~~ Sniffing Out the Secret Shopper ~~

Sniffing Out the Secret Shopper

~~ Sniffing Out the Secret Shopper ~~

"Hell hath no fury like a secret shopper.

These undercover spies can get both you and your manager in trouble with a flick of a pen.

But let’s be real though, its mostly you that gets in trouble.

Especially if you’re the one who had the misfortune of assisting the secret shopper.

But, if you’re good enough, if you know what you’re doing and you know how to recognize them, a secret shopper can also mean a free meal ticket from your boss."

Read the rest of the article:
[workingretailreallysucks.blogspot.com]

Create an Account or Log In

Membership is free. Simply choose your username, type in your email address, and choose a password. You immediately get full access to the forum.

~~ How to Handle the Secret Shopper ~~

"Now that you know how to recognize a secret shopper, you need to know how to work with them so that you can get the best possible grade on your evaluation, and then brag about it in front of your co-workers.

In order to blow the socks off a secret shopper, you pretty much need to follow those stupid “how to interact with our guests” posters that are pinned up all over the break room.

But, if you ignore those posters like everyone else, try doing these things."

Read the rest of the article:
[workingretailreallysucks.blogspot.com]

Still laughing about the lube oil

~~*~~*~~*~~ kal ~~*~~*~~*~~
Everyone has a photographic memory. Some just forget to load the film.

@kalfini wrote:

Still laughing about the lube oil

Hi Kakfini,

Many thanks for reading the entire article, all the way to the end.

I also thought that the "lube oil" reference was the best part!

Ken

I hope that blogger has a stat counter installed so they can see the uptick in "came froms" from this site :-)

Happiness is not a goal; it is a by-product. Eleanor Roosevelt

"Just do what you’re actually supposed to do with every customer, and you should be fine. Crazy, isn’t it?"
- Forsooth!

"Not all secret shoppers can be hardasses who want to ruin your day later. Some are quite talkative if they have nothing better to do in their life other than be a secret shopper."
- That's absolutely precious and hysterical on so many levels!

I found the articles insulting. Oh, and I've never been required to ask a "poignant question" on a shop.

If you don't like to click links:

Sniffing Out the Secret Shopper

Hell hath no fury like a secret shopper. These undercover spies can get both you and your manager in trouble with a flick of a pen. But let’s be real though, its mostly you that gets in trouble. Especially if you’re the one who had the misfortune of assisting the secret shopper. But, if you’re good enough, if you know what you’re doing and you know how to recognize them, a secret shopper can also mean a free meal ticket from your boss.
Believe it or not, I’ve scored a 100% on a secret shopper evaluation. I’ve also scored a 60%, but we’re not going to talk about that. The key to getting a good grade on your secret shopper evaluation is being able to sniff them out. I have a sixth sense when it comes to these people. In all actuality I just remember customers really well, and since secret shopper reports usually have a quick turn around, I try and remember who asked me a bunch of questions a couple days earlier. From this correlation, I’ve come up with a handy list of observations so that you too can have a secret shopper sense of your own.
Secret shoppers are almost always women, because lets face it, no man likes to shop, and no man asks a bunch of questions when they do. Men know where everything is, and what everything does. Always.
Secret shoppers always ask questions. Sure, the typical customer asks a question or two, but those questions are usually limited to “where’s the bathroom,” and “why is this so expensive?” Secret shoppers will ask you specific questions about specific products. “Do you have blank in blank color?” “Are there any special deals if I buy blank and blank?” “My son/daughter really likes blank, but I don’t know what to get them for their blank, what would you suggest other than blank?” If a customer is asking you really poignant questions, chances are you have a secret shopper in your midst.
There is only one secret shopper a month, unless the company you work for is really cruel. If your secret shopper evaluation already came, congratulations, you can slack off for the rest of the month. If not, stay on your toes until it does. From what I’ve experienced, secret shoppers come in at random times during the day, but usually they come in later in the month. I guess the logic behind this is that corporate doesn’t want you slacking off if they come in earlier in the month. The people who work at corporate aren’t as dumb as you think they are.
Secret shoppers will make a point to learn your name, because after all, they have to put the blame on someone. If they’re not staring at your name badge, then they’re asking for your name, maybe so that they can “fill out a survey” or some b.s like that. If they don’t ask for your name, and you aren’t wearing a badge, they’ll just describe your physical features on their report, and unless you work with fifty other people, it’ll be pretty easy to narrow down who was evaluated.

So now that you know how to recognize a secret shopper, you need to know how to handle them. Read how in the next post!

SOURCE: Retailreallysucks.blogspot. com

How to Handle the Secret Shopper

Now that you know how to recognize a secret shopper, you need to know how to work with them so that you can get the best possible grade on your evaluation, and then brag about it in front of your co-workers. In order to blow the socks off a secret shopper, you pretty much need to follow those stupid “how to interact with our guests” posters that are pinned up all over the break room. But, if you ignore those posters like everyone else, try doing these things.
Have fun with the secret shopper. Unless they have a stick up their butt, secret shoppers like it when you interact with them like you would one of your friends. Just don’t drop a bunch of f-bombs or talk about how wasted you were last night. But if you talk with them on a personable level, chances are they’ll go easy on you when they fill out their report.
Show the secret shopper a variety of different products that will match their needs. Secret shoppers like to have choices, especially since they’re being paid to shop. Also, inform the secret shopper of any promotions or sales you have going on, even if the promotion has absolutely nothing to do with the products they’re interested in.
Check in with the secret shopper. Once you establish communication with them, don’t just ignore them until they check out. Wait a couple minutes, and then come back at least once and ask them if they need any help or anything like that. Secret shoppers don’t like to be left alone for too long.
When they go to check out, ask to sign up the secret shopper for the rewards card you’re absolutely fed up with trying to push. If anything, this is one of the most important steps. Ask them if they’re interested in any add-ons or impulse buys, and then once you ring them up, do not give them the wrong change. Finally, thank them and invite them back.

It’s as simple as that. Just do what you’re actually supposed to do with every customer, and you should be fine. Crazy, isn’t it? Just keep in mind that not all secret shoppers can be hardasses who want to ruin your day later. Some are quite talkative if they have nothing better to do in their life other than be a secret shopper. Sometimes they can be pretty fun, and sometimes, they can be just as nervous or bashful as you. One time, I sold a bottle of lube to a secret shopper, and when the evaluation came back, she said that she bought “massage oil.” Something was being massaged all right.

SOURCE: Retailreallysucks.blogspot. com

There are two types of people in this world: Those who can extrapolate from incomplete data.

"If your secret shopper evaluation already came, congratulations, you can slack off for the rest of the month."

This is why we do what we do.

I think he means pointed questions, not poignant questions, lol. Personally, I like to stay away from poignant questions while on a shop.

Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 06/09/2015 06:07PM by christinereed.

@Phoebe70 wrote:

"If your secret shopper evaluation already came, congratulations, you can slack off for the rest of the month."

This is why we do what we do.

Or, on the flip side, you keep getting sent to the same "Hedgehog" site because their service times stink. Every time. Admittedly, the site in question did great yesterday, so I probably won't see them again for a bit...

" but usually they come in later in the month. I guess the logic behind this is that corporate doesn’t want you slacking off if they come in earlier in the month."

Ya, that's why we wait until the end of the month.

______________________________________________________________________
Seriously, nobody cares that you're offended.

@christinereed wrote:

I think he means pointed questions, not poignant questions, lol. Personally, I like to stay away from poignant questions while on a shop.

There's already another thread with people whining and whimpering about "grammar nazis." (Although in my day, we called them 'educated, literate people.') Please--don't be a "definition nazi" too. The world just can't handle it! Lol...

"The future ain't what it used to be." --Yogi Berra

"•Secret shoppers always ask questions. Sure, the typical customer asks a question or two, but those questions are usually limited to “where’s the bathroom,” and “why is this so expensive?” Secret shoppers will ask you specific questions about specific products. “Do you have blank in blank color?” “Are there any special deals if I buy blank and blank?” “My son/daughter really likes blank, but I don’t know what to get them for their blank, what would you suggest other than blank?”

```````

Not true, shopping or not, I ask questions. Who goes into a department store and just asks, "Where's the bathroom?" I have eyes. I can usually "see" the bathroom. But, what I want to know is what colors you have in the back room, even if they aren't on the floor. My friend is even worse. She must ask 20 questions about what she wants to buy. The point is, don't judge your customers as mystery shoppers, by what they ask you.

Afterall, Mr Retail Guy, the person you might be talking to, could be the "Owner" of your store.

And who said we do this because we love to shop? I HATE shopping. How many of us have time to shop on a shop? Not me. I'm too busy doing my job.

There are two types of people in this world: Those who can extrapolate from incomplete data.

SunnyDays2...it might be the manager of the big department store's wife...a nasty B who wants to be waited on, hand and foot. I did not help her when I worked at the store, but they pointed her out to me. She looked so different from the big store manager (who never had a hair out of place, beautiful suits, etc) with her weird red hair, big red lipstick mouth and clothes that just looked out of place. Maybe she was mystery shopping as the "nasty shopper." I probably would not have had a problem with her as the challenge to me would be to make her laugh. Always been a people person, which is why I was so successful in obtaining credit card apps...it was in the shopper's best interest to save money to get those throw pillows to complete the new bedding, etc. "No one says you need to use the card again. Just pay off what you bought when the bill comes, or if you would like, I can turn around and make a payment for that purchase right now!" My credit card apps, working a 20-24 hr wk was higher than both the lamp and house wares department together! My direct manager loved me!! (Hey Suzie, I need 1 more app this month, think you can get it for me???) Hugs

PS Where did I go off topic???

I really hope that the article was 'tongue-in-cheek' and meant to be funny. If not and the writer was serious, then I find it insulting and shows how stupid some people can be. I always wonder why so many CSR's we 'shop' think that we love to make life hard and/or miserable for the CSR's. If they do their job correctly, then my job is so much easier. If they do not do their job correctly, then my job will be harder and much longer to do. I would much rather write up a good/glowing report on a CSR then a bad report. Good reports are a breeze to write up whereas a bad shop report takes so much longer since we have to describe all the bad stuff that took place during the shop. I will always give the CSR the chance to do her/his job correctly and if she/he doesn't then it's not my fault.

And I thought it was the lovely bonus offered. lol

"If your secret shopper evaluation already came, congratulations, you can slack off for the rest of the month. If not, stay on your toes until it does"

I must have come at the wrong time when I am left browsing around and the associates gossip among each other. When you ask about something, they show their annoyance and point at somewhere or say, "We don't have it. Then continue their personal conversation. Or worse, actually ignore you.

My husband had a very negative attitude when I was registering with the first company and said that people who that kind of job don't have anything better to do .....he also insisted that it was a scam and I was going to lose money......

Don't you love to hear people's opinion when they have no idea what they are talking about......

@elcarev68 wrote:

"Just do what you’re actually supposed to do with every customer, and you should be fine. Crazy, isn’t it?"
- Forsooth!

"Not all secret shoppers can be hardasses who want to ruin your day later. Some are quite talkative if they have nothing better to do in their life other than be a secret shopper."
- That's absolutely precious and hysterical on so many levels!

Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 06/13/2015 04:36AM by sofi.

That was hilarious, and my guess would be it was actually written by a shopper for the entertainment value.

Based on my two shops today, I haven't been "outed" as a shopper. I would have gotten much better service if I had. LOL

I agree with siamese, the only times I think I have been outed as a shopper is when I get really good service. If they know who I am, doesn't it stand to reason they would treat me a lot better?! I am thinking specifically of fast food restaurants but it might apply to grocery stores too. Glad to know from the article that there are "no male mystery shoppers," but not true! I don't like to shop necessarily, I just like getting things for free. I guess being male I have less of a chance of my cover being blown. Good to know.

Sorry, only registered users may post in this forum.

Click here to login

Sniffing Out the Secret Shopper

Create an Account or Log In

Official List of Mystery Shopping Companies

Mystery Shopper Magazine