Mystery Shopping: Becoming Certified: Is it Worth It?

by Julie Gentry | More from this Blogger

14 Jan 2007 10:29 AM

Kori recently wrote a blog about belonging to professional associations. Part of the job of some of those associations is to set a standard for the professionals in it. These exist in mystery shopping as well. The two biggest are Mystery Shopping Providers Association (MSPA) certification, and certification and membership in the National Center for Professional Mystery Shoppers & Merchandisers (NCPMS).

NCPMS is a shoppers' organization, in contrast to MSPA, which is the shopping companies' association. They offer a lot of virtual training and online certification. For $128, they'll give you training that can reasonably be completed in a month, and certification as a Certified Customer Service Evaluator. They do not schedule shops or find jobs for you. They train you so that you can do your job better.

A more widely recognized certification is Silver and Gold from MSPA. Remember that MSPA is a shopping companies' association. Some of the MSPA member companies will offer their certified shoppers first choice of shops before open them up to the general shopping population. One reason for this is that they've claimed the rate of shoppers who flake out and drop a shop is extremely high among non-certified individuals. For $15, you can take a very simple test on their site and obtain your Silver certification. After looking at the questions, if my 10-year old failed the test, I'd be very surprised. You cannot attend a Gold certification workshop until you have the Silver. These are held several times a year in hotels throughout the country. Gold is a seven-hour workshop for $99, where you'll be able to network with other shoppers and take classes.

The only other certification that's widely known is the Step Level from SQM. SQM is just one company; however, the training and exams are very difficult to pass (partially because they don't tell you which question is wrong, just that one is.) It took me two months of concerted effort to get to their highest level, Step Level Nine. The training was beneficial for me because it gave me a better insight into how the mystery shopping companies think. SQM Step Levels are only 'recognized' by SQM, but individual schedulers understand their value. (There is no charge for SQM training.)

There are arguments for and against certification. Some positive arguments are: If you're going to do this as a full-time business, you probably want to get the certification, no matter what your personal feelings are toward it. If you are a new shopper and just getting into the business, the training can be invaluable. If you're new and certified, you're a lot more likely to get a shop than someone who is new and uncertified. If you're in a highly competitive market, certification helps to set you apart - unless, of course, everyone else in your market is certified!

Some of the negative arguments include: With mystery shopping pay relatively low, the number of jobs to pay for certification is too high. There's also concern that the Silver certification is tantamount to paying to shop.

Ultimately, each person will have to weigh the benefits vs. the cost. Since I've been doing this for a very long time, I think I'd probably be better suited teaching the class rather than listening to someone else who likely hasn't been doing it as long. I already have established positive relationships with schedulers and companies. I also shop only part-time, in an area where there isn't a lot of competition. For me, paying for certification seemed not only unnecessary, but a poor use of resources. Your situation may be different, and you'll have to make the call. Being able to make those kinds of decisions is one of the benefits of being an independent contractor. You're the boss. Ain't it grand?

Related Blogs: Mystery Shopping Blogs in Home Biz

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Julie is affectionately known as GoGo Mama to her friends since she seems to always be out and about.

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L Shepherd (78) 05 Feb 2007 11:25 PM

I have a silver, and I can't say that it's made any difference. Some companies claim to offer shops to certified shoppers first, but who's to say if they really do.

Julie Gentry (5915) 05 Feb 2007 11:42 PM

I know there are companies that offer Gold shoppers first dibs; I haven't heard of any that extend that to Silver.

L Shepherd (78) 06 Feb 2007 12:00 PM

There are a few who say they give first dibs to gold, then to silver, and some who claim they give first to anyone certified before posting it to everyone else. i can't think offhand who it is, I am signed up with so many.