Mystery Shopping Thread 21 *PLEASE READ THE OP FIRST**PLEASE NO CLIENT NAMES OR FEES*

proshopper

Chas wrote: »

Oh to be so perfect!

I'm sure we've all bent the rules a little at some point, I know I certainly have.

In my opinion the only thing marvellousaunt has done differently is to openly admit it!

Again, I will beg to differ.

No - I am not perfect, but honest. I do not deliberately deviate from any brief. I certainly do make mistakes. However, whenever I have failed to adhere to a brief, I have admitted it to the mystery hopping company concerned, either in my submitted report, or by email/telephone. The mystery shopping company then decides whether or not my report is valid. It is not up to me to make that decision.

I earn my living primarily from mystery shopping and auditing. I have to ensure that mystery shopping companies trust me. I cannot afford to "bend the rules."

In my opinion, the shopper who submitted fraudulent visit times was not acting in an honest way. The shopper should have explained their mistake or their reason for deliberate deviation from the brief.

There have been many changes in mystery shopping practices over the years. Some of these changes have been implemented purely to reduce the likelihood of fraudulent reports passing as valid. Deliberate dishonesty just makes things harder for the reliable shoppers!

jen_br

Personally, Can I suggest you own up? The reason being RE check this thread (everyone remember the annoucement on their homepage a while back?) Also, MSing is hard enough and I think people are just frustrated because those who follow the brief etc from RE get 10x proof reading queries and its frustrating.

Plus a lot of us do this fulll time and it makes us look foolish if someone does that. I get your weren't feeling safe but you should have abandoned the job completely then.

Lil_Me_2

jen_br wrote: »

Personally, Can I suggest you own up? The reason being RE check this thread (everyone remember the annoucement on their homepage a while back?)

I'm inclined to agree with Jen. RE do check this thread, and they do put the most ridiculous things into their briefs following comments on here. For example, once upon a time you just needed a photo of your sandwich, then someone asked for one on here either because they'd forgotten to take one or the photo was corrupt, next thing you know you now need to take a photo of your sandwich and your receipt with your assignment number written on it.

MaxAben

We have more and more clients checking CCTV against the report now as often results are linked to bonuses and so on. You will be caught one day, if not by us, the MS company it will be by the staff/client themselves.

polythenegirl

MaxAben wrote: »

We have more and more clients checking CCTV against the report now as often results are linked to bonuses and so on. You will be caught one day, if not by us, the MS company it will be by the staff/client themselves.

Quick question Max - I may have already missed the answer so sorry if its a repeat question! Will there be any more non-financial visits soon? i like working for Helion but I can't do the finiancial visits

hur575

MysteryMe wrote: »

You're right, I thought it used to show what you could order my mind is going!

From memory there are 3 or 4 choices of breakfast meal you can order and you can order certain types of hot drink as well as cold.

Thank you, I have worked it out now. It says the meal choice in the lunch or dinner menu.

MaxAben

polythenegirl wrote: »

Quick question Max - I may have already missed the answer so sorry if its a repeat question! Will there be any more non-financial visits soon? i like working for Helion but I can't do the finiancial visits

Hi, np, yes we will have some more 'nicer' projects starting end this week if all goes to plan.

polythenegirl

MaxAben wrote: »

Hi, np, yes we will have some more 'nicer' projects starting end this week if all goes to plan.

Fantastic! I'll keep my eyes peeled then! Thanks for the quick response

hur575

I did a job for Re which require a clear photo of the restaurant after my meal. I just bought the Camera on that day, I normally use my phone but it does not do night mode, so I go out and my camera does the biggest flash ever, I did not know how to turn it off or how to change the setting to get a good quality picture, it was expensive camera with 14 mp.

I was not happy with the picture, and took another one. Tried three times, at the end I just felt my flash has told the whole world, I just did MS. I could try on another day but I had to submit my report on the same day. I submitted my report and explained the reason for the quality of my picture and I hope it is fine.:o

Chas

proshopper wrote: »

Again, I will beg to differ.

No - I am not perfect, but honest. I do not deliberately deviate from any brief. I certainly do make mistakes. However, whenever I have failed to adhere to a brief, I have admitted it to the mystery hopping company concerned, either in my submitted report, or by email/telephone. The mystery shopping company then decides whether or not my report is valid. It is not up to me to make that decision.

I earn my living primarily from mystery shopping and auditing. I have to ensure that mystery shopping companies trust me. I cannot afford to "bend the rules."

In my opinion, the shopper who submitted fraudulent visit times was not acting in an honest way. The shopper should have explained their mistake or their reason for deliberate deviation from the brief.

There have been many changes in mystery shopping practices over the years. Some of these changes have been implemented purely to reduce the likelihood of fraudulent reports passing as valid. Deliberate dishonesty just makes things harder for the reliable shoppers!

I'm pleased to know that you practise what you preach & always stick religiously to the brief (or own up when you deviate). I'm sure the company reps who read this thread (and yes, I do know that they do) will be delighted to know that. :T

I too have been mystery shopping for many years & have seen the changes for myself.

What makes me laugh about this forum is this: Had marvellousaunt posted that she didn't feel safe in the betting shop, left early, told RE & didn't get paid, many posters would have said that she shouldn't have been honest & should have falsified the times, then she would have been paid! :rotfl:

We are paid to tell lies, it's what we do. We are all accomplished liars, clearly some of us are far more experienced in the art of lying than others.

Personally I don't think marvellousaunt has committed a heinous crime, she's explained why she did what she did, she's accepted that betting shop jobs are not for her, RE have got the report they asked for & most importantly marvellousaunt has learned a valuable lesson: don't be too honest on a mystery shopping forum :rotfl: