1. Optimal Times for Store Visits

  • Best times: Evenings and midday are ideal because in the evenings, stores are less crowded, making it easier to capture photos, and during midday, the staff is slightly busy with customers.
  • Worst times: Avoid visiting when the store is overcrowded as customers may block the view to the shelves, when the store is empty as it may lead to staff noticing you and questioning you, or during restocking times as you may not have access to the shelves.

2. Tips for Capturing Photos Efficiently

  • Device:
    • Ensure your phone is fully charged before going to a store. Bringing a power bank can be very useful.
    • High-quality smartphone cameras can significantly improve your results and speed up the process.
  • Preparation:
    • Start with the easiest categories first (like laundry, home, shave, oral care, baby, feminine) until you make sure that the store doesn’t care if you are there.
    • Start with less crowded aisles with no staff around.
    • Avoid drawing attention while taking photos.
  • Technique:
    • Walk down the aisle first and note where products start and stop.
    • Hold the camera straight and steady. Get the right angle and make sure your photos are clear and overlap.
      Overlapping pictures of a haircare shelf
    • Positioning is the key: maintain the same distance from the shelves throughout the whole category.
    • Pay attention to the stitching as you are taking photos and undo captures if it messes up.
    • Try out the video mode to see if it's more convenient for you. If an aisle is narrow, follow the "snake" movement suggested in the app (top-bottom-bottom-top) to get the best results.
      snake movement top-bottom-bottom-top
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To ensure payment, you must submit your photos in both the client's app and the clickworker app. Submitting photos only in the client's app is not sufficient. We won't be able to pay you if the job isn't submitted in the clickworker app within the allotted time period as well.

3. How to Avoid Being Asked to Leave:
    Useful Tips from Our Top Mystery Shoppers

Product Scavenger Hunt

"It depends on the line of questioning and store but generally I say I’m doing a product scavenger hunt and just capturing the list of product types they are asking me for. Sometimes I’ll show the list. Usually, they just want to see that I’m not saving them on my phone. Sometimes I’ll explain I think it’s for AI training maybe for inventory and theft/loss prevention but that’s above my pay grade. When I see they are about to ask me to leave I usually explain the product scavenger hunt, or I’ll say mystery shopper and then I’ll ask if it’s okay to continue. Dollar Generals are 50/50 on whether they let me stay usually CVS is okay some stores recognize me now. Mostly they want to see that I’m not storing the photos on my phone that it’s done through and app. They have theft loss that occurs by one person taking pictures of what to grab and follow up people grabbing those items."

Megan, Newport News, VA

Pretending to be a Customer

"I will say I was just looking for some products with a discount on my end. Or I’m on product hunts. Or I’m checking some products. I like to take pictures first and to think about it later. Be smart without offending the staff as they are just doing their job. Try to mingle around, don’t just come and taking pictures. Dress nicely. Don’t dress like you’re going to rob the store. Act like you’re looking for something and about to buy something. Hold something in your hand, you can put it back later. Buy something small if needed. I will spare something I need to buy for this kind of situation, so I leave with something I needed to buy anyway. Never ever take pictures when the staff is looking at you. But if that happened; and you are being asked to leave then just leave. And never come back to the same store. Don’t argue and say that you are just doing your job taking pictures, This won't help."

Cindy, Leesburg, VA

Being Mindful of Customers

"I mostly have employees trying to sneak up behind me and look at my screen. It is very annoying. I have lowered my screen brightness to prevent this. Don't let them see exactly what I'm doing. Many times, when they can see what I'm doing is when they mostly have asked me to leave. I also get asked if I need help and I say, "I'm just looking for something, thank you for asking."
With regards to other customers, I find it best to let customers know that it's fine to walk in front of you and if they need something near you, I prefer to back out of the task and go to a different aisle. More times than I would have thought, customers have gone to an associate to tell them I'm taking pictures. I guess because I was in their way."

Chad, Laureldale, PA

Pretending to be a Customer or Private Investigator

"I pretend to be a customer on FaceTime with my sister showing her the products or I say I’m a private investigator sent out by the company."

Lara, Canoga Park, CA

Research and Product Scans

"I say that I am doing research and scanning products. Be kind and friendly. I try to take photos when I don’t have staff right next to me."

Gregory, Philadelphia, PA

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Please note that if a staff member asks you to stop taking photos or leave the store, you can still submit the categories you’ve already completed. You can take photos of the store entrance and upload them in the remaining categories to be able to submit your job in the client's app. To ensure payment, don't forget to submit your job in the clickworker app as well.

4. Planning Your Store Visit Route

  • Group stores by location/area. Plan for the week: area 1 on Monday, area 2 on Tuesday, or the weekend, etc.
  • Aim to visit 4-8 stores per trip, starting with the closest one or the one that opens the earliest and then follow the route from there.
  • Consider traffic and store opening times to optimize your route.