In the Press
Store Clerks Beware
More Mystery Shoppers are On the Way
By Pat Murphy
Courtesy of The Observer Eccentric Newspapers
www.Hometownlife.com
How does this sound for a part-time job?
Walk into a grocery store, restaurant or retail outlet, size up the place and the people--then report back to the boss.
That kind of job appealed to Margaret (not her real name), particularly after attending a mystery shopping class in Clarkston. Among other things, she learned mystery shopping jobs are readily accessible.
"I went home that night, got on the Internet and signed up with over a dozen companies," said the Davisburg retiree. "I have already completed a restaurant shop, and I'm scheduled to do a retail (mystery) shop this Friday."
The money isn't that good yet, Margaret said. The restaurant gig, for example, got a free meal for her and her husband, but no cash in hand. But, it was a start, she said. Now, she's eager to see if she can get proficient, develop a customer base and earn some money.
That kind of sucess isn't surprising, according to Bethany Mooradian, who taught a mystery shopping class for the first time at the Clarkston Community Education center on March 4th, with another scheduled on April 9th.
INTERESTING WORK
Mooradian said she's been a mystery shopper for about four years, and she's earned more thant $30,000. "It's not a full time job," said the 1993 graduate of Southfield Lathrup High School. "But it's fun and interesting."
"And, anybody can do it, " she insisted.
To be effective, a mystery shopper has to be inconspicious, Mooradian cautioned. They shouldn't do anything to call attention to themselves, she said, and they should remain anonymous, if possible.
Thus, her students talked to the Eccentric under the conditions that their names and identities not be disclosed.
One of them, Jennifer (again, not her real name) said she is attracted to mystery shopping because of the flexibility it offers. An accountant with a master's degree, Jennifer said she left a finance job with an automaker to spend more time with her husband and two youngsters.
"I'm hoping to make a little money and have some fun," said Jennifer, who has already had a taste of mystery shopping -- when a meat company asked her to check their product at a couple of local grocery stores. She got several $3 certificates for her efforts.
But, she wanted to learn more, and the class was an excellent opportunity.
"It sounded interesting," she said, "and I decided to check it out."
Jennifer wasn't disappointed.
"Bethany was very enthusiastic, " she said, "and she gave us a lot of information -- what to expect, who to contact and how to get started."
Mooradian said she got into mystery shopping after graduating from the Evergreen State College (Olympia, Wash.), where she studied performing arts and puppetry.
"I read something about it, " she said. "And I started doing some research on my own, calling companies and asking questions. The next thing I knew, I was a mystery shopper --and I enjoyed it."
Now sh's more established in the world of puppetry, Mooradian said, and she spends more time writing, producing, and performing puppet shows. She doesn't expect to do much mystery shopping in the future, so she decided to teach otehrs how to make money at a fun job.
PAY VARIES
Mooradian said she has done at least 500 mystery shopping assignments in the metro area, with the typical job paying between $30-$50. Sometime she gets telephone assignments, she said, which can pay from $3 to $15 each.
Getting started might be the most difficult part, Mooradian said. But once a person gets established, job opportunities develop. "I got up to 60 or 80 assignments a month, " she said. "It got to be too much. I loved it, but I was getting burned out. Now, I'm happy to teach it."
In most cases, companies provide their mystery shopper with a checklist, Mooradin told her students. "They want to check specific things...such as whether or not employees were helpful and courteous. They also want to know the things they're doing right."
One of her most specific and interesting assignments, she recalled, was going to a pet shop and pretending she wated a gift for someone with a pet ferret.
Another assignment was unpleasant, Mooradian said. It was evaluating the salespeople working for a company that leased apartment buildings.
"The person showing me around had personal problems," Mooradian remembered, "and she kept telling me about them. It made me uncomfortable as a customer, and I felt bad about the report I had to make."
Much of what Mooradian teaches about mystery shopping amounts to common sense. Companies want, for example, specific information within a specified time period, she said. And anybody hoping to develop customers must provide that information in clear, concise language-- and on time.
"If, for some reason, you can't carry out an assignment within the specified time frame," Mooradian told her students, "You have to contact the company and say so. Like other jobs, mystery shopping requires responsibility and good communication."
Mystery Shopping is just one of dozens of classes offered at the continuing education center, said adult enrichment supervisor, Dorothy Frank. The center currently has more than 4000 people -- of all ages and from various walks of life 00 taking classes to earn credits toward a high school diploma, prepare for a state board examination or simploy to broaden horizons.
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Winter brings new enrichment classes to Royal Oak
By Jennifer Sakey
Courtesy of C and G news
www.candgnews.com
Royal Oak Neighborhood Schools is offering residents a chance to fight the winter blues by learning a new hobby or skill.
The district’s winter season of adult enrichment classes is underway and features several new additions to its lengthy lineup.
Ferndale resident Bethany Mooradian, for example, will teach a class that may help students make a little extra cash. In “Become a Mystery Shopper,” Mooradian will cover the basic steps involved in evaluating businesses and customer service as a mystery shopper. She’ll also provide information on tax reporting, writing good reports on businesses and what companies currently are hiring mystery shoppers.
“In my real life, I’m actually a puppeteer,” said Mooradian. “I’ve done everything and anything to supplement my income.”
Currently, Mooradian dedicates most of her spare time to teaching, but when she was actively mystery shopping, she would take 40 to 100 assignments each month, which added up to $300 to $600 in extra income.
Mooradian stresses that although students shouldn’t expect to get rich, it is possible to earn as much as $1,500 per month.
“It’s a great way to make a decent part-time income,” she said.
Mooradian has taught the class in other communities and she said the response from students has been “extremely favorable.”
“I keep in contact with a lot of my students,” she said.
Two separate sessions will be held from 7 p.m.-9:30 p.m. Feb. 2 and March 16 at Kimball High School.
For local outdoor enthusiasts wanting to enhance their fly fishing skills, John Vincent, owner of Flymart Fly Shop in Royal Oak, will offer “Basic Fly Tying.” The class will teach students about the materials and tools used to create simple and effective patterns that will help catch fish. According to Vincent, anyone — including those without any experience — will leave the class with knowledge of both basic and more creative fly tying techniques.
Vincent also holds the class at his store, but said he decided to broaden his base of students by offering it through the school district.
“It’s our way of giving back to the cities that we serve,” said Vincent.
Although the first class was held Jan. 12, Vincent said it’s not too late to enroll for the remaining classes, which will be held on the next three Mondays from 7-9 p.m. at Kimball High School.
Classes covering topics such as home theater assembly, Portuguese cooking, wedding planning, menopause, home selling and developing ESP are also new this season. According to enrichment coordinator Lori Ferris, some of the most popular classes include “Bead Stringing,” “Floral Design,” “Beginning Knitting,” and “Sewing.” Cooking, craft, hobby and travel classes offered by instructor Anton Anderssen are also a favorite among students.
Ferris said she is often contacted by people who have ideas for new classes and adds that she is always looking for new instructors who are willing to share their talents. New classes will be selected based on the instructors’ qualifications and on how the class will appeal to the community.
Interested instructors can contact Ferris at (248) 588-5050, ext. 226. For more information on winter classes or to register, call (248) 588-5050. Information also can be found online at www.rosd.k12.mi.us/schools/churchill/winterbrochure.htm.
You can reach Jennifer Sakey at jsakey@candgnews.com
