First of all, thank you for your interest in mystery shopping for Beyond Hello Inc. Our company not only evaluates the customer service of other businesses, it furnishes a customer service itself -- and we couldn't do it without our mystery shoppers.

In the grand tradition of the World Wide Web, we'll tell you what shopping for us is like by answering a few Frequently Asked Questions. If after reading our responses you want to sign up to become a mystery shopper you can register online.

Shopper Payment FAQ

How does Beyond Hello pay?
- Beyond Hello pays all shopper fees, bonuses, and reimbursements through PayPal ONLY. Your email address on file with Beyond Hello and at PayPal MUST MATCH. You will NOT receive payment if they don't match.

- It is possible to add multiple e-mail addresses to one PayPal account. Log in to your account and click "Profile," then "E-mail." From here you can add e-mail addresses. Please visit www.paypal.com for details.

- If the addresses don't match, the payment will be returned to us, further delaying your payment.

When does Beyond Hello pay?
-All shopper fees will be paid through PayPal by the end of the month for the previous month's assignments.

Why does the "PAID ON" date show a date that hasn't occurred?
- A paid date in your shop log means the PayPal payment is set to transfer on that date. For example, on 7/16 you may see "Paid On 7/20/07."

Why is my shop payment "PENDING?"
- A pending status in your shop log means that we did not have your SSN on file at the time of payment. In this case, please update your SSN and e-mail your scheduler. You can then be paid with the next payment cycle.

What is a mystery shopper?
You probably know the answer to this, but just in case you don't, we'll give you the skinny before you buy a mask and a cape. A mystery shopper is an independent contractor who visits a business for the purpose of evaluating customer service and, very often, the appearance and condition of the business facility.

What does Beyond Hello look for in a mystery shopper?
A Beyond Hello shopper must be observant, detail-oriented, and thorough. He or she must be able to form an objective opinion and to communicate clearly. Acting ability and creativity are also desirable.

Last but definitely not least, a shopper must be reliable. Most of our jobs are time-sensitive, so a shopper must be able to meet deadlines.

You said that a mystery shopper is an independent contractor. What does that mean?
We have to answer this one carefully. Lawyers are watching.

An independent contractor is a person who works for another on a project-by-project basis. The contractor may decline work and may incur a loss on work that is not complete and timely. Most importantly, for purposes of federal and state taxes, unemployment compensation, worker's compensation, and minimum wage laws, an independent contractor is not an employee.

In the case of Beyond Hello, this means that, like most firms in our industry, we contract with a mystery shopper only for a particular, limited assignment (or assignments), for a predetermined fee (or fees). The shopper is not hired as an employee, is not commissioned as an agent of the company, and is not granted status as an exclusive contractor or representative for the company for a given client or a given geographical area.

So how big are the predetermined fees, and when will I see them?
Typically the fee for a single evaluation ranges from $5 to $25. Fees depend on: the length of the evaluation form a shopper must complete, whether the shopper must purchase or purchase and return an item, whether the shopper must make multiple visits to a facility, and other job requirements that our clients have yet to dream up. (Our case studies indicate how varied our projects can be.)

Basically, the more you have to do, the bigger the fee. Sometimes life is fair.

You receive your fee after you submit the evaluation form for an engagement and we process the form. Shopper fees are paid by the end of the month following the month during which the shop was completed. For example: June shops are paid in July.

What about taxes and tax documentation?
Because you work for Beyond Hello as an independent contractor, we do not withhold any portion of your fee for taxes.

If you earn $600 or more in a calendar year shopping for us, we automatically issue and mail you a 1099 form in January of the following year. If you earn less than $600, you are personally responsible for keeping track of your earnings and declaring them for tax purposes.

How often will I perform evaluations for Beyond Hello?
The answer depends in large part on where you're located. If you live near three or four outlet malls, we might offer you assignments with some frequency. On the other hand, if you live in Hungry Horse, Montana, we will most likely not have the pleasure of contracting with you on a regular basis.

The amount of work you might receive from us also is influenced by the requirements of clients with facilities in your area. Some clients want their businesses shopped quarterly, or even monthly. Note, though, that in cases like these we would probably rotate you with other mystery shoppers to help preserve your anonymity.

What are the evaluation forms like?
As is true for so many other aspects of our work, they vary -- it depends on what a client wants to know. To the greatest extent possible, the questions on our forms are constructed so that they can be answered with a simple yes or no. Some questions require grading on a scale -- 1 to 10, 1 to 5, absolutely magnificent to a blight on the landscape of America, that sort of thing. Many forms request a summary of your overall customer experience.

Who sees the evaluation forms?
The computer- processed content of the form is sent to our client's corporate headquarters, together with summary analyses of the project in which your evaluation played a part, and typically forwarded to regional, district, and store managers. Ultimately, the content is likely to be shared with any store employees whom you evaluate.

What do your clients do with the evaluations?
Primarily, they use them in training and reviewing personnel. Sometimes the evaluations play a role in incentive and bonus programs.

Who will know that I performed a particular evaluation?
Only Beyond Hello and anyone you tell. We never reveal the identity of a mystery shopper. As a matter of fact, if the personnel of an operation you evaluate ever discover you're a mystery shopper, we will no longer assign you to shop that operation.

What if I still have some questions?
You can contact us by going to the contact page.