Have you ever been threatened at a shop?
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In August I was doing a shop for a chain of casual restaurants in NY, which had me go in after a certain time where a tip was automatically added to the bill. I accepted two of these shops in my ignorance. I was supposed to refuse to pay the tip, and then ask for the manager. Both times the managers were rude and belligerent, but the second one threatened to call the police on me! I had to text my scheduler to get permission to pay the tab and leave.
If it wasn't a mystery shop, it would have been a very rude thing to do, not pay the tip, but it was not illegal, and I was willing to pay the whole bill. The manager had no right to call the cops.
If it wasn't a mystery shop, it would have been a very rude thing to do, not pay the tip, but it was not illegal, and I was willing to pay the whole bill. The manager had no right to call the cops.
It all depends on which state you live in and where you plan to take it. Naturally decent folks wonder about these things and the crooks just take it everywhere.
Her Serene Majesty, Cettie - Goat Queen of Zoltar, Sublime Empress of Her Caprine Domain
Mosanthrope, I disagree with tips being automatically added to the bill. I can understand doing it for large groups, but for individuals, no way. Tips is an acronym of To Insure Prompt Service. Adding it automatically to the bill defeats the purpose. And yes, I worked my way through high school and college with jobs that were tipped, and I remain a firm believer that a tip is commensurate with the service rendered.
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Have PV-500 & willing to travel.
"Answers are easy. It's asking the right questions which is hard." (The Fourth Doctor, The Face of Evil, 1977)
"Somedays you're the pigeon, somedays you're the statue.” J. Andrew Taylor
"I have never met a man so ignorant that I couldn't learn something from him." Galileo Galilei
Have PV-500 & willing to travel.
"Answers are easy. It's asking the right questions which is hard." (The Fourth Doctor, The Face of Evil, 1977)
"Somedays you're the pigeon, somedays you're the statue.” J. Andrew Taylor
"I have never met a man so ignorant that I couldn't learn something from him." Galileo Galilei
I was confronted at a gas station only once by a women who was pumping gas while I was taking my overall photo. She glared at me and said "you didn't take my picture did you?" I looked at her and simply said no and continued my shop.
I do carry a 1" outer casing of a bx cable under the drivers seat. It is about 2 feet long, somewhat flexible and snaps like a whip. In addition to that I have a 1st degree black belt in katate and judo. I've never had to use either and would not have done so to that angry lady. Neither one would be effective against Cettie's Mr Glock.
I do carry a 1" outer casing of a bx cable under the drivers seat. It is about 2 feet long, somewhat flexible and snaps like a whip. In addition to that I have a 1st degree black belt in katate and judo. I've never had to use either and would not have done so to that angry lady. Neither one would be effective against Cettie's Mr Glock.
I try to be proactive with the photo deal. If I am taking a photo of the pump and notice someone on the other side looking nervous, I simply explain I have to take a photo and if they don't want to be in it they simply need to take a step to the left, etc. So far everyone has said they don't care or thanked me and done so. The closest I got to confrontation was when I was taking a photo of the drug pipes in the plastic display on the counter and they plainclothes manager yelled and asked me what I was doing. I loudly said "why taking a photo of your lovely drug pipes of course". He turned a lovely shade of scarlet and started coming around the counter but then looked at the customer behind me and walked away. The 6'8" burly truck driver behind me almost peed himself laughing and then hung around the parking lot until I finished up and headed to my car. I made sure to thank him for the "backup".
I wasn't threatened per sey, however, I was scolded for taking photos when instructed from the client to take a photo the gift card display located in the pharmacy area. One of the RX clerks phoned the manager on duty, she and I had clashed heads before, and she said I wasn't allowed to take photos, whilst the other 5 same stores had no issues, I was supposed to have gotten permission from the corporate office.
Although I showed her the LOA from the corporate office, the manager snapped the question, "Did you take photos of the other stores?" I simply answered 'Yes' and she became snotty claiming that I was being rude with my reply. When I was done, she didn't make an appearance to sign my paper, rather she had the assistant associate to sign on her behalf.
I now keep a list of the stores I don't ever want to audit or mystery shop, I don't care how close the shops are located to my central location... there's no reason for attitude.
Although I showed her the LOA from the corporate office, the manager snapped the question, "Did you take photos of the other stores?" I simply answered 'Yes' and she became snotty claiming that I was being rude with my reply. When I was done, she didn't make an appearance to sign my paper, rather she had the assistant associate to sign on her behalf.
I now keep a list of the stores I don't ever want to audit or mystery shop, I don't care how close the shops are located to my central location... there's no reason for attitude.
Kayewrites...don't be so quick to write-off a location. Managers to get moved around from time to time.
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Have PV-500 & willing to travel.
"Answers are easy. It's asking the right questions which is hard." (The Fourth Doctor, The Face of Evil, 1977)
"Somedays you're the pigeon, somedays you're the statue.” J. Andrew Taylor
"I have never met a man so ignorant that I couldn't learn something from him." Galileo Galilei
Have PV-500 & willing to travel.
"Answers are easy. It's asking the right questions which is hard." (The Fourth Doctor, The Face of Evil, 1977)
"Somedays you're the pigeon, somedays you're the statue.” J. Andrew Taylor
"I have never met a man so ignorant that I couldn't learn something from him." Galileo Galilei
I make it a policy that if anyone is near when I am taking pictures to state to them before I take the picture, that I am not taking their picture. I have had nothing but good responses when I use this. I have had several people tell me that they not only appreciate me telling this, but also appreciate that I am doing an inspection.
I can tell you based upon several months of TV reports, that a Philadelphia resident with a Pennsylvania gun permit was arrested and convicted for carrying the same gun (with permit) into New Jersey. I think that the Atlantic County Prosecutor is the one who obtained the indictment and conviction.
Shopping Southeast Pennsylvania, Delaware above the canal, and South Jersey since 2008
Not that I was threatened but the long delay in "allowing me" to perform my audit was a real pain in my ass, not to mention, I had OTHER assignments to get to that day.
I usually knock these out in 10-15 minutes but this time the store manager gave me a real hard time and did the: "I-have-to-call-my-district-manager-speech" even though I provided the LOA and even showed him my drivers license AND the paperwork forms.
The DM on the phone must have asked me 50 million questions. Finally, I got tired ot if and asked, "Are you refusing the audit?" He said, "NO! I am not. Please go right ahead."
My BEST TIP is to ask within 5 minutes with all the PIA delays if they are refusing the audit? I have NEVER had anyone say "Yes!"
I usually knock these out in 10-15 minutes but this time the store manager gave me a real hard time and did the: "I-have-to-call-my-district-manager-speech" even though I provided the LOA and even showed him my drivers license AND the paperwork forms.
The DM on the phone must have asked me 50 million questions. Finally, I got tired ot if and asked, "Are you refusing the audit?" He said, "NO! I am not. Please go right ahead."
My BEST TIP is to ask within 5 minutes with all the PIA delays if they are refusing the audit? I have NEVER had anyone say "Yes!"
I didn't get threatened exactly but once had a gas station attendant follow me out to my car and take my photo and my license plate photo because I refused to sign their vendor log to do an audit.
I've had several people ask me politely about taking their photo during gas audits but I always tell them politely that I don't get people in my photos. Never had any get rude with me about it.
I've had several people ask me politely about taking their photo during gas audits but I always tell them politely that I don't get people in my photos. Never had any get rude with me about it.
There are reasons that a body stays in motion
At the moment only demons come to mind
At the moment only demons come to mind
I was doing a business verification and an attractive blonde became angry when I wouldn't include her in the file photo. She was even angrier when I said I would only take her picture if she looked like a file cabinet. Thank goodness, she was not the contact for the job.
Many months back it was posted either here or on the V GOD site, a shopper received an irate phone call from an oil change employee who was fired as a result of their shop report. I think it happened in California. Very scary !!!
Why are there so many problems with gas station audits and with their employees???
Are many of them illegals ???
Why are there so many problems with gas station audits and with their employees???
Are many of them illegals ???
89lulalula89 Wrote:
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A man pumping gas yells, "Do not take
> my picture. That is a violation of my rights.
> Don't make me come break your camera."
Sounds like this fellow needs to read The Bill of Rights. There is nothing in there that says it is a violation of anyone's rights if someone takes a photo. I don't know where people get the idea that someone taking their photo is a violation of anyone's rights. In fact I think it might be the other way around. The Bill of Rights protects your right to freedom of expression whether it be through photography or by some other means. It would, however, be against the law for him to break your camera.
Are there any lawyers or political scientists out there in mystery shopping land who could give us their views on this?
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A man pumping gas yells, "Do not take
> my picture. That is a violation of my rights.
> Don't make me come break your camera."
Sounds like this fellow needs to read The Bill of Rights. There is nothing in there that says it is a violation of anyone's rights if someone takes a photo. I don't know where people get the idea that someone taking their photo is a violation of anyone's rights. In fact I think it might be the other way around. The Bill of Rights protects your right to freedom of expression whether it be through photography or by some other means. It would, however, be against the law for him to break your camera.
Are there any lawyers or political scientists out there in mystery shopping land who could give us their views on this?
"Evolve thyself and lose all hate...." Orphaned Land
alannajm Wrote:
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> 89lulalula89 Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> Are there any lawyers or political scientists out
> there in mystery shopping land who could give us
> their views on this?
I read a photography site that rallies around the right to take photos in public spaces and clashes with police and homeland security. They have been arrested and always have had it dropped and there are cases where they sued and won.
[www.aclu.org]
and
[www.krages.com]
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> 89lulalula89 Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> Are there any lawyers or political scientists out
> there in mystery shopping land who could give us
> their views on this?
I read a photography site that rallies around the right to take photos in public spaces and clashes with police and homeland security. They have been arrested and always have had it dropped and there are cases where they sued and won.
[www.aclu.org]
and
[www.krages.com]
siamese5555 Wrote:
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> I had a mystery and then reveal shop go bad and
> the employee scared me. He kept yelling at me and
> was very intense. I tried to calm him down before
> I left. I was worried he would see me get in my
> car and note the plate. I walked two blocks the
> wrong way and back to my car in a snow storm so he
> couldn't tell where I had parked.
Me too! this owner of a hamburger stand store.. he was foreign and I was scared at how he verbally attacked me when I told him he did not do / say what he was supposed to.
-------------------------------------------------------
> I had a mystery and then reveal shop go bad and
> the employee scared me. He kept yelling at me and
> was very intense. I tried to calm him down before
> I left. I was worried he would see me get in my
> car and note the plate. I walked two blocks the
> wrong way and back to my car in a snow storm so he
> couldn't tell where I had parked.
Me too! this owner of a hamburger stand store.. he was foreign and I was scared at how he verbally attacked me when I told him he did not do / say what he was supposed to.
Twice I have had the employee call the owner because they were ascaredy of the audit. Paranoid owners equal paranoid employees I guess because this guy wanted to talk my ear off. Like SunnyDays I finally just asked him if he was refusing the audit. I am very polite when I ask but I may raise one eyebrow (haha) especially if they are paranoid anyway. I have never been refused, they do usually respond with "Oh no I am NOT refusing the audit." Good then let me do my work and stop trying to push your anxiety on me.
So Sorry Mr Whineybut, but you do not have a right to privacy in a public or semi public place. We can take all of the pictures that we want, but if people are in them, it is best to get a release if you are going to make money off of the picture. So technically anyone in your pictures should have signed a release. Done a shop a few weeks back that had the faces scratched out in the pictures I submitted. Scheduler called and asked. I told him that I didn't have a release from the bystanders in the pictures so I scratched out the faces. He accepted my answer and all is good.
I have luckily never run into a threatening situation. I don't have Mr Glock nor MS Buckknife. I do howeever carry Mr Right fist and Mrs Left Fist. They are insured by Lloyds of London.
Shopping Western NY, Northeast and Central PA, and parts of Ohio and West Virginia. Have car will travel anywhere if the monies right.
On the photography issue...one needs to remember that businesses are not public property. They are private property that is open to the public, and that is a significant difference as a property owner can prohibit photography.
.
Have PV-500 & willing to travel.
"Answers are easy. It's asking the right questions which is hard." (The Fourth Doctor, The Face of Evil, 1977)
"Somedays you're the pigeon, somedays you're the statue.” J. Andrew Taylor
"I have never met a man so ignorant that I couldn't learn something from him." Galileo Galilei
Have PV-500 & willing to travel.
"Answers are easy. It's asking the right questions which is hard." (The Fourth Doctor, The Face of Evil, 1977)
"Somedays you're the pigeon, somedays you're the statue.” J. Andrew Taylor
"I have never met a man so ignorant that I couldn't learn something from him." Galileo Galilei
2stepps Wrote:
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> but if
> people are in them, it is best to get a release if
> you are going to make money off of the picture.
Common misconception that is not true. Model release forms are only needed in particular instances:
1. If the person is identifiable. Sometimes they will be, sometimes not. Personally I believe (and I could be wrong, this is just my interpretation of the law and I am NOT a lawyer, just a photographer) that because the audience of our photographs is so small, none of our target audience would be able to identify the people in the photographs.
But, it doesn't really matter, because the other standard of both of the following being true:
1. Is the photograph used in an advertisement
2. Is the photograph going to be used for commercial business purposes such as a brochure, calendar, poster, website, or other use to enhance business purposes.
Our photographs are not used in an advertisement and while it is being used by the business it is being used for internal purposes and therefore doesn't meet the standard. So no, we absolutely do not need model release forms.
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> but if
> people are in them, it is best to get a release if
> you are going to make money off of the picture.
Common misconception that is not true. Model release forms are only needed in particular instances:
1. If the person is identifiable. Sometimes they will be, sometimes not. Personally I believe (and I could be wrong, this is just my interpretation of the law and I am NOT a lawyer, just a photographer) that because the audience of our photographs is so small, none of our target audience would be able to identify the people in the photographs.
But, it doesn't really matter, because the other standard of both of the following being true:
1. Is the photograph used in an advertisement
2. Is the photograph going to be used for commercial business purposes such as a brochure, calendar, poster, website, or other use to enhance business purposes.
Our photographs are not used in an advertisement and while it is being used by the business it is being used for internal purposes and therefore doesn't meet the standard. So no, we absolutely do not need model release forms.
There are reasons that a body stays in motion
At the moment only demons come to mind
At the moment only demons come to mind
seriously ..... I carry bear mace. Don't get the huge can and don't get the keychain size. I figure if it will stop a grizzly it will seriously distract an attacker.
I don't know how to tell when/whether a can of mace has gone bad, expired, or whatever they do. Apparently it can't be used twice so double trouble would be a problem. I am reluctant to get concealed carry because of the weight in my pocket or handbag, the danger of hitting a bystander, the incidence of theft, etc. I've thought about hair spray with something such as velcro on the shooting end so I just have to feel and aim. I'm sure somebody would be able to call hair spray a "weapon" in court but I don't see how. Women in the past just used their long hat pins, lol. Those things are dangerous.
I know that if you use hair spray and light a lighter, you get a flame thrower! :O
Lol, Canuck. At first, I thought that was a comment from Cettie. You would make a good companion for her adventures.
In certain infested areas in Chicago, taking a picture may end up with serious consequences. Gang memebrs will not even give you a warning. Always keep a distance and try to take a picture discretly. Pretend that you are texting and do not point the camera in a visible manner.
Rarely have employees noticed pictures being taken, but sometimes if you want to stay on schedule you will have customers see the pictures. I normally have a letter in my file in between the seat and center console that says what company I am doing work for. But usually I just show them the display on the camera back and scroll through the pictures and it is easy to see that I have 100s of pictures of the same gas brand with the same 5-6 pictures and they can see that I have NO people in the pictures. I get their paranoid and I show them the pictures right away. So far so good. Going to make sure I watch out for the jellyfish when I am back in FWB.
hamburger stand
OWNER began arguing w/me and I left.
GLAD i parked backwards for a quick getaway.
a year later I was asked to do it again
and told them my fears.. I was told
to just leave if he started in.
HEAVILY BONUSED: he didn't remember me nor argue
OWNER began arguing w/me and I left.
GLAD i parked backwards for a quick getaway.
a year later I was asked to do it again
and told them my fears.. I was told
to just leave if he started in.
HEAVILY BONUSED: he didn't remember me nor argue
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