Complaint Review: Mystery Shopper Providers Association of North America

When I became a mystery shopper I read that I should become certified by the MSPA, or mystery shopper providers association of north america. There is a choice of Silver or Gold certification. You first must become a Silver certified before you can become a Gold cetified shopper.  To become a Silver certified shopper you must purchase the test. The cost for this test is $15.00.

I purchased the Silver certification course and passed. I received an email with my certification code. Every mystery shopping company that I contract to does not recognize my certification. I contacted MSPA and they said it was because they have changed internet system provider.

So I applied to become a Gold certified mystery shopper. I paid $75.00 for this test. I was sent two DVDs which was the recorded workshop for this test. After I watched this DVD, I was to access the test. I did access the test which was 50 questions. Halfway through the test I received this weird message, and lost contact with the test. After many emails, I sent MSPA a copy of the message I received. They replied it must be a virus and they had it fixed.

They give you 3 times to pass the test.  I went through the test the first time, and they said it would be scored by an official of MSPA and I would get the results in 2 or 3 days. But as soon as I finished the test, it told me I had failed. So I took it again. Again, it told me I failed. Again, 3rd time, I failed. 

OK, I know something is wrong, not that I am so smart that I can't fail, but things are not adding up. So it let me continue to take the test, even after 3 tries. So I answered the test questions, (50) with the same answers, and it gave me a different number missed each time. I sent them an email explaining all this, but they will not reply to me.

Bottom line, the Silver certification is not recognized, and the Gold test leaves you out of $90.00.