The Mystery Shopping Thread - X

pinkprincess39

ukmonkey wrote: »

Nooo, I applied for one, but didn't get it. I was gonna get the gf to do it, well, I'm sure the brief would say that I had to go with her, obviously, so that I could report on all the other aspects.

And what "aspects" would they be hmmmmmmmmmmm:rotfl::rotfl::rotfl:

ISWMLE

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.

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.

ISWMLE wrote: »

I wish you wouldn't jump to the wrong conclusions. I didn't put that comment in any of the reports I submitted to RE I'm saying it now. I was referring to a pharmacy visit - a chain I had never used before, therefore I had no unreasonable preconceived ideas of what to expect before I attended the location. The only reason I put in my report that I expected a Boots the Chemist type store - was because the assignment notes clearly stated that I was to:

1. spend time browsing 'around the store', looking at the merchandise on offer
2. to' look out' for a shop assistant if one didn't approach me,
3. to 'seek one out' to ask my questions etc....
4. to spend the rest of my money on something else I needed.

Those instructions imply that the store is large, roomy with a selection of goods and you can browse around unobtrusively and stand a good chance of being ignored. What I found when I got there was a 'pokey' shop not much bigger than my sitting room on the shop floor that was clearly a buy-and-get out store for the local Asian community and it only sold medicines in cabinets.You tripped over the assistants, even before you entered - one came out before I had a chance to come in to show me to the right door. The staff also outnumbered the customers present by 4:1.

It was the assignment notes that were misleading by building up my expectations of what sort of pharmacy to expect (hence the comment about Boots). It was not my reporting that was at fault. RE had no right to criticise me for pointing this out. I repeat RE have a lot to answer for:

They don't train MS properly, which seems essential if they are so fussy about reporting procedures being kept to
Their assignment notes and questions are not clear - hence my comment above
They don't follow their own brief (by contacting you within a specified period of time with follow up questions).They phone much later - even up to a week later.
Their software doesn't work, making uploading reports time consuming and arduous

I think I have excellent skills for a mystery shopper. I just wouldn't choose junk food assignments, that's all. Surely, that's my choice isn't it? I hate pizza, burgers, chips and fizzy drinks.

RE seem to have mainly pub chains and junk food assignments - at least right now. At least the ones I've seen. I don;'t know why these assignments are considered 'beginner' assignments. I thought RE had a probationary status and once you passed that you were exposed to the same assignments as everyone else.

Are you saying that this isn't true and that all the really good assignments don't show up on the assignment listings?

BTW, I took the qualifying test for another MS company this evening. A long video, followed by a test afterwards. I got 100% the first time. I didn't have to repeat it either.

pinkprincess39

"


BTW, I took the qualifying test for another MS company this evening. A long video, followed by a test afterwards. I got 100% the first time. I didn't have to repeat it either."


OOOh intrigued can you say who this was for please?

Rosy_Violet

Hollypear wrote: »

You obviously do shiny bungalows like I do. Dress up like a downtrodden housewife and being Glaswegian put on a Billy Connolly accent.

BTW That is how we get round the do not mention client thing.

So hence golden arches and red shop places etc.

Just waych out for ukmonkey though. He had a sex change last night.

Stage not me I am aiming for MI5.

Being down south I become a Chav...

Aim higher ... MI6 and take on the world!

ukmonkey

ISWMLE wrote: »

Are you saying that this isn't true and that all the really good assignments don't show up on the assignment listings?

Often, [though far from always] yes.

--

And I think I'm beggining to see your point of view about the chemist job.

Still, when you're new to a forums, it's hardly going to endear you to the regulars if you come on with a stinking attitude. At least be pleasent for a few days, then let the stinking attitude out...! :rotfl::rotfl:

Welcome to the forum.

Hollypear

ukmonkey wrote: »

:rotfl:
I LOLed!

Also, do you wear a string vest, or is that a bit too personal a question?! :rotfl:

Au contraire. You know that model Jordan. Well truth be told she modelled herself on me. Me only 5 ft and qualify for the Tern bra shops. Wonder I don't topple over.
:rotfl:

ukmonkey

Hollypear wrote: »

Au revoir Rodney, au revoir. You know that model Jordan. Well truth be told she modelled herself on me. Me only 5 ft and qualify for the Tern bra shops. Wonder I don't topple over.
:rotfl:

#@%$!!! :rotfl:


(fixed the quote, btw)

Mumof2_2

Hmmm, I'm a bit confused here - just done a test for another GAP job (passed :j!) and when I did a job search it came up with jobs for other companies that I haven't even done the tests for. Must be a computer error I imagine, but I was wondering if anyone else had this

gallygirl

Hollypear wrote: »

Au contraire. You know that model Jordan. Well truth be told she modelled herself on me. Me only 5 ft and qualify for the Tern bra shops. Wonder I don't topple over.
:rotfl:

This made me laugh :rotfl:. I too qualify (am assuming so anyway, am same back size and larger front size :eek: ). Have been inspired & applied to Tern - what do shops entail, just a fit or are there purchases?

Trying_to_be_good

Mumof2 wrote: »

Hmmm, I'm a bit confused here - just done a test for another GAP job (passed :j!) and when I did a job search it came up with jobs for other companies that I haven't even done the tests for. Must be a computer error I imagine, but I was wondering if anyone else had this

I can see the GAP pizza job upload, but haven't taken the test, so it shows a question mark or mortar board in the right-hand column. But I don't like their pizza, and haven't got desperate enough to undertake (and fail, like golden arches and chicken) the test yet...