My shop today...

Ok, so you know I'm a shopper, and I know you know I'm a shopper, and you know I know you know I'm a shopper... So let's exchange pleasantries and pretend we are of high society and I'll be on my way. Thank you.

Exactly right. Why would the employee pass up the opportunity to shine?

I've been saying that forever. Like when you hear from the MSC that you can't shop that location anymore cuz they know who you are. Who is telling their manager that they know who the shopper is???
People are dumb nowadays.

There was a brief moment when we both looked into each other's eyes and we just faked our smiles... I held my smile longer because you can't outdo me!

I believe at least there are three locations who suspect I am their mystery shopper. And my feelings are very, very strong. But they have not done anything about it. And each time I said something negative about a certain aspect of their business, I observe an improvement in that department on my next visit. Other than that, they continue to do well in the evaluation. So why haven't they outed me? Some associates are very sharp and have a lot in between the ears. I wonder if they would remain that way if my report was negative. But it hasn't come to that, yet.

It was getting to a point when I walked into a place the manager would say hello how are you today back so soon? Hells bells lol

Think about when you get feedback on a report you submit. You generally know that the editor is right if they suggest an area for improvement. I think that the healthier retail situations indeed can use our commentary to improve when they realize it is fair. And if they can keep a fair evaluator, it will benefit them and they can also trust that you won't be off the wall. I think we all know that not all shoppers do the right thing and their reports can be as disruptive to a business as the editor who leaves you scratching your head because you wonder if she sent you the critique of somebody else's work. So indeed a nebulous bond can form between the shopper and the shopped that can be productive to/for all involved. Why would you report you had identified such a shopper?

As they say, "the devil you know...."

In one shop, the manager would wave at me from behind the counter as soon as I entered. She would take over the cash register and also personally deliver my order. Then when I commented that the little fry order was a lot, she said they did not want to throw away fries. Then another staff would offer to get me condiments. In the meantime, there would be a commotion in staff cleaning the glass windows and the floor. Went to the washroom and some cleaner was suddenly opening the door for me. Then the manager would be holding the door for me as I exited. Holy Moses! Are these all just in my head? Am I just simply paranoid? So I did not shop the location for over 2 months...

Yeah that makes no sense why someone would say that they "made" the shopper unless they got a very negative report. And there are some shops that as long as you don't need to reveal yourself it makes sense you'd be there regularly (grocery stores, local gas station, convenience stores, movie theaters, even some retail). Others not so much lol.

I know that you know that I know, that you know, that we are both shoppers

@risinghorizon wrote:

In one shop, the manager would wave at me from behind the counter as soon as I entered. She would take over the cash register and also personally deliver my order. Then when I commented that the little fry order was a lot, she said they did not want to throw away fries. Then another staff would offer to get me condiments. In the meantime, there would be a commotion in staff cleaning the glass windows and the floor. Went to the washroom and some cleaner was suddenly opening the door for me. Then the manager would be holding the door for me as I exited. Holy Moses! Are these all just in my head? Am I just simply paranoid? So I did not shop the location for over 2 months...

Hi risinghorizon,

I sincerely wished that I could give you quadruple likes on your posting.

You had me ROTFLMAO!

Your post has to be the absolute best post that I have ever read on any forum this year!

Have you ever thought of being a stand-up comedian at the Comedy Club?

I think that you would be a great hit!

Better yet, how about being one of the entertainment speakers at the next IMSC?

Everybody would definitely know what you were talking about!

I sincerely think that you could "bring the house down!"

I did a certain famous FF (DT and WI) and the manager was falling over himself, cleaning around me, paying way too much attention to me, asking me how I was and, did I need anything? I thought to myself, 'How the heck could he know I am his shopper because I have never shopped this one before!" Then I realized it might be possible they are sharing our video snapshots with other stores via emails.

For the record, it is rare for me to see the manager out on the floor in the first place. He seemed nervous and I wanted him to go back up front. I could be wrong but I felt like he knew I was his shopper.

Maybe he thought you were cute? Just a thought.

I've totally suspected they knew only to be ignored or provided terrible service not long after. That led me to believe there's no possible way they knew because if they did, wouldn't they provide amazing service?

One other thing. I am sure they are reading the shoppers' reports because suddenly the missing hook for my purse was there the last time I visited. I commented that the washroom was clean and well stocked. It even smelled clean. However, I wish they had a hook on the door so that I did not have to put my purse on the floor.

When I think I may be "suspected", I take a few months off from the location, but continue to visit and do my normal thing. After a few times of the "royal treatment" that doesn't match the date/time of the shop they receive, they "decide" I'm not the shopper and service returns to normal.

In the case of banks, I make sure that I visit branches at random times when I am not assigned to shop there. My belief is that I have them thoroughly confused. The bathrooms in the "Green and White" banks in this area are clean, so I use the bathroom, make a deposit, and leave. There are dozens and dozens of branches left for me to visit randomly!

Ha ha, I guess many of us have had that experience. I just want to tell the associate "just hit the points so I can leave" and they are probably thinking "have I hit all the correct points?".

@mustanger

@ wrote:

Hi risinghorizon,

I sincerely wished that I could give you quadruple likes on your posting.

You had me ROTFLMAO!

I sincerely think that you could "bring the house down!"

Are you sure you were referring to my post? Ok, I clicked 'Like' because I wanted to thank you for your kind post. But actually, you are very much mistaken. There is not a single bone in my body that would qualify me to be a comedian. Not even my 'funny bone.' I am glad that post brought some laughter from one reader.

Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 08/07/2015 04:38AM by risinghorizon.

I once had the manager spot me in the drive thru after eating inside at the FF shop. To improve the drive thru timing, she literally ran my meal to the cashier window and knocked the change out of the cashiers hand and on the floor to hand me my food before I drove past the pay window. The cashier gave me my change AFTER I got my food and the manager told me to pull around the two cars in front of me that were waiting at the pickup window. I stopped my timing when I received my change. I clicked that I received my food and paid at the same window and the shop was not questioned.

No possible way that I was made as the shopper that time.

Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 08/07/2015 06:34PM by scanman1.

@myst4au wrote:

so I use the bathroom, make a deposit, and leave.

Hahaha!

Some places do give everyone the royal treatment which covers all of their bases. But, yeah, I do know the feeling.

I have that same thing happen to me at burger chain with Guys. I always get royal treatment, but i still keep going back. Also at bank shops.... you can only request info on checking accounts from the same person so many times.

I think most of my regular shops know I'm a shopper, or at least suspect it. A couple months ago I had a very strange experience with a restaurant that I shop at regularly. The place was BUSY, I got my food and took my usual seat. First the cashier keeps looking at me, then she ducked in the back for a minute between customers. A minute or two later a manager comes out with two buckets of ice, but while she pouring the ice into the dispenser she was staring at me. A little bit after that the same manager decided she needed to clean the dining room, so she made a couple passes and got close while I was eating, I stopped eating and smiled. She turned away and moved away from me pretending to wipe tables. Then she decided to collect trays because there is a tray collection area directly behind where I normally sit. Coming around behind me she pushed customers that were in line to order out of her way so she could look over my shoulder at what I was typing on my phone (a facebook post about a dog.. lol). Then she went back to the back where she came from and I didn't see her again. When I was done eating I went to the restroom and the cashier followed me into the restroom, she went into a stall and I brushed my teeth, she did not use the toilet, it did not flush before she left the restroom and she did not wash her hands. lol

That manager could have come to the table to visit (something she could have gotten an excellent rating for), she could have smiled back at me. The cashier could have minded her own business to start with and just provide excellent service, which is what I got from her until she started this ball rolling. Then the whole shop went down the drain. The next time I went to that location the entire crew had been replaced..

Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 08/08/2015 07:02AM by Morledzep.

There are several shops I go to where they immediately start cleaning up the second I walk in. It's a dead giveaway that they know exactly who I am, and pretty amusing. But I am always extremely honest on every single shop, no matter what. If there are problems, I say so. If they deserve 10's across the board, they get them. I always remember why I'm there any what my purpose is. I take the "Shopper's Code" very seriously.

On the very rare occasion where I have reason to think I am suspected, I simply stop going there for shops for 6 months, or when I notice a change in management/staff. I feel a sense of responsibility to the MSCs and their clients to provide an observation of a typical customer. If I am suspected, I am no longer a typical customer and can not reasonably make observations of a typical customer. I take this very seriously and hope you do as well! : D

I told a call center employee of a very large MSC that I would not do the local grocery store, even after they started the offer with a $25 bonus. Sure, I could walk there. I have asked every question to every employee and unless I make up my own questions, I will be outed and I have shopped there as a customer off and on for over 30+ years. I will not push it till I'm outed there for any bonus. I stated that I used up all the silly questions and I am borderline knowing all the employees by first name, yet I don't know them personally.

The scheduler with the Philippines accent and the American name heard me say this and offered another two dollars and thought I was just asking for more money.

Sometimes I just don't answer the phone when I get a call from that Cali phone number.

Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 08/09/2015 02:33AM by scanman1.

I know when I might have been a suspected shopper. The mops come out and the smiles get bigger. And the manager on duty keeps looking at you!

@risinghorizon wrote:

One other thing. I am sure they are reading the shoppers' reports because suddenly the missing hook for my purse was there the last time I visited. I commented that the washroom was clean and well stocked. It even smelled clean. However, I wish they had a hook on the door so that I did not have to put my purse on the floor.

I had a similar incident. The high end restaurant I shopped had the purse hook on the top of the 6' door. I'm 5'0" and could not reach it, even with 3" heels. I wrote it on my report - it took six months, but they put a second hook 3" from the ground level. That made me so happy!