Secret Shopper Program

Our secret shopper program offers businesses invaluable insights into their customer service, products, and atmosphere. Our secret shoppers visit retail, service, and food establishments anonymously, evaluating service quality and ambiance. All reviewers remain anonymous. The information collected will remain private between Downtown Brookings and the business, though overall data across the neighborhood will be tracked to help guide organization programming. Businesses cover the cost of items purchased during the assessment process with no additional charges for the visits and reviews.

Restaurant Example: A restaurant signs up and sets a budget of $15 per person. Downtown Brookings will anonymously send three customers to the establishment over the next month, who will each eat a meal for $15 or less. The customers will fill out a 20+ question feedback form and return the form to Downtown Brookings. The form rates businesses on attributes like:

  • How was the cleanliness of floors, tables, chairs, and menu?

  • Did you get a prompt and sincere greeting by employees?

  • Did they upsell with an appetizer, side dish, beverage?

  • Was the bill presented and settled in a timely fashion?

  • Was your food visually appealing and at a good temperature?

  • Were the bathrooms clean and attractive?

Downtown Brookings will compile the feedback and comments into one document for the restaurant’s review. A bill will be sent to the restaurant for the cost of the three meals, totaling $45 or less.

Retail Example: A retail store signs up and sets a budget of $20 per person. Downtown Brookings will anonymously send three customers to the establishment over the next month, who will shop for $20 or less. The customers will fill out a 20+ question feedback form and return the form to Downtown Brookings. The form rates businesses on 20+ attributes like:

  • Were the window displays clean, fresh, and attractive?

  • Was the business well-organized and easy to shop?

  • Was the employee knowledgeable about the merchandise?

  • Was the merchandise attractively displayed?

  • Did the attendant say thank you at the end of the purchase?

  • What is your overall opinion of the merchandise selection?

Downtown Brookings will compile the feedback and comments into one document for the store’s review. A bill will be sent to the store for the cost of the three purchases, totaling $60 or less.

To Apply

Secret Shopper applications are accepted through email or mail. We welcome questions you may have regarding the program. Please email Kirsten Gjesdal with any questions at director@downtownbrookings.com.

To apply, please click this link to download an application PDF.