The Mystery Shopper's Manual (4th Edition) [Spiral-bound]

Cathy Stucker (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 1888983205 | ISBN-13: 978-1888983203 | Publication Date: January 23, 2000 | Edition: 4th

Imagine getting paid to shop in your favorite stores and eat in your favorite restaurants. And, get free meals and merchandise. You can as a mystery shopper. Businesses need to know how they are seen by customers, and they will pay you to tell them. Shoppers are needed now for stores, restaurants, banks, hotels, gas stations, grocery stores, and just about anywhere that deals with the public. In "The Mystery Shopper's Manual" you get step-by-step instructions on how to get jobs, a list of companies hiring mystery shoppers all over the world, and tips on finding even more companies that will hire you! Not get rich quick, but a great way to make money, even in your spare time. Perfect for people who are employed, self-employed, retired, full-time moms, students and others.

Editorial Reviews

Review

It really works! I got my first mystery shopping job--over the telephone--the same day I received Cathy's book. -- Linda C., Houston, Texas

About the Author

Cathy Stucker is an experienced mystery shopper who has taught thousands of others how they can get paid to shop and eat while providing valuable customer service information to businesses. She has mystery shopped hundreds of businesses, including restaurants, department stores, vision care providers, car dealers, grocery stores, and specialty shops. Cathy Stucker has been a guest on many radio and television programs, and has been featured in newspapers and magazines, including "The Houston Chronicle". Cathy is also the owner of IdeaLady.com, a site for entrepreneurs, authors, publishers and others.

Product Details

• Spiral-bound: 84 pages
• Publisher: Special Interests Pub; 4th edition (January 23, 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1888983205
• ISBN-13: 978-1888983203
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (31 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,348,497 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

109 of 112 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Don't "Shop" until you "Drop" the money for this book!, August 12, 2003

By 

Jo J. Adamson - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Mystery Shopper's Manual (5th Edition) (Paperback)

For someone who wants to cut through the hype and get to the nitty-gritty of mystery shopping, Cathy Stucker's "The Mystery Shopper's Manual (5th Edition) is the book for you.

I've been mystery shopping for three years now, and Cathy's book provided the information I needed to get started. None of the -"Get rich mystery shopping!"scams, or attempts to sell mystery shopping as a way to make easy money with little or no skills required--- graces the pages of this book. Not to mention the come-ons (I get e-mails daily on these) that promise that mystery shoppers keep designer clothes, eat in five-star restaurants or take home merchandise worth hundreds of dollars.

Her advice is sound (based on years of experience as a mystery shopper herself) and you know within a few pages that she knows that she's talking about! She views mystery shopping as a profession and offers practical advice to those who might want to get in the business as well as for those who already are. She points out common mistakes that shopper make, how to contact people who hire mystery shoppers, and how to get the prime assignments. Her book even features a mystery shopper application. Very helpful for someone who wants know exactly what are the requirements needed to become a mystery shopper.

In short, The Mystery Shopper Manual is a "how to" book written by someone who "did" it. And "does" it. Cathy continues to mystery shop and passes on what she has learned over the years.

On a personal note here: In August 2003 I attended the "Mystery Shopper Gold Certification Workshop" in Seattle and was surprised (and delighted)when I saw that it was Cathy who had developed the Mystery Shopping Providers Association workbook that I was holding in my hand.

A perfect match, I thought. The Mystery Shopping Provider Association having Cathy Stucker as spokeswoman as well has having her author the manual that was used as the "Bible" for the conference.

If you're serious about pursuing mystery shopping as a legitimate part-time income opportunity, I do believe that this is the book for you!

45 of 49 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Very Educational and Factual!, September 19, 2002

By 

Iwona S. Masalska "Iwona" (Torrance, CA United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Mystery Shopper's Manual (5th Edition) (Paperback)

I have been a mystery shopper for 4 years for 30 different mystery shopping companies. When I first heard about this book, I was very hesitant. I borrowed it from a friend, not willing to waste my hard earned mystery shopping dollars on yet another "get rich quick" scheme type book.

Imagine my surprise when I realized that this book was actually factual! It had real truth, explaining the work that goes into being a mystery shopper and how to do it. It also made it perfectly clear that Mystery shopping is not a "get rich quick" scheme. It is a rewarding and fun job, but it is a JOB, plain and simple.

This book was educational and factual and can help the beginning or intermediate mystery shopper with obtaining more shops, writing better reports, and other useful information.

I would highly recommend it to anyone even remotely interested in doing shopping for money!

25 of 27 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars This book pays for itself!, May 12, 2002

By A Customer

This review is from: The Mystery Shopper's Manual (5th Edition) (Paperback)

"The Mystery Shopper's Manual" makes it easy to get started as a mystery shopper. The instructions and tips are helpful when applying to mystery shopping companies, doing mystery shops and completing reports.

Whether you are a new or experienced shopper, you can use the list of mystery shopping companies to submit your information to lots of companies quickly, and get more assignments faster. Your first assignment could pay for the book!

A great resource for anyone who wants a fun, flexible way to make extra money.