How to Become a Mystery Shopper, The Only Book You'll Ever Need, Expanded & Updated Second Edition [Perfect Paperback]

Elaine Moran (Author, Editor)

Book Description

Publication Date: May 12, 2008

This is the second edition of the popular book which has been expanded and updated. It is a comprehensive guide to becoming a Mystery Shopper and includes a step by step and easy to follow approach. Taken from years of experience in the industry and a background in education, this book combines knowledge with practical advice. The book explains what a mystery shopper is, why companies use and need mystery shoppers, how to avoid scams, where and how to apply, and how to write evaluations. It also includes an updated list with hundreds of legitimate resources. After reading this book you will feel equipped and ready to tackle your first assignment.

Editorial Reviews

Review

COURIER POST NEW JERSEY .... Elaine Moran shops all over the country, combining her vacation itinerary with assignments to evaluate luxury hotels. Fitting the profile of the average Jane is essential to secret shopping, typified by Moran, who is neither flashy nor frosty. ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER Spy Who Loves It. She warns readers not to get into secret shopping for the money as most gigs pay a measly $5 to $40. So why do it? It is an adventure. And, besides, the freebies are great. --Newspapers

ACL Kudos...among the best I have read. INT Keep up the good work. OA Your work is wonderful... --Mystery Shopping Companies

MD - Your book is a tremendous resource and your experience is a big asset. I wanted to call in sick to my day job so I could start immediately. WS - Thank you SO much, I loved it! You are awesome. I would like to have an ounce of your enthusiasm someday. RB Smart, insightful, charming, entertaining. A big treat. EG - I really enjoyed your book. I have read your book from cover to cover. You provided a wealth of information. TS - The information you provided was clear and concise. I have to say that this is the first time, I felt that I could take the information given, and immediately apply it to the situation for which it was intended without hesitation RH - Your stories and anecdotes kept my attention while still providing the necessary learning required to implement the process of becoming a Mystery Shopper. CE I've read a few books regarding Mystery Shopping but this is the most informative one so far. I love the fact that she gives examples. WG - I ve learned so much from your book that I want to share the opportunity with three people who are very close to me. --Readers

About the Author

Elaine Moran is an educator, lecturer, consultant and mystery shopper. She loves to share the fun and excitement of mystery shopping and has put together this informative book to assist you on your journey. Whether you re new to mystery shopping and want to learn how to get started, or if you just want some down to earth practical advice, then this book definitely belongs in your home. Elaine currently gives mystery shopping workshops at over 30 colleges and the students use this book as their workbook while in class. If you are not able to take the class, be assured that you can still benefit by reading the book, doing the practice exercises, and following up with applications as prescribed. Use the outlines for the practice exercises, the tips on preparing reports, the insiders view of the industry, and the up-to-date resources.

Product Details

• Perfect Paperback: 158 pages
• Publisher: Mystery Shoppers Training Group; 2nd edition (May 12, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0977736512
• ISBN-13: 978-0977736515
• Product Dimensions: 10.6 x 8.3 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #611,350 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

15 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Mystery Shopping is no mystery with Elaine Moran's book,avoid scams find real companies that pay you, not you paying them., June 4, 2008

By 

Linda M. Maass "Professor Linda" (Los Angeles ,CA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: How to Become a Mystery Shopper, The Only Book You'll Ever Need, Expanded & Updated Second Edition (Perfect Paperback)

Elaine is ,most of all, a great teacher and doer of Mystery Shopping herself. I have taken her classes for years. I have purchased several other mystery shopping books and there is no comparison.
Elaine goes beyond in listing real companies that want mystery shoppers. They pay the shopper. They don't expect the shopper to pay a fee to "join". Elaine's upgraded book includes scams, and shopper awareness. Elaine gives reality as to what forms and reports a shopper may need. If one wants mystery shopping to be a business ,there is real information here to make sure you don't have losses. Because of Elaine's books I have done several shops for credible companies. It's so nice to get money back for dinners,recreation, and shopping, but especially nice to know that the companies are for real, thanks to Elaine's information. This is truly the only book you will need for Mystery Shopping to be successful.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The mystery shopping is revealed!!!, October 7, 2010

By 

J. trujillo "flipper" (Santa Ana, CA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: How to Become a Mystery Shopper, The Only Book You'll Ever Need, Expanded & Updated Second Edition (Perfect Paperback)

I have subscribed for few mystery shopping companies to find out they were scams. Until one day I went to a job seminar at my school and the author of this book was there, talking about mystery shopping and because it was a seminar offered by the school I trusted it would not be another rip off, I read the book in one seating, and applied to five companies three days later I had an assignment it was something simple and low pay, true, but then I started to get great assignments for fine dinning restaurants on where I could invite my friends and spend more than $200.00 at a time. I am happy!! I go out, invite my friends, and still get paid. What a great deal!!!! Thanks Mrs Moran, JT

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Good book for the beginner, August 16, 2009

By 

Martha Smith - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: How to Become a Mystery Shopper, The Only Book You'll Ever Need, Expanded & Updated Second Edition (Perfect Paperback)

This was a very good book for the beginner to mystery shopping. It was thorough and provided the mystery shopper wannabee with lots of helpful tidbits of information on how to get started and what to expect. With that said, it is important to also state that this is not a book for anyone who is currently doing mystery shopping or who is looking to move to the next level as a mystery shopper.