Mystery Shopping Thread 24 *PLEASE READ THE OP FIRST**PLEASE NO CLIENT NAMES OR FEES

Big_Graeme

xpf wrote: »

That's what the client must want as it's the exact same scenario as the previous MS company advertised (previous one offered more money - they still couldn't get enough people to do them though!)

RA have to be running out of shoppers by now, that is 5 rounds they have done this year so far.

I won't do the local one, I visit 7 stores in that small centre.

JohnnyG

Big_Graeme wrote: »

I won't do the local one, I visit 7 stores in that small centre.

Must admit, I don't do the RA shop where you need to reveal your identity. Mine is in a medium sized centre and just wouldn't want word to spread round that I'm a MS.

weeg

The phone stores that used to be on GFK. Do the the MSC still require a photo? I can't see it stated anywhere on the brief, but there seems to be a space to upload a photo to the report.

Actually, I assume that they do wantone - I really just want to clarify that it's a standard ext shot.

N.I.M

Where have they gone now?

Wizzbang

AA refuse to pay me, sent a complaint to their director and she is full of reason why I was in the wrong.

They say
"The store have told us that the member of staff realised that you were a mystery shopper early in your interaction. They report inconsistencies in your questions and answers and say that throughout the visit you seemed nervous. This behaviour did not appear natural and thus provoked immediate suspicion in the member of staff. Our brief states Do not reveal that you are the mystery shopper at any stage of your visit. I appreciate that you did not tell them you were a mystery shopper, but your manner and behaviour in the store did reveal you were the shopper, not the brief."

I stand by the fact that there were no inconsistencies in my questions, I simply asked what was listed on the brief. They refuse to accept that they were at fault for a poor brief. They say and the store say that I didn't ask about the website which is untrue, or how else would I have been provided with a card (which I still have) detailing that I can get 10% off at the website and free P&P.

I said that Essential got a good report, so I didn't see what the problem was. They say
"Our clients pay for mystery shopping, the anonymous and fair assessment of staff. If staff know you are the mystery shopper, then it is neither anonymous nor fair and Essential have every right to complain".

Should I bother going to the regulatory bodies? I feel like I'm fighting a losing battle. But I hate it when my integrity is questioned. I did everything they asked.

superliss

Hi guys, has anyone got any experience of React attraction hotels?

N.I.M

Wizzbang wrote: »

AA refuse to pay me, sent a complaint to their director and she is full of reason why I was in the wrong.

They say
"The store have told us that the member of staff realised that you were a mystery shopper early in your interaction. They report inconsistencies in your questions and answers and say that throughout the visit you seemed nervous. This behaviour did not appear natural and thus provoked immediate suspicion in the member of staff. Our brief states Do not reveal that you are the mystery shopper at any stage of your visit. I appreciate that you did not tell them you were a mystery shopper, but your manner and behaviour in the store did reveal you were the shopper, not the brief."

I stand by the fact that there were no inconsistencies in my questions, I simply asked what was listed on the brief. They refuse to accept that they were at fault for a poor brief. They say and the store say that I didn't ask about the website which is untrue, or how else would I have been provided with a card (which I still have) detailing that I can get 10% off at the website and free P&P.

I said that Essential got a good report, so I didn't see what the problem was. They say
"Our clients pay for mystery shopping, the anonymous and fair assessment of staff. If staff know you are the mystery shopper, then it is neither anonymous nor fair and Essential have every right to complain".

Should I bother going to the regulatory bodies? I feel like I'm fighting a losing battle. But I hate it when my integrity is questioned. I did everything they asked.

Lodge the claim at court including your claim for interest (you specifically need to state you are seeking it and I think its currently at 8%) plus the cost of your time coming up to this, claim it in advance otherwise you will be limited to £50 in costs plus mileage.

Its your word against theirs, and given you have at least one former AA shopper willing to provide a statement in support of you its likely that you would win. And once they see the statements they are likely to seek to settle with you anyway.

HappyMJ

Wizzbang wrote: »

AA refuse to pay me, sent a complaint to their director and she is full of reason why I was in the wrong.

They say
"The store have told us that the member of staff realised that you were a mystery shopper early in your interaction. They report inconsistencies in your questions and answers and say that throughout the visit you seemed nervous. This behaviour did not appear natural and thus provoked immediate suspicion in the member of staff. Our brief states Do not reveal that you are the mystery shopper at any stage of your visit. I appreciate that you did not tell them you were a mystery shopper, but your manner and behaviour in the store did reveal you were the shopper, not the brief."

I stand by the fact that there were no inconsistencies in my questions, I simply asked what was listed on the brief. They refuse to accept that they were at fault for a poor brief. They say and the store say that I didn't ask about the website which is untrue, or how else would I have been provided with a card (which I still have) detailing that I can get 10% off at the website and free P&P.

I said that Essential got a good report, so I didn't see what the problem was. They say
"Our clients pay for mystery shopping, the anonymous and fair assessment of staff. If staff know you are the mystery shopper, then it is neither anonymous nor fair and Essential have every right to complain".

Should I bother going to the regulatory bodies? I feel like I'm fighting a losing battle. But I hate it when my integrity is questioned. I did everything they asked.

I have now taken to voice recording my mystery shops. Then I can refer back to the voice recording if I feel I have missed something or if the MS company queries something I can double check...and if the company or client were to complain about I can provide a transcript of the interaction and if it goes further I can provide the actual voice recording not that is has ever gone that far. It's been useful for gapbuster burger shops where I might have hit stop on the stopwatch rather than the lap button.

I'd go back to the shop (if it's nearby) and reveal yourself to the member of staff and ask them why they thought you were the mystery shopper. It's not going to do any harm now is it.

In my opinion it's a silly reason they ask you to ask questions that scream out "I'm a mystery shopper" yet won't pay you for doing just that. I'd take it further.

PeteW

Don't let them get away with lying, cheating and stealing. Let them know you'll be taking them to the small claims court, they'll probably cough up then and there, but to be honest I'd rather see the idiots lose in court!

mskitten2904

I agree with everyone else, however I am beginning to worry I have NEVER been questioned and think I maybe a better actress than I thought I was