General Shopping Pointers that will facilitate more enjoyable, better quality shops and ultimately more jobs for you from Beyond Hello. The shopping tips below are in many cases based upon client driven criteria for their shopping programs. The Best Practices list in no way supersedes the specific client guidelines for the specific assignments.

• SHOPPER WARNING: Beware of letters offering quick returns for cashing a check!
  Our company does not conduct mystery shops involving check cashing or money transfers. We never ask shoppers to send us money. If someone posing as a representative of our company ever contacts you with a cashier's check, contact the MSPA (Mystery Shopping Providers Association) before you try to cash the check…it may be a scam!

• You do NOT have to pay to register with Beyond Hello as a mystery shopper.
  (You should never have to pay to register with any reputable mystery shopping company). To look for other reputable mystery shopping companies, please visit www.mysteryshop.org To register with us, please click on New Shopper Registration (The Mirror). You will receive a sample test shop to fill out, and then once you fill that out, you can click on the Job Board to search for open shops in your area.

• Go for the Silver and Gold certification through the MSPA (Mystery Shopping Providers Association) at www.mysteryshop.org Beyond Hello enthusiastically supports these educational efforts and prefers to work with "certified" shoppers.

• If you're a "newbie" to the world of mystery shopping and want a quick education through a great, quick read…consider purchasing Cathy Stucker's book, entitled "The Mystery Shopper's Manual." This could save you both time and money in the long run and is available online by visiting www.mysteryshop.org This book is endorsed by the Mystery Shopping Providers Association.

• The Code of Professional Standards is posted on our website in two places. As part of New Shopper Registration you should read, understand and agree to this document. We also have it hosted separately for easy and quick reference as we consider it a "pillar" that Beyond Hello mystery shoppers need to have "front and center" when necessary.

• Your SS# will be required by Beyond Hello (except Canadian shoppers) for payment to be made. You may enter your social security number online as part of registration as our site is secure, or call it into our office. We do not recommend providing this number via email or fax.

• We want to PayPal you but need for you to use the exact same email for PayPal as you do for Beyond Hello. If they are not exactly the same you will fall off the edge of the earth temporarily in terms of receiving payment.

• Please visit our Shopper Resource page on the website. You just may find something very useful there. It's there for you.

• Having your own business card as a mystery shopping professional is a good idea as it lends credibility to you and the profession and strengthens your status as an independent contractor. Please visit our Shopper Resources page for more information on free, online business cards.

• Discreet, common sense will keep you in good graces with Beyond Hello. Make certain that you are always aware of the confidential nature of your work when conducting a mystery shop for Beyond Hello. Never converse publicly, blog or simply chat about your mystery shopping assignments with those who don’t need to know. Breaching our client’s confidentiality will get you deactivated by Beyond Hello.

• Slam the Spam through using the latest technology but don't forget to enable emailed offers from Beyond Hello.

• Refrain from bringing children on your mystery shopping visits as despite their best behavior, their mere presence may be viewed by the client as a distraction. This is not a hard and fast rule so your good judgment would be necessary.

• Always wear a watch when mystery shopping, as the time of visit, and the length of visit are an important part of all mystery shopping forms.

Pre-Visit Preparation will help you avoid post visit trauma…

• Review and print the client guidelines and form in preparation for your actual visit as the parameters of an assignment can change literally overnight. The client expects the mystery shopper to follow the shop guidelines. Not following the guidelines may invalidate the shop and jeopardize the shop payment to you.

• Know the business that you will be shopping by researching them in advance if possible. We typically recommend visiting their website for some quick educational tips.

• Whenever possible make certain you have accepted an assignment that you are comfortable doing. The best results will come from natural and comfortable circumstances.

• If the assignment involves using the fitting room and has questions pertaining to the fitting room, make certain the establishment sells your size or you'll be unable to complete the shop, the client won't accept the shop and we can't pay you for the shop.

• The best preparation for a shop is preparation. Know your form, guidelines and what is expected of you during the visit. This almost guarantees a hassle free transaction between you and Beyond Hello.

The Visit "Reflecting The Customer's Experience with Beyond Hello

• Never let your paperwork or note taking show or be obvious in the establishment or the immediate area. You never know, the person sitting next to you on the bench or the table nearby in the food court may be an employee of the store you just shopped. Discreet is the buzz word here!

• When you arrive at the establishment and realize you know someone working there please do not conduct the shop. If the person is merely familiar but not someone you've had a conversation with or are actually friends or family and you are not certain whether to proceed please contact your Beyond Hello scheduler before proceeding.

• "So you blend Vinny?" Please do your very best to dress, act and play the part of the typical customer of the establishment you are shopping. This is one reason knowing our client in advance is beneficial to the quality of the shop. Do not stand out in the crowd…be discreet and understated in your appearance.

• "Don't touch that phone!" Please be courteous and alert when shopping our clients. Using the telephone in the midst of a shopping experience is apt to invalidate the shop if brought to our attention.

• When a Beyond Hello client requires the shopper to make a purchase, a safe bet is to use a credit card. This is apt to guarantee a receipt to furnish Beyond Hello and makes for a quicker, hassle free return/refund to your card.

• In some instances you will have to pay for parking to visit our client, especially in large metropolitan areas. In this case, please attempt to have your parking validated. You are apt to have the parking validated when making a purchase. We do not reimburse for parking but may renegotiate the shopper fee if deemed necessary.

• "And what's your name?" Most clients really like to have the name of the associate that is mystery shopped. If they are not wearing an easily legible name tag/badge/lanyard, rest assured there are several ways to obtain a name without actually requesting the associate's name. If it feels natural and you're comfortable, asking for someone's first name is perfectly acceptable but this is not always the case. Ways to discover a name…they answer the phone using their name, two or more associates referring to one another use their names, they provide you with a business card, you overhear another customer ask for their name, they introduce themselves by name, etc. You'll be surprised how easy it is to discover a name when you're alert and listening.

• Never reveal your identity as a mystery shopper unless the client guidelines provided to you by Beyond Hello indicates it is a "reveal" shop.

• Never use audio or video recording equipment or devices of any kind during a shop. Beyond Hello does not authorize, sanction, approve or otherwise condone in any manner such audio or video equipment by any individuals connected whatsoever with contracted assignments from Beyond Hello. The CIA we’re not!

After your visit and before submission

• Should you witness or experience any circumstances or behaviors during your visit that are of great concern or a safety issue please contact Beyond Hello immediately so we can advise the client immediately.

• Darken out any credit card numbers or personal information on receipts that you mail, fax or scan and email to Beyond Hello. Providing receipts to Beyond Hello when a purchase is required is required by the client for payments to be made to the shopper. This a good habit to protect your identity.

• When filling out the evaluation form, please make certain you indicate that you are uncertain of the associate's name if you are indeed uncertain. Simply put a (?) next to the name to indicate you are not 100% certain the name is correct.

• Hold onto all completed evaluations and the associated receipts for at least three months from date of shop. The clients might have a question much later than you think. Beyond Hello will expect the receipt to be available in short notice if we need it to answer a question.

• When writing up the survey please make certain you put your thoughts into complete sentences so our editing team does not need to rewrite it.

• Loaded words . . .please avoid them, as they can simply by their mere presence, give the experience a biased feel. Finally, pushed, interrogated, should, etc. are examples.

• Generally speaking, our clients do not request ethnic/racial descriptions so please refrain from describing employees in this manner. We have a limited set of descriptions to use, so please avoid embellishing as sometimes it can be unintentionally offensive to the "described employee."

• When writing your narratives please refrain from sharing your personal opinions (unless requested) and avoid telling the client what they should do or how to manage their establishment. Please remember that Beyond Hello encourages our clients to use the evaluations to reward excellent service, acknowledge improvement, and provide constructive comments to facilitate training opportunities.

• Have a calendar near your computer to double check date and day before submission. Nothing discredits an evaluation as much as the wrong date or day. The next comment from the client is apt to be, "What else did they get wrong?"

• "Younger or older" should typically be avoided when describing employees as we don't necessarily have a reference point. Lastly, please refrain from referring to adult women as "girls."

Thank you for taking the time to review Best Practices. We believe the tips will facilitate a smooth working relationship for all involved. We look forward to contracting with you.