I saw listing for revealed cell phone shop audits.

Can someone fill me in a bit in what is required?

Do I need to be certified on any way?

Are they easy or hard?

And any other important stuffs, I might need to know.

Thanks!

I see quite a few different companies doing different clients. Which shop are you talking about?

AT&T

I haven't done any of those yet. Sorry. I can't give you any information.

I only did one, but it ended up being significantly easier than I expected. However it was a highly bonused shop, doubt I would do one for anywhere close to the starting rate.

Hmmmm, ...

... Waiting for some more feedback.

I did one...won't do another. I just didn't like the report. Simply personal preference.

Well...maybe if the bonus was right.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 12/21/2014 06:36PM by James Bond 007.5.

What are the issues with the report? I'm fairly new at all of this and am aiming for organized and fairly simple.

I've done quite a few of these and I enjoy them. The first one I did (many months ago) was a nightmare, because (a) I was a relatively new shopper, and (b) their shop guidelines back then were poorly written and unclear, including "sample photos" that differed from what the report actually required! But they've since rewritten the guidelines, changed the sample photos, AND added a required video, making the process for a new auditor much easier!

It usually takes me about 20 minutes in-store, systematically taking photos of the merchandise and displays per their checklist, showing whether the phone products are "live" (connected to the internet) or not, and verifying other information (employees wearing correct clothing and nametags, etc.).

The tricky part is being sure you take EXACTLY the photos they want -- some of the phones require photos of the "live" phone only, others require photos of the "live" phones along with the display they are in. But there is a checklist you take with you, and I just go down the list, take the photos, and check them off the list as I go. Then I go home and fill out the questionnaire (the checklist), upload the photos, and I'm done. Easy-peasy. :-)

You do need to take a certification quiz once to become "pre-qualified," then each month you are required to pass a required Quiz for that month and watch the video (which has 3 codes in it you'll need for the month's quiz -- they want to be sure you watch!). None of the quizzes are difficult if you've given the guidelines material a read-through.

I think it's probably a lot like the gas station audits I see written about on this forum -- the first one is awful, then you get the flow and it's pretty easy. :-)

Sounds terrible to me, hahahaha. Yeah, I know. I know.

Truly, after you've done one or two they're quick and easy. I probably like them because I'd rather take photos than write narrative!

I love taking photos too!
.

Thanks Izzy!

Do you have to take photos of the employees?

kimmiemae Wrote:
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> Do you have to take photos of the employees?

Only if the aren't wearing a name tag or required shirt. Then, it's just a torso shot.

Thanks! I saw that requirement and remembered discussions where shoppers had to take photos of employees for other places and met with some uncooperative ones. I feel better about these and may sign up for some.

kathygry Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> kimmiemae Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> > Do you have to take photos of the employees?
>
> Only if the aren't wearing a name tag or required
> shirt. Then, it's just a torso shot.

Taking a photo of a female employee where the name tag should have been can be awkward at best.

IMHO The starting pay is not worth the time spent on the shop. I also wait until highly bonused to do these. Just remember, since it is a revealed audit you cannot shop that same location again.

Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 12/22/2014 06:38PM by lascanas72.

holliscary Wrote:
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> Taking a photo of a female employee where the name
> tag should have been can be awkward at best.


Well, I'm a female, and it's still awkward. I always make some sort of comment like, "This is weird, isn't it?" It seems to break any tension. I also show them the picture, so they know what I will be submitting. I do this with any torso shots I have to take, it seems to help.

Izzy Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
>>>>>>> I've done quite a few of these and I enjoy them.
> ..........since rewritten the guidelines,................... changed the sample photos, AND
> added a required video,
>>>>>>>>....... 20 minutes in-store,
> systematically taking photos of the merchandise
> and displays per their checklist, showing whether
> the phone products are "live" (connected to the
> internet) or not, and verifying other information
> (employees wearing correct clothing and nametags, etc.).

>>>>>>>>>>>> The tricky part is being sure you take EXACTLY the
> photos they want -- some of the phones require
> photos of the "live" phone only.............
> ................... a checklist you take
> with you, ............. Easy-peasy. :-)

>>>>>>>> You do need to take a certification quiz once to
> become "pre-qualified," then each month you are
> required to pass a required Quiz for that month
> and watch the video (which has 3 codes in it
> you'll need for the month's quiz -- they want to
> be sure you watch!). .............. and it's
> pretty easy. :-)


Is this something new? is this a different MSC? I have done about 20 ATT audits(2014) and what you are saying is way more than I have ever done. Although they were not revealed audits, they were mystery shopped. What is the fee for these revealed shops.

The same MSC has both mystery shops and revealed audits at AT&T. It is possible to do an audit at the same locationa again, but there is a rotation period. Of course, the rotation to do a mystery shop after having done an audit is longer. I generally do audits at locations farther away from me where I am not likely to go to do a mystery shop (mystery shops pay less than the audits). The pay isn't great, but neither is the time. The first time you do an audit (as with any audit), it seems to take forever. Once you understand what to look for and take the photos in the order that the store is arranged, it is pretty straightforwrd and the employees are always cooperative and helpful. There are some questions that you have to ask an employee, and the questions seem to always be the same. I havbe five of them scheduled for early January. Yes, you have to pass a quiz. Watching the video is not very helpful after you have done them, but the secret codes change, and you can't pass the quiz without knowing them.

I have sent an email and a text trying to find out how to access the study materials before I take the quiz. No response.... I see the test. I don't see how you review the materials before clikcing "take test".

I was told that you had to be assigned the shop to get the study materials. Unfortunately, when I attempted to apply for several shops, I received an error message, stating I could not apply until I had taken the test.

(heart)

1K
You can access the video and guidelines through view/submit in your shop log. The video will give you the codes but you need to review the guidelines for most of the test questions.

ShoppingBee, it's not in your "shop log" though until you are assigned the shop, right?

(heart)

stilllearning
Yes it has to be in your shop log/assigned. When you attempt to self assign this shop it will tell you the shop cannot be self assigned (if not qualified) and then the site will give you the option to apply for the assignment. Also, the questionnaire cannot be viewed until you have passed the test.

Yes, that was the problem and exactly what the scheduler suggested, but unfortunately when I attempted to apply, several times, btw, I received a message which I described above.

A couple of days ago, the scheduler sent an email, stating that everyone was now qualified for these shops, but by the time I got on the website, poof!

Life goes on...as mine did.

(heart)

So you have to be assigned the shop to see the guidelines. But you can't apply for the shop until you pass the test?

How does this work?

The other day I applied and it seemed to go through. But the applications aren't in my log anymore. Now I went back to apply again, and I got a message that said I don't qualify because I haven't taken the quiz.

I go to the quiz, and there are no study materials.

This is like a crazy circle. You have to take the quiz to apply. But you can't take the quiz without the study materials. But you don't get the study materials unless it's assigned. You can't get assigned unless you apply. But you can't apply because you can't take the required quiz without being assigned to a shop that you can't apply for.

My head hurts.

Now mine does too.

Drink some wine.