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Dear WAHFAQ,
Can you tell me who shops Walt Disney Cruise Lines? I’m also interested in doing Panera, or Shell Gas Stations…I can’t seem to find out who shops these companies, and I don’t want to waste any more time!
I would tell you if I could…but this is the cardinal sin of Mystery Shopping: revealing “who shops who.” We can’t do it. Please don’t ask me to violate my confidentially agreements…It just won’t happen!
We can’t reveal these things because Mystery Shopping companies don’t want to lose their clients. If they didn’t have the confidentially rule, we’d be able to tell ABC shopping company that XYZ shopping company has “Billy Bob’s House of Pancakes” as a client, thereby giving ABC a reason to woo “Billy Bob” and perhaps undercut the fee that is currently being paid to XYZ. When this happens, THE SHOPPER is the one who is going to pay the price with reduced payment rates! So it’s in everyone’s best interest to keep your mouth shut!
Now, with some Mystery Shopping companies, you can kinda tell what industry they serve. It’s pretty easy to figure out who Restaurant Evaluators, or Ellis Property Management, or Amusement Advantage targets. So you can get a clue with the company’s name, and start there. Also, on Mystery Shopping Company websites, they may state the industry that they serve. Some will list current or previous clients, so you can get a gist as to the types of assignments that they may have available.
I’m sorry, but this is one area where you’re going to have to do some trial and error. No shopper worth their salt will ever tell you “who shops who.”
Good luck and Happy Shopping!