| In any industry, it is important for employees to | | | | particular companies. This interaction helps prevent |
| interact. It helps to set standards, ethics, and pay, | | | | abuse or exploitation. Shoppers can warn each other |
| among other things. It also sets up camaraderie and | | | | against nonpaying companies and scams. They can |
| a sense of community. Especially in industries where | | | | also share good experiences and job leads. |
| much of the work is done online, people can easily | | | | Imyst, Inc. also offers a discussion board for |
| start to feel isolated. The mystery shopper trade is | | | | mystery shoppers. |
| no different. Though mystery shoppers do interact | | | | Volition is another company offering a forum for |
| regularly with the public, they rarely, if ever, meet | | | | mystery shoppers. They also offer a list of |
| their employers or fellow shoppers. By very definition, | | | | companies who are hiring. Open positions are posted |
| "mystery" shoppers or "secret" shoppers must be | | | | directly on the message boards. |
| very discreet about what they do. There are very | | | | These forums/discussion boards offer important |
| few opportunities in person for a mystery shopper | | | | information to mystery shoppers. Perhaps just as |
| network. Luckily, there are places online that help | | | | importantly, they offer shoppers an opportunity to |
| create that mystery shopper network. | | | | "talk shop" with people who truly understand what |
| The Mystery Shopping Providers Association is a | | | | they do on a daily basis. |
| trade organization for mystery shoppers. They offer | | | | With a solid mystery shopper network, shoppers can |
| certification and training. They help to set standards | | | | improve work conditions drastically. Through sharing |
| and ethics in the industry. They also offer a bulletin | | | | information about nonpaying companies, they can |
| board where new and experienced mystery | | | | improve the ethics of all companies. In any trade, |
| shoppers can interact. This mystery shopper network | | | | increased information is always a plus. |
| allows shoppers to exchange information about | | | | |