National Shopping Service Network, LLC

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BBB Accreditation BBB Rating Business Contact and Profile Business Management Additional Locations and Phone Numbers Licensing Customer Complaint History

Government Actions Advertising Review Industry Tips BBB Copyright and Reporting Policy

BBB Accreditation

This company has been a BBB Accredited Business since December 2007. This means it supports the BBB's services to the public and meets our BBB Accreditation standards.

BBB Rating

Based on BBB files, this business has a BBB Rating of A+ on a scale from A+ to F.

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Business Management

Additional company management personnel include:

Mr. Gerald Goodwin - Vice President

Additional Locations and Phone Numbers

Licensing

Many local municipalities, townships, and counties have registration, bonding and/or licensing requirements. The BBB encourages you to check with the appropriate agency to be certain any requirements are currently being met.

Permit and license requirements for regulated industries in the state of Colorado can be viewed at the following website: http://www.colorado.gov/oed/industry-license/

Customer Complaint History

BBB processed a total of 0 complaints about this company in the last 36 months, our standard reporting period.

Government Actions

BBB has no information regarding government actions at this time.

Advertising Review

BBB has no information regarding advertising review at this time.

Industry Tips

Mystery/Secret Shopping

What is Mystery Shopping?
Some retailers hire marketing research companies to evaluate the quality of service in their stores; these companies use mystery shoppers to get the information anonymously. They assign a mystery shopper to make a particular purchase in a store or restaurant, for example, and then report on the experience. Typically, the shopper is reimbursed, and can keep the product or service.

Many professionals in the field consider mystery shopping a part-time activity, at best. And, they add, opportunities generally are posted online by marketing research or merchandising companies. Nevertheless, fraudulent mystery shopping promoters are using newspaper ads and emails to create the impression that they're a gateway to lucrative mystery shopper jobs with reputable companies. These solicitations usually promote a website where consumers can "register" to become mystery shoppers - after they pay a fee for information about a certification program, a directory of mystery shopping companies, or a guarantee of a mystery shopping job.

The truth is that it is unnecessary to pay money to anyone to get into the mystery shopper business. The shopping certification offered in advertising or unsolicited email is almost always worthless. A list of companies that hire mystery shoppers is available for free; and legitimate mystery shopper jobs are on the Internet for free. Consumers who try to get a refund from promoters of mystery shopping jobs usually are out of luck. Either the business doesn't return the phone calls, or if it does, it's to try another pitch.

The Facts of Mystery Shopping
Becoming a legitimate mystery shopper for a legitimate company doesn't cost anything. Here's how to do it:

1) Search the Internet for mystery shopping companies that are accepting applications. Legitimate companies don't charge an application fee. Many accept applications online.
2) Do some homework about mystery shopping. Check libraries or bookstores for tips on how to find companies hiring mystery shoppers, as well as how to do the job effectively.
3) Visit the Mystery Shopping Providers Association (MSPA) website at www.mysteryshop.org for information on how to register to be a mystery shopper with a MSPA-member company, a database of available jobs, and additional information on the industry in general.
4) In the meantime, the FTC says consumers should be skeptical of mystery shopping promoters who:

*Advertise for mystery shoppers in a newspaper's 'help wanted' section or by email. While it may appear as if these companies are hiring mystery shoppers, it's much more likely that they're pitching unnecessary - and possibly bogus - mystery shopping "services."
*Sell "certification." Companies that use mystery shoppers generally do not require certification.
*Guarantee a job as a mystery shopper.
*Charge a fee for access to mystery shopping opportunities.
*Sell directories of companies that provide mystery shoppers.

If you think you have encountered a mystery shopping scam, file a complaint with your local consumer protection agency, your Better Business Bureau, your State Attorney General, or the FTC (ftc.gov).

BBB Copyright and Reporting Policy

As a matter of policy, BBB does not endorse any product, service or business.

BBB Reliability Reports are provided solely to assist you in exercising your own best judgment. Information in this BBB Reliability Report is believed reliable, but not guaranteed as to accuracy.

BBB Reliability Reports generally cover a three-year reporting period. BBB Reliability Reports are subject to change at any time.

If you choose to do business with National Shopping Service Network, LLC, please let them know that you contacted BBB for a BBB Reliability Report.

ID: 19170
Report as of November 7, 2009 10:32
Copyright^© 2009 Better Business Bureau