Hi everyboy,
since I am still all new to it, I just forgot to write down the names of people serving me at one of the grocery stores..What are my options? Its too late, i can not go back.....

Mystery shopping is a learning experience when you are new. Sometimes if you don't perform a shop according to the guidelines you are not paid but you have the opportunity to learn from your mistake.

How many departments were you required to shop? Did you not write down any names in any department? Most grocery shops require that you report the names (or a detailed description) of each employee who assists you. Those are usually your two options: provide a name OR a detailed description of each employee. If you got NO names, I would suggest you contact the scheduler before spending time completing the report. It does not sound like you met the requirements of the shop, so I am guessing that you will not be paid and the store will need to be re-shopped. Depending on the company, they may allow you to re-shop the store.

I have the detailed description, just totally forgot the names.. Oh well, as you said - learning experience...

Use this as a learning experience and ALWAYS get names if you can. Besides, if you have the name in most cases a description is not required. It is so much easier to get the name. Then some companies require a name AND a description. Did you write down the descriptions but forget to write the names? Or do you mean you can describe each employee from memory?

Depending on which mystery shopping company it is, your report *may* be accepted with detailed descriptions for each employee you interacted with. And it may not. Generally, if you shop 5 or 6 departments, they expect that you will get names at least 75-90% of the time if it is a store that requires name tags. It really all depends on the company you performed the assignment for. They all have different requirements and some are more accepting of mistakes than others. You should definitely contact your scheduler immediately.

Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 10/29/2014 12:52AM by AustinMom.

Good advice.

Actually, from my experience, with a little bit--okay, a lot of--luck, the detailed descriptions might save you. Oliverus, don't give up until you hear back from the scheduler and, in the meantime, we'll all be rooting for you and sending positive thoughts your way!

(heart)

That was a lesson that I had to learn the hard way, now even if I'm not on a shop I look at the name tag and see if I can remember it along with their descriptions.

Throw yourself on the mercy of the court. Offer apologies and offer to reshop. Attrition is a huge part of this business. MSCs realize that to stay afloat, new shoppers have to be groomed, encouraged, and allowed a mistake or two.

I remember a long time ago forgetting to evaluate a department. I drove the 80+miles and did it and the scheduler/editor was happy as a clam.

I learned from my mistakes and you will too.

Ask to re-shop. They may say yes. Good luck.

Usually I do remember names and very good with the details as well.. I had a headache and was a little nervous of course.. so it slipped my mind..I looked at them.. just failed to remember. Thanks everybody for your support.
Excellent community.. Where I work.. its a animal world rule: eat or to be eaten....

Never fear, pretty soon you will be looking at names and getting receipts for things you don't even need to.

Hopefully the description will be enough.

Good luck!!

How this mistake will reflect on my record? I understand its a long way until you become experienced shopper and offered better jobs? Do those mistakes harm the process?

I wouldn't think so, just be honest with the scheduler/editor. Mention that your new and you know it's a rookie mistake. If they are a good MSC and you can prove your reliability and detail in the immediate future. You should be all set.

I'm pretty new myself but I've never, ever made such a bone headed mistake. You might as well quit now.
It's over for you,

Just playing with you. Honest communication goes a long way as a general rule.

I think we've all done it particularly when we're new. Great advice above and the descriptions might save you. I always look at it as a training expense. I think "Oh well, this job cost me $x to learn properly" and then I go on and do a hundred more perfectly.

Whoa, whoa...

Take a look at your guideline. When it comes to identifying employees in these mystery shops, in general, it's either
A. Get their name
B. Get their description
C. Get their name and description

Some specify that they absolutely require names or they claim they'll reject. My experiences in grocery store shops is you can still provide an acceptable report as long as you provide a correct, detailed description. Unfortunately, there'll be a risk of a deduction if the client has trouble identifying the employees you identified in your report.

After reading your guideline, do you believe it'll be rejected because of the lack of names? Anyways, just let your scheduler know before you turn your report in and move on. Your assignment is one out of hundreds (probably one of thousands). This won't hurt your reputation, unless you flaked or lied on a report and were caught.

you could call and try to talk to someone at customer service and describe her. play it up like you want to commend her for great service.

The produce guy on my shop today, was such a cutie, I not only almost forgot his name, I almost forgot what question I had in mind to ask.

But I recovered and remembered my question. And then to check his name again.

At least I could've given a really, really good description.

See.. if the guy was a cutie, there is a better chance I'd remember his name :-)

It's true, I'll remember the name if the guy is cute. I forgot a name recently and was able to use a detailed description. In another case, the employee was not wearing a name tag so a detailed description was accepted.

OK, how do I know they accepted this shop or rejected?

Oliverus2000 Wrote:
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> OK, how do I know they accepted this shop or
> rejected?


There's usually a 24-72 hour time frame (depends on the MSC, obviously) when they expect their shoppers to keep a close eye on their emails for clarifications. If nothing comes back from them, assume they sent it off to the client. At that point, it'd be a kick-back from the client that'll either call for a deduction of your fee or a rejection of your report.

Well, I got am email saying that my report was finalized and sent to the client...

Woo Hoo! You did it!! Plus your lesson was free....if you don't count all of the stress, that is.

(heart)

Until I see the money.. But I do not care to pay for the lesson.. hopefully will not need to :-).
Speaking of the payment. Any place, anywhere .. I can learn to write the correct and detailed report? Someone should blog it.. It brings additional pennies and help others too. It would be helpful to have few or, better, many examples of bad and good reports. Not only for the grammar or spelling, but also for the body.

Oliverus2000 – Always keep in mind to check your guidelines. You'll usually know right away when not obtaining a name will result in a rejection; the MSC will make it loud and clear in the guidelines. You just have to feel your way with each MSC you work for and more importantly, what each of their clients are looking for, per their guidelines.

You'll realize that some are OK with not obtaining names and will accept a detailed description, some require you to obtain their name by asking them (if they don't introduce themselves) and some don't care to identify the employee at all (commonly seen in fast food shops)! Just like they'll make it loud and clear when they'll tell you to NOT ask for your receipt if you're given one or to NOT ask for your itemized receipt if you're only given your credit card receipts.

Don't think about it much at this point and move on to the next assignment.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 10/29/2014 03:10PM by Tarantado.

Oliverus2000 Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Any place, anywhere .. I
> can learn to write the correct and detailed
> report? Someone should blog it.. It brings
> additional pennies and help others too. It would
> be helpful to have few or, better, many examples
> of bad and good reports. Not only for the grammar
> or spelling, but also for the body.

Unfortunately, there is not a one-size-fits-all report, since report requirements, such as verbiage and amount of details, often differ from MSC to MSC. Also, each type of establishment can have its own unique set of requirements.

If you want to PM me, I'll see what I can do to help you.

(heart)

Oh, I understand that its vary.. But good examples still be useful.. thanks, I def will.

stilllearning – Well-put! I completely agree.

Oliverus2000 – As independent contractors, we need to think of ourselves as consultants for these MSC's. We provide our services to MSC to complete their reports for their clients. As such, we should be tailoring our skills to the unique MSC guidelines and client-specific guidelines. To ask for writing samples would not answer your question because in the end, it'll depend on the MSC and client.

We all know that each MSC has their own unique styles and the more shops we do for them, the better feel we get on how they like their reports and what they often look for the clients we report for.

I live by the word 'go-by.' A go-by could be from someone else or from your own work! It's great when MSC's provide sample reports to let their shoppers know right away what they want in the reports and how they want it. In many case, we don't have that luxury, right?

So what I do is that I actually never delete ANY of my previous reports, especially considering how affordable digital storage is. When I receive good (or bad) feedback on a report from a MSC (or don't receive any at all), I'll refer back to those reports as 'go-by's' and use them as my cookie cutter templates to use (or to avoid for any negative feedback). The cycle continues for that MSC and client, hence while it's good idea to take on clients you're familiar with much more often than expanding yourself to new MSC's and clients, just because of the whole familiarity factor.

Oliverus, you asked how this mistake would reflect on you. I don't think it is so much the mistake as how you handle it afterwards that they pay attention to. All shoppers make mistakes. Great shoppers own up and set them right however they can.

Good luck. It seems like you have a good attitude so I'm sure you'll be a great shopper.