A couple of months ago I decided to videotape my shops. I used to use a timer and hit "lap" at the important points, then took notes, but I got a few assignments that wanted me to get so much information all at the same time, I couldn't keep up.
Now I could put a lot more verbatim quotes and check back for details I missed, like if I didn't note how full the dining room was. And I got great feedback from the MSC for my detailed reports.
It's really easy to videotape with a phone or tablet as long as you have enough storage. Both my phone and tablet are in cases that hide the screen so I just have to hold it up, kind of absentmindedly, and nobody knows. The first time using a new camera, though, it crashed and didn't record anything, unbeknownst to me, but that never happened again once I added more memory. Still, that failure is in the back of my mind so I try to keep file sizes as small as I can, and I do use notes and even mental notes as a backup. It's easy to stop being mentally aware if you know you're recording, so you have to remain alert.
I don't worry about the recording laws because I'm doing it at places that already have cameras, and even if they don't, I only use it to write my report. I'm not publishing it. I delete it once I'm paid. There is not the slightest chance of being in trouble legally, so anyone worried about such things, just stop. Half the people around you are taking video on their phones.
Actually, I'm surprised they don't just ask us for video of our shops instead of lengthy reports. The only thing you can't record is if something smelled or tasted bad.
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 02/12/2016 07:11PM by ShopWhisperer.