Recognized as a Mystery Shopper:
When My Hidden Camera Wasn’t So Hidden
Being recognized as a mystery shopper is something every video mystery shopper wants to avoid. I learned that lesson the embarrassing way when a small piece of duct tape failed at exactly the wrong time.
I've completed thousands of mystery shopping assignments, including video shops where I wore hidden recording equipment.
For many of those assignments, I used a button camera. It looked like an ordinary button on my shirt, allowing me to record an interaction without holding a camera.
There was one problem with my setup.
I used duct tape to help secure the camera and keep my shirt in position.
It had worked before. But on one assignment, I noticed the tape coming loose before I entered the business.
I added more tape, checked everything again, and thought I'd solved the problem.
I hadn't.
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.
What Happened When I Was Recognized as a Mystery Shopper
I entered the business and began talking with the salesman.
Everything seemed normal until he looked at me, smiled, and asked whether I was having a problem with my shirt.
That's not exactly what you want to hear when you're wearing a hidden camera.
I looked down.
There was the tape.
It had come loose again, and the salesman could see it.
I didn't announce that I was a mystery shopper. I simply continued the conversation as though nothing had happened.
But the salesman wasn't fooled.
His attitude toward me changed almost immediately.
He smiled occasionally, but his answers became shorter. He didn't seem particularly interested in spending time with me or discussing what I was looking for.
I continued the assignment, but I suspected he knew I was evaluating him.
That changed the entire interaction.
Why Being Recognized Can Ruin an Assignment
Mystery shopping aims to observe how employees interact with customers under normal circumstances.
When an employee suspects that someone is a mystery shopper, the interaction may no longer reflect ordinary customer service.
Some employees might become unusually attentive. Others may become uncomfortable or disengaged.
In my situation, the salesman appeared to lose interest in the conversation.
I later learned that he had written a note to his manager about our encounter. He also indicated that he had another appointment to prepare for.
Whether that appointment influenced his behavior or he simply suspected I was a shopper, I couldn't know for certain.
What I did know was that the assignment had been compromised.
The mystery shopping company ultimately rejected my report.
It was frustrating because the problem was preventable.
What Should You Do If You're Recognized?
If you believe you've been recognized as a mystery shopper, don't automatically confront the employee or announce what you're doing.
Follow the instructions provided by your mystery shopping company.
Depending on the assignment, you may be expected to continue naturally, end the interaction, or contact your scheduler for guidance.
Never make up information or conceal an incident that could affect the client's evaluation.
After leaving the business, document what happened while the details are fresh.
Explain the situation accurately to the mystery shopping company and let it determine whether the assignment can be accepted.
Also, remember that video recording requirements vary. Follow applicable recording laws, client authorization, and the mystery shopping company's procedures. Don't assume that every employee or location is automatically authorized for hidden-camera recording.
How I Fixed My Hidden Camera Problem
After that experience, I knew I needed a better way to secure my equipment.
Instead of relying on duct tape, I visited a seamstress and had my shirts modified.
She sewed a secure area around the button opening so I could position the camera properly without using visible tape.
It was a simple adjustment, but it made a tremendous difference.
The camera stayed in place, and I no longer had to worry about duct tape becoming exposed during an assignment.
Sometimes improving your mystery shopping skills doesn't require expensive equipment.
It requires identifying a weakness in your existing setup and correcting it.
Check Your Equipment Before Every Video Shop
Before beginning a video assignment, take time to inspect your equipment and clothing.
Make sure the camera is properly positioned, the recording equipment is functioning, and nothing looks unusual.
Check that the batteries are charged and you have enough storage space.
When permitted, conduct a short test recording to confirm the camera angle and audio quality.
Also, consider how your clothing will move when you sit, stand, reach, or walk.
A camera that appears perfectly concealed while you're standing still may become visible when you move.
If something doesn't look right before you enter the business, fix it before you start the assignment.
Learn From Being Recognized as a Mystery Shopper
Being recognized as a mystery shopper was embarrassing, and losing the assignment was disappointing.
But I learned an important lesson.
The camera itself hadn't failed. The problem was how I secured it to my shirt.
Once I fixed that, I had a more dependable setup for future video assignments.
Video mystery shopping requires preparation, attention to detail, and the ability to behave naturally during an interaction.
Even experienced shoppers can make mistakes.
The important thing is learning from them.
My hidden camera wasn't very hidden that day. But fixing one small problem helped me become a better mystery shopper on video.
Further Reading
Here are other related articles.
How to Prepare for a Video Mystery Shop
Common Video Mystery Shopping Mistakes to Avoid
Mystery Shopping Report Rejections
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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