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

Hollypear

begintowonder wrote: »

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.

The shop was very quiet and there were about 5 members of staff behind the counter. That is the reason I gave for the service being so quick. Strangely the manager bobbed over and said "You'll be wanting a receipt" Crikey I must look like a MS'er.

Hollypear

archers33 wrote: »

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

Have another read at your instructions as it should tell you on there when to give the letter as reveal shops vary. If not give the MS'ing company a ring and ask to keep yourself right. And good luck.

HTH

xfive71

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.

Hi Hollypear, those questions are quite standard and I usually use the space to write my observations on the speed of service and anything that happened behind the counter which may have an impact on the service times.

For example, I usually say there is one other customer in front of me but I was called over to another till and able to place my order immediately. or another staff member helped to assemble my order hence I received my order quickly or in another case, my fries were cooked fresh hence the service time slightly slower.

On one occasion, my server was distracted by two groups of feral youth facing each other. That was one visit which was a little uncomfortable! :rolleyes:

Sakura_Yuki

Not a lot on the horizon for me either. There just doesn't seem to be much work around at the moment, but then it was the same for me last year too. I'm putting it down to xmas, as I guess maybe companies think it's not very fair for us to be timing staff on service when they're clearly going to be rushed off their feet.

nbruen

Good evening everyone. hope you are all well.
I've had a busy weekend with an audit each day for the non mentionable firm plus another couple of jobs each side.
Off to Pizza dine in tonight for GYP and I have a question
I am taking my daughter. Does she have to order from the set choices or is it just me? She's only 10 so would normally eat off the kids menu?

Thanks in advance x

cte1111

nbruen wrote: »

Good evening everyone. hope you are all well.
I've had a busy weekend with an audit each day for the non mentionable firm plus another couple of jobs each side.
Off to Pizza dine in tonight for GYP and I have a question
I am taking my daughter. Does she have to order from the set choices or is it just me? She's only 10 so would normally eat off the kids menu?

Thanks in advance x

If I'm eating with the kids, then I order a big pizza for us to share, from the set choices. If you order a salad bowl, large pizza, garlic bread and 2 fizzy drinks, then you should have covered the options (unless it's changed since I did one) and will just about be within the reimbursement.

Remember not to get a half and half as they will not pay you. Basically what I'm saying is, your daughter does need to eat from the set choices too, unless you want to pay separately for her.

HZA

Just to say thank you all for the tips on timing & catalogue shop visits. I don't know what to do without you guys.:A
I'm so tempted to get a new mobile phone now, because mine is really out of date. It doesn't have any stop watch function:(. I fell in love with a handset during MS yesterday... I couldn't believe how advanced today's mobile is (I feel so old saying this!).:o
I have so many things to learn about MS. I hope that one day I can feel completely at ease (I can only dream!). The amount of effort you all put into MS is admirable. It definitely is not an easy job like many people think.

archers33

AGHHH! I knew everything was going too well...

I just did my first MS for the burger people. I did everything by the book, remembered to visit restroom, check what was left and right. Everything. I've just sat down to write up the report, and the receipt they gave me says I was there 30 minutes before I was actually there. This means that the receipt says I was there outside of the shop time. I know I was there at the right time, but how am I going to prove it? I've emailed them about, but haven't heard anything yet. I can't submit the report, because it keeps telling me it's not the right time! everything was going so well too...

begintowonder

HZA wrote: »

I have so many things to learn about MS. I hope that one day I can feel completely at ease (I can only dream!).

I'm a newbie too, but I'm starting to think that being a bit on edge when you do a job can be a good thing. I'm usually feeling pretty desperate to get it all right & not forget things but I reckon that's better than feeling complacent and realising you've missed something later!

I've been a bit nervous today because I tried to do a shop for a food place, but when I got there I was told that they had ridiculously low levels of stock and so I couldn't order ANY of the allowed items. I was told to come back later, but that would have taken me out of the timeframe for the job, so I just had to abandon it and won't be able to do it another day. I've explained to the company but God knows what they'll make of it!

thumper1970

archers33 wrote: »

AGHHH! I knew everything was going too well...

I just did my first MS for the burger people. I did everything by the book, remembered to visit restroom, check what was left and right. Everything. I've just sat down to write up the report, and the receipt they gave me says I was there 30 minutes before I was actually there. This means that the receipt says I was there outside of the shop time. I know I was there at the right time, but how am I going to prove it? I've emailed them about, but haven't heard anything yet. I can't submit the report, because it keeps telling me it's not the right time! everything was going so well too...

This used to be common, as all the clocks were a bit out. Simply add 1 hour to the times on the receipt, and this will allow the shop to work - Then make sure you put this in the notes that the time on the receipt was wrong, and you had to manually amend it to make the page work.

Never had a problem with them accepting this.