Fighting the temptation to shop on vacation
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Addictions are never good. Back away from the smartphone, tablet and laptop. Enjoy your family and vacation. The kids won't be available forever! Mystery shopping is merely a job. Family, though, is everything.
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 11/03/2014 12:18AM by bestofbothworlds.
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 11/03/2014 12:18AM by bestofbothworlds.
I don't think there is anything wrong with doing some shops on the trip but they have to fit in with what you are doing. When I travel for family functions or what not, I have picked up shops that will benefit the family. Maybe I pick up a lunch shop if its a road trip because I know we will be in the area, or a pizza shop. Or if I know I am going to have 4 hours to kill, I will pick up some, but my rule is it has to work organically with the trip. If you are flying I would consider taking some of the airport shops and snag some meals...the airport shops seem like they are highly bonused because they are harder to fill.
Vacation is vacation and the wrath of family members because you don't let go of the shopping "bug" isn't worth it. Hubby and kids disapproving of ms'ing on vacaaa ... who gives a rip about a couple of buck bonus.
I'm not disrespecting, mysgul, just disagreeing!
I'm not disrespecting, mysgul, just disagreeing!
It really depends on the shop. I love picking up airport shops while traveling. Easy food shops are a bonus. But I wouldn't take a 5 hour report for a dinner on vacation.
Don't jeopardize your precious family time for a free burger. Please. Back away from the keyboard, delete the emails, and spend the time with your family.
Your kids will be gone with their own families and no time for mom and dad soon enough. Don't hasten it by not being willing to take time for them while you have the chance.
(Yes, I know it's hard. You must delete the emails without reading them. Read the subject line only enough to make sure it's not a clarification request for a shop you already did, then delete delete delete.)
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 11/03/2014 03:16PM by dspeakes.
Your kids will be gone with their own families and no time for mom and dad soon enough. Don't hasten it by not being willing to take time for them while you have the chance.
(Yes, I know it's hard. You must delete the emails without reading them. Read the subject line only enough to make sure it's not a clarification request for a shop you already did, then delete delete delete.)
Time to build a bigger bridge.
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 11/03/2014 03:16PM by dspeakes.
I just did 2 credit card shops at the airport on the way out and a store shop
on the way in. They are easy and don't take much time away from my
vacations. I know that I could get other shops, but if it's going to take time
away from my visit, forget it. Just not worth it.
on the way in. They are easy and don't take much time away from my
vacations. I know that I could get other shops, but if it's going to take time
away from my visit, forget it. Just not worth it.
*********************
I'm "Sandi" in the Middle!
I'm "Sandi" in the Middle!
I too find it hard to resist. I have done shops while on vacation too. Not many but some that sound interesting.
I know myself, and I would do some too. Since you're already researching, just pick and choose your battles. And I've never done an airport shop (yet) but they seem like they are always bonused, and there usually is downtime at the airport, so why not. I wouldn't do as many on vacation as I do at home, however.
I also went to Disney recently and limited myself to a fast food shop in the airport since I could see my gate from the seating area and we were getting up to early that day to get breakfast at home. Considering the airport shops are often significantly bonused, I made a quick $20 for something I would have done anyway and it made waiting for boarding more bearable. I thought of doing other shops but decided not to and am happy because I would have been rushed and miserable.
Here's something else to think about: What if something goes wrong? Are you really going
to interrupt your vacation to go back during the right shop times or when the store opens
or get more information, a name or do a full reshop? Most mscs don't take kindly to
shoppers who flake or do a shop incorrectly. Maybe I'm uber careful, but I think you really
have to weigh all the possibilities.
to interrupt your vacation to go back during the right shop times or when the store opens
or get more information, a name or do a full reshop? Most mscs don't take kindly to
shoppers who flake or do a shop incorrectly. Maybe I'm uber careful, but I think you really
have to weigh all the possibilities.
*********************
I'm "Sandi" in the Middle!
I'm "Sandi" in the Middle!
I am signed up to do one food shop at the airport on the outbound leg. I would love to do one on the return but I don't know the airport in Orlando and I'm not sure which Concourse/Terminal/Gate we'll be at and most of the options seem to be specific to a gate. We also have a layover in Houston and I was thinking of looking for one there, but had the same issues.
Anyone know where Southwest parks at those airports?
Anyone know where Southwest parks at those airports?
You don't want to go shopping in the maddness called International Drive. Parking is impossible, and it's tourist town. Expect service to be poor as there is high turnover due tourists not tipping.
After a long day of standing in the lines and being gouged at the theme parks, the last thing you want to do is MS. The locals avoid that area and they have to bonus them. I have told MarketForce "NO" more than once when asked to go to the Florida Mall or the Outlet Center food court. I'd hold out for at least a $20 bonus if your going to drive around in circles for 20 minutes for ANY spot and then walk for another 20 minutes to get to the food court.
After a long day of standing in the lines and being gouged at the theme parks, the last thing you want to do is MS. The locals avoid that area and they have to bonus them. I have told MarketForce "NO" more than once when asked to go to the Florida Mall or the Outlet Center food court. I'd hold out for at least a $20 bonus if your going to drive around in circles for 20 minutes for ANY spot and then walk for another 20 minutes to get to the food court.
Okay, I'm pretty convinced not to do one in Orlando itself, although we aren't really going to hang at the parks much and I expect to have a fair amount of "down" time. The family are all running in the Wine & Dine Half Marathon on Saturday night so we plan to take it easy and just lounge most of that day. We'll probably hit a park on Friday, but my daughter heads back to school on Sunday so we won't be doing much other than that.
Whatever you end up doing, as a retired airline employee, I would strongly advise against doing a shop on a layover. What if there's bad weather and your inbound flight arrives late and you only have time to race from one plane to the next or how about if your flight to Houston is cancelled and you are rerouted through another city? 
(heart)
(heart)
I intend to live forever. So far, so good.
what bad weather would there be in Orlando in the Fall? Excessive
sunshine?
There are always plenty of shops in Orlando to do you just have to
watch carefully what part you do as one minute you are on
a nice street and the next you turn a corner and could be in
the middle of a shootout.
sunshine?
There are always plenty of shops in Orlando to do you just have to
watch carefully what part you do as one minute you are on
a nice street and the next you turn a corner and could be in
the middle of a shootout.
= + = + = + = + = + = + = + = + = + = + = +
There are no stupid questions, but there are a lot of inquisitive idiots
==--==--==--==--==--==--==--==--==--==
When you try to please everybody, you end up pleasing nobody
There are no stupid questions, but there are a lot of inquisitive idiots
==--==--==--==--==--==--==--==--==--==
When you try to please everybody, you end up pleasing nobody
tracyvp Wrote:
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> I am signed up to do one food shop at the airport
> on the outbound leg. I would love to do one on the
> return but I don't know the airport in Orlando and
> I'm not sure which Concourse/Terminal/Gate we'll
> be at and most of the options seem to be specific
> to a gate. We also have a layover in Houston and I
> was thinking of looking for one there, but had the
> same issues.
>
> Anyone know where Southwest parks at those
> airports?
There are two airports in Houston, I think? Maybe that's Dallas?
Check ifly.com
-------------------------------------------------------
> I am signed up to do one food shop at the airport
> on the outbound leg. I would love to do one on the
> return but I don't know the airport in Orlando and
> I'm not sure which Concourse/Terminal/Gate we'll
> be at and most of the options seem to be specific
> to a gate. We also have a layover in Houston and I
> was thinking of looking for one there, but had the
> same issues.
>
> Anyone know where Southwest parks at those
> airports?
There are two airports in Houston, I think? Maybe that's Dallas?
Check ifly.com
And never assume what gates an airline will park
their airplanes at. That can and does frequently
change based on airport needs that day. Especially
mco which is a construction maze and navigational
nightmare.
their airplanes at. That can and does frequently
change based on airport needs that day. Especially
mco which is a construction maze and navigational
nightmare.
= + = + = + = + = + = + = + = + = + = + = +
There are no stupid questions, but there are a lot of inquisitive idiots
==--==--==--==--==--==--==--==--==--==
When you try to please everybody, you end up pleasing nobody
There are no stupid questions, but there are a lot of inquisitive idiots
==--==--==--==--==--==--==--==--==--==
When you try to please everybody, you end up pleasing nobody
tracyvp Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> I am signed up to do one food shop at the airport
> on the outbound leg. I would love to do one on the
> return but I don't know the airport in Orlando and
> I'm not sure which Concourse/Terminal/Gate we'll
> be at and most of the options seem to be specific
> to a gate. We also have a layover in Houston and I
> was thinking of looking for one there, but had the
> same issues.
>
> Anyone know where Southwest parks at those
> airports?
In Houston, Southwest flies through Hobby, not Bush Intl.
-------------------------------------------------------
> I am signed up to do one food shop at the airport
> on the outbound leg. I would love to do one on the
> return but I don't know the airport in Orlando and
> I'm not sure which Concourse/Terminal/Gate we'll
> be at and most of the options seem to be specific
> to a gate. We also have a layover in Houston and I
> was thinking of looking for one there, but had the
> same issues.
>
> Anyone know where Southwest parks at those
> airports?
In Houston, Southwest flies through Hobby, not Bush Intl.
techman01 Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> And never assume what gates an airline will park
> their airplanes at. That can and does frequently
> change based on airport needs that day.
> Especially
> mco which is a construction maze and navigational
> nightmare.
I agree, but you can usually pinpoint the terminal.
If an airline changed the gate or I was going to miss a connection, I'd drop the shop. It's rarely a life and death issue, dropping a shop. If it was a highly bonused, end of the month deal, I'd be really sure I could get it done before taking it though.
-------------------------------------------------------
> And never assume what gates an airline will park
> their airplanes at. That can and does frequently
> change based on airport needs that day.
> Especially
> mco which is a construction maze and navigational
> nightmare.
I agree, but you can usually pinpoint the terminal.
If an airline changed the gate or I was going to miss a connection, I'd drop the shop. It's rarely a life and death issue, dropping a shop. If it was a highly bonused, end of the month deal, I'd be really sure I could get it done before taking it though.
My experience with airport shops (in only two airports) is that they are happy to get someone to do them and they fully expect the possibility of glitches with late flights or changes of terminals. I would recommend calling the msc you want to schedule an airport shop with and discussing their philosophy before you go and accept if they seem understanding.
Yes, I emailed the scheduler and she said that the one one in ATL is a self-assign and recommended waiting until I land. If it's still available and if I have time, I can self assign on the spot. I haven't emailed the scheduler for the Houston one yet but I'll see what they say. At least I'll feel like the travel days are productive, anyway!
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