Big Box Cookware Shop?
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I used to do these with a different MSC and decided that they were too much work. Since then, the requirements to carry something bulky around forever, the need to either memorize names and descriptions and other information while holding the bulky item, the need (generally) to use the gift registry, and the apparent need to buy something that is a "gift" which people here say severely restricts options - coupled with the low fee - puts this on my 10-foot-pole list. I assume others will chime in.
BTW, I am aware of only one Big Box domestic merchandise retail store.
BTW, I am aware of only one Big Box domestic merchandise retail store.
Shopping Southeast Pennsylvania, Delaware above the canal, and South Jersey since 2008
Birdy, the one I've seen requires a name of every associate, and I'm thinking it may also require a description and what they are doing, along with whether they greet, and which department they are in. I believe that particular MSC may send you the guidelines if you request them from the scheduler.
Mary Davis Nowell. Based close to Fort Worth. Shopping Interstate 20 east and west, Interstate 35 north and south.
@MDavisnowell wrote:
Birdy, the one I've seen requires a name of every associate, and I'm thinking it may also require a description and what they are doing, along with whether they greet, and which department they are in. I believe that particular MSC may send you the guidelines if you request them from the scheduler.
Thank you! That sounds as if it might be the one, and it sounds like too much work for $19! But I'll see if I can get the guidelines Only reason I'm considering it is because I'm pretty sure I know which store it is, and it's about 5 minutes from my house; if I had to drive any distance, I wouldn't even be considering it!
jmitw, I'm not sure which "Big Box" it is, but I'm guessing Bed, Bath & Beyond. (And since we haven't mentioned the MSC, I'm OK in saying that, but I really don't know for sure since the information in the job posting doesn't say.)
I learn something new every day, but not everyday!
I've learned to never trust spell-check or my phone's auto-fill feature.
I've learned to never trust spell-check or my phone's auto-fill feature.
myst4au, that is indeed the shop! I found the requirements in the "Certification" document. OMG. For $19, fugeddabout it. Nope and nope. I think this shop should pay at least $25 to $30. Even at that, I'd make sure I went during "off hours" and when there would, hopefully, be a bare-bones staff. They expect a helluva lot for the base of $15. And a bonus to $19 won't do it, either.
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 02/09/2016 01:51PM by BirdyC.
I learn something new every day, but not everyday!
I've learned to never trust spell-check or my phone's auto-fill feature.
I've learned to never trust spell-check or my phone's auto-fill feature.
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 02/09/2016 01:51PM by BirdyC.
Before changing MSCs the fee would start super low then climb to anywhere from $20 to $40. At that time there were no restrictions on the purchase so it held more value for me. Some visits I spent fee and reimbursement in order to get a good discount on something large, other times I could find a needed gadget or two for within reimbursement only. Going during off hours and using my phone for notes allowed me to get the names of every employee.
Equal rights for others does not mean fewer rights for you. It's not pie.
"I prefer someone who burns the flag and then wraps themselves up in the Constitution over someone who burns the Constitution and then wraps themselves up in the flag." -Molly Ivins
Never try to teach a pig to sing. It's a waste of your time and it really annoys the pig.
"I prefer someone who burns the flag and then wraps themselves up in the Constitution over someone who burns the Constitution and then wraps themselves up in the flag." -Molly Ivins
Never try to teach a pig to sing. It's a waste of your time and it really annoys the pig.
@LisaSTL wrote:
Some visits I spent fee and reimbursement in order to get a good discount on something large,... Going during off hours and using my phone for notes allowed me to get the names of every employee.
There is something large I need there, but I'm not sure if they carry it in-store; and it is bulky! But I'd like to see that fee climb up higher than $20 in order to take the shop. Glad that my inclination to go during off hours makes sense. I do use my phone for notes, especially for names of employees. When I get in my car, I use voice recorder to record other details before I forget them....
Would love to see the fee go up over $20, but I'm kind of guessing that won't happen.
I learn something new every day, but not everyday!
I've learned to never trust spell-check or my phone's auto-fill feature.
I've learned to never trust spell-check or my phone's auto-fill feature.
You hit on two possible problems from what I remember about the newer guidelines. My understanding was they don't allow phones to be used and you have to buy a "gift" item. For the life of me I can't figure out how they differentiate on gift items. I've also wondered how prohibiting specific ways of note taking plays with being an IC. We are supposed to have leeway regarding how to accomplish the assignment. Plus it just seems backwards anyway since so many people use their phones for lists, etc. I haven't taken a paper list into any store since 2010.
Equal rights for others does not mean fewer rights for you. It's not pie.
"I prefer someone who burns the flag and then wraps themselves up in the Constitution over someone who burns the Constitution and then wraps themselves up in the flag." -Molly Ivins
Never try to teach a pig to sing. It's a waste of your time and it really annoys the pig.
"I prefer someone who burns the flag and then wraps themselves up in the Constitution over someone who burns the Constitution and then wraps themselves up in the flag." -Molly Ivins
Never try to teach a pig to sing. It's a waste of your time and it really annoys the pig.
These days it's pretty weird for someone to not be walking around in a store or sitting at a table in a restaurant without his or her phone glued to his/her hand! And with eyes glued to screen.
I learn something new every day, but not everyday!
I've learned to never trust spell-check or my phone's auto-fill feature.
I've learned to never trust spell-check or my phone's auto-fill feature.
if you think it is bed bath and beyond...there is a lot of discussion on this...that is the only one I know of, but i thought you would have been aware of the major concerns with this..
Also, to apply for the shop with this MSC, you have to take and pass a certification test which I think describes the details....I didn't realize you hadn't looked at that....this does sound like BBB.
There is an item I want at BBB...but the issue with carrying around the bulky item the ENTIRE time makes it impossible..its just too much juggling. If they would allow you to just make a couple laps around the store with it and put it away if not offered a cart, I would do it (it used to be that way).....but not often...
all of their stores tend to be HIGHLY staffed...so you are writing down 10+ names, locations/activities, quoting how they greeted you.......while carrying the bulky item
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 02/09/2016 07:50PM by jmitw.
Also, to apply for the shop with this MSC, you have to take and pass a certification test which I think describes the details....I didn't realize you hadn't looked at that....this does sound like BBB.
There is an item I want at BBB...but the issue with carrying around the bulky item the ENTIRE time makes it impossible..its just too much juggling. If they would allow you to just make a couple laps around the store with it and put it away if not offered a cart, I would do it (it used to be that way).....but not often...
all of their stores tend to be HIGHLY staffed...so you are writing down 10+ names, locations/activities, quoting how they greeted you.......while carrying the bulky item
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 02/09/2016 07:50PM by jmitw.
If you dig on the one posted for months the trigger question is asking about telescopes. Yeah that will not be a white flag!
they do sell telescopes online...and if someone returns it they put it in the clearance section....you can say' I could be wrong, but I could swear I saw a telescope here last year..do you sell telescopes?' that way it won't seem so odd that you are asking about it.
And you do not think they are tipped off by that? What are the odds a normal shopper not in the Christmas season is asking that? No thanks you can have my shop. It is still sitting since Halloween.
@jmitw wrote:
they do sell telescopes online...and if someone returns it they put it in the clearance section....you can say' I could be wrong, but I could swear I saw a telescope here last year..do you sell telescopes?' that way it won't seem so odd that you are asking about it.
@CANADAMOMMY wrote:
If you dig on the one posted for months the trigger question is asking about telescopes. Yeah that will not be a white flag!
Yeah, I thought that question was really bizarre. Like I'm gonna be walking around the store with a big wedge pillow (which I need), then ask about a telescope? Sure.
I learn something new every day, but not everyday!
I've learned to never trust spell-check or my phone's auto-fill feature.
I've learned to never trust spell-check or my phone's auto-fill feature.
Seems I read somewhere about an asteroid coming by in a few weeks that will be easily visible. If everyone else is sold out...
they took the gift registry off a few months ago..i didn't hear of it going back on....a few years ago, the registry would be on the scenario rotation..1 month would be small appliance, next would be curtains, next would be a return, next would be registry...but for a while they just added it as an extra step to every scenario
you CANNOT use your phone now...the phone made it easier to take notes-especially when carrying something...i used to be able to pull out my phone and text myself the names and other info with 1 hand...now you need paper and pen..
Many BBBs have a harmon section...i think anything outside the harmon section would count as a gift item...but I am not sure..they have some things like batteries and cleansers that i would love as a gift, but are not traditional gifts
one company says not to use cell phones so that you don't draw attention to yourself as the employees will peg you as a mystery shopper taking notes...
the company that used to do BBB specifically said to use a cell to take notes so that you don't stand out.
another possible reason to not use cell phones is that they don't want you to be using it to communicate with others.
there was another one that specifically said do not use a cell phone, but in the instructions suggested using it to take notes...i asked them to clarify and they never did.
the company that used to do BBB specifically said to use a cell to take notes so that you don't stand out.
another possible reason to not use cell phones is that they don't want you to be using it to communicate with others.
there was another one that specifically said do not use a cell phone, but in the instructions suggested using it to take notes...i asked them to clarify and they never did.
I did a blender one. It wasn't the worst shop in the world, but it wasn't the best either. It's not one I will run back to do any time soon but I might do one again if I had a few other shops in the same mall and wanted to add $19 and an oven mitt to my day or something. 
Neither the bulky item or the purchase were onerous to me. There wasn't anything in the guidelines about a gift item or gift registry (I did the shop in November), but I had no problem finding something I could use in my household. I bought a pair of mini oven mitts, which I LOVE! And for the bulky item, I chose a laundry hamper, so it was lightweight.
Neither the bulky item or the purchase were onerous to me. There wasn't anything in the guidelines about a gift item or gift registry (I did the shop in November), but I had no problem finding something I could use in my household. I bought a pair of mini oven mitts, which I LOVE! And for the bulky item, I chose a laundry hamper, so it was lightweight.
@CeciliaM wrote:
There wasn't anything in the guidelines about a gift item or gift registry (I did the shop in November), but I had no problem finding something I could use in my household. I bought a pair of mini oven mitts, which I LOVE! And for the bulky item, I chose a laundry hamper, so it was lightweight.
I think the guidelines I read yesterday said that the purchase should be something "like" something you'd buy through a gift registry. So, probably anything that could be a gift for a shower or wedding. I really do need a wedge pillow, so that would definitely be my bulky item, and I think it could pass as a registry gift. People put bedding items on their registries all the time.
Getting that telescope question in might be tricky, though! How does one segue into that? "Oh, by the way, my teenager was looking for telescopes online and found one on the Bed, Bath, and Beyond website?" "Oh, I need a gift for my son; do you have telescopes in stock?" Those don't sound plausible to me....
I learn something new every day, but not everyday!
I've learned to never trust spell-check or my phone's auto-fill feature.
I've learned to never trust spell-check or my phone's auto-fill feature.
No, you do not mention the website. A reason for the question is to see if they refer you to the website.
I think they pick a different item every month that is only carried online to see if you are referred to the website....most of the items normal customers would not consider asking about at bed bath and beyond and would tell any knowledgeable associate that you were a mystery shopper.
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 02/10/2016 07:39PM by jmitw.
I think they pick a different item every month that is only carried online to see if you are referred to the website....most of the items normal customers would not consider asking about at bed bath and beyond and would tell any knowledgeable associate that you were a mystery shopper.
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 02/10/2016 07:39PM by jmitw.
I didn't have to ask about a telescope. I had to ask about another random item, and the person helping me couldn't have given less of a $%^& so it was easy lol. She just kind of vaguely pointed in the direction of half the store and said "It's probably over there." Since I didn't really care about the item I just said "Oh, OK," and vaguely walked "over there" and moved on to my next interaction.
I don't think you should worry about asking for random items though. People go shopping in big stores and ask for random items all the time.
About the gift registry thing- That might be true. It sounds vaguely familiar but I can't remember now. My shop was in November. I do remember people on this board complaining about something with a gift registry that I didn't have to do. It does seem kind of odd that they would have you buy something that "could' be on a gift registry, but not actually ask about gift registry. But it didn't seem stressful to me since just about everything there could be on a gift registry, except maybe if they sell candy or snacks. I highly recommend the mini oven mitts haha.
I don't think you should worry about asking for random items though. People go shopping in big stores and ask for random items all the time.
About the gift registry thing- That might be true. It sounds vaguely familiar but I can't remember now. My shop was in November. I do remember people on this board complaining about something with a gift registry that I didn't have to do. It does seem kind of odd that they would have you buy something that "could' be on a gift registry, but not actually ask about gift registry. But it didn't seem stressful to me since just about everything there could be on a gift registry, except maybe if they sell candy or snacks. I highly recommend the mini oven mitts haha.
@jmitw wrote:
No, you do not mention the website. A reason for the question is to see if they refer you to the website.
Even more bizarre, then, that you have to ask that question in this round. Who's gonna be looking for a telescope at BBB? Who else but a mystery shopper would even think to ask for that?
I learn something new every day, but not everyday!
I've learned to never trust spell-check or my phone's auto-fill feature.
I've learned to never trust spell-check or my phone's auto-fill feature.
@BirdyC wrote:
Even more bizarre, then, that you have to ask that question in this round. Who's gonna be looking for a telescope at BBB? Who else but a mystery shopper would even think to ask for that?
I worked at a department store in high school that only sold clothing and accessories for men, women and children, and few random household things (it was a regional store, but think like Kohls) and you would be AMAZED at the crazy stuff people would ask if we carried. I'm pretty sure it was wishful thinking and they just didn't want to go to the mall haha.
If you really look at BBB, they carry a lot of random stuff in their store. Every time I go in there, I am surprised at some random item. When I did mine, the random item had to do with pets, which seemed logical enough.
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