The Mystery Shopping thread - part 6

ThinkingOfLinking

I am an experienced MS'er; been doing it for almost 4 years now, and have literally MS'ed all over the country, along my travels; Scotland, London, Manchester, Chester, Liverpool, Brighton, you get the picture...

BUt I still don't get precisely why RE makes us choose specific meals on some assignments.

Is it because the pub or restaurant had a lot of complaints about these meals? RE is getting worse with certain clients; it used to be you could choose one of 3 or 4 meals plus EITHER a wine or a lager, sometimes choose a Pepsi too. Now it's you must have this brand of drink and THIS is the only meal you can order. Why?

debt_free_me

Hi All
I've got my referral details now, thankyou :beer:

Timmne

Flickering_Ember wrote: »

I am an experienced MS'er; been doing it for almost 4 years now, and have literally MS'ed all over the country, along my travels; Scotland, London, Manchester, Chester, Liverpool, Brighton, you get the picture...

BUt I still don't get precisely why RE makes us choose specific meals on some assignments.

Is it because the pub or restaurant had a lot of complaints about these meals? RE is getting worse with certain clients; it used to be you could choose one of 3 or 4 meals plus EITHER a wine or a lager, sometimes choose a Pepsi too. Now it's you must have this brand of drink and THIS is the only meal you can order. Why?

The only benefit is that they know what you should be spending, AFAICS.

Also, once word gets around the chain that the MSer will be ordering X Y and Z, you'll be spotted a mile off - sometimes it's hard enough taking times and noting names, without already being under suspicion!

Scaredy_Cat_3

I was wondering that, too! Also it seems a bit stupid from an MSing point of view. All it takes is for one of the restaurant staff members to also do a bit of MSing on the side (or know someone who does), and with such a strict brief any mystery shopper will stand out like a sore thumb!

If there is a problem with those particular meals why not do 2 separate jobs and say the first must order one specified meal plus anything else they fancy, and the second must order the other specified meal plus anything else. As it stands now, whoever orders those two specific meals in one sitting is going to look really obvious.

Scaredy_Cat_3

Sorry Timmne, you posted while I was still typing - but we are in agreement!

skywalker83

I have just signed up with Store Chechers and they want me to do a visit for them to qualify. I wanted to know if they are any good and wud it be worth the effort to do a report for them. Thank you for replying!

sorry posted again as i thought it might go unnoticed.

Timmne

I think I did the test visit but I've never had any work from them... take that however you like!

iNath

skywalker83 wrote: »

I have just signed up with Store Chechers and they want me to do a visit for them to qualify. I wanted to know if they are any good and wud it be worth the effort to do a report for them. Thank you for replying!

sorry posted again as i thought it might go unnoticed.

I did the test and got accepted. I've done two jobs since November.
They require a FULL narative at the end of every report including start-to-finish and all conversations with staff. Usually a side of A4 or more! (online, not on paper )
I found the fees in line with the likes of GFK, but it's more work so I'm not too keen...

EDIT: Just to add they pay mileage and do the tax for you.

skywalker83

thank you! that was helpful

msmas

I've just taken on my first piza buffet assignment with Gap (hurray!), but to say the least, the instructions are quite confused and confusing!

Has anyone else done this successfully? If yes, can you please share what exactly was on the receipt that went down alright with Gap? To the best of my understanding, two 5.99 buffets and two drinks for two people should be okay - can anyone second that.

Have written to them, but no reply and time is running out ...