MYSTERY SHOPPING THREAD XI ** New people make sure you read the first 2 Posts **

nic2075

HZA wrote: »

Good morning! How is everyone today? I did a catalogue shop and a mobile phone shop yesterday. I managed to do everything I was supposed to do but got a bit panicky when I was timing at the catalogue shop. I found it extremely difficult to check the timings while doing tasks. How do you all manage to do it??? The phone shop was much simpler than I thought though.:D
Anyway, I have nothing booked now so try to do some Xmas shopping in the next week before I travel to my in-law's.:rudolf:

In situations like this and theres a lot to do, I usually keep my mobile in my hand and write a text to myself, recording the timings as I do it, I then save it to drafts for later. Obviously I dont have it in my hand when im talking to someone, just in queues. I make sure it doesnt look suspicious, just me casually texting someone.

Nataliejane

HZA wrote: »

Good morning! How is everyone today? I did a catalogue shop and a mobile phone shop yesterday. I managed to do everything I was supposed to do but got a bit panicky when I was timing at the catalogue shop. I found it extremely difficult to check the timings while doing tasks. How do you all manage to do it??? The phone shop was much simpler than I thought though.:D
Anyway, I have nothing booked now so try to do some Xmas shopping in the next week before I travel to my in-law's.:rudolf:

I have my phone also and it has a stopwatch with laps so for each new timing point I press new lap - as long as you remember when to press it (and not to press stop instead if it's in your pocket!!) you can then go back after and check the timings.

Scotties_Mum

With the catalogue shops, I take a piece of paper with the item numbers I need to order written on, and also write down stuff like:

Customers?
Staff?
Tills?
Manned tills?
Time in:
Time out:
Shop L:
Shop R:
Oversticker?

I then answer these ones at the catalogue points whilst I am writing out my order form. (discreetly..... obviously).

thumper1970

Hollypear wrote: »

I have always resisted Gap but have done some recently mailnly cos I enjoy the floor show. I am confused though. Due you just get the fee or is the crap meal reimbursed. I enjoy the chicken things but the chips are cold by the time you get them so I usually leave them.

Last one I did soon as I asked for a receipt when I got to the condiment counter there was a gril saying to sit down and she would get my condiments. Then ashe stood beside me the whole meal chatting about had I done all my Xmas shopping etc. Then when I went to put my tray in the bucket she said she would do it as I would be going to the toilet. Now how did she know my bladder was full. Was she psychic.

I always go to the toilet on the way in the store, so that they cannot go and clean it whilst I'm eating! Therefore, the only thing they can do the floor show is after the food has been delivered and after the toilet has been checked.

I must admit I now make sure that any floor shows are clearly stated in the report - I'm not going to lie!

Hollypear

HZA wrote: »

Good morning! How is everyone today? I did a catalogue shop and a mobile phone shop yesterday. I managed to do everything I was supposed to do but got a bit panicky when I was timing at the catalogue shop. I found it extremely difficult to check the timings while doing tasks. How do you all manage to do it??? The phone shop was much simpler than I thought though.:D
Anyway, I have nothing booked now so try to do some Xmas shopping in the next week before I travel to my in-law's.:rudolf:

I find the easiest way to do it is to do the order 1st as my stopwatch is obviously in a different bit of my mobile. Then you cannot return it for 45 minutes. So I then use some of that time to go round counting staff, customers etc were the magazines tidy, how many quiosks etc. I also find it easier to continue lap timings with my mobie stopwatch though they say use the clock thing with the order numbers but I don't think that is very accurate.

HTH

Hollypear

I did another Gap today and it says my timings are either too slow or too fast. There was 1 customer ahead of me so my timing was 1min 40 secs then when I got my meal it was 2mins 43 secs. What is the standard time meant to be. Wish they would tell me if my timings were too fast or too slow so I know which it is.

I don't intend to lie but I am just confused and just worried they will think I am making the times up. But my mobile stopwatch is bang on accurate.

Any advice would be much appreciated.

Alan1968_2

Hollypear wrote: »

I did another Gap today and it says my timings are either too slow or too fast. There was 1 customer ahead of me so my timing was 1min 40 secs then when I got my meal it was 2mins 43 secs. What is the standard time meant to be. Wish they would tell me if my timings were too fast or too slow so I know which it is.

I don't intend to lie but I am just confused and just worried they will think I am making the times up. But my mobile stopwatch is bang on accurate.

Any advice would be much appreciated.

I don't think it ever doesn't say it is not too fast or Slow. Breakfast this morning I had my order totalled in 18 seconds as there was no queue and the food was ready after 1.04 as the only thing that took time was pouring the coffee. Of course they don't ask for the time or how many staff were required to print the receipt:rolleyes:

Hollypear

Alan1968 wrote: »

I don't think it ever doesn't say it is not too fast or Slow. Breakfast this morning I had my order totalled in 18 seconds as there was no queue and the food was ready after 1.04 as the only thing that took time was pouring the coffee. Of course they don't ask for the time or how many staff were required to print the receipt:rolleyes:

Thanks Alan and was yours queried as too slow/fast as well.

archers33

Hi everyone,

I've new to this. I've just spent the last week reading through all 169 pages of this thread - YIKES!!! You do a lot of work between you all. The tips and advice you've given are great. Thanks. I didn't want to post anything until I'd read all your posts, in case it had already been answered, but I can't find it, so here goes...

Tomorrow I've been given 4 jewellery audits to do in one shopping centre. I've printed out all the advice sheets, questionnaires and the letter of authority. I just want to check - do I show the letter of authority to the shop staff as soon as I arrive? I've only done MS before, where you have to remain a mystery (obviously), but I don't know if the letter of authority is only to be shown if anyone asks, or shown straight away.

Thanks for all you help,

archers33

begintowonder

Hollypear wrote: »

I did another Gap today and it says my timings are either too slow or too fast. There was 1 customer ahead of me so my timing was 1min 40 secs then when I got my meal it was 2mins 43 secs. What is the standard time meant to be. Wish they would tell me if my timings were too fast or too slow so I know which it is.

I don't intend to lie but I am just confused and just worried they will think I am making the times up. But my mobile stopwatch is bang on accurate.

Any advice would be much appreciated.

I get this every time too, but at the top of the page (in the red area) when it comes up, it will say "Fast comments" which (unless I'm wrong) would indicate that it was faster than expected. I've never had "Slow comments" but I assume that would come up if my timings were ever slower than expected.

My advice would be to take another look at the top of the page and see if you can spot if it says "Fast comments" or "Slow comments" and base your responses on that. Judging on the timings you've given though, I think it's most likely to have been quicker than expected.