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M.Davis
Member
Ohio
USA
16 Posts |
 Posted - 02/10/2006 : 3:54:02 PM
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I can't live without my binder clips...I have them in small, medium, and large. They are great for holding reports together, clipping multiple folders together, marking your place in map books, clipping notes inside your checkbook, so many uses for such a simple piece of office supplies.  I always keep a spare set of car keys in a change purse in my bag, a spare set of keys has kept the locksmith away more than once. Last but not least always, always keep a spare black ink cartridge. |
Marsha
Silver Certified
Shopping & Auditing Central and Southwest Ohio |
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Roswitha
Star Contributor
Pinellas Park, FL
USA
445 Posts |
Posted - 02/12/2006 : 07:31:45 AM
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My must have tools are my Outlook Calendar and volition.com .
I use the monthly version to enter all - my complete shop data, co, mileage and payment. I keep the daily update above my computer and carry a copy with me on the road in case I get a call from a scheduler. When I get paid I change the fee from black to green. At the end of the month I print out the latest complete copy and it becomes my permanent bookeeping record. At the end of the year I printed a complete set so I can do my taxes and put it on a disc. I love it - I can shuffle the shops around and I can highlight and add important data for the current week.
My other business tools:
At home: hi speed internet, printer/scanner/copier combo, fax machine, answering machine, a file folder for the days shops and another folder for all accepted shops, always extra ink cartriges/paper.
Paula K. - and yes the tape for the receipts that need to be faxed.
In the car: bottle of water, cell phone, digital camera, cassette recorder, pens, a file folder and copy of my schedule.
In general: reliable car, nearby libraries in case the computer goes on the fritz, extra car keys in my purse and at home, a BF who has learned to leave me alone while I enter the days reports.
Looking for a DVR that looks like a pen and soon a new laptop. |
Roswitha
MSPA Gold  Shopping sunny Florida Tampa, St. Petersburg, Clearwater, Largo ..... |
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SacTam
Contributor
Sacramento, CA
USA
63 Posts |
Posted - 02/13/2006 : 7:39:14 PM
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A lot of folks have mentioned that voice recorders are helpful for taking quick notes on shops that require you to remember a lot of details.
One item I've found to be very useful for MSing is my cell phone. If I'm doing a restaurant or bar shop where I have to sit around for over an hour and observe a bartender, I sometimes step outside to make a quick phone call.
I call myself and leave messages on my own voicemail-- physical description of employees, time of transactions, and other details that are pertinent to the shop. That way, I don't have to scribble notes in the bathroom or try to remember all the little details. Just make sure there's no one around to eavesdrop on your "conversation".
Of course, this technique doesn't always work since some scenarios could prevent one from stepping outside for a quick minute. In these instances, be prepared to take notes the old fashioned way. |
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LisaLisa22
Trainee
New Braunfels, TX
USA
7 Posts |
Posted - 10/09/2006 : 12:29:32 PM
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The tool that I have found I COULD NOT shop without is my Windows Mobile PDA Phone that I use to take notes while shopping but I pretend like I'm text messaging. :)
And then I come home I sync it with my computer and can open up the notes in Outlook to help me complete my reports! |
MSPA Silver Certifed # ujdbov
Serving South Central Texas - San Antonio & Austin Metro Areas |
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Valleri
Member
AZ
USA
33 Posts |
Posted - 10/09/2006 : 12:40:33 PM
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I have to say my pocket calendar is my best friend. I keep schedule, mileage, directions, etc in it to keep me in line. Of course, I always have the backup calendar on the computer at home  |
Valleri
Silver Certified |
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LisaLisa22
Trainee
New Braunfels, TX
USA
7 Posts |
Posted - 10/10/2006 : 06:32:28 AM
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| Oh and yes, the PayPal Debit card is a MUST! Now I don't have to play with my own money for the purchase shops - AND you get cashback! |
MSPA Silver Certifed # ujdbov
Serving South Central Texas - San Antonio & Austin Metro Areas |
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ChrisT
Star Contributor
USA
1512 Posts |
Posted - 10/10/2006 : 08:17:33 AM
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I'd say my must have tool is my BRAIN! 
Other than that a miniature digital stop watch is a necessity!
Along with the old fashioned writing implement(i.e. pen) and parchment(i.e paper)  for those notes you write in a car.
Don't become overdependent on a voice recorder, you never know if it worked or not till the shop is over |
ChrisT
Deliriously Happy Shopping Uncertifiable |
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JanetMA
Member
Ocala, FL
USA
31 Posts |
Posted - 10/11/2006 : 03:46:04 AM
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Hello everyone
I am a deaf mystery shoppers. I totally agree many items you mentioned are important such as cell phone, recorder, etc. Since I am deaf I have to deal without such items. What are important to me:
Journal - I keep record of all addresses to shop, due date, fee, visit numbers, time of day to shop, fee received,date fee received, etc.
Appointment book
Clip to hold paperworks
Plenty of pens and pencils
Notepads
These are the best I can do.
By the way last month, September was my first anniversary as a mystery shopper. I plan to continue for years to come as long as I am able.
Yeah!
Janet |
Janet |
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Vonda
Valued Contributor
Virginia
USA
137 Posts |
Posted - 10/16/2006 : 5:43:38 PM
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| Everybody missed one very important tool: Tylenol! |
Vonda
MSPA Gold Certified
Serving Northern Virginia |
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Irish Sally
Member
USA
21 Posts |
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LisaCDuffy
Contributor
Vallejo, CA
USA
60 Posts |
Posted - 10/17/2006 : 08:02:33 AM
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Wow, I just want to thank those who mentioned a spare set of car keys and bottled water. I will definitely add those to my list. Oh, I too can't live without my Paypal debit card. It's awesome for my jobs that require reimbursements, especially the heavy volume of coffee shops I complete (they make me feel like Inspector Gadget! ) where the report will not be accepted without using a credit/debit card (which delivers a very nice income from one company I must say!)  |
LisaD - Certified MSPA Gold member shopping since 2005 and LOVING the high-end reimbursement and entertainment shops! |
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Mili
Apprentice
Homestead, Florida
USA
3 Posts |
Posted - 10/17/2006 : 10:23:12 AM
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Hello!
I have another important tool; a mystery shopper management (Database) where I can see all the assignment that I did, the fee, reimbursement by company /monthly and now i can know how many days I did a shop and know when I can do it again only with one click
And also Tylenol!
Mili
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Milagro
MSPA Silver Certified Shopper
Homestead, Miami Dade, Florida |
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ChrisT
Star Contributor
USA
1512 Posts |
Posted - 11/08/2006 : 08:40:45 AM
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Leave a message for yourself with BrainCast, a new service that embraces the concept of the voice-mail reminder.
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ChrisT
Deliriously Happy Shopping Uncertifiable |
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Deb ShopJumper
Member
Visalia, CA
USA
24 Posts |
Posted - 11/12/2006 : 5:56:02 PM
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My husband gave me a leather organizer that has become my mystery-shopper "brain." It folds open and has six pockets made of netting where you can slip paperwork, file folders, etc. Mine are labelled thusly:
1) Today's Jobs (paperwork)
2) Job Log and Calendar (my log of assignment details; I assign each job a number, then put the number on my calendar and on the top of the corresponding paperwork. I always keep the log and calendar together.)
3) Fax, Copy, Mail
4) Upcoming Jobs (paperwork)
5) To File
6) Financial (Receipts, Paystubs,Mileage Record, etc.)
I also have a hanging file where I put things when I'm done with them. The organizer also holds my stopwatch, post-its, paper clips, pens & pencils, maps, crossword puzzles for taking notes, small calculator, and my youngest child's baby teeth. You get the idea... it is GREAT and if I could design and market them, I would!! |
Deb |
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JenOfOhio
Contributor
Olmsted Falls, OH
USA
61 Posts |
Posted - 11/13/2006 : 09:42:30 AM
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Good idea on the Paypal debit/credit card. I have been MSing for approximately 2 years now and just now opened another bank account. I was tired of having to sort MSing expenses out of my regular checking account.
Jen
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MSPA Silver Certified - shopping the SW Cleveland, OH area |
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ChrisT
Star Contributor
USA
1512 Posts |
Posted - 12/04/2006 : 4:57:36 PM
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Video Watch with OLED Screen
I found it at Thinkgeek.com
It's 99.99 1GB, 129.99 2GB
If you can afford it I'd go for the 2GB, it's only $30 more and will allow you to have music and/or videos to watch while you're on the road, and still have PLENTY of room to record all your shops and any comments you want to record right after any shops.
Voice recording: 32 kbps in mp3 format - e.g. 8hrs on 128MB(multiply that 8 by for 64 hrs on the 1GB, over 128 hrs on the 2GB model).
I must say this will be the must have gadget for MS'ers in the new year |
ChrisT
Deliriously Happy Shopping Uncertifiable |
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HeatherN
Valued Contributor
New York
USA
142 Posts |
Posted - 12/04/2006 : 5:38:43 PM
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My mouth is drooling thinking of it, Chris! Three questions, though:
What's it called?
Where'd you find it?
How much does it cost? (Not sure if I want to know the answers to this one! )
Thanks!
As for the tools I couldn't live without, it'd be my laptop, Internet connection, printer (including paper and ink), and car. All else I could live without if I had to, but thankfully, I don't. |
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Karen in IL
Valued Contributor
Kankakee, IL
USA
141 Posts |
Posted - 12/05/2006 : 9:08:43 PM
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I'm looking for a small stopwatch, but all the ones I've seen beep and I doubt that would be helpful in many situations.
karen |
Gold Certified
Shopping Kankakee and surrounding counties |
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KellyH
Star Contributor
USA
313 Posts |
Posted - 02/15/2007 : 8:56:44 PM
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My new must-have is a NeatReceipts scanalizer. A friend saw this at a computer trade show and got one for me to use. It is so awesome. I wrote a free review about it at this link:
http://www.geardiary.com/2007/02/09/the-neatreceipts-scanalizer-review/
Of course, I wanted to mention I was a mystery shopper, but that would be silly. :-) This thing is very cool and will totally make tax time easier for me in 2007.
Before anyone says anthing, no, I am not advertising for them and no I don't get a kick back for mentioning this. I just think this is a very useful tool with all the receipts and documents we use in MS. This machine allows you to scan your receipt and extract all the information for you. You can then manipulate the data (all your receipts) into whatever you want. Pretty cool! |
MSPA Gold |
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HeatherFish
Valued Contributor
PA
USA
122 Posts |
Posted - 02/17/2007 : 1:56:06 PM
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One thing I can't live without is my cell. I use it as a voice recorder, a camera for the gas shops and store notes on it for inventory counting shops.
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What do you consider must have shopping tools / equipment / supplies ?
