BP- A mild rant
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I have never cared for these shops either. It's not because of the signatures - It''s the paper reports themselves.
I'm not certain what they are for since they are not even sent in and the signed report cannot be reviewed by the onsite auditor (you) anyway. So what is the signature for?
The proof of your visit is in the receipts you receive as a shopper. The reports themselves are a problem since the shopper has to await the FedEx shipment before performing the shop.
I suppose if the attendant hesitates to sign the paper report, it would be easier to just say "okay" and note that they refused to sign the report in the comment section of the online report.
I'm not certain what they are for since they are not even sent in and the signed report cannot be reviewed by the onsite auditor (you) anyway. So what is the signature for?
The proof of your visit is in the receipts you receive as a shopper. The reports themselves are a problem since the shopper has to await the FedEx shipment before performing the shop.
I suppose if the attendant hesitates to sign the paper report, it would be easier to just say "okay" and note that they refused to sign the report in the comment section of the online report.
If I have anything negative I try and put that paper in the middle of the three. Fortunately I haven't had anyone wanting to cover over the form with me but I get in front of the line so they have to hurry and do it.
I want nothing to do with BP since they screwed up the Gulf.
I'm willing to take their money, I just won't give them any of mine.
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Seriously, nobody cares that you're offended.
Seriously, nobody cares that you're offended.
Normally not a problem for me. In those rare instances when they do ask, I just let them know, "Really, I'm prohibited from discussing it. If you could just sign, you're free to look it over as soon as I leave."
Only once out of about 500 done did the manger actually take the forms and begin reviewing it. I asked again if he could please sign it He told me that he wasn't signing anything until he reviewed it for accuracy. I asked him if I could see the paper for a moment then before he continued. He handed me the form and I said that he could review it for accuracy after I left and that I would simply note in my report that the signature was declined. I separated the pages, gave him his copy, and departed, reporting the incident fully in the comments.
Only once out of about 500 done did the manger actually take the forms and begin reviewing it. I asked again if he could please sign it He told me that he wasn't signing anything until he reviewed it for accuracy. I asked him if I could see the paper for a moment then before he continued. He handed me the form and I said that he could review it for accuracy after I left and that I would simply note in my report that the signature was declined. I separated the pages, gave him his copy, and departed, reporting the incident fully in the comments.
I'd hate for it to come to that. I see these guys 4x a year and it would be nice to have a decent rapport with them. Almost all of them are very pleasant and completely understanding. I have one guy that calls me "Mr. Shopper!" in his heavy middle-eastern accent and tries to guide me around his station beaming with pride about all of the work he's done.
They're nice people, for the most part. It's just awkward at the end to have to get a signature that is, pretty clearly, quite unnecessary.
Well, then there are the ones that REALLY want to vent about BP.
They're nice people, for the most part. It's just awkward at the end to have to get a signature that is, pretty clearly, quite unnecessary.
Well, then there are the ones that REALLY want to vent about BP.
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Seriously, nobody cares that you're offended.
Seriously, nobody cares that you're offended.
Ya know, The most questioned line in the report is "Was the receipt received at the pump" at Full Service stations. The answer is NA but they ALWAYS read it as NO. I do explain that one just to clarify that there's a difference and that it's not a knock on them. Language barriers make it a little tougher for them to understand the form. Other than that, I pretty much tell them that there's nothing I can discuss.
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Seriously, nobody cares that you're offended.
Seriously, nobody cares that you're offended.
The only remaining BP in my area has a manager who insists on walking the entire property with me every second and he gets totally paranoid if he sees me writing on the form or taking photos. One time he grabbed my paperwork and wouldn't let me leave until he'd screamed at an employee to fix whatever before letting me get out of there. I whipped out my phone to call the cops and he tried to grab it out of my hand. Things got ugly after that.
Her Serene Majesty, Cettie - Goat Queen of Zoltar, Sublime Empress of Her Caprine Domain
@Cettie wrote:
The only remaining BP in my area has a manager who insists on walking the entire property with me every second and he gets totally paranoid if he sees me writing on the form or taking photos. One time he grabbed my paperwork and wouldn't let me leave until he'd screamed at an employee to fix whatever before letting me get out of there. I whipped out my phone to call the cops and he tried to grab it out of my hand. Things got ugly after that.
I wonder what kind of fine or punishment they get if there are bad things wrong?
Their bonus gets a ding and if they get so many points off they lose the whole thing.
Her Serene Majesty, Cettie - Goat Queen of Zoltar, Sublime Empress of Her Caprine Domain
That's harsh but I'm sure effective, Cettie!
I picked up a new route of terrible locations last quarter. Miraculously, this quarter, so many restrooms are no longer public, all of a sudden.
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Seriously, nobody cares that you're offended.
Seriously, nobody cares that you're offended.
I love to rant about BP, but I just did a route of the yellow stations and I think I prefer BP. They seem to be a little faster in and out.
The yellow people have a lot more photos now.
Her Serene Majesty, Cettie - Goat Queen of Zoltar, Sublime Empress of Her Caprine Domain
I don't mind a lot of photos. I've become super efficient with them. What I hate is how disorganized the layout is. In the store, out of the store, in the store, out of the store. Questions are numbered 9, 12, 3, 17, 18, 6. You can't find anything in the book. Then there's that extra page.
There's just no flow.
There's just no flow.
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Seriously, nobody cares that you're offended.
Seriously, nobody cares that you're offended.
The online report does not follow the same flow as the paper forms, and the paper form does not have the same flow as the manual. The good news for me is that I now know what to do, and I just do it. After I think I am done, I review and complete the paper forms and catch anything which I didn't remember to do. When I do the online form, I do it in the order it appears, which sometimes means flipping back and forth among paper forms. And yes, there is the extra page, or two or three, or ...
@Hoju wrote:
I don't mind a lot of photos. I've become super efficient with them. What I hate is how disorganized the layout is. In the store, out of the store, in the store, out of the store. Questions are numbered 9, 12, 3, 17, 18, 6. You can't find anything in the book. Then there's that extra page.
There's just no flow.
Shopping Southeast Pennsylvania, Delaware above the canal, and South Jersey since 2008
I make my own checklist of photos and bunch them together, inside then outside, marking them off as I go. Sure beats having to return to take yet another photo.
Her Serene Majesty, Cettie - Goat Queen of Zoltar, Sublime Empress of Her Caprine Domain
Cettie, Perhaps you should have whipped out your glock instead.
@Cettie wrote:
I whipped out my phone to call the cops and he tried to grab it out of my hand. Things got ugly after that.
A well-placed arm bar defense move works wonders.
Her Serene Majesty, Cettie - Goat Queen of Zoltar, Sublime Empress of Her Caprine Domain
If I am a manager I will NOT sign anything unless I know and understand what it is. I would NOT ask another manager to do it either. Ridiculous.
@misteryshopper : Right. That's why it's ridiculous that we're expected to have them sign it yet not say a word about what is in it.
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Seriously, nobody cares that you're offended.
Seriously, nobody cares that you're offended.
@SunnyDays2 wrote:
I wonder what kind of fine or punishment they get if there are bad things wrong?
I had one owner tell me (for a brand other than BP) that they get charged $100 a quarter as their mystery shopping fee. If they fail that fee goes to $600. I would guess that is pretty standard across the industry.
That is of course hearsay from a station owner that was trying to get me to not report bad things so whom knows.
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
They know the drill (at least owners/ managers do) because they get the exact same book we use for referencing. If they ask me to note something I will to appease them and then later decide whether it is relevant to the non compliant issue or just a story to create sympathy.
@Tatjana wrote:
I have never cared for these shops either. It's not because of the signatures - It''s the paper reports themselves.
I'm not certain what they are for since they are not even sent in and the signed report cannot be reviewed by the onsite auditor (you) anyway. So what is the signature for?
The proof of your visit is in the receipts you receive as a shopper. The reports themselves are a problem since the shopper has to await the FedEx shipment before performing the shop.
I suppose if the attendant hesitates to sign the paper report, it would be easier to just say "okay" and note that they refused to sign the report in the comment section of the online report.
I don't donthese anymore because of the walking but I did many last year. I took the copy of the paper report with me and the paper to get signed etc. however, I did not fill out the paper report until I used my iPad to complete the report. I would finish and submit the report and all the pictures would be uploaded before I left the lot. Then I'd sit in my car and drink iced tea while zipping through the paper work. Then id go back in for that signature. I never had a problem getting a quick signature but I did have a few managers walking around the lot with me talking my ear off and giving me excuses. I liked doing those shops but I don't think they would be happy with me running around the lot in my power chair. Lol
Today I Will Choose Joy!
"Finally, whatever things are good, true, noble, lovely, of good report...if there be any virtue, if there be any praise...think on these things." ....It's a command, not a suggestion!
"Finally, whatever things are good, true, noble, lovely, of good report...if there be any virtue, if there be any praise...think on these things." ....It's a command, not a suggestion!
I had an E/M owner tell me yesterday that MS's cost him $56 per month. He didn't have a problem with that - said it is a cost of doing business. He had a neat, clean station - restroom, c-store and all.
@Hoju wrote:
I'm willing to take their money, I just won't give them any of mine.
That's exactly how I feel about Papa John's.
@af517 wrote:
@Hoju wrote:
I'm willing to take their money, I just won't give them any of mine.
That's exactly how I feel about Papa John's.
Thats how I feel about both companies. And thats what I do.
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