Apartment Shops

I did an aparment mystery shop not to long ago, and I wanted to pass along a few tips to help you with this type of shop.

These shops are great because unlike retail shops, you don't have to buy anything. They also tend to fetch a higher fee.

The biggest thing to remember with apartment shops is you need to be sellable. That is, you must act like you are very interested in the apartment and you have to be the decision maker on the apartment. You need to give the person you are shopping a chance to show they know what they are doing.

Also, make sure to raise one objection/question about the apartment. For example "I am afraid there is too much city noise here." The client is interested in how well the leasing consultant can overcome criticism.

The truth is better than lies. These shops require quite a bit more interaction between you and the sales associate. You could go in and completely lie:

I am moving in from out of state with my wife, who is a hotel heiress. I just got a new job at Spacely Sprockets as the new VP in charge of marketing. Did I mention we drive a BMW?

It is going to be very hard to remember all of your lies, and unneccessairy. Tell the truth, with the exception that you are moving. If you are in school say so, maybe add that you are graduating and that is why you looking for an apartment. If you are single or married say so. These details don't matter for the shop so tell the truth. If you get caught in a lie, your cover will be blown as a mystery shopper.

Of course, you will want to go in knowing why you are getting an apartment. Just think of a logical reason which fits in your current life-setting. That way the shop will go more naturally for you.