Often you will be asked to use a particular scenario which may be different to your real circumstances, but you will only be asked to do something where you will be believable. We may for instance ask a 60 year old shopper to visit and enquire about a retirement apartment, but not a 30 year old.

Occasionally you may be required to use your own details e.g. your address or telephone number so that a response can be measured, for instance how long it takes for a brochure to be sent to you, or the answer to a query given to you by telephone.

You will rate the product or service in various ways on a questionnaire, and full instructions are always given to you on how to do the shop, and how to complete the assessment.

The range of clients is very wide, from local and central government to retailers, manufacturers, and service providers. Recent examples include:

• Going in to care homes to assess whether information given is full and accurate.
• Doing either a basket or trolley shop in a supermarket.
• Going in to banks to enquire about a specific account.

We are increasingly using e-mail for mystery shopping, and for the return of completed questionnaires as attachments. Shoppers who have broadband may have the opportunity to conduct more work than those without.

If you are interested in this type of work, please click the link to an application form here: