Shop to your heart’s content, let your wallet get thicker

Here’s some great news for shopaholics.

Just for a moment imagine that you are paid to do what you love doing the most — shopping! Yes, it’s true, and no it’s not simply some wishful thinking. And again if you are skeptical, rest assured that there is no ‘catch’ here.

Termed as mystery shopping, this ‘fun’ concept has been introduced in the country for the first time by HS Brands International. Sanjeev Shenoy, Director, Business Development, HS Brands, Asia says, “The concept of mystery shopping has become popular in India now although, in the western world, it’s been there for quite sometime.”

Now, what really makes it “mystery shopping” besides the fact that it sounds exciting and promises freebies? Shenoy says, “Mystery shopping involves posing as a customer and making unannounced visits to stores, restaurants, banks, etc to evaluate customer service, salesmanship, product quality and cleanliness among other things.” The “mystery shopper” then reports back with the feedback via an online survey.

This sleuth service operates with organisations to customise a programme that focuses on the distinct standards and characteristics that define their business.

“Scheduled evaluations are then conducted to ascertain whether the standards and criteria developed by the company are in place and are being followed,” the Manipal TAPMI graduate says.

Ask him who can play this role that is fun at the outset and is actually a responsible job when you get into its skin? “Anyone above 18 years of age with some spare time, a keen eye for detail and internet access can be a mystery shopper,” Shenoy says.

So this ‘job’ need not be confined to only women who love to splurge — mystery shopper can be anyone who wants to make some quick money and have fun while at it.

The profile of the mystery shopper for any assignment though, is based entirely on the client’s requirement: for instance, for a fast food restaurant, the profile required will be male or female, 20-35 years of age who can speak fluent English and whose income is Rs20,000 per month, Shenoy specifies. Once chosen, the mystery shopper is trained to serve the needs of the clients.

As a mystery shopper, you can savour several goodies while at “work” and can take home some too. Shenoy explains, “You can eat at your favourite restaurants and get the bill reimbursed, you can watch movies for free, you can buy appliances for yourself.

Basically you shop and get paid. Not just that, we pay the shopper a fee for undertaking such assignments.” The mystery shopper’s reimbursement, dependent on the kind of assignment and the report, is paid within 45-60 days of submitting the report.

Such mystery surveys, though conducted for competitive analyses by companies when they start out, are not similar to mystery shopping, he insists. “Nearly 5000 mystery shoppers are on the database now and the concept has been well-accepted since there is no other way to collect such information,” Shenoy asserts.

Ask him why he wanted to be a part of such a service after his MBA and he smiles, “I understood that retail is going to be big and customer service is going to be important. I researched on how companies assess their performance and then try to improve, based upon the findings of the reports. I then realised that what exists in India is not organised. Therefore I partnered with HS Brands, USA, and now we are extending our business in India.”