Arches Question

Hi everybody! I just completed my first Arches shop this morning and I'm hoping someone can help me answer a question. The survey asks if the COD was "clean and well-maintained", which I responded "yes". Later in the survey, it asks if my order was displayed on the COD, which I responded "no". But then it tells me if the latter question is "no", then I need to answer the former question "no". But the problem is, the COD was working, my order simply wasn't shown. Any thoughts or advice? Thanks!

Never mind, disregard. It pops up with another question to let me choose properly.

Shopping central Arizona.

Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 09/13/2015 05:32PM by asilverstein.

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How did you know it was well maintained and in working order if your order was not displayed? Did you see other orders displayed but your particular order was not shown? If your order was not displayed, then the unit was not properly used for your order. That's what the client is trying to get from this. The client wants ALL customer drive-thru orders to be shown on the COD. If a customer's order is not shown, then there is something wrong with the maintenance of the unit. It may be a technical unit problem or it may just be employee misuse. But they want to know.

I would have answered No to the question up front. Then there is an opportunity to explain why it was not well maintained. There are choices, like "the unit was turned off" or "I didn't see my order displayed."

We cross-posted! Between the time you posted and the time you edited, I posted. Glad you got it done!

The way the initially question is worded tripped me up the first time, too. Since there was a display on the screen, I wouldn't have said it was "not working at all," so I had to go back and sort it out like you did.

We are all here on earth to help others....What on earth the others are here for I don't know.

--W. H. Auden

asilverstein, How did you like the McD shop? I'm not a big fan of the food, but I have done one of their shops anyways. It was a special order shop, where I had to order things without toppings, etc. I was so stressed out about the timing of the entire thing that I'm not sure I'll do another. Plus it was weird going in and having to do the drive thru too. How do more experienced shoppers handle it? I did the drive thru first, then the inside. Not sure I did that right. I was contacted after submitting my shop, they asked if my times were correct, because "it seems like the times were too long". I stood by it, I had my cell phone timer going with the laps and all. I guess they watched me on video to be sure, because I got paid. LOL!

I personally dine in first. I like to be able to do the drive thru and leave, especially if it's a smaller location or less busy and they notice it is me.. Again. Also makes it easier to try the second meal and not eat all of it as it's bagged up and I'm leaving.

@CaDanceMom wrote:

asilverstein, How did you like the McD shop? I'm not a big fan of the food, but I have done one of their shops anyways. It was a special order shop, where I had to order things without toppings, etc. I was so stressed out about the timing of the entire thing that I'm not sure I'll do another. Plus it was weird going in and having to do the drive thru too. How do more experienced shoppers handle it? I did the drive thru first, then the inside. Not sure I did that right. I was contacted after submitting my shop, they asked if my times were correct, because "it seems like the times were too long". I stood by it, I had my cell phone timer going with the laps and all. I guess they watched me on video to be sure, because I got paid. LOL!

It was my first, and most likely last, McD shop. I don't typically enjoy eating out as it is, much less eating fast food. The only reason I even decided to do it was the fee had been increased a bit over the standard fee and the MSC gave me a bonus to do my first. But based on the going rate, and the fact that I don't really feel I get any personal benefit out of it, seeing as how I don't enjoy eating there, I highly doubt I'll do another.

Shopping central Arizona.

@CaDanceMom wrote:

asilverstein, How did you like the McD shop? I'm not a big fan of the food, but I have done one of their shops anyways. It was a special order shop, where I had to order things without toppings, etc. I was so stressed out about the timing of the entire thing that I'm not sure I'll do another. Plus it was weird going in and having to do the drive thru too. How do more experienced shoppers handle it? I did the drive thru first, then the inside. Not sure I did that right. I was contacted after submitting my shop, they asked if my times were correct, because "it seems like the times were too long". I stood by it, I had my cell phone timer going with the laps and all. I guess they watched me on video to be sure, because I got paid. LOL!

The timings get easier, believe me. And no need to notice names or descriptions! This is my easiest shop, really. I only live near two McDonalds so don't do many, but I do them when I can. Due to where I live they are generally bonused. But if I am going to be near a McD, at meal time I will do it for the basic fee. They are that easy.

Good point, I do dislike trying to remember names!

The timings get easier, believe me. And no need to notice names or descriptions! This is my easiest shop, really. I only live near two McDonalds so don't do many, but I do them when I can. Due to where I live they are generally bonused. But if I am going to be near a McD, at meal time I will do it for the basic fee. They are that easy.[/quote]

I strongly prefer the breakfast over the lunch/dinner.

@rasky wrote:

I strongly prefer the breakfast over the lunch/dinner.

I agree. I love the breakfast, sometimes eat the lunch, never go for dinner. I do the drive-thru first. I take my tablet and I have the shop report done during the inside portion of the shop. I hit send on the report as I walk out the door.

I do a few McDs every month and these are my top comments and tips.

1. The timings get easier with practice.
2. Do the inside first and put on a baseball cap/jacket, etc. before going through the drive thru. Avoid wearing distinctive clothing.
3. You do not need to eat all the food, just TASTE it. I take a bite of the sandwiches and second order of fries and give the rest to my family. Due to trying to watch my calorie intake, my treat is eating one order of fries inside very slowly.
4. Avoid standing by the drive thru staff while waiting for your meal at the counter. Stay out of their sight line so they don't see you and potentially recognize you when you go through the drive thru.
5. If you do notice dirty areas inside, sit at a table that you can see the dirty area and watch closely if anyone cleans it up while you are there.
6. Park near the back of the lot so you can walk slowly and look for garbage and the exterior garbage cans.
7. Place your order and pause while they enter it into the system and then ask for ketchup. I tend to have more success actually getting the ketchup using that method.

@siamese5555 wrote:

7. Place your order and pause while they enter it into the system and then ask for ketchup. I tend to have more success actually getting the ketchup using that method.

They want to see it on the receipt at the drive thru. If I don't see it on the COD, I will repeat my request for the ketchup until it is showing. Same thing with that letter "M" for medium.

I'd rather click the check mark that I had to repeat my order, than to check all the other boxes when you don't get what you ordered.

This is one thing that always gets me on this shop. If I don't see my order on the COD screen, but it is working fine, I have to go back and check the box that says, "the COD screen was not working at all", which makes no sense to me. One time I saw a view little videos on the COD screen, one of the newer ones, but my order never showed up. I think they really should have another option to check.

asilverstein, I would encourage you to try at least one more. I swore I would never do them again, after my first shop, but I took another with a bonus. I have done quite a few now. They get so much easier as you do them. You get so used to what you have to do and the timings, I could do them in my sleep. And they do bonus fairly often and quickly, at least in my area. The are also excellent to add to routes.

@spaztck wrote:

This is one thing that always gets me on this shop. If I don't see my order on the COD screen, but it is working fine, I have to go back and check the box that says, "the COD screen was not working at all", which makes no sense to me. One time I saw a view little videos on the COD screen, one of the newer ones, but my order never showed up. I think they really should have another option to check.

asilverstein, I would encourage you to try at least one more. I swore I would never do them again, after my first shop, but I took another with a bonus. I have done quite a few now. They get so much easier as you do them. You get so used to what you have to do and the timings, I could do them in my sleep. And they do bonus fairly often and quickly, at least in my area. The are also excellent to add to routes.

My reason for not doing more of them really isn't because of any difficulty with the shop. I actually found it to be pretty easy. The timings are simple and the shop itself is made even simpler since I don't have to remember employee names or descriptions. I'm just very picky about what I put in my body and fast food doesn't make the cut, unless I'm on the road...and even then I'm picky about where I'll go.

There's two factors I consider when I choose to apply for a shop. Is it worth it monetarily (or can I make it worth it by doing multiple shops in the same area)? Is it something I would enjoy or benefit from? McD just really doesn't satisfy either component for me.

Shopping central Arizona.

AustinMom -

Did you say that you complete the Arches report while you are inside the restaurant?

I don't think the MSC wants you doing that.

You could be exposed as the shopper if an employee walks by and sees what you are doing.

@marklewis wrote:

AustinMom -

Did you say that you complete the Arches report while you are inside the restaurant?

I don't think the MSC wants you doing that.

You could be exposed as the shopper if an employee walks by and sees what you are doing.

Why would you believe that the MSC does not want shoppers to do that? Has the MSC told you they do not want shoppers to complete the MS reports in the dining room? This MSC is usually pretty specific about what is allowed and what is not.. I know quite a few shoppers who complete their reports while sitting in the dining area.

Of course, I COULD be exposed, but then, a shopper always risks being exposed. I think I'm more likely to be exposed for making a drive-thru and an inside purchase within the same visit. Usijng the wifi, I complete many reports for the shops I've done. I have no concern that an employee who walks by will see any more than another diner who is working on a tablet or laptop while eating. When I eat breakfast or lunch on weekdays, 90% of the diners are adult business people and about 50% or more are working on tablets, laptops and smart phones.

Why don't you e-mail the help desk and ask "I've been completing my Arches shop reports while still in the dining room and then sending them before I walk out. Is that OK?"

I'm sure they'd rather you leave and then do the report.

Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 09/15/2015 07:49PM by marklewis.

@marklewis wrote:

Why don't you e-mail the help desk and ask "I've been completing my Arches shop reports while still in the dining room and then sending them before I walk out. Is that OK?"

I'm sure they'd rather you leave and then do the report.

Because we are Independent Contractors and have to make some decisions for ourselves. How about ask them if they want you to wear slacks or cut offs? How about whether they would prefer you take notes in blue or black pen? How about whether they would prefer you shop the beginning, middle or end of your shop window? They certainly are specific enough about what you must and must not do already so I can't imagine why you would want to have them impose still more restrictions. If the shop can be reported while on site without being noticed, there should be no issue.

The flip side of that coin was I got an email from a shopper who was being asked if on a certain shop he sat at a high top table with his laptop. He was able to honestly reply he did not own a laptop. That tells me that that shop expects that their mystery shoppers will attempt to report while on site and so is something for a shopper to consider.

The arches shop used to have a note in the guidelines stating absolutely to not use the wifi there to submit your shop while you're on site. I do not see that note now, but it certainly did used to be there.

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