The mystery shopping thread - part 4

ellie9ellie

Becles wrote: »

Buy a reporters notepad (about 40p for a Tesco value one!) and keep it in your handbag.

I'm doing a few shops today - all different stores but ones where I have to ask for advise on something on the shop floor, then buy something to check the cashier.

I've got a page for each shop, with the store name and address on the top, brief note with the scenario details on, then details of the spend limit. I've got the pages in the order I'll visit.

I'll have a quick peek at my notes before I go into the shop, so it's fresh in my mind. Afterwards, I'll write down on that page things that happened in note form, plus all the usual bits - left, right, time in, time out etc. I'll type them all up this afternoon or this evening using my notes.

If it's a picture job, I'll also add on the number of the picture on my phone onto my notes. This is especially useful if you are doing a few branches of the same chain.

That works for me, but try other peoples methods too and see what you feel happiest with.

I keep the questionnaire in my handbag and then once outside fill all the info in so I don't forget it by the time I get home. Once, I had to go back to the shop as I'd forgotten what was left and right - couldn't believe I forgot. I try not to make the same mistake now!!

Going to set up my colour coded spreadsheet today. Since I am now off on sick and the legs won't let me do too much I've set myself one target a day around the house and the rest is rest (also got a phone assignment which I can do from the comfort of the sofa!!) I'll have to something otherwise I'll go out of my mid. As you can tell I don't easily relax so this is going to take some effort!

Also going to check Bank again to see if paid by GAP - my odds are on no!!

guycross

Hey guys, a few posts I want to reply to.

1. PDA - I have a HTC Artemis / XDA Orbit which always comes out on my Visits... I can scribble notes on it, and record voice memos as well as take photos. It also is great for email and with the vfone internet addon I get all my email striaght away (it check every 5 minutes) so its great for those companies that email jobs. Checking the internet isnt so great on it though....

on http://mysteryshoppingblog.net I have put some of my tips for maximising your mystery shopping income, I think you have covered it all here, but then maybe there is something else too...
gc

southernginge

janiusbaktus wrote: »

I always feel so silly walking out of a mystery shop to immediately stop and take a photo of the store! I guess it's OK in central London though, I always try to look like a tourist and snap a couple of extra around me just in case!

I was stopped by the police when taking a photo of an under ground sandwich shop. They wanted to know what I was doing etc. Very embarrassing esp when a crowd had gathered.

ellie9ellie

southernginge wrote: »

I was stopped by the police when taking a photo of an under ground sandwich shop. They wanted to know what I was doing etc. Very embarrassing esp when a crowd had gathered.

OMG - cringe worthy - what did they say when you explained?:rotfl:

Sarah_Joanne

southernginge wrote: »

I was stopped by the police when taking a photo of an under ground sandwich shop. They wanted to know what I was doing etc. Very embarrassing esp when a crowd had gathered.

Isn't it amazing - my Mum called the police as a group of young lads were shouting abuse at my Dad and trying to climb over the gates to get onto the drive and were thretening him and the police had nobody available to attend! :mad:

southernginge

ellie9ellie wrote: »

OMG - cringe worthy - what did they say when you explained?:rotfl:

They said Ohhh I have heard of mystery shopping, good job I had my shopper notes on me.

tigergold

hi all, quick question, time on my receipt is about 5 mins out of the actual time shall i work backwards or shall i just tell them the till is 5 mins out with the reall time

TractorGirl327

tigergold wrote: »

hi all, quick question, time on my receipt is about 5 mins out of the actual time shall i work backwards or shall i just tell them the till is 5 mins out with the reall time

I'd go for real time.

apc4tr

It is not ususual to find the receipt time not to bear much resemblance to the time that I have (and my watch is one of those lovely automatic updating ones from the Atomic Clock).

I always put the actual time; it is for the shop to then work out that their tills are out!

tigergold wrote: »

hi all, quick question, time on my receipt is about 5 mins out of the actual time shall i work backwards or shall i just tell them the till is 5 mins out with the reall time

janiusbaktus

ellie9ellie wrote: »

Once, I had to go back to the shop as I'd forgotten what was left and right - couldn't believe I forgot. I try not to make the same mistake now!!

Sometimes you might be able to find shop locations on the internet if you have forgotten what was to the right and left, this is a really cool one for King's road:

http://www.streetsensation.co.uk/kingsrd/kr_01.htm

You can actually "walk" along the whole street - very handy!