They just opened up near my day job and was wondering please how intensive the training is for this shop along with the certification test, reporting and fees.

Curious about the test as I too, could not pass Sinclair's xoxo test as posted recently by another shopper. LOL

Many Thanks

First of all I am not sure what you are referring to by a "test", I have been shopping them for a couple months and have never had to take a test, and yes I also failed that stupid Sinclair test. The training wasn't difficult at all, they just take you to a local Chipotle before they open and show you what to look for, it takes a couple hours and you get paid and a free lunch. The most difficult part of shopping Chipotle is the online reporting. The reason they train you and show you what to look for is that they require narrative about every single aspect of the shop(including details about every single ingredient on the line) and alot of it is redundant, I think my first report took me about 2 hours to complete, but they do get easier.

If you want to shop Chipotle it does you no good to sign up with the MSC, they will never contact you. Training is posted through Kern Scheduling, and you just have to wait until they have training in your area, sign up for that and then they have you sign up for the MSC. When I was interested in signing up I contacted employees for each business and neither of them could tell me if or when they would be having training in my area, one day I saw it posted on Kern's board and that's that.

Arch,
No test that I am aware of, and I have shopped for them for about 5 years. The training is paid, plus free lunch, for about a 90 minute session at a Chipotle location. It is very well organized and to the point, concerning what the client means by conditions being great, just okay or "nope." The reports are very easy once you get the hang of it. Fees are generous for a lunch shop, I think. I can usually take 1/2 - 2/3 of my lunch home after staying for the required observation period. First time, the report will take you 90 minutes. Second will take an hour. After that, figure 30-40 minutes, TOPS for the report. You will find that you can fill in the comments and then cut and paste from them to form the 2 paragraph narrative and come out with what they view as an excellent report. Enjoy!

Arch Stanton Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> They just opened up near my day job and was
> wondering please how intensive the training is for
> this shop along with the certification test,
> reporting and fees.
>
> Curious about the test as I too, could not pass
> Sinclair's xoxo test as posted recently by another
> shopper. LOL
>
> Many Thanks


I have been shopping for this company for 3 years now and this is the first mention of a test. However, I did go through the training and would call it intensive in that they bring you to a restaurant and will discuss and show you all aspects of what they are looking for. It took about 2 and 1/2 hours and was a low stress environment. The reporting does take a while and will get easier with practice. The fees more than cover the cost of a meal and I find reasonable. In addition, the MSC is excellent to work for.

Good luck.

For me the training was fast and easy. But, you really need to pay attention to EVERYTHING because the reports are detailed. I am now feeling as though I really know what they are looking for after doing at least twelve shops. I agree, it does get easier with practice. I am still looking for a way to take some good notes without being noticed, but haven't found a way yet.
I love this company!

MsLynn Wrote:
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I am still looking
> for a way to take some good notes without being
> noticed, but haven't found a way yet.
> I love this company!


I haven't found any either, especially when in many of the stores I shop one must sit close to the counter in full view of the crew members. Therefore, I rely on memory. When I sit down, I review what happened so far and memorize what is needed to report. I do this by focusing on a particular part of the shop, then moving on to the next one as I observe what is going on. Notes can wait until I get to the car.

As with most things, your memory can significantly improve with practice.

Good tips! Thanks vlade.

You can use your digital voice recorder to take notes. Just start is before you walk in and place it where it will pick up your voice. The noise level inside insures that the employees will not be recorded, lol. So, pretending to speak into your cell phone, note the crew descriptions, repeat their greetings, etc. Then plug the DVR into your computer when you get home, and away you go. The funny thing is that, once I have spoken the notes, I seldom need them; saying them fixed the info in my mind.

If you prefer written notes, pick up a used college text book somewhere. Appear to be underlining passages and making notes in the margins. Seldom have I eaten in a fast casual place without seeing at least one person doing this. You can use the same book for years!

what is the name of the company that does the chipotle's then? I s there some where you can type in the company and see which company's shop them? I know wish ful thinking.

I enjoyed Chipotle shops. The reports, while requiring narrative, were easy. I appreciated the training, which was intensive, to say the least. I always took a newspaper with a blank crossword and used that for my notes. I've also used texting with my phone. I'd send myself a text, so naturally would have to reply. Since people are texting constantly, that seemed to be an easy way to take notes.

patfultz Wrote:
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> what is the name of the company that does the
> chipotle's then? I s there some where you can type
> in the company and see which company's shop them?
> I know wish ful thinking.

It's against the posting guidelines and our IC agreements to link the two. Signing up for a lot of companies helps as does checking a job board like Jobslinger. Even if the client name isn't listed there it's sometimes easy enough to figure out. As far as typing in the company name there is a place, Google! Some people have had luck with using the client name followed by mystery shopping. My experience with it hasn't been too helpful.

Do these shops pay a fee or are they reimbursement only?

ces1948 Wrote:
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> Do these shops pay a fee or are they reimbursement
> only?

These shops pay a set fee that more than covers the cost of a meal for one or two.

Is there a specific scheduler from Kern who handles Chipotle.

Guess I'm still trying figure out the attraction to these shops. My only experience has been with the one local branch. The food was very average and it cost me about $10 to eat there. I went back again to try the tacos and again nothing special. I do like Mexican food, If all I'm getting is a reimbursement one thing I require is they have food I like. Those long reports sound a little daunting also.

There is definitely no point in doing a reimbursement shop if you don't like the food. I've only been to Chipotle a couple of times and it was okay, definitely preferable to most FF joints. I tried it because it reminded me of a locally-owned place I loved which closed several years ago. Unfortunately, it did not measure up. Despite that it joined Panera and Qdoba on my good list for FF. You won't find me in a KFC, McDonald's, etc.

For those who would happily eat at Chipotle at least one a week, these are great. Also, I can take home 1/2 to 2/3 of a bowl and have 1-2 more lunches from that.

The fee more than covers the cost of the meal! I love them, healthy too! My preferred eating out experience.

vlade5394 Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> ces1948 Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> > Do these shops pay a fee or are they
> reimbursement
> > only?
>
> These shops pay a set fee that more than covers
> the cost of a meal for one or two.

LisaSTL Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> There is definitely no point in doing a
> reimbursement shop if you don't like the food.
> I've only been to Chipotle a couple of times and
> it was okay, definitely preferable to most FF
> joints. I tried it because it reminded me of a
> locally-owned place I loved which closed several
> years ago. Unfortunately, it did not measure up.
> Despite that it joined Panera and Qdoba on my good
> list for FF. You won't find me in a KFC,
> McDonald's, etc.

Can someone clue me in on who the MSC for Qdoba is? Pretty please with queso on top?

I don't know that they are shopped. I just mentioned those three because they have high quality, healthy food and are my choice if I must find something fast while on the road.

Edited to add: "Posting Guidelines: Do not reveal the clients of mystery shopping companies."



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 11/21/2011 01:27AM by LisaSTL.

LisaSTL Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> I don't know that they are shopped. I just
> mentioned those three because they have high
> quality, healthy food and are my choice if I must
> find something fast while on the road.
>


Edited to subtract that ~

LMAO!

I know there is a lot of feedback here but I will throw in my thoughts too. I did the training which was actually fun. You meet other shoppers and our trainer had a great attitude. And a free lunch too.
The reports tho...ugh. I vowed to myself that I would quit after doing six months with them after doing one as I felt guilty since they paid for training. And the first month we had to order something not on the menu which was not very good. But now I have done several shops and the report is easier but still I find very long. There have been several times where nothing went according to their plan. Of course that is the most difficult to report. You do need to watch everything. But I think I will stay with them at least a while since I am getting to like the food and the reimbursement is good. (Enough for two and two drinks or you can eat for one and keep the difference)
One trick I use for these fast food type shops is to bring along a crossword puzzle. I can fill in info on the newspaper puzzle while I eat. Since I work across the street from one I will go there and bring work with me and make notes on my work paper. If I am with another person I will bring a "writing sample" and go over it with them making notes. A young adult I pretend it is a college app. I am helping with and making comments on the edges.

I don't see a sign up link on the website.

Chipotle shops are great, no big deal. I have been shopping for a few years with no problems. I think I remember those crazy Sinclair tests too.

I adore and covet my Chipotle shops. WELL worth the training.

I was super excited about this upcoming training, and then noticed the fine print. Ages 28+. I wonder why? I'm just below that range.

When I got to my training many of those there looked over 55! Send a note telling them how close you are and if they need people they will sign you up.

RE

Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 10/08/2016 08:45PM by karan.ardent.

sandyf Wrote:
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> When I got to my training many of those there
> looked over 55! Send a note telling them how
> close you are and if they need people they will
> sign you up.


No doubt. I was the youngest in my training group. All could pass off as my parents and a couple as my grandparents.