Mystery Shopping FAQs

Following is a list of frequent questions from our mystery shoppers. Please read this information before contacting your scheduler with additional questions.

Signing Up

Why do you need my Social Security Number?
I just signed up with Pinnacle Financial Strategies, now what?
How often do I need to update my contact information?
I just registered and my shopper rating is 5, why?

Payment

How much do you typically pay per assignment?
When will I receive payment and how will I be paid?
How do I set up a PayPal account?
I do not have a PayPal account; can I be paid by check?
How do I get my funds from PayPal?

Shop Questions

I am not able to complete a scheduled assignment, what should I do?
How often can I expect assignments?
I just submitted my shop for review, now what?
Can you help me understand my shopper log?

General Questions

What types of questions are on a typical shopping survey?
What type of comments are you looking for in my report?

General Questions

How do I sign up to be a mystery shopper?
Click on "Become a Shopper" under http://www.pinnaclefinancialstrategies.com/products_services/Mystery_Shopping_FAQ.asp.

 
What are some of the most desired attributes in a mystery shopper?
Someone who accepts full responsibility for completing a project on time, including timely responses for corrections or clarifications; someone who upholds that all details surrounding any mystery shopping project must remain confidential, and that communication of project details remain strictly between Pinnacle Financial Strategies and the Independent Contractor; someone who reads/reviews all shopping instructions in advance and questions their scheduler on any unclear points prior to conducting the shop; someone who "keeps the mystery in the shopping" by not divulging their identity; someone who reads, understands and practices the spirit and intent of their Independent Contractor's Agreement.

 
Are you affiliated with the MSPA?
Yes! Pinnacle Financial Strategies is a proud member of the MSPA. Furthermore, we do not charge any fees to become a mystery shopper and we encourage shoppers to seek out other mystery shopping firms that do not require a fee to sign up. For more information on Mystery Shopping and how to avoid being scammed, please visit: mysteryshop.org

 
As a shopper, will I be an employee of Pinnacle Financial Strategies?
No. All shoppers are self-employed Independent Contractors.

 
What is an Independent Contractor?
The specific and legal attributes of an Independent Contractor are fully disclosed in the Independent Contractor's Agreement that is included in the shopper registration process. In order to register as a shopper, you must click "I agree" to the contents of the Agreement. It's important that you read that Agreement in its entirety.

 
Will I be required to sign a confidentiality agreement?
Yes. As a shopper you will be required to sign a confidentiality agreement when registering online.

 
Are you affiliated with Shadow Shopper?
No, Pinnacle Financial Strategies is not affiliated with Shadow Shopper; however, we are often asked that question since we sometimes recruit shoppers who are registered with that organization

 
Is training/certification available that will help make me more accomplished in this field?
Yes! Certification is available through the Mystery Shopping Providers Association (MSPA). Visit mysteryshop.org to learn more about Silver and GOLD certification programs. Certification is well worth your time and investment! Pinnacle Financial Strategies is a proud member of the MSPA, and we support and encourage shopper certification.

 
How do I contact Pinnacle Financial Strategies?
For general inquiries, please call 772.778.3105/800.741.7758 ext 22, Monday - Friday 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. EST. Or e-mail info@pinnstrat.com.

If you are a current shopper and unable to complete a scheduled assignment, you are required to IMMEDIATELY notify your scheduler by phone or e-mail even if our office is closed. You may contact your scheduler by clicking on the Help/Contact link in the 2nd column of your shopper log. Failure to contact your scheduler immediately will result in a reduction to your shopper grade.

 

Signing Up

Why do you need my Social Security Number?
Pinnacle Financial Strategies is required by law to obtain a Social Security Number from every independent contractor for tax purposes. If you earn $600 or more within a fiscal year, we will provide you and the IRS with a 1099 Form reflecting your total earnings, which you must report when you file your annual income tax return.

 
I just signed up with Pinnacle Financial Strategies, now what?
Schedulers post new shops on our Job Board daily. Please visit www.sassieshop.com/2proreview to view the Job Board. You can search for assignments by city, state, zip code or within a range of miles from a specified zip code. You may apply for shops that you are certain you would be able to complete by the stated deadline. If accepted for a shop, you will be notified by e-mail and the shopping assignment will be added to your shopper log. You should check your e-mail daily for correspondence from Pinnacle Financial Strategies, and for last minute shop offers that are not posted on our Job Board.

 
How often do I need to update my contact information?
Your contact information should be updated immediately if you have a change in your home address, phone number or e-mail address. E-mail is our primary mode of correspondence! We utilize e-mail for questions regarding your shops and/or last minute assignments. A shopper who does not maintain updated contact information will not be eligible for future assignments.

 
I just registered and my shopper rating is 5, why?
All shoppers receive a grade of 5 when they first sign up with Pinnacle Financial Strategies. As you complete assignments, you will be given a grade on each survey that you submit. Your shopper rating will adjust and become more meaningful as you gain experience.

 

Payment

How much do you typically pay per assignment?
Remuneration varies depending upon the type and size of the survey. For example, in-person shops pay more than telephone or web shops. Payment details are provided in our postings, giving shoppers the opportunity to review and decide before applying for assignments.

 
When will I receive payment and how will I be paid?
We pay once per month on the 10th of the month via PayPal. Shops completed and reviewed by the 20th of the month, will be paid via PayPal on the 10th of the following month. Shoppers will be notified via e-mail that a payment has been made to their PayPal account.

 
How do I set up a PayPal account?
Visit PayPal.com to sign up. Choose Personal Account for Online Shoppers and click "Start Now". Note: the e-mail address that you use in your PayPal account MUST be the same as the e-mail address in your Pinnacle Financial Strategies shopper profile. If the e-mail addresses are not the same, your PayPal payments from Pinnacle Financial Strategies will be rejected and the funds returned to us.

 
I do not have a PayPal account; can I be paid by check?
No, Pinnacle Financial Strategies only pays shoppers via PayPal. We do not issue checks.

 
How do I get my funds from PayPal?
There are several ways that you can request your funds from PayPal: [1] PayPal can mail you a Check; [2] Funds can be transferred from your PayPal account to your Bank Account; [3] You may request a PayPal Debit Card that will enable you to withdrawal funds from an ATM (For this option you must sign up for the PayPal Debit Card); [4] You may spend your PayPal funds by shopping online from thousands of merchants that accept PayPal payments.

 

General Questions

I am not able to complete a scheduled assignment, what should I do?
You are required to IMMEDIATELY notify your scheduler by phone or e-mail even if our office is closed. Pinnacle Financial Strategies is open Monday - Friday 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. EST. You may contact your scheduler by clicking on the Help/Contact link in the 2nd column of your shopper log. Failure to contact your scheduler immediately will result in a reduction to your shopper grade.

 
How often can I expect assignments?
This depends on where you live, your shopper rating, quality of shop reporting, etc. It is possible that ongoing Teller assignments are available in your area; please contact your scheduler.

 
I just submitted my shop for review, now what?
Your shop will be processed through a Quality Assurance process. If anything requires clarification, someone from Pinnacle Financial Strategies will contact you. After submitting your report, please check your e-mail and your shopper log daily to ensure that you can provide us with a timely response to any questions or requests for documentation that may arise. You will be asked to maintain your shopping notes, receipts, business cards, etc., for up to sixty days. It will be your responsibility as an Independent Contractor to provide such information if needed during that time period.

 
Can you help me understand my shopper log?

Your shopper log consists of nine columns.

1. The 1st column, Status/Job ID, reflects the status of each shop and the Shop ID. Always include your Shop ID with any faxed or e-mailed correspondence or supportive documentation.
2. The 2nd column, Actions, contains your survey, shop guidelines and a HELP area in case you need to contact your scheduler.
3. The 3rd column, Shop Due Date, shows the date your shop is due to Pinnacle Financial Strategies. You should check the due date each time you accept an assignment and advise your scheduler if you feel that you cannot comply with the time frame.
4. The 4th column, Survey Submit Date, shows the date you submitted a shop.
5. The 5th column, Don't Shop Before, reflects the date that you can begin the assignment.
6. The 6th column, Company Survey Location, shows the name and address of the location where your assignment is to be conducted.
7. The 7th column, Shop Fees, shows the payment that you will receive for the shop and if payment has been made to your PayPal account for that assignment.
8. The 8th column, Shop Rating, shows the grade that you received on your specific assignment. The highest possible grade is 10 points. All shoppers receive a grade of 5 when they first sign up with Pinnacle Financial Strategies.
9. The 9th column shows any correspondence sent to you through the Sassie system.

** The Reviewer Comments will permanently remain in your shopper log to keep a record of correspondence.

 

General Questions

What types of questions are on a typical shopping survey?
Your survey will consist primarily of 'Yes/No' questions, with some short narrative requirements. The number of questions per survey varies; 15 - 20 questions are customary.

 
What type of comments are you looking for in my report?
The shopper guidelines and instructions found within each survey will provide you with specific instructions on how to write your comments. Requested commentary will include a brief summary of the entire visit including: initial greeting, types of questions asked, products mentioned, sales efforts, courtesies extended, closing the interaction and a short observation of the facility and grounds.