I want to hear the awkward and funny moments that you have had in mystery shopping! I'd like to keep a positive tone in this thread
Being a newbie, I am sure that I have plenty of moments to look forward to! So far my biggest awkward moment was when I had to see if a shop had a restroom on site and evaluate it. The shop was doing fairly well, until I asked about the restroom and was directed to the employees restroom. I ended up walking behind the cashier stand,through the kitchen, to the very back of the shop, and into a small, cluttered dirty restroom. Which of course, I wasn't supposed to evaluate,but I wasn't going to reveal myself by saying I only wanted to see if they had a public restroom.

Yup. That would be awkward! LOL But what else could you do, right? Well done.

I think the most awkward for me was on a reveal. After I told the employee that was the evaluator, she immediately teared up. I had to rush to the part where she did perfectly and whipped out her $75 check before she started sobbing.

My most memorable moment came during a revealed Medicare shop, when I walked in and realized the presenter was my neighbor.

When I walked into the restroom and wondered what that funny "sink-looking thing" was on the wall?

I suddenly realized, I was staring at a "urinal".....and I was in the men's restroom!

I was doing a restaurant shop where I had to sit at the bar and have drinks, then at a table where I was to have dinner and drinks. I was with my husband. Somehow, they figured out that I was a shopper... Probably because I was writing notes, I thought secretly, because the shop required so much details... They figured me out, the manager came over to chat three times but did not go to any other tables, I had huge strips of grilled chicken on my salad, they are usually about half the size, the waiter came out with all kinds of 'free' salsas that they never give other customers unless they ask. It was awesome!

@guanadu wrote:

I was doing a restaurant shop where I had to sit at the bar and have drinks, then at a table where I was to have dinner and drinks. I was with my husband. Somehow, they figured out that I was a shopper... Probably because I was writing notes, I thought secretly, because the shop required so much details... They figured me out, the manager came over to chat three times but did not go to any other tables, I had huge strips of grilled chicken on my salad, they are usually about half the size, the waiter came out with all kinds of 'free' salsas that they never give other customers unless they ask. It was awesome!

I can just get a visual in the back kitchen, "The Shopper is here!!! Give her the best chicken we have, cut it BIG! Make sure the lettuce is NOT brown! Stir that salad dressing! Whip up some fresh salsa!~ " .....

I was doing a Coach shop and had to make a purchase/return. The saleswoman was great and as she's ringing me up we started talking. We somehow go on the topic of where we live. It turns out that she lives 3 doors down from me! I had recently purchased my house at the time and had met her once previously, but it was so brief that I didn't even recognize her. A few days later she mailed me a thank you card and a $50 Coach gift card (she was the manager of the store).

I felt bad returning the $300 wallet I had to purchase.

I've had a ton of weird moments. Would you like to hear about me wearing the fallout from a dumping garbage truck? Or about the dead body in the bushes at a gas shop? Maybe being chased by a love-starved goat? Running across a drag queen from Somalia who was giving fashion advice? The most recent tale can be found in the mystery shopper magazie about my mishap on an fitness center treadmill in which I found myself launched and sprawled in a heap on the floor on top of a spotter.

Where's the closest pay phone? Oh, you're handing me your cell phone. No, that's ok. I was just curious.

Snatch the receipt of off the tray at McDonalds. Full table service and frequent refills from the manager for the next 10 minutes.

Try to take a picture of a cop who tells me I'm in danger of being shot by rooftop snipers.

Ask for the hotel "hearing assistance kit" after I've already checked in and spoken to half the staff.

Can you break a $20 for me? No? Then can I speak to someone about a home equity loan?

Please park this 1996 Honda Accord for me. Yes I understand it's $40.00 per hour.

Thanks for bring your carpet samples to my house, I'll be in touch. I didn't even pick out a color? I'm not picky, something neutral will be fine.

How much to open a checking account? It's free? Thanks, not today!

Yes, that's my house. Yes, it is still surrounded by trees. Can you send out a solar panel salesman anyway?

I asked you to lick the chocolate off the handle of my spoon and you did. Don't worry, I won't report that. Yes, I am the shopper. And apparently two drinks IS too much some days.

A guy at one of gas pumps walks across the parking lot to ask me why am I taking a picture of him when I was taking a picture of the curb appeal. Awkward.

During my tour of gyms I forgot what alias I was using and accidently used the same one twice. The associate pulls up my information and he says "looks like you have been shopping around for a while, why haven't you joined"? I knew then he suspected I was the mystery shopper. Just mumbled something about wanting to see how the other clubs looked. After that I got the greatest sales pitch ever - never thought I would get out of there. I almost joined the gym just to leave - but then I would not be able to shop them -haha.

I forgot my favorite - "can I have a receipt for the package of gum that I just purchased" hate that one.

Waiting to check the women's rest room. To my surprise when the door opened, a male associate came out.

Going into the bathroom with vomit on the floor.

@teriraia wrote:

During my tour of gyms I forgot what alias I was using and accidently used the same one twice. The associate pulls up my information and he says "looks like you have been shopping around for a while, why haven't you joined"? I knew then he suspected I was the mystery shopper. Just mumbled something about wanting to see how the other clubs looked. After that I got the greatest sales pitch ever - never thought I would get out of there. I almost joined the gym just to leave - but then I would not be able to shop them -haha.

"I want to quit the gym!"

@cjbstar wrote:

A guy at one of gas pumps walks across the parking lot to ask me why am I taking a picture of him when I was taking a picture of the curb appeal. Awkward.

I get tons of questions on gas audits. "Why are you taking pictures?" Do you work here? No. None of your damn business. Then there are the nicer ones that pretend like they know what you're doing. Oh, you must be the insurance adjuster. Expecting me to correct them with whatever it is I'm doing. I always reply with a simple "no."

I was checking my photos while conducting a gas station audit when one of their mechanics tried to gossip with me. He asked me if I was on my way to do the station down the street. I only said, “Not today”.

He said, “That place is a dump. I wouldn’t be surprised if you guys pulled the brand off of them.”

I knew just what he meant because I had done the other one the previous month. I only said, “I hope you don’t mind. I have work to do.”

My other "favorite" one...

I go to the drive-in and car-hop hands me the food. I'm waiting for her to hand me the receipt...she starts walking away....

"Excuse me, I need my receipt, please."

She looks at me with a blank stare. "Your receipt?"

"Yes, my receipt."

"Oh" she said, "I threw that away, it's in the trash in the kitchen."

grr.....

I did a drive-through shop where I paid for my order and then drove away without waiting for the food. Oops. I got stuck on the interstate and it took me 15 minutes to return and meekly ask for my meal.

Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 04/24/2015 02:58AM by mystery2me.

My favorite the gas station audit where the owner told me "you get off my property or I kill you". This was after I presented him the audit letter. Mind you I am 350 plus pounds and 6'4 " tall. I left as I didn't want my 3rd strike.

@mystery2me wrote:

I did a drive-through shop where I paid for my order and then drove away without waiting for the food. Oops. I got stuck on the interstate and it took me 15 minutes to return and meekly ask for my meal.

This is my favorite so far. I'm betting you made sure you got the receipt, which is more the goal than the food is by that point.

I did the drug test shop last week, made a point of asking the associate for my copy of the form, she handed it to me, I laid it on the table while I got my car key out -- and then walked off and left it right on the table. Luckily the associate reminded me to take it or I might have also had a 15 mile round trip to my home and back when I realized I'd left it behind.

I guess that's why your story resonated with me so much ... I almost did the exact same thing.

@mystery2me wrote:

I did a drive-through shop where I paid for my order and then drove away without waiting for the food. Oops. I got stuck on the interstate and it took me 15 minutes to return and meekly ask for my meal.

I can see the report now....

@ wrote:

Indicate the total number of minutes and seconds between the time you entered the Drive-Thru line until you received your complete order (food and beverage):

17 min(s), 3 sec(s)

Timing is critical to Arches. Please re-enter your time.

17 min(s), 3 sec(s)

Please select any of these conditions that you encountered during your visit. Mark all that apply:

( ) Customer(s) in front of me in the line held up the cashier at gun point.
( ) Customer(s) in front of me in the line pulled employee through window and beat them up.
(X) Took joyride on highway and went through drive through line a second time to get food.
( ) There was a bus in the drive thru ahead of you.

I walked into a fast food restaurant before the sun came up- totally sleep deprived after multiple days on the road and doing this. This was not a secret shop or even a reveal. It was a straight up announced audit. I walk in, introduce myself and cannot...I mean CANNOT remember the company I am working for. So its like "Hi I am Joe from.................... ugh......" They are just staring at me and I got absolutely nothin'.

Gas station shop and it's time to check the unisex bathroom. Waiting. Waiting. Waiting. Waiting. Then, out emerges young couple giggling and tidying up after what I assumed was a romantic moment. Oh my!

@cjbstar wrote:

A guy at one of gas pumps walks across the parking lot to ask me why am I taking a picture of him when I was taking a picture of the curb appeal. Awkward.

I always end up feeling like a creeper during shops like that. Fortunately I've been able to escape anybody asking why I was taking pics...so far. Hmmm..What should I say? "I just REALLY like gas stations and want to take a pic of every single one I see!" I did have somebody question me when I was checking out an air pump. I think I confused the hell out of that poor guy. I played stupid and told him I was just trying to figure out how it worked,but I didn't really need it. He offered to help me. He was so sweet.

I've had the walk through the kitchen to the employees bathroom before as well (makes me think you live in my area or there are multiple of said restaurant with that issue)... solution, when I go to that location, which I've been back many times, I know not to ask for the restroom and note: previous knowledge, no public restroom available.

Most awkward moment to date (likely same restaurant, different location, lol): Also a restroom evaluation. A lady next to me walked into the restroom right after I placed my order. I remembered seeing her go in and of course, I was timing other stuff right. I waited a super long time because the location was busy to receive my order. I received my order, ate, watched the employee try to deliver the ladies order multiple time (which was a bottle of water, only - no joke). The lady was in the restroom for OVER 20 minutes. It was crazy! Awkward moment #1: the employee seeing me sit there for a really long time and wondering my the heck I am waiting on this lady to come out the restroom. Even had the employee knock on the door to ensure she wasn't (Umm) dead because she had been in there that long time. So she comes out, I get done with my food, go to evaluate the restroom, open the door and literally, there was water everywhere including the floor and feces on the toilet and wall. I almost died! I refused to enter the restroom (even at the risk of my shop creating issues with my shop), walked away and left the location. The fun part came with having to figure out how to be PC and explain the situation and why I could not check if the sink worked or if the soap dispenser had soap.

I was doing a restaurant carry-out evaluation. I decided to secretly snap a photo of the employee preparing my order to avoid taking notes in line. I forgot that the flash wasn't turned off and my photo flashed right in the eyes of the employee I was "secretly" photographing. He said that I could have asked for his photo if I wanted it.....and I replied that I had a new smart phone and I was trying to send a text but that I must of pressed the wrong button. I'm pretty sure that he thought I was a creepy middle-aged woman that had a "thing" for young men!

He was probably flattered.

Or thinking, "I thought mystery shoppers were supposed to be more discreet than that."

When asked why you are taking a photo, you can answer, "Don't worry. I don't take portraits." Or if fussed at because of taking a picture of a human, say the same thing.

I think that my clipboard and my safety vest tell people I am there on official business.