship experience and the best branding strategy.

Mumbai is a treat for those who love shopping. Be it the trendy attire, funky jewellery to books and home utility items, Mumbai has it all. From roadside shopping to the mall shopping culture, the shopping experience in Mumbai especially for the tourists is an incredible and a superb one. The key for a great shopping experience in Mumbai is to bargain. It is like a skill which is not present in everybody but can be acquired with a little knowledge and practice.

The net savvy generation of today has a great advantage with the innumerable websites available that offer various bargain offers. Numerous deals can be availed in just a few clicks for any and every type of products like fashionable outfits, accessories etc and services like movie tickets, spa services, games like paintball, pool etc. From coupons to daily and weekly deals and offers, there is everything available. You name it, they have it. All you need is a credit or debit card or a net banking account with an internet connection.

Besides that, there are some favourite shopping hubs in Mumbai offering a delightful experience for the shoppers. A few of these include:

• Linking road

This is a juncture which can be called a fusion of modern and traditional. The street vendors share a place with the biggies like KFC, Levis, Globus, etc. It attracts great crowds especially on Sundays. It starts from Waterfield Road intersection in Bandra. It is one of the awesome and popular shopping hubs of Mumbai.

• Fashion street

Fashion Street can be literally called the same as it is a street lined with fashion! It is a hub of shopping for the college going youth. With around 150 stalls, you can buy some of the latest styled outfits, belts, accessories and so on at throw away prices. It is located at MG Road in south Mumbai, near Metro Cinema and Victoria Terminus railway station.

• Crawford market

This is an old style market in a colonial historic building. For wholesale fruits and vegetables, this is the place to come. Also, it is a treat for the pet lovers as it offers a variety of products for all types of pets. It is located at Lokmanya Tilak Marg, Fort area in south Mumbai.

• Chor bazaar

Meandering through Chor Bazaar or the Thieve’s Market, you can find this historical chaotic market. There are various antique shops that sell antiques like clocks, gramophones, crystal chandeliers and old English tea sets. The awesome benefit of this market is that you can bargain them according to your interest. It is over 150 years old and is located on Mutton Street, near Mohammad Ali Road in south Mumbai. 

• Colaba Causeway

Colaba Causeway is a shopping heaven which has everything available at reasonable prices. It is a flea market shopping venue which is like a fest arranged for the shopping lovers. You can keep walking on the street and discover the amazing things. The added advantage- yes, it is the bargaining that you can do with the shopkeeper. You need to be very intelligent enough to know the fair prices else you can be duped off by the shopkeepers. It is located in South Mumbai at Colaba.