Shopper FAQ
Shopper FAQs
Q: What is Mystery Shopping?
A: Mystery Shopping is a form of market research which allows companies to gather key information about their business and performance from the eyes of a customer. It is completely anonymous and helps the company improve customer service and where necessary provide targeted training.
Q: What will be expected of me?
A: Please see What we expect of you and Shopper job description for more information.
Q: How can I become a Mystery Shopper?
A: Sign up! We recommend you read what’s involved and the mystery shopper job description, and ensure you understand and agree to the terms and conditions. There is a simple online application form to complete which will be assessed by our recruitment team. You will be advised whether your application has been successful or not.
Q: Why have I not received emails from ShopAngels?
A: Are we in your email address book? Please ensure you add ShopAngels.com.au and Koios.com to your email address book and allowed domains list so our emails are not accidentally sent to your email spam filter.
Q: Why do you need to know what I look like?
A: Companies occasionally request a specific shopper profile. For example, a hair salon may need to colour someone's hair blonde so the profile for the shopper will be blonde hair.
Q: What if I am asked if I am a Mystery Shopper whilst completing a job?
A: As a Mystery Shopper you must remain covert at all times. If your cover has been blown at any time, we would suggest you play dumb and ask “What’s a mystery shopper?” and try and continue with your information gathering. If you are unable to proceed after this, please leave the store as soon as is reasonable and advise ShopAngels immediately. You may be required to go back to this site at a later date to complete the assignment.
Q: Is the information I provide in my application secure?
A: The application information is saved only under ShopAngels security system and is not available to any other persons. ShopAngels only uses the information you provide to assist with its recruitment of mystery shoppers. Please read our privacy statement for more detail.
Q: How do I get paid?
A: ShopAngels pays all mystery shoppers by PayPal only. We do not pay by any other means, including cheque or direct debit bank transfer. You would therefore need to set up a PayPal account before you start your first assignment.
Angels are paid once a month for all approved shops. Approved assignments are those that have been completed correctly, with relevant information and detail in the survey and within the required timeframe.
Q: How is payment calculated?
A: Before you apply and accept an assignment the payment amount for a successful job will be listed. This amount varies depending on how in-depth the requirements are. Remuneration may be in the form of job fee or reimbursement to a certain amount, or a combination of the two.
Q: How many jobs can I expect to receive?
A: ShopAngels is unable to guarantee any number of assignments, or continual regular work, as availabilities are dependant on our client requirements.
Q: What is an ABN (Australian Business Number)?
A: If you live and work within Australia, an ABN helps you and businesses you deal with keep track of payments, and makes it easier for businesses and the ATO to interact.
Examples of when you may need to use your ABN include:
- when dealing with the Tax Office (the ABN is quoted as a reference)
- in the future, when dealing with other government agencies subsection 3 (1) New Tax System (Australian Business Number) Act 1999
- ensuring that other businesses will not withhold tax at the top marginal rate from payments they make, and
- supplying goods and services to other businesses (and other entities carrying on enterprises).
An ABN is for your benefit. As a mystery shopper you are suppling services to a business (ShopAngels), You are not required to have an ABN, however if you fail to supply a valid ABN on your invoice, we are required by the ATO to withhold 48.5% from your total payment. (ShopAngels require you to have an ABN so this does not occur.)
You can find out more at the ATO website.
Q: What if I don't have an ABN? (Australian residents only)
A: If do not have an ABN and your application is successful and you are activated as a shopper you can choose to nominate mystery shopping as a hobby, or alternatively can complete a Statement by Supplier form via email before you undertake your first assignment. If you choose to complete a Statement by Supplier form, it must be completed and emailed or faxed to our head office before you can be paid for completing any assignment.
Q: Do I have to pay my own tax? (Australian residents only)
A: Only if you earn over $6,000 on this income annually. This is your responsibility as a sub-contractor for ShopAngels.
Q: I live in New Zealand. What am I required to do in terms of tax reporting?
A: If you are a New Zealand resident you must notify NZ Revenue Department as soon as you have received notification from ShopAngels that you are now a shopper.
Q: How does ShopAngels know what suburbs I can travel to?
A: ShopAngels’ jobs are located all over Australia, New Zealand and Asia. Our system allocates jobs to shoppers by state, e.g. if you live in NSW, you will receive an email informing you of all jobs that are available in NSW. This email will tell you there are available jobs in your area whereby you can then login to your account via our website. Once you have logged in, go to the ‘available jobs’ section and you will be able to view all details for this assignment and any others available in your state for that month.
Q: After I receive an email informing me there is a job in my area, when I login in there is no shop available. Why is this?
A: You have to be quick! When you receive an email informing you there is a job available in your area you need to login and apply for the assignment. If the available job is no longer listed it means that another shopper has already requested and been assigned the job.
Q: Why do I have to turn my popup blocker off?
A: Our online system will not work with popup blockers on.
