Mystery Shopper's Manual, 6th Edition [Paperback]

Cathy Stucker (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: April 12, 2006

Can You Really Get Paid to Shop? 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 newly 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, including:

o Why businesses are willing to pay you to shop.

o A step-by-step plan to get started.

o Who hires mystery shoppers and how to contact them.

o What to do--and what not to do--when working with mystery shopping companies.

o Tips for shopping "undercover" without being discovered.

o What you should say in your reports and how to say it.

o How to get more mystery shopping assignments and how to get the best assignments.

Editorial Reviews

Review

Solid information. The step-by-step guide to becoming a successful shopper. -- Mystery Shopping Providers Association

This is the first book that paints a true picture of the mystery shopping industry. -- Mike Green, Vice President, Speedmark Information Services

Well-researched with insider information on mystery shopping--a must read for those who want to be great mystery shoppers! -- Lorri Kern, Founder & CEO, Kern Scheduling Services

Whether you're a novice shopper or seasoned pro, this book is a must-have resource for achieving greater success. --Jeff Hall, Founder & CEO, Second To None, Inc.

About the Author

Cathy Stucker has mystery shopped and educated mystery shoppers since 1995. She has helped thousands of people become professional shoppers.

When she's not shopping, Cathy Stucker is The Idea Lady. She helps entrepreneurs, professionals, and authors attract customers and make themselves famous with inexpensive, creative and fun marketing.

Cathy has instructed courses for many colleges and universities, including the University of Houston, Collin County Community College, et al. She regularly presents seminars for continuing education programs and business organizations, and was selected by the Mystery Shopping Providers Association to develop and present the MSPA Gold Certification Workshops.

Cathy is a frequent media guest and has appeared on television and radio programs from coast to coast. She has been featured in The Houston Chronicle, The Houston Business Journal, Black Enterprise, WomanÂ’s Day, WomanÂ’s World and many others.

When she is not being written about, Cathy is writing. Her articles have been published in national magazines and other print and electronic publications.

Product Details

• Paperback: 256 pages
• Publisher: Special Interests Publishing (April 12, 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1888983302
• ISBN-13: 978-1888983302
• Product Dimensions: 8.5 x 5.6 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (31 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #341,952 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.