http://www.asiaone.com/Business/Office/Hot+Jobs/Story/A1Story20090511-140667.html
Tue, May 12, 2009
The Straits Times
Retiree gets paid to shop and eat out
Madam June Goh has every woman's dream job: She gets paid to shop at stores and drop in on eateries.
She is a freelance mystery shopper for a market research consultancy.
Two years ago, the 51-year-old former administrative assistant had just retired and wanted to supplement her family income, as well as stay active.
She got her new job through her eldest daughter, who had worked at the consultancy.
Madam Goh says it is not as easy or simple as it sounds. Shopping can be hard work.
A project can stretch from a day to a fortnight, with a work- day typically lasting five to nine hours.
She has reviewed tenants of shopping malls, restaurants and even holiday chalet resorts.
Apart from having to spend 10 to 15 minutes at each outlet trying out clothes, browsing or making purchases, she also has to write reports for each store reviewed.
She can visit as many as 30 stores in a day.
'As for eateries, you cannot just be there for 10 minutes. You have to order and sit down and finish your food,' says Madam Goh, who assesses the eateries' service staff based on their appearance, greeting manners, presentation and general attitude.
She works about two to three days a week every other week and earns an average of $300 a month. Last month was the busiest for her. She took on weekly assignments and made about $1,000.
Her 25-year-old eldest daughter works in another market research consultancy. Her husband suffered a stroke six years ago and does not work.
She has three other children - two girls and a boy - aged 17, 20 and 22, all of whom are still in school.
The family lives in two adjoining three-room HDB flats in St George's Road.
Madam Goh is glad for the small profit she made from the collective sale of her former apartment in St Michael's Court five years ago. It is now paying for her children's education.
Besides being a mystery shopper, she conducts talks at primary and secondary schools on skills such as parenting, time management, financial literacy and cyberspace safety.
She is a member of The Necessary Stage's Theatre for Seniors and a volunteer with Art Outreach, an art appreciation education programme.
In all, she earns about $1,000 monthly.
'I am even busier now than as a full-time professional.'
On her mystery shopper duties, she said: 'There is a sense of satisfaction in giving back to society. If it helps raise service standards, why not? There is much room for improvement when it comes to service in Singapore.'
This article was first published in The Straits Times.
Tue, May 12, 2009
The Straits Times
Retiree gets paid to shop and eat out
Madam June Goh has every woman's dream job: She gets paid to shop at stores and drop in on eateries.
She is a freelance mystery shopper for a market research consultancy.
Two years ago, the 51-year-old former administrative assistant had just retired and wanted to supplement her family income, as well as stay active.
She got her new job through her eldest daughter, who had worked at the consultancy.
Madam Goh says it is not as easy or simple as it sounds. Shopping can be hard work.
A project can stretch from a day to a fortnight, with a work- day typically lasting five to nine hours.
She has reviewed tenants of shopping malls, restaurants and even holiday chalet resorts.
Apart from having to spend 10 to 15 minutes at each outlet trying out clothes, browsing or making purchases, she also has to write reports for each store reviewed.
She can visit as many as 30 stores in a day.
'As for eateries, you cannot just be there for 10 minutes. You have to order and sit down and finish your food,' says Madam Goh, who assesses the eateries' service staff based on their appearance, greeting manners, presentation and general attitude.
She works about two to three days a week every other week and earns an average of $300 a month. Last month was the busiest for her. She took on weekly assignments and made about $1,000.
Her 25-year-old eldest daughter works in another market research consultancy. Her husband suffered a stroke six years ago and does not work.
She has three other children - two girls and a boy - aged 17, 20 and 22, all of whom are still in school.
The family lives in two adjoining three-room HDB flats in St George's Road.
Madam Goh is glad for the small profit she made from the collective sale of her former apartment in St Michael's Court five years ago. It is now paying for her children's education.
Besides being a mystery shopper, she conducts talks at primary and secondary schools on skills such as parenting, time management, financial literacy and cyberspace safety.
She is a member of The Necessary Stage's Theatre for Seniors and a volunteer with Art Outreach, an art appreciation education programme.
In all, she earns about $1,000 monthly.
'I am even busier now than as a full-time professional.'
On her mystery shopper duties, she said: 'There is a sense of satisfaction in giving back to society. If it helps raise service standards, why not? There is much room for improvement when it comes to service in Singapore.'
This article was first published in The Straits Times.
