The Mystery Shopping Thread - X

ISWMLE

annasbee wrote: »

I get really annoyed when I am told Im too old for a job (well they dont actually say that do they - they say you dont fit the criteria) The way I see it, if you are comfortable with doing a job then why should age matter. I am happy going into a trendy wine bar, dont see why, if you are over 35 you are not suitable for the visit. As for the Old Peoples Homes, whats wrong with a grandchild visiting to seek suitable accomodation for the grand parents, it happens all the time. As for eating well its total rubbish that someone over a certain age cant shop a specific place. I think Im right in believing that descrimination is now an offence.

I think you're hitting a vital button with me too. I think 'fit' has a lot to do with how many 'problems' MS suddently decide they have with your reporting. I had to mention in two of my reports (out of the four I've completed) that I didn't feel comfortable in the places I visited (when asked whether I'd ever visit again) that I was the wrong socio-economic profile. I was. Frankly, I stood out like a sore thumb - not as a myster shopper, but as a customer. The pharmacy I visited last week was a teeny weeny shop, staffed by ethnic minority staff, and clearly located off the high street. Therefore, it was only likely to be visited by similar people that lived in the area. The assignment brief asked me to look around and browse and note the promotions on offer. The shop was so small that it was not the sort of place anyone would browse - it was an in-and-out quick shop, just to get what you needed.

It seems to me that a lot of these MS client profiles are mainly aimed at the 'popular' end of the retail market too - fast food chains, chain pubs, mobile phone companies etc. None of which I'd dream of visiting as a normal customer very often. I haven't yet seen any 'upmarket' eating or public houses being listed for MS visits.

I don't intend to get fat or have a heart attack mystery shopping by stuffing myself with downmarket junk food I wouldn't normally eat. I eat well, as a rule, so these assignments aren't remotely appealing to me.

I'm awarding you 10 points for your answer and your fee (but no expenses).

Beckfordbaby

Which company does M&S and Boots?

sandyp_2

ISWMLE wrote: »

I think you're hitting a vital button with me too. I think 'fit' has a lot to do with how many 'problems' MS suddently decide they have with your reporting. I had to mention in two of my reports (out of the four I've completed) that I didn't feel comfortable in the places I visited (when asked whether I'd ever visit again) that I was the wrong socio-economic profile. I was. Frankly, I stood out like a sore thumb - not as a myster shopper, but as a customer. The pharmacy I visited last week was a teeny weeny shop, staffed by ethnic minority staff, and clearly located off the high street. Therefore, it was only likely to be visited by similar people that lived in the area. The assignment brief asked me to look around and browse and note the promotions on offer. The shop was so small that it was not the sort of place anyone would browse - it was an in-and-out quick shop, just to get what you needed.

It seems to me that a lot of these MS client profiles are mainly aimed at the 'popular' end of the retail market too - fast food chains, chain pubs, mobile phone companies etc. None of which I'd dream of visiting as a normal customer very often. I haven't yet seen any 'upmarket' eating or public houses being listed for MS visits.

I don't intend to get fat or have a heart attack mystery shopping by stuffing myself with downmarket junk food I wouldn't normally eat. I eat well, as a rule, so these assignments aren't remotely appealing to me.

I'm awarding you 10 points for your answer and your fee (but no expenses).

I have not read all your posts since yesterday but the ones I have read make me wonder why you do MS visits.Nobody is asking you to "get fat" and have a "heart attack".I think you should stop doing visits and leave it to people who do enjoy doing them as a hobby and getting the odd nice meal out .:mad:

Rosy_Violet

Hello, new poster here...I have been a Mystery Shopper for many years and didn't know this forum existed until recently. I firstly want to say that there are some lovely helpful people on here with some great tips (and not just for newbies...I have added a couple of tricks up my sleeve so thanks everyone.:j


I would like to comment on this quote:

ISWMLE wrote: »

...." It seems to me that a lot of these MS client profiles are mainly aimed at the 'popular' end of the retail market too - fast food chains, chain pubs, mobile phone companies etc. None of which I'd dream of visiting as a normal customer very often. I haven't yet seen any 'up market' eating or public houses being listed for MS visits.

The "popular" jobs are where you gain your experience in the early days....prove yourself and more rewarding assignments follow. The Client is looking at the overall experience of their "typical customer" and as these are places you wouldn't dream of visiting then your comments would be of no value in a typical scenario. Granted if they wished for feedback from customer's who wouldn't normally frequent their establishments then they would compile a brief and approach suitable panel members to carry out the job.


I feel however, ISWMLE that you will not be selected for “‘up market' eating or public houses" as you fail to see that some of your comments are just unnecessary and definitely not constructive.

Comments such as:

"staffed by ethnic minority staff, and clearly located off the high street. Therefore, it was only likely to be visited by similar people that lived in the area."

do not reflect the service you are receiving. If you feel out of place in some assignments then quite frankly I feel you shouldn't do them. How can you be objective if you have pre-conceived ideas?

I think you have shown that you do not have the correct mind set to be a successful Mystery Shopper and it is no wonder that RE have removed you from their panel.

sandyp_2

Rosy_Violet wrote: »

Hello, new poster here...I have been a Mystery Shopper for many years and didn't know this forum existed until recently. I firstly want to say that there are some lovely helpful people on here with some great tips (and not just for newbies...I have added a couple of tricks up my sleeve so thanks everyone.:j


I would like to comment on this quote:

ISWMLE wrote: »

...." It seems to me that a lot of these MS client profiles are mainly aimed at the 'popular' end of the retail market too - fast food chains, chain pubs, mobile phone companies etc. None of which I'd dream of visiting as a normal customer very often. I haven't yet seen any 'up market' eating or public houses being listed for MS visits.

ISWMLE wrote: »

The "popular" jobs are where you gain your experience in the early days....prove yourself and more rewarding assignments follow. The Client is looking at the overall experience of their "typical customer" and as these are places you wouldn't dream of visiting then your comments would be of no value in a typical scenario. Granted if they wished for feedback from customer's who wouldn't normally frequent their establishments then they would compile a brief and approach suitable panel members to carry out the job.


I feel however, ISWMLE that you will not be selected for “‘up market' eating or public houses" as you fail to see that some of your comments are just unnecessary and definitely not constructive.

Comments such as:

"staffed by ethnic minority staff, and clearly located off the high street. Therefore, it was only likely to be visited by similar people that lived in the area."

do not reflect the service you are receiving. If you feel out of place in some assignments then quite frankly I feel you shouldn't do them. How can you be objective if you have pre-conceived ideas?

I think you have shown that you do not have the correct mind set to be a successful Mystery Shopper and it is no wonder that RE have removed you from their panel.

:T:T:T:T:T
Well said Rosie.

AndyInYorks

Rosy_Violet wrote: »

The "popular" jobs are where you gain your experience in the early days....prove yourself and more rewarding assignments follow. The Client is looking at the overall experience of their "typical customer" and as these are places you wouldn't dream of visiting then your comments would be of no value in a typical scenario. Granted if they wished for feedback from customer's who wouldn't normally frequent their establishments then they would compile a brief and approach suitable panel members to carry out the job.


I feel however, ISWMLE that you will not be selected for “‘up market' eating or public houses" as you fail to see that some of your comments are just unnecessary and definitely not constructive.

Welcome to the forum Rosey, excellent first post.

I would just add that with the GAP burger etc jobs, before you accept the job one of the questions you have to answer is "Do you enjoy eating fast food?" - and if you say no you don't get the job. So you should not be accepting burger etc jobs if you don't like these places.

I would add there are more upmarket places but due to the costs involved etc the MS companies only tend to allocate these to proven, experienced and reliable shoppers.

pinkprincess39

Hee Hee all day audits on RE for music shop just been posted and also jobs to go under cover and check up on the auditors!!!

truly1

Apologies, posted by mistake on the Alerts thread + now deleted

Lil_Me_2

pinkprincess39 wrote: »

Hee Hee all day audits on RE for music shop just been posted and also jobs to go under cover and check up on the auditors!!!

I noticed this, it's very amusing! :rotfl:

truly1

So the mystery shopper is being mystery shopped.