Common Video Mystery Shopping
Mistakes to Avoid
Common video mystery shopping mistakes to avoid include equipment failures, poor camera positioning, incomplete recordings, and accepting assignments you're not prepared to complete.
Video mystery shopping can be rewarding. These assignments often pay more than traditional written mystery shops, and some require less narrative reporting because the video captures much of the interaction.
However, video assignments introduce challenges you won't encounter during a regular mystery shop.
I've completed thousands of mystery shopping assignments, including many video evaluations. I've learned that preparation can make the difference between a successful assignment and one that gets rejected.
Here are seven mistakes I recommend avoiding.
Want more help getting started? My book, Take That Job And Mystery Shop It!, walks you through finding assignments, completing shops, writing reports, and avoiding many of the mistakes new shoppers make.
1. Accepting an Assignment Without Understanding It
Before accepting a video mystery shop, read the requirements carefully.
Some assignments involve simple customer interactions. Others require lengthy sales presentations, specific questions, or detailed scenarios.
Find out how long the assignment might take, what equipment is required, what must be recorded, and when the report is due.
Don't accept an assignment simply because the fee looks attractive.
A higher-paying shop isn't necessarily profitable if it requires considerably more time and preparation than expected.
Pictured: Typical equipment a video mystery shopper uses. A PV500 recorder with microphone, and button camera.
2. Failing to Test Your Recording Equipment
One of the biggest video mystery shopping mistakes is assuming your equipment will work without checking it.
Before leaving home, verify that your batteries are charged, sufficient storage is available, and the camera and microphone are functioning properly.
When permitted, make a short test recording.
Check the picture and sound.
A camera that appears to be recording correctly may still produce unusable footage if the lens is obstructed or the microphone isn't capturing the conversation.
Discovering a technical problem after completing an assignment can be expensive.
Learn more about How to Prepare for a Video Mystery Shop.
3. Not Securing Your Hidden Camera Properly
I learned this lesson through an embarrassing experience.
I used to wear a button camera that looked like an ordinary button on my shirt.
To help keep the camera in position, I used duct tape.
During one assignment, the tape came loose and became visible.
The salesman noticed it and asked whether I was having trouble with my shirt.
I immediately realized what had happened.
His attitude toward me changed, and the assignment was eventually rejected.
Afterward, I visited a seamstress who modified my shirts so the camera could be secured without visible tape.
That solved the problem.
Always inspect your camera positioning and clothing before beginning a video assignment.
You can read the full story in my article, "Recognized as a Mystery Shopper."
4. Concentrating on the Camera Instead of the Customer Experience
It's easy to become distracted by recording equipment.
You may worry about the camera angle, whether the recorder is working, or whether the equipment is noticeable.
However, you still need to behave like an ordinary customer.
Listen carefully to the employee. Ask the required questions. Follow your assigned scenario and pay attention to the conversation.
If you're constantly adjusting your clothing or looking down at your equipment, you may attract unwanted attention.
The goal is to capture a natural customer interaction while completing the client's evaluation requirements.
5. Forgetting Important Questions During the Interaction
Video recordings can capture what employees say, but they don't excuse shoppers from following instructions.
Some assignments require you to ask specific questions or introduce certain topics.
If you forget an important question, the client may not receive the information it needs.
I recommend reviewing the questionnaire before entering the business.
Understand the required questions well enough that you can introduce them naturally during the conversation.
Avoid sounding as though you're reading from a script.
If something unexpected happens, stay focused on the assignment rather than worrying about following every planned sentence word for word.
6. Failing to Check the Recording After the Shop
Your responsibilities don't end when you leave the business.
After completing a video assignment, find a safe location where you can review your equipment and organize your notes.
Confirm that the recording was saved properly.
Follow the mystery shopping company's instructions for handling, transferring, and submitting video files.
Don't delete original footage until you're authorized to do so.
Some companies have specific requirements about file formats, recording continuity, and uploads.
Also, remember that video recordings must comply with applicable laws and the client's authorization requirements.
Never assume that hidden recording is permitted simply because an assignment is available.
Learn more about What to Do After a Video Mystery Shop.
7. Accepting a Video Shop That's Too Advanced
Not every video assignment is suitable for a beginner.
Some require lengthy interactions, complicated scenarios, or specialized equipment.
Others involve expensive purchases or extensive travel.
Before accepting, consider your experience and comfort level.
A relatively simple assignment can help you become familiar with the equipment and reporting process.
As you gain experience, you can consider more demanding assignments.
There's nothing wrong with turning down a shop that exceeds your current abilities.
It's better to complete a manageable assignment successfully than accept an advanced shop you're not prepared to handle.
Learn From Your Video Mystery Shopping Mistakes
Even experienced video mystery shoppers make mistakes.
Equipment can fail. An employee may become suspicious. A recording might not capture everything the client needs.
When something goes wrong, determine why it happened and how you can prevent it from happening again.
My experience with the loose duct tape taught me to improve how I secured my camera.
Other problems may require better preparation, additional equipment testing, or more careful review of assignment instructions.
The most important lesson is to develop a dependable routine.
Successful video mystery shopping isn't just about having a hidden camera. It's about preparation, natural customer interactions, accurate reporting, and learning from experience.
Learn more about How to Know if Video Mystery Shopping Is a Good Fit for You.
About the Author
I'm Mystery Don (Donald J. Servais, Jr.), and I've completed mystery shopping assignments for restaurants, hotels, apartment communities, automobile dealerships, new home builders, and other businesses.
I created MystShopper.com to share what I've learned from my own experiences, help new shoppers avoid common mistakes, and explain how legitimate mystery shopping really works.
I'm also the author of Take That Job And Mystery Shop It!, which includes beginner-friendly advice, real-world mystery shopping experiences, and a directory of more than 150 mystery shopping companies.
Drawing on my 45-year career in television, I've also written 7 Keys to Success in a Changing Television Industry, a guide for people interested in building a career in television and video.
My goal is simple: honest guidance without the hype.
We're always looking for new faces to visit different places.
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