FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTION

Is new home mystery shopping right for you?   Mystery-shoppers are independently contracted by Kane-Benson & Co., Inc.  They conduct telephone & on-site evaluations of properties owned by our clients. Below I have tried to answer some frequently asked questions to help you decide if this type of mystery shopping is for you.  Please look this over and if we have a fit, please send me your application and we will be back in touch. 

In what areas do you work?  Kane-Benson & Co., Inc. works in the Washington DC and Baltimore metro areas.  We also have shops in So Jersey, and the Philadelphia suburbs.  From time to time we get shops in CT, and the Peekskill area of NY.  We shop in Buffalo, Rochester, and Syracuse, NY area as well as many areas of Ohio.  We are building up business in North and South Carolina, and are looking for shoppers in those areas too.    As our business is always growing we may expand into an area near you if you live or travel anywhere along the Eastern Seaboard.  We do not currently work in the West, or West Coast. 

Is there a set amount of time I have to devote to doing this? Or how many hours a week will I need for this?   There is no set amount of time.   You may take on as much or as little work as you want, depending on what we have available in your area.  Once you are on our list, we will email or call you with shopping opportunities and you can accept or reject an assignment based on your schedule at the time.  Most shops are requested for weekdays, but weekend shops are also available, depending on the client’s requirements.

How long does a shop take in the sales office?  A shop interview usually takes about 1 hour on site.  It can go a little longer, or might actually be shorter, depending on how the interaction goes.

Do I have to know anything about buying a home to do this job?   Don't be concerned that you don't know enough to do this job --- you are a typical consumer and that is all you are supposed to be. However, Kane-Benson and company will provide training on how to shop and work with you until you are comfortable and confident in your abilities.  

Is there a lot of writing? That would depend on the type of report you take on.  If you do not feel comfortable writing long narratives, we have shorter shops in some areas, which you might find more to your liking.  You may specify on your application what type of report you prefer.

Is there a lot of travel involved and do I get reimbursed for travel?   You determine the amount of travel.  If you would like to work outside your immediate area, in order to take on more assignments, we pay .32 a mile for you to drive to other areas and shop.  If you are flexible enough to travel to another state by plane to do some assignments, we cover all expenses.  We usually try to give you two or more assignments to complete at the same time, if you are traveling a distance to do assignments. 

Do you take out taxes or do we have to pay them ourselves?   All  shoppers are in business for themselves.  We do not take out taxes from your pay, and we send all shoppers who earn more than $600 in a year a 1099 report at the end of January.  Keep good records of your pay, note reimbursements and fees. Keep a mileage log, faxing and/or coping receipts for your deductions for next year. You might want to speak to an accountant to learn more about what you can deduct as an independent contractor.

How often do I get paid?  After each completed assignment, Kane-Benson & Co., Inc. compensates you according to the prior agreement for that job.   Checks are sent out approximately 2 –3 weeks following our receipt of your assignment. 

Kane-Benson & Co., Inc. pays more than most other shopping firms, and we expect a high caliber reporting effort and top quality work.   If you are interested in being a part of our team please fill in the form below to inform us of your interest. There is no charge for becoming a registered shopper.

Please email additional questions or comments to us at TheShoppingComany