Shoppers
Join the mystery shopping team
FAQ
Question About Shop Payment
If you have a question about an assignment that has passed, please click the History tab, use the date boxes, and locate the shop you have a question about. Once you find it, click the link in the first column, this will open a window with details on that shop. On this page there is a link on the right hand side that says “Inquire About This Shop.” This will open a page for you to create a ticket that passes all of the information to our help desk making it much easier to help you.
What is Mystery Shopping?
A common business practice where anonymous evaluations are made to assess customer service, operations, employee integrity, merchandising, and product quality. Mystery Shopping provides companies with information about customer service standards they have established for their locations. This information allows companies to adjust training and award bonuses that help turn their service vision into reality.
What are the requirements for being a mystery shopper?
No experience is required. Sentry offers you online training, so you have the ability to be a self-sufficient mystery shopper. Sentry recommends that our shoppers maintain an up-to-date browser and email program on their system. You must be able to write objectively and concisely, follow instructions, meet deadlines consistently and reliably, notice details and report them accurately, and have reliable access to a computer. For some assignments, you must also have the means to make a purchase for which you will be reimbursed.
How do I get started?
You must complete the registration form and sign an Independent Contractor Agreement. Once you have completed the online registration process, you will have access to the available assignments.
How do I know my personal information is secure?
Any portion of our website which contains your personal information is encrypted with a secure SSL key. Your information will never be shared with an outside company or sold to third party for marketing purposes. Occasionally, we may send you an offer to sign up with another mystery shopping company, however, you will have the ability to decide if you want to enroll with he company or not.
Why do I need to give my Social Security Number?
Sentry is required to provide tax reporting documentation for all mystery shoppers earning $600 or more annually. We will send you and the IRS a 1099 statement of your earnings for income tax purposes. Your Social Security Number is not used for any other purpose.
What is the process for receiving shops?
Our online job selection system is built for your convenience. It will allow you to search for work in your local area at any time. Once your shopper application is approved, you will receive a user ID, password and the address of our shopper website where you choose the shops you are interested in completing. When a shop is accepted, you then choose from a range of dates when you can perform your shop. Accepting a shop means you are committed to completing the shop during the time frame that you choose. A thorough review of the guidelines is required prior to performing and completing the shop. After each shop, you simply report the results online.
What are the shopper training modules and how will they benefit me?
Sentry has developed client-specific training modules, which are required as a means of standardizing the level of competence for all shoppers. The training modules ensure that you have a complete understanding of each specific engagement. Without passing the training modules, you will not be allowed to complete assignments for that particular client.
Independant Contractor Agreement
Click on the the following link to review the current terms and conditions of the Independent Contractor Agreement.
How many assignments can I do in one month?
The amount of work you are able to accept depends on the amount of work in your area and your shopper rating. There is no minimum requirement. You are able to control your workload as it suits your lifestyle.
How are shops submitted?
All assignments are submitted online using Sentry’s Prophet reporting system. Each engagement has a specific deadline by which the report must be submitted. Reports that are submitted after the required deadline are subject to a fee reduction.
How much and when can I expect to be paid?
Payment for each assignment depends on the specifications involved in completing the assignment. For many assignments you will be paid a fee to compensate you for completing our questionnaire. Some mystery shops also require you to purchase a meal or other item, the cost of which is later reimbursed. Fees and reimbursement amounts are disclosed to you before you accept an assignment. Fees are only paid for reports that are completed according to our client’s specifications.
Will I receive a 1099?
What is the fax number for receipts?
Receipts and other proof of visit may be faxed to (267) 350-5683 .
We do not accept faxed copies of the shop form. If you are unable to submit your shop, please contact your scheduler for assistance.
What are your hours?
Our office is open 9AM to 6PM Central Time Monday through Friday and 9AM to 1PM on Saturday. We are closed on Sunday and on major holidays.
How should I contact support?
The best way to get a questioned answered is to submit a support ticket. You may also email support@sentrymarketing.com, however, the support ticket system notifies multiple team members and it is a more reliable method of receiving a timely response.
Support phone calls should be reserved only for urgent matters. This would include the need to reschedule an assignment at the last minute or if an issue arises as you are conducting the visit. You should not call to check on the status of payment for an assignment, status of your application to become a new shopper or to have routine questions answered. These issues should be handled through the support ticketing system.
How do I submit a support ticket?
Do you have a Facebook page?
You can access our Facebook page by clicking here.
Our Facebook page is a great place to connect with other SMG shoppers, share tips and being on the leading edge of SMG news and announcements.