Devoted to WAHMs -Work at Home Moms

This the second part of an interview with "TxPeg," a mystery shopper who requests that her identity be kept secret so that she can do her job.

In part one of the interview, TxPeg shared the following:

• How many years she has been mystery shopping
• What made her decide to start mystery shopping
• What she enjoys most about mystery shopping
• What she enjoys least about mystery shopping

If you missed reading the first part of the interview, you can read it here.

Here is the rest of the interview with TxPeg:

Work From Home Momma: Since you're in kind of a "secret" profession, do your friends and family know that you do mystery shopping? If not, how do you manage to keep it secret?  

TxPeg: It's easy to keep it a secret. I don't tell them anything. I have considered letting my husband tell his best friend because on the days when I work, they ride to work together in the friend's vehicle. However, the friend is a big tease and I wouldn't put it past him to come up to me at a store and say, "So are you working or shopping?" or something like that. Because of that, only my husband and kids and distant family know I'm shopping. Some friends do know I've shopped in the past but they do not suspect I've started shopping here again.
 
Work From Home Momma: What is your biggest business challenge?  

TexPeg: Keeping the paperwork in order and keeping track of the mileage. I also try to watch for "cycles" so I can plan my trips to the outlying towns.

Work From Home Momma: Where do you see your mystery shopping business going in the next year? In the next five years?  

TxPeg: Oh my! This is a tough question. Well, let me say this ... in the last month, I've earned around $300 plus reimbursements if I remember right. However, several of the shops were "cyclical" which means I may not be able to rotate into them again for 60 or 90 or 180 days. So I can't count on my mystery shopping bringing in a set amount every month. Because of this, I have taken a work-at-home job for a company and I will be working 25 hours per week from Tuesday - Saturday for them. This means that my shopping hours are being cut drastically.

However, my goal to become known as "THE" shopper to go to in my town if you need a shop done and I can fit it around my work schedule. I would like to continue to earn about $200 or more per month shopping and be able to do the ones I enjoy. However, I don't intend for shopping to be a full time endeavor for me because I think I would burn out. No, I know I would burn out. I guess what I'm saying is I want shopping to continue to be fun for me. As long as I'm still enjoying my work and the people I deal with, I will keep on shopping.
 
Work From Home Momma: Is there anything else about your business that you'd like to tell the readers of Work From Home Momma?   

TxPeg: I would like to point out some things about mystery shopping in general:

1. First of all, I would not encourage people to get into mystery shopping if they're looking for "income." Yes, you will make money at it. However, unless you live in a big city, your costs may come close to equaling your income. Look at shopping as a way to increase your standard of living. Think about the things you want to add to your life - maybe being able to go out to eat at a favorite restaurant ... or having the chance to rent a video and get it reimbursed ... or ordering a pizza knowing that you aren't paying for it (in the long run that is).
   
   
2. Also, be a professional at your job. If you say you will do a job ... do it. I lost a pet this week and was grieving but I pulled myself together and went out and completed my assignments and got them turned in. Why? Because I gave my word. I wanted to sit home and grieve and not get dressed up to leave the house ... but I didn't give in to those feelings.
   
   
3. If you're looking at shopping jobs and they don't work for you - email the scheduler or call them and say, "I can do this shop ... but on this day ..." and see if they can work with you. Many times they can change a date to work with you.
   
   
4. Finally, remember to have fun. Yes, shopping is work and you have to write reports but it can be fun too. It's all in how you look at it. Don't schedule so many jobs close together that you stop enjoying shopping.

Mystery shopping website picks from TxPeg:

1. www.volition.com because they have a FREE list of mystery shopping companies. I recommend that you spend a week or two and apply at them all. Save some writing samples into a document and keep it handy for  applications so that you can simply copy and paste samples of your writing into the applications and save yourself some time.
   
   
2. www.mysteryshop.org because this is the Mystery Shopping Provider's Association. I spent the $15 to get my silver certification from them because I wanted to have an edge over other shoppers in my area. I know many people will say, "don't pay to shop" and I agree with them ... most of the time. However, I think it looks good when companies can see I have my silver certification and many of them will ask if you're certified when you apply with them. The MSPA is a legitimate organization and has been around for a while - it is respected by many in the business. I would share my favorite shopping companies but the list would take up more space than you have - so I will share about one of my favorite scheduling companies.
   
   
3. I would visit www.kernscheduling.com and get registered with them. Kern Scheduling works with several companies and their schedulers are among my favorites. I check their site daily and hope for shops in my area. I also let them know if I am traveling to see if they have shops open.

Do you have more than two years experience in a home business? Would you like to share your story on Work From Home Momma? Contact me at Laura [at symbol] workfromhomemomma.com.