Greetings from Ireland. My name is johncb and I've just joined

Welcome. Are you new to mystery shopping? Or just new to the forum?

Hi!
I am new to the forum, though not new to mystery shopping. I was a avid shopper a few years ago. My life is such that I would like to be involved again, and I'm hopeful there are opportunities in the Minneapolis area. My expertise lies in the travel/hospitality industry. I did hundreds of restaurant and coffee shops, and quite a few video shops (what a hoot).
What's new and exciting??

Welcome to the forum.

What's new?

A few things.

MSPA certification is getting a makeover,
Video is being used more,
some comanies died,
many merged or were bought.
This forum became more popular than another.
This forum launched a weekly magazine.
The mutilated pizza shop moved to yet another MSP. . or two.

What did I miss?

Hello, I new to the forum, I have been mystery shopping since September of 2014. I a in Macon GA

Hello! I am a new MS and new to this forum. I started MSing 4/24/15. So far it is fun.

Hello, I am samara. I live in the chicagoland area and would like to become a mystery shopper. I do not know how to begin. Can you help me get started in the process? I don't know if this is relevant but I walk on an almost daily basis in shopping malls. I spend at least 3 to 4 hours, walk through large retail stores(i.e.: Macys, JC Penneys, Sears, etc.) to log more miles. Thank you.

Hi, samara, welcome to the forum! Being a mystery shopper means running your own small business, working as an independent contractor to multiple mystery shopping companies. Beginning to mystery shop is very time-consuming initially, because you will be required to read and learn. The time you spend will be an investment in your new business. All the information you need to start and run your own small mytsery shopping business is available free here on the forum. It's set up so you can read-as-you-go, learn-at your-own pace. A good place to start is in the New Mystery Shopper area.

You need to register with companies, providing your SS# and personal information. Some want you to take tests and you may be asked to provide writing samples. After being accepted to by a company, you will be able to log into their website and look for assignments in your area. Some companies allow you to self-assign the assignments. Other companies allow you to apply for each assignment and the scheduler notifies you if the assignment is assigned to you.

There is a lot of competition in most areas. My advice is to register with as many companies as possible - many of us here on the forum are registered with 150+ - and spend a lot of time reading and researching so you figure out how mystery shopping works and know how to set up your business. It's very time-consuming to get started. Don't get discouraged.

Good luck and happy shopping!

Thank you. I will do just that!

Hello, I am new to forums and new to mystery shopping. I work full-time at a university (in Campus Dining) during the school year and have summers off. I could retire but I'm young at heart and in good health so I plan on remaining actively employed. This type of earning potential interests me and I want to learn as I go. I recently completed two fairly simple shops and really enjoyed it so I am now researching more about this industry. I hope to learn more from other mystery shoppers through forums like this and eventually help others with what I have learned in the process.

Welcome, Gramma. Let us know how it goes. Happy shopping!

Hi,
I am not new to the forum nor am I to Shopping. I have just been quietly reading everything for awhile. Sometimes I do comment.
My name is Kaye. I am a Grandma, and I love it. My one and only Granddaughter lives with me. She is almost 3 and I LOVE it. I have been shopping for the past 16 years. Its been an off and on kind of thing. But for the past 2 years, it has been all the time.
Today felt like a good day to say Hello to everyone and unwind after that horrible call from one of my MSC which I will never work for again.
So, hello people.....
Smile and be Happy even if ya don't want to.....

Hello. Im Christina. Im new to this do im hoping yo get great tips and advice to do well.
Thanks

Hi Christina. Welcome to the forum.

Lots of tips and advice can be had in the new members section.