Mystery Shopping Thread 25 *PLEASE READ THE OP FIRST**PLEASE NO CLIENT NAMES OR FEES

sparklysaver

marisa wrote: »

Got my first ever assignment (take a tour of a gym) nervous and just wanted to post somewhere!
They sent me a questionnaire and I have to remember so many things and so many names, anyone got any tips? I don't want to be making notes as I go along as it will make me look suspicious.

Good luck!

You probably can take some notes without looking too suspicious -- for example it would be quite reasonable to tell them you want to take down details of any contract they were offering, and jot down names whilst you were at it. You could use a notes app on your phone and pretend to send a quick text. You could ask to use the loo and scribble some notes. Or I think some people here use the voice recorder on their phones to record whole visits and check back, if it's important for you to remember if specific things were said.

marisa

sparklysaver wrote: »

Good luck!

You probably can take some notes without looking too suspicious -- for example it would be quite reasonable to tell them you want to take down details of any contract they were offering, and jot down names whilst you were at it. You could use a notes app on your phone and pretend to send a quick text. You could ask to use the loo and scribble some notes. Or I think some people here use the voice recorder on their phones to record whole visits and check back, if it's important for you to remember if specific things were said.

Thanks, why didn't I think of the voice recorder on my phone! I like the hiding in the loo as well. Perfect.

skivenov

sparklysaver wrote: »

Good luck!

You probably can take some notes without looking too suspicious -- for example it would be quite reasonable to tell them you want to take down details of any contract they were offering, and jot down names whilst you were at it. You could use a notes app on your phone and pretend to send a quick text. You could ask to use the loo and scribble some notes. Or I think some people here use the voice recorder on their phones to record whole visits and check back, if it's important for you to remember if specific things were said.

For complex visits, I use a voice recorder as backup (old iPod mini with a plug in mic).

My real-world memory is pretty poor, but I find when I'm shopping I imagine I'm watching a film and set the dialogue to the actions, then play it back in my brain. It can be worth keeping notepad in the car, and when you get out, dumping as much as possible out of your brain into there before you look at the questionnaire, then you don't lose what happened during the shop as you write out the basics (store left, store right, time, etc).

It all comes with practice though, so spend a bit of time doing some low-fee stuff that doesn't particularly matter (GAP, Marketforce), to build up your memory retention.

Larac

skivenov wrote: »

Ouch, not fun.

What I normally do in shopping centres is go up a floor, lean on the barrier like I'm sending a text, and take a picture down through the hole if that makes sense (bad explanation I know)?

Another trick I use is make sure I get a bit of physical evidence that I've been to a place (til receipt, business card written details of a deal presented, brochure with the outlet's stamp on), so if I can't get a picture, I can scan that as proof.

I never quite understand why they insist on a picture when they also ask for a till receipt or business card as well. The trouble with pictures, is needing to make sure you have got nobody in the frame and if outside you haven't got a car number plate in view. Am never comfortable taking these in shopping centres as it is not really the 'norm' as does potentially flag you as a MS.

skivenov

Not particularly, there's no law says you can't take pictures in a public place. I just do my best to make sure there's no one's kid in the picture.

When I'm uploading, if I've got a picture of someone's face or reg number, I just erase that bit of the picture before I upload.

mimi1234

skivenov wrote: »

What I normally do in shopping centres is go up a floor, lean on the barrier like I'm sending a text, and take a picture down through the hole if that makes sense (bad explanation I know)?

Another trick I use is make sure I get a bit of physical evidence that I've been to a place (til receipt, business card written details of a deal presented, brochure with the outlet's stamp on), so if I can't get a picture, I can scan that as proof.

Thanks hon. Got it sorted.

I am not bothered for taking photos, it's just awkward in shopping centres as there are security guards and little kids bouncing around. I don't want anything thinking I was taking photos of kids!

I don't wait for people to clear out of the picture. It might take ages in a shopping centre or on a main road.

skivenov

Sounds along the lines of a scenario we were discussing last week....

MS "Can you tell me where the lost children area is?"
MoS "Have you lost your child?"
MS "No, I just want to know where the lost children are?"

cccccatwoman

Hello.

I've 'lurked' for ages and have always enjoyed the comments - and am grateful for all of the advise and tips from you all.

I have been doing MS for a few weeks now and so far so good (although i think I have missed that code off a report). I have one question though. I recently did a MS at a well known burger place. I had to take my eldest son in with me. Everything was ok - bit of rubbish on the seats, cleaner on her break but a good visit. My question is this - will then have to check the CCTV on this visit as I said that there was a bit of rubbish? I'm concerned that if they do, they will spot I did not shop alone... Thank you.

superliss

cccccatwoman wrote: »

Hello.

I've 'lurked' for ages and have always enjoyed the comments - and am grateful for all of the advise and tips from you all.

I have been doing MS for a few weeks now and so far so good (although i think I have missed that code off a report). I have one question though. I recently did a MS at a well known burger place. I had to take my eldest son in with me. Everything was ok - bit of rubbish on the seats, cleaner on her break but a good visit. My question is this - will then have to check the CCTV on this visit as I said that there was a bit of rubbish? I'm concerned that if they do, they will spot I did not shop alone... Thank you.

I would be worried about that also. If it's for Gap, expect to not be paid. It does say make sure you visit alone. It even asks you to confirm you shopped alone on the report.

Any particular reason why you didn't go on your own?

mrbanjo

superliss wrote: »

I would be worried about that also. If it's for Gap, expect to not be paid. It does say make sure you visit alone. It even asks you to confirm you shopped alone on the report.

Any particular reason why you didn't go on your own?

Probably your first and last report, your sacking is imminent.