The Mystery Shopping thread - IX

Hollypear

Scaredy_Cat wrote: »

And another thing... just curious really.

If HP is around anywhere - can you tell me if there is a correct answer to the question about returning an item without a receipt at your store? Or is it down to the individual manager? Only I've done 2 separate stores in the last fortnight and got 2 different answers. I'm just curious what GR will make of it. Is one of them wrong, or is it just down to the manager?

Hi Scaredy. Our policy is if you have your receipt you get the money back. If you haven't got your receipt you get a gift card for the amount which obviously you then have to spend in the store.

And PS to everyone in this store ( pat your bum on the back wink wink). Always check your receipt as if you are accidentally overcharged ....say a double scan or price not as advertised go to customer services and they give you a freebie gift card.

Hollypear

Scaredy_Cat wrote: »

:rotfl:

Thanks for the info HP, was just curious as one store said if it was not an own brand product then I would need a receipt.

I remember you telling that story about the Tesco wine before - I still can't believe the cheeky madam got away with that (or that she had the nerve to try it in the first place!)

Sorry to hear you've had swine flu - hope you are on the mend now.

Hi SC just realised I have answered your question again!!! Need to get to bed. The annoying thing about getting swine flu is I had it when I had booked to leave from work.

Your right about the cheeky sods in my store. One asked today why the staff aren't wearing masks!!! What like the customers are immune to swine flu.

And no it wasn't Bryssnn.:rotfl:

josie

Hollypear wrote: »

Maybe it would help if we added a sticky with FAQ's about each individual company.

I propose Scotsbob any seconders.:rotfl:It would help his care in the community order no end.""""
QUOTE]

Hi HP,

Haven't spoken to you in a while - will give you a ring!

I proposed this FAQ a few days ago after trawling through pages of similar questions when coming back off hols & put a few suggestions on for it.

I thought maybe page 3 of the new thread.

scotsbob

josie wrote: »

I proposed this FAQ a few days ago after trawling through pages of similar questions when coming back off hols & put a few suggestions on for it.

I thought maybe page 3 of the new thread.

I remember reading that, although I can't seem to locate it again.

I had also been thinking of a short series of tips for people doing their first shop.

Lots of people post saying how nervous they are/what should they do etc.etc.

Also people who have some experience but never been to a bookies/burger bar/showhouse etc in their life and are nervous about it ask for advice.

I have sketched out a few ideas and will try to fininsh it by the weekend and then pass it on to ukmonkey and see if he feels able to incorporate it into his guides.

This is what I have so far but I want to condense it down:_ Sorry about the size it was imported from Word

Do a dummy run somewhere similar first, familiarise yourself with what is required then you won’t feel awkward or disorientated when you do it for real. Nothing better than being prepared.

Whenever you shop, whether mystery or not, get into the habit of remembering names and descriptions, keeping receipts, timing queues. Then the real mystery shops will become 2nd nature to you. Names are easy to forget so use them. “Hi Jenny can I have a burger please?” “How much is that Jenny?” “Thanks Jenny” That way you remember the names. Receipts are easy to lose, don’t take change and receipt in one hand and stuff it hurriedly away. Put it away safely before leaving the counter.

Always write reports as positively as you can. Even if you have to make negative comments make sure there are positive ones. Remember how you felt at school when the teacher put a positive note in your book or report card. Remember the warm glow that gave you. Now think how good a young teenager working in a burger bar feels when his line manager tells him that you said he was a good ambassador for his employer or that he gave a master class in customer relations. The kid walks home on air and you gave him that feeling.

Dress for the part. If you are dragging the FOM along to mystery shop a showhome you dress differently than you would for a visit to a bookies. You also talk and act differently. Someone made the comment on this thread quite recently that there is a lot of role play in mystery shopping. I have to play a prosperous husband, a chav, a dumb IT illiterate, an incompetent shopper who can’t find a melon. Then I have to come to this forum of an evening and be the dumb Scotsman, it’s all role play.

Don’t try to fool the company by making up things you forgot. Be open and honest. If you can’t remember, or forgot to check the loos, or count the number of tills open then say so. The company will appreciate that more than being given an answer which they can prove is incorrect. If you fake it, then your credibility is shot and you will be coming here complaining that you don’t see many jobs.

Becles

I wrote a guide for newbies ages ago. I've still got a copy if you want it adding into the information in some way.

Would a thread for reference rather than chat work better?

angel13

Hi everyone, sorry Ive been so quiet. Got one more day and then we are on holiday! But Ive woken up with bad back ache (ive had back surgery so its nerve damage and I get it when Ive carried something heavy etc etc etc) so I am not very happy ((( Anyhow some more survies for edigital for me yesterday which will be good to get on with when I am back home from hols. Anyone else just had an email banning then from GAP? I know other people in here had had them in the past so I guess every month or so they chuck a few of us out. Ive only done 3 jobs for them and was banned from pizzas for no obvious reason but is still annoying...

jeeves_2

jeeves wrote: »

JUst another question before I do the Training test on GAP for the bookmaker, if you dont pass can u redo the test, and is there a time restriction on completing it?
J

OK took thes tests last night, I did the bookie one first and guess what I failed it! Not quite sure where i went wrong, passed the 3 others i did after that so I dont think im completely thick!

I checked the site this morning for any jobs and all that seems to come up are burger jobs which are quite far for me. How frequently would jobs come up on there? Do i need to keep checking throughout the day or are they uploaded in the morning?
Apologies for all the questions.
Jeeves
xx

ukmonkey

jeeves wrote: »

OK took thes tests last night, I did the bookie one first and guess what I failed it! Not quite sure where i went wrong, passed the 3 others i did after that so I dont think im completely thick!

I checked the site this morning for any jobs and all that seems to come up are burger jobs which are quite far for me. How frequently would jobs come up on there? Do i need to keep checking throughout the day or are they uploaded in the morning?
Apologies for all the questions.
Jeeves
xx

They're generally uploaded in bulk.

e.g

1500 Burgers may be uploaded on 3rd Month
700 pizzas on 19th
300 petrol stations on 20th of every other month

etc.

Best to use the alerts thread on here, see the first post. Subscribe to the thread and set up an instant email alert. Then, when someone finds new work available, you get an email to tell you. Even better if you can receive emails to your mobile!

ukmonkey

scotsbob wrote: »

Names are easy to forget so use them. “Hi Jenny can I have a burger please?” “How much is that Jenny?” “Thanks Jenny” That way you remember the names

"Falling Down" anyone?

angel13

Becles wrote: »

It's not discrimination. The store requires a mystery customer that blends in with the majority of their clientele so the shopper is not recognised.

I haven't seen the brief for this store, but in other clothes stores I've had to check the changing room, and put an item on and ask the assistant if it looks ok. A man wouldn't be able to do that and a skinny lady would look stupid asking if a size 16+ piece of clothing looks ok on her.

I know the shop you are talking about as I shop in there. I have not read the brief as I couldnt do one as none of mine were on the list :mad: anyhow lots of smaller women than me go in there as they do do 14 upwards and the other day i was in there a petite lady was in changing rooms with an assistant trying on tons of shoes with the assistant helping her as the shoes are wider and comfier so good for her as she had feet problems even though she is smaller. one of my favouurite shops so i hope i get some work sometime