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November 08, 2019 06:24AM
Hello to everyone. MSPA is the Mystery Shopping Organisation and it's heard that certifies you about the excellence at your work. Has two degrees. The Silver is by a simple test and the Gold that you get by a one-day attend a seminar. Has anybody done it from Europe? Has anybody experience? I ask these, because a lot of Mystery Companies, provide their logo on their site as members. They say that this is proof that they are not a scam site and they are legit.
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November 08, 2019 03:22PM
Basically they sell two levels of certifications and it is questionable whether either reflects your ability or teaches you anything you did not know from childhood. Many, but not all, legitimate MSCs (Mystery Shopping Companies) are members of the MSPA, many legitimate MSCs are not. Being a MSPA member does not guarantee that an MSC treats shoppers well or even appropriately. The MSPA is an organization for the MSCs, not an organization to protect shoppers. The sale of certifications merely gives the MSPA additional revenue with which to work.

Some shoppers indicate there have been benefits from having purchased certifications, some have indicated it has made no difference in the type, quality or numbers of shops available to them. It is certainly no guarantee of anything except that your pocket will be emptier for having spent money on certifications.
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November 08, 2019 05:28PM
Approximately 15 years ago and at a fee of $15, I passed the certification to become a silver shopper. I do not have any reason to believe being silver ever earned me a cent. I AM glad I did not fall for the pitch to drive 300 miles round, with a $100 fee, for the level of gold.
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November 09, 2019 10:21PM
Really, ah??? They sell it too much by the way. Because With their logo at the websites, MSC's legitimate their site. That's why I ask, If this certificate, opens and gives you more challenges and evaluations. Thank you in advance!
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November 09, 2019 10:59PM
Back in 2003, I obtained my MSPA Gold Certification at a workshop. I believe the networking part of the workshop was very helpful, but no, I didn't learn anything that I didn't already know. However, in the early 2000s, I do believe it was beneficial, because several times in that decade I received emails notifying me that I was getting advance offers for shops before they hit the job board due to my gold status. I haven't gotten that sort of email in a very long time.
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November 10, 2019 12:24AM
I also paid $15 about 15 years ago for the Silver Certification. Other than having an alphanumeric code to put in on certain applications, I can't see where it ever helped with any jobs. Following instructions to the "T", being honest, and reporting on time will get you far, far more than a certification.
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November 10, 2019 12:53AM
Anyone remember Franchise Compliance? They were a member of the MSPA. They were fine until they weren't. I worked for them and got paid once, but my last shop I did for them back in 2013 was a carpet cleaning shop that was reimbursement only. I received a score of 10 on the shop. Adam Valdez never paid me my $218.33. I wasn't the only one who got burned when he closed up shop and ran off with our money.

@Flash wrote:

Many, but not all, legitimate MSCs (Mystery Shopping Companies) are members of the MSPA, many legitimate MSCs are not. Being a MSPA member does not guarantee that an MSC treats shoppers well or even appropriately. The MSPA is an organization for the MSCs, not an organization to protect shoppers. The sale of certifications merely gives the MSPA additional revenue with which to work.
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