@Cuteazz1 wrote:

Well, I'm in Chicago and I love food!!! I will happily assist!

If I am in Chicago for a food evaluation, I will let you know/post it!! I also love food, and love dining with people who love food

@Tarantado wrote:

My areas are in my sig! I'm a young'n and can cover those pesky 21-29 shopper / guest age requirements

Thanks! If I am in that area for work and there is a dining evaluation, I will let you know! If you are ever in NYC, let me know as well!

@miguksaram wrote:

Those two person shops are tricky especially when the other person flakes and you have to cancel your assignment. I wish we could just bring robots sometimes. Maybe the staff won't notice.

Haha, yes, that would be perfect.

@CaliGirl925 wrote:

@miguksaram wrote:

Those two person shops are tricky especially when the other person flakes and you have to cancel your assignment. I wish we could just bring robots sometimes. Maybe the staff won't notice.

It probably wouldn't even be in the top 10 weirdest things they saw that week!

Hotel staff has probably seen a lot of weird and funny things!

@Sybil2 wrote:

Two words...Craigslist Killer.

Cynical.

@SunnyDays2 wrote:

So many "variables" here:

1. This is a new poster that you really don't know.

Definitely understand the need for caution, but I also believe it should be balanced with a sense of openness in welcoming a newbie into a community. We don't really know anyone online regardless of how long people communicate with each other. Online postings are based on what the poster wants us to see/read!

@SunnyDays2 wrote:

2. The summation (from some) is that this shopper is going to pay for your dinner. While this may be well and true, I don't see the shopper saying they will. And if the shopper "does" pay for your dinner, what might be expected? How does this work for that shopper's bottom line?

Yes, because MSC will reimburse for two guests. Basically, I get to do the evaluation and try a high-end hotel dining for free if I have a guest versus no guest and no high-end dining experience.

@SunnyDays2 wrote:

3. This shopper might not show up for dinner with you, if you agree to meet the shopper at ABC dinner house, so what if this shopper does not show?

I would assume we would exchange phone numbers so we can contact each other on the day of. I can also tell the guest that the reservation is under my name so they can call the hotel to double check it. But the experience is high end enough that skipping it would be an opportunity cost.

@SunnyDays2 wrote:

4. While this sounds fun to some, I would find it "uncomfortable" to dine with someone I did not know. You are helping the shopper but this is not something I would do. I would get to know the person first.

This dining experience would not be for everyone, as a shopper I would have to be comfortable with the guest as well - who would be getting a free meal at a high end or Michelin starred restaurant - without having to write an evaluation. As a shopper, I would expect the guest to keep me company but not cause any discomforts!

@SunnyDays2 wrote:

5. Now a "group" meet, yes. Like a bunch of shoppers familiar with one another, agree to meet at XYZ dinner house and they all show up to meet one another. This I would do. It feels more comfortable to me. Like some of the long timers here

@SunnyDays2 wrote:

I remember going on a date with a man for dinner that I had not met prior. It was the most "uncomfortable" thing and I wanted to crawl under a table. This is not someone I would have eaten dinner with, if you know what I am saying...

I know what you mean - from dates to job interviews - I've had experiences where within the first minute, I knew it was not a good fit. As I grew older, I just became more honest with myself and felt that if it is not worth my, or the other person's time, I would politely end the interaction (dinner or job interview). You do not owe it to someone to stay for the whole dinner if you feel uncomfortable so you try to extricate yourself from those situations asap. Also, email correspondences will usually give me an idea if the other person will be easy going.

Hope this answered your concerns!!

Btw, the reason I posted the original question is because the hotel is located in London, UK and there is less chance of someone traveling there and taking the assignment, than let's say, a town or city in the US. I have friends in the city where the evaluation will be, but because I don't see them often enough, I'd rather spend quality time catching up with them than invite them to the evaluation where I won't be able to give them my full attention.

The evaluation is for a high-end daytime hotel dining in London, UK. I thought it would be fun to share the experience with another shopper. I think it was a long-shot posting on this forum looking for a guest. At least I now know who are open to being a guest for future dining evaluations. Thanks, everyone!

Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 10/07/2015 02:04AM by _shopper.

SunnyDays - your post reminded me of a blind date I once had where we met up at a very nice restaurant. He was very polite, handsome, and a gentleman. During dinner he asked me what my favorite song was. I mentioned it and he said "Oh! I like that one too!" He then went on to start singing it. Like, at full volume. In the middle of a fancy restaurant where it was otherwise rather quiet.

It was odd behavior, and then he gets excited and tells me he was going to sing HIS favorite song. And just sitting there in his chair he begins to belt out another tune at the top of his voice!

Well, all the other diners were GLARING over at our table and I REALLY wanted to just get the heck out of there right away. He continued singing until I excused myself and mentioned I had an 'emergency' to attend to!

LOL! True story!!!

Much the same way postal buddies find each other, Dinner buddies would also work. Indicate your interest. Shoppers contact each other via private message. I open to the idea. As always due diligent is a must.

I think I've been going about this mystery shopping thing all wrong: writing up the reports afterward like a chump! I gotta get a job as a professional mystery shopping guest. I'll help with observations and follow ordering and other guidelines, I'll let you take pictures of my food, and will waste an hour in the bar with you while you ply me with drinks, then you pick up the check after dinner and do the report. My guests have had it so good!

I'm in NYC and I would absolutely be another MSer's date for dining. I could take some notes and split the tip in cash. When I take my "in the know" friends, they pay half the tip. No one ever complains because it's still a $200 meal for a pretty steep discount.

How about contacting the scheduler about it? They would be the best source of knowing reliable people in the area where you will be conducting the shop, in addition to having contact information on the other person, whether or not the other person is reliable or a flake, etc.

@JASFLALMT wrote:

How about contacting the scheduler about it? They would be the best source of knowing reliable people in the area where you will be conducting the shop, in addition to having contact information on the other person, whether or not the other person is reliable or a flake, etc.

Blind mystery shopping dates? Interesting.... Has anyone ever tried this? 25/m/co here!

@CaliGirl925 wrote:

I gotta get a job as a professional mystery shopping guest. I'll help with observations and follow ordering and other guidelines, I'll let you take pictures of my food, and will waste an hour in the bar with you while you ply me with drinks, then you pick up the check after dinner and do the report.

I have long contended that my guests have a much better job than I do! Let me know if you ever find yourself as CaliGirl310 and you might get a free dinner out of it!

I do like the idea of a scheduling/matchmaking service, though. They could charge the shopper and the MSC both for their services!

There's another thread where I have discussed this, but have absolutely taken blind dates on shops before. It's a great way to alleviate the pressure of who pays, gives you something to concentrate on, and shows you what kind of partner your date potentially is. You just have to be ready to eat the check in case your date goes off track. [on that note; I have actually experienced some incredible leniency from MSC staff when admitting that my guest was a blind date who did not stick with the ordering requirements. I'm sure if it became commonplace, it might start to become an issue, but I think the occasional shot ordered at the table or refill accepted at the bar is more entertainment for them than a problem for the client.]

I would totally be up for it too, I love upscale dining / fine dining and I have no problem letting someone else write the report and making the fee! I can just sit back and enjoy the meal and of course I would help with trying to catch the names etc. Since it's in a public place such as a restaurant I'm not really concerned with Craigslist murder. If the OP invited me to her house to discuss MS that would be a red flag, but she didn't ask that. She's just looking for a meal partner.
Welcome to the forum and good luck finding a dining partner!

aayaey, watch she doesn't slip a mickey into your drink!