Customer Reviews

Mystery Shopping Made Simple: How to Earn Good Money by Shopping, Dining Out, and More!

5 star:		(11)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(3)

 

 

I learned from my own interviews with mystery shopping companies you do not need to be a certified mystery shopper to get jobs as one. No need to take the KASST test. Mystery shopping is far simpler than this PH.D. makes it seem. You don't need a PH.D. to enter mystery shopping, but this PH.D. seems to parade her PH.D. credential throughout the book. Her book is self-glorifying and covers too much where it is confusing and NOT simple. I'm not a gold or silver or purple mystery shopper, but I know enough to keep me working. Too complex, too confusing for the reader who wants to be a mystery shopper. Too vague for those wanting to open a mystery shopping company. I can't believe how poorly written this book is, too. So many typos and spelling errors I lost count. Don't be fooled by the Ph.D. and publisher name, this is poorly written and edited. Horrible. Cheaper, but you get what you pay for and I still want my money back!

Mystery Shopping Made Simple is the perfect title for this book. I am glad the author, Dr. Ilisha Newhouse, did not sell her work to the "for dummies" or "for the complete idiot" franchises. Mystery Shopping is not for idiots and neither is this book. But it is made simple!
Mystery Shopping has to be the most incredible job and/or hobby in existence. No bosses, no starting costs, the freedom to do only the specific assignments you enjoy, and the opportunity to bring your children with you if you want. There are an estimated 600 Mystery Shopping companies currently offering assignments in the United States. Because of the unique way the industry works, it is not as simple as walking into a local business and filling out an application. Mystery Shopping companies by and large do not advertise in newspapers because they need shoppers from every geographic area in the country. Therefore getting started in this business can be a perplexing challenge.
Mystery Shopping Made Simple is a great tutorial. I specifically appreciate the web addresses of all the MS companies that have applications online- my preferred way of finding assignments. There is a wealth of information in this book. Although some of this information is available on-line, having it all distilled into one book makes it easy to organize my efforts to expand my business.
The small business and tax information is concise and practical. I personally appreciate this section because I would have probably not given much thought to these issues if left on my own.
The listing of companies that do not have a web presence is extensive. It is also information that one does not generally find on the Internet. Mystery Shopping is an old profession and many companies and shoppers conduct their business via phone and mail. This requires an entirely different approach to the business than what you learn from other sources. This information in particular makes this book a wonderful gift for someone who does not regularly use a computer. The last thing that separates Dr. Newhouse's book from other information sources is the warm and personal tone. Reading this book you get to know her; her humor, her strong ethical sense, and her joy in what she does.

I would not recommend this book. I was shocked to find that I had paid more than $...for such a poorly written book. It is full of spelling errors (more than 20 in the first 5 pages), poorly structured sentences and poor grammar. And this is written by a professed PHD. Not only is it poorly written, but the information contained in the book is vague and of little use. Most of the information offered could be found on the internet with very little effort. Most of this book is full of personal experiences with very little information on how to actually get started. In fact, this seems to be nothing more than a tease to attend the authors community college course. Again, I would not recommend this book. There are several others out there with very good information at half the price.

There has been lots of books written on the subject of Mystery Shopping. Dr. Ilisha Newhouse's book is the best ever published in that, unlike others that sell for twice as much. Ilisha book covers each and every detail pertinent to mystery shoppers as a whole. Also the valuable links she includes in her book is the most complete and thorough I have ever seen. This book will save the beginning mystery shopper 100's of hours with all the links and expertise of her writings. Last but not least she is also the trainer for the NCPMS and includes the study guide and certification requirements to get certified online for half the cost of the MSPA's certification requirements. So, not only buy the book but keep it as a reference for years to come. My credentials are that I am a Gold certified shopper who shops from 200 to 300 shops a month with nothing but high 9's and 10's in my narrative writings. Now, lets get busy to shop till we drop!

I have read Ilisha's book from cover to cover. It is well written with excellent examples, guides to writing reports, and the writting of the Letter of Intent(resume'). She presents the material in an easy to understand manner. Her personal examples of mystery shopping, and insights to the necessity of businesses needing secret shoppers help the reader to understand the intricacies of the business. She breaks the book down into a step by step process so that the new shopper can easily get started.

I took her classes here in Phoenix, and she has taken the information presented in those classes and put it in book format. She has included samples of reports that a secret shopper would write to a mystery shopping company for review prior to being sent to the client. She stresses that you need to remain anonymous so that you can accurately test the service being received. She includes accounting information for the small business and the tax forms to obtain the EIN number. She discussed the need to keep accurate records for income tax purposes. She does a great job in discussing the mystery shopping business for the beginner and full time shopper.

I owe my successes to Ilisha Newhouse. I have completed over 165 shops this calendar year alone. I am doing this part time in the afternoons and weekends. She tells you that you have to find your nitch in shopping. My nitch is in apartment shops. I recommend this book to both new and advanced mystery shoppers. Reach out for the brass ring. You will not be sorry.

The book is more like a treatise for a doctorate.
It is probably suitable for college credits in Mystery Shopping
but definitely not recommmended for a newbie. There is nothing SIMPLE about its content I found it overwhelming.

In Mystery Shopping Made Simple, you get all the information you need to get started mystery shopping. Dr. Newhouse's book is packed with information, from writing your first letter of intent, finding leads on the internet, assignments, reports, and useful tax information. I had two assignments within one week of reading this book! Mystery Shopping Made Simple was worth every penny I paid for it.

Mystery Shopping Made Simple includes a forward by Niccole Rogers of the NCPMS. This book refers heavily to the NCPMS and its web-based resources. The MSPA is consistently named behind the NCPMS. Newhouse's rationale seems to be "The MSPA ...is an organization of mystery shopping companies for mystery shopping companies" which she contrasts to "[NCPMS] is an organization of shoppers for shoppers." She chooses to completely ignore the dominance of the MSPA in Mystery Shopping. Dr. Newhouse further explains "The two organizations sponsor different programs and have different agendas pertaining to their populations." Mystery Shopping Made Simple is sold on the NCPMS's website.

Dr. Newhouse offers "I have heard a rumor that the MSPA plans to have all it's members hire only shoppers who have taken this program" referring to the MSPA Gold(or further) certification. "Although this may be the MSPA's future intention...this organization has only over 100 members ... and there are over 750 mystery shopping companies."

Her writing contains numerous testimonials and poses and answers and questions all in letter form. Sometimes the letters are cumbersome, but lend credibility to Newhouse's information.

Dr. Newhouse provides the NCPMS's data collection on Independent Contractors including demographics, but does not disclose the sample size or population. The statistics are intriguing, but without the information on the gathering process it is not compelling.

Several things make this book standout:
The book includes a section on the KASST test and a Study Guide.
The certification process is sold in a more convincing way than even the NCPMS website does.
This book makes mention that once $400 is earned an independent contractor needs to pay Social Security and Medicare taxes.
Dr. Newhouse does endorse Select A Shopper; the only pay-for-leads company to receive any endorsement in these books.
Dr. Newhouse highlights the ease and cost effectiveness of Internet application, but still advocates sending the LOIS and does in fact list 100 companies that work offline.

The "LOIS" is the Dr. Newhouse equivalent as Mr. Poynter's "Letter Requesting Employment" she however includes a list of MSPs that will work with you offline.

Dr. Newhouse's book includes 217 pages, 49 of which are URLS or company addresses.

This book is very informative and I can attest to most of its accuracy. I have been mystery shopping for National Shopping Service for years and love it. They have some really fun mystery shopping opportunities and the pay is pretty good. This would be a great company to get started with as they are very big and have a ton of clients. You can sign up online on their website at http://www.nationalshoppingservice.com.

Niccole Rogers - NCPMS, Inc. from Tampa, FL USA
Dr. Newhouse did an excellent job creating this book. It covers all of the essential information independent contractors need to get started in this complex and often confusing industry. She took a different approach and included links to message boards and e-list. She did a great job...and I would encourage any new contractor to purchase this book.
Niccole Rogers, M. A.
National Center for Professional
Mystery Shoppers & Merchandisers