Financial institutions across the U.S. send people like you to their places of business to have them evaluated. It is important for managers and executives to know what might be going on in their business when they aren't there. Some questions that a manager may want to have answered may include: are the employees behaving courteously, are they dressing professionally, are they prompt and attentive, do they show a willingness to assist members, are they knowledgeable. By answering these questions for them, you will be helping your credit union to improve the service it gives and help it to run more effectively.

Your involvement

You have been selected by your credit union to apply for participation in the MemberShoppers mystery shopping program. As a member-owner of the credit union, you have a special interest in making sure that the employees offer you and other members, the best possible service available.

Mystery shopping is not difficult. In fact, anytime you visit or call the credit union, you are already consciously or subconsciously evaluating the service you are receiving. Now, we want you to tell us about your experience. As a mystery shopper, we will give you a specific assignment - visit a branch and ask a service representative about the credit union's checking account options, for example - and ask you to observe or listen for certain things. After you've done that, you will log on to our Web site and fill out an easy-to-complete form, and you are done!

If you enjoy participating in the MemberShoppers program and want to do more, we may ask you to help us again in the future. You are under no obligation to accept the assignment, however, and you may choose to be removed from our shopper list at any time.

What to do first

Sound interesting? If so, please complete the online application as thoroughly as possible, so that we are aware of your interest, availability and willingness to perform current as well as future mystery shopping assignments.

After you submit your information, you should see a confirmation of receipt on your screen. Once we have reviewed your application form, you will receive an email from welcome@membershoppers.com with directions to complete a short shopper certification. The shopper certification will give you guidance on how to complete a mystery shopping assignment, as well as show you a sample of an evaluation form.

A few days after completing the certification, you will receive your mystery shopping assignment, as well as detailed instructions on where, when and how to complete the shop. You will then complete the evaluation form on our Web site.

Shopper Requirements

We hope you are interested in assisting us with this mystery shopping experience for your credit union. If so, please make sure you meet the following requirements before registering.

Shoppers should have:

1. The ability to read and write; be able to articulate your experience clearly and with detail.
2. A computer with Internet access.
3. Basic computer skills; able to type, send e-mail and maneuver around a Web site.
4. An e-mail address that is checked frequently
5. A telephone with answering machine
6. Reliable transportation
7. A watch