A professional who shops in commercial, retail, and service establishments to test integrity of sales and service personnel, and evaluates sales techniques and services rendered customers. Respnsibilities include:

• Reviews establishment's policies and standards to ascertain employee-performance requirements.
• Buys merchandise, orders food, or utilizes services to evaluate sales technique and courtesy of employee.
• Carries merchandise to check stand or sales counter and observes employee during sales transaction to detect irregularities in listing or calling prices, itemizing merchandise, or handling cash.
• Delivers purchases to agency conducting shopping investigation service.
• Writes report of investigations for each establishment visited.
• Usually works as member of shopping investigation crew.