Websites using ‘mystery shoppers’ to snoop on partners
Advertisement
Websites that offer coupon codes and cash-back deals are hiring ‘mystery shoppers’ to keep a tab on their partner sites. Reason, this way they will see invoicing and validity of coupons on the partner sites and upgrade their own technology for better traffic.
The websites that keep offering discount coupons and cash-back guarantees derive their revenue from commissions on transaction routed through them.
Most of the coupons turn effective due to expiry of the deal or usage terms.
So to update their websites in real-time with valid and appropriate coupons, these firms are banking on employees, friends, family, as mystery shoppers and giving them cash to buy stuff online.
"A lot of coupons work for app users, first-time users or don't work across brands in the fashion segment. These glitches cannot be monitored through tech upgradation and we need someone to test these aspects," Kulpreet Kaur, founder and chief executive of the one-year-old coupon site Shoppirate, which employs a mystery shopper told Economic Times.
Depending on the e-tailer, up to 30% of the coupons issued turn ineffective. "With eCommerce players, our focus is on testing the user experience. Only one of the e-tailers we work with spends considerable sums on developing their graphic user interface," Gaurav Pachauri, CEO of WeMark Marketing, which offers its mystery-shopper service to e-tailers, told the financial daily.
WeMark also works with Groupon on easing source deals, knowledge of Groupon call-centre personnel to the behaviour of local businesses once the customer goes to them with the deal.
(Image: India Times)
Advertisement
The websites that keep offering discount coupons and cash-back guarantees derive their revenue from commissions on transaction routed through them.
Most of the coupons turn effective due to expiry of the deal or usage terms.
So to update their websites in real-time with valid and appropriate coupons, these firms are banking on employees, friends, family, as mystery shoppers and giving them cash to buy stuff online.
"A lot of coupons work for app users, first-time users or don't work across brands in the fashion segment. These glitches cannot be monitored through tech upgradation and we need someone to test these aspects," Kulpreet Kaur, founder and chief executive of the one-year-old coupon site Shoppirate, which employs a mystery shopper told Economic Times.
Advertisement
WeMark also works with Groupon on easing source deals, knowledge of Groupon call-centre personnel to the behaviour of local businesses once the customer goes to them with the deal.
(Image: India Times)
Advertisement
- I spent $2,000 for 7 nights in a 179-square-foot room on one of the world's largest cruise ships. Take a look inside my cabin.
- Saudi Arabia wants China to help fund its struggling $500 billion Neom megaproject. Investors may not be too excited.
- Colon cancer rates are rising in young people. If you have two symptoms you should get a colonoscopy, a GI oncologist says.
- Catan adds climate change to the latest edition of the world-famous board game
- Tired of blatant misinformation in the media? This video game can help you and your family fight fake news!
- Tired of blatant misinformation in the media? This video game can help you and your family fight fake news!
- JNK India IPO allotment – How to check allotment, GMP, listing date and more
- Indian Army unveils selfie point at Hombotingla Pass ahead of 25th anniversary of Kargil Vijay Diwas
- JNK India IPO allotment date
- JioCinema New Plans
- Realme Narzo 70 Launched
- Apple Let Loose event
- Elon Musk Apology
- RIL cash flows
- Charlie Munger
- Feedbank IPO allotment
- Tata IPO allotment
- Most generous retirement plans
- Broadcom lays off
- Cibil Score vs Cibil Report
- Birla and Bajaj in top Richest
- Nestle Sept 2023 report
- India Equity Market