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QSI Specialists FAQ's
What
does it take to be a Mystery Shopper?
Mystery
shoppers must possess the ability to read and follow
instructions to ensure that the client’s specifications
are met. They must possess the observation skills
to notice specific details and the skills to describe
those details objectively and concisely in written
reports. They must have the ability and responsibility
to meet deadlines inasmuch as most clients require
detailed written reports within 24 to 48 hours of
the completion of the shop. And since many of our
report forms and instructions are transmitted back
and forth via email or submitted via the Internet,
a computer, internet access and basic computer skills
are required.
How
far will I have to travel and do I get paid mileage?
QSI
Specialists generally does not pay mileage for shops
around the Las Vegas Valley or in the greater Reno/Carson
area. We do try to assign shoppers jobs near their
residences or several shops in the same general vicinity
to cut down on their driving, however that is not
always possible to coordinate due to rotation issues.
We do have clients in many of the remote areas of
our state and often pay mileage or premium pay on
a case-by-case basis in order to get the job done.
Is
Mystery Shopping a full time job and how much work can
I expect?
Not
usually. Mystery Shopping is part time and sporadic.
Some clients come and go and others require rotation
of shoppers. As far as job assignments go, those shoppers
who are the most reliable and dependable, who consistently
complete their assignments and reports on time and
who write the better reports are generally the ones
our schedulers go to when they have shops that need
to get done. We have some shoppers who do 2 to 3 shops
per month and others who do 20 to 25. Pay generally
ranges between $10 and $40 for most shops with reimbursement
for all authorized and required expenditures.
I
have heard that the laws governing Mystery Shopping
are different in Nevada. Is that correct?
Yes!
Nevada is one of the few states in the country that
has made the legal determination that Mystery Shopping
activities fall within the definition of a private
investigator. This is because Mystery Shoppers are
observing, evaluating and reporting on the “habits,
conduct, honesty, integrity, credibility, knowledge,
trustworthiness, efficiency, loyalty, activity, movements
and transactions of the client’s employees (See
link to NRS.648). For this reason people who conduct
Mystery Shopping in the State of Nevada must be licensed
private investigators or employees of a licensed PI
firm, must have a valid work permit issued by the
local Sheriff’s Department, and must be registered
with the Private Investigators Licensing Board. Conducting
Mystery Shopping activities in Nevada without proper
licensing is punishable by a fine of $2500.00 for
the first offense.
With
all these special requirements, how do I get started?
If
you are interested in becoming a Mystery Shopper with
QSI Specialists, please feel free to fill out our
on line employment application. We will then contact
you and provide you with all the instructions and
forms required to get you properly registered. Please
be aware that the $90 cost of obtaining a work permit
from the Sheriff’s Department must be borne
by the applicant and is payable directly to the Sheriff’s
Department, not to QSI. If you currently possess a
valid work permit, an additional permit is not required.
The $10 fee to register new shoppers with the PILB
will be paid by QSI.
How
often does QSI Specialists pay their shoppers? Is it
determined by when the client pays or is on a standard
schedule?
Since
QSI shoppers are employees rather than independent
contractors, we are required by law to pay you every
two weeks. You will be required to submit a time sheet
with the assignments you have completed and you will
receive a check for those assignments the following
week. QSI does full withholding from your checks for
Social Security and other taxes. Your employment agreement
is with QSI, therefore it is illegal for us to withhold
payment until we get paid by our client. You will
receive your checks regardless of whether we get paid
or not. And in most cases you will find that QSI pays
well above the national average for most shops.
I
don't have much disposable income to spend for reimbursement
but I would like to do some of the larger shops, like
casinos. Is there an advance program for those larger
expenses?
QSI
certainly understands that shoppers come from different
walks of life and different backgrounds. That diversity
is what makes our shoppers unique. We realize that
to be out of pocket for several hundred dollars for
expenses can place a financial burden on many shoppers.
We also do not want to prevent a good shopper for
performing a task, merely because they may be caught
a little short of cash. We have several programs in
place where we can advance you cash for a job or put
expenses such as hotel rooms on a company credit card.
Just one of the benefits to being an employee rather
than an Independent Contractor.
I
don't have a credit card to use for doing shops; does
that mean I can't do some shops?
In
some isolated cases the instructions for a shop may
require that payment be made with a credit card. In
those instances, shoppers without credit cards could
not perform that particular shop. However, as stated
above, if payment in cash is acceptable, in most instances,
a cash advance may be obtained from the office. Just
give us some advance notice.
If
I am accepted as a shopper for QSI does that mean I
can't do shops for other mystery shopping companies?
Absolutely
not. You may work for as many mystery shopping companies
as you want. However, you must make sure that the
companies are licensed Private Investigators in Nevada,
and you must make sure that each company registers
you separately with the Private Investigators Licensing
Board as an employee of their company. You may use
the same county work permits for each company.
Will
I always have the same Project Manager in charge of
me or will I work for the entire staff?
At
QSI we use real people to oversee our Mystery Shopping
projects. Each of our great project managers have
developed their own particular style for managing
their projects. One project manager may handle things
a little different that the next project manager.
There is no right or wrong way and we encourage our
managers to develop their own styles. In most cases,
shoppers who accept a lot of different assignments
will get an opportunity to work with all of our Project
Managers.
I
am planning to be out of town for a vacation. Do I need
to notify you if I am unavailable?
We
make a lot of commitments to our clients that we will
get their jobs done in a timely manner. We like it
when shoppers accept a lot of assignments. That being
said, all of our assignments are voluntary and you
are under no obligation to accept any specific amount.
We do ask that if you are going to be away or taking
a break that as a courtesy you call us and let us
know. It will save us all a lot of time and energy
sending assignment to folks who don’t want them.
I
would like to the higher end shops at casino's and restaurants.
Will I need special training and how do I get those
shops?
Generally,
we like for shoppers to get their feet wet on some
of the low end projects before jumping right into
the high end. That also gives our Project Managers
an opportunity to check out your work, and see how
detailed your reports are, as well as whether you
follow instructions properly. Most of our shoppers
do, however, desire to eventually do some of the higher
end shops, such as the hotels, the casinos and the
fine dining shops. Be careful, though, because you
may get what you ask for! Please be aware that these
are great shops, with some great perks, such as overnight
hotel stays, reimbursement for gambling and some free
dining at some of the best restaurants in town. However,
they are also some of the most complex, detailed and
time consuming shops that we do. Many of our higher
end clients require that shoppers take online tests
or submit sample shops in order before being allowed
to perform their shops. One of our best hotel clients
requires that shoppers attend a certification class
and pass a test to become certified so that they are
familiar with their service standards before they
can shop for them. Specialized training is required
for most high end shops. Obviously, these shops are
not cut out for everybody, but if you do a great job
and show our Project Managers how great you are, then
the higher end shops will come soon enough.
Also
please note that there are several admonishments that
you must be aware of prior to the submission of the
application. First you must agree to sign the MSPA Shoppers
Code of Ethics form. Second you must agree to appear
at any labor board hearings or other employment review
proceedings that may result from your observations and
reports as a Mystery Shopper for QSI Specialists. And
third, you must acknowledge that going through this
employment process with QSI Specialist, authorizes you
to conduct Mystery Shopping activities for QSI only.
If you want to conduct mystery shopping activities with
other Mystery Shopping companies, those companies must
be licensed in Nevada and you must be registered separately
by that company. |
