Question

Have you ever become a customer/client of a place that you frequently shop?

I'm not referring to the situations where you have to make a purchase or open an account.

"I told myself to quit you; but I don't listen to drunks." -Chris Stapleton

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Absolutely. Offhand, I can think of a flooring company that impressed me, a banker I really liked and trusted, a grocery store I switched to because of their personal service, and a cruise line that has become our "regular" (unfortunately for the client, it's the cruise line from the competitor shop ;-)). I like that we're able to check things out on someone's dime.

I now know that most "boutique" hotels are not for me (with a few exceptions), great pizza is worth paying a premium for, used car salesmen have a reputation for a reason, and that if I do buy a timeshare, it will likely be through Hilton's Grand Vacations.

Now scheduling travel shops for the day after Christmas through mid-January.

Definitely! I did haircut shops for a chain and liked them so much I switched from Supercuts to the other chain (Hair Cuttery).

Silver certified (since 2009) and willing to do shops all around the greater Chicago, NW Indiana, and Southern Wisconsin areas (including airports!.

Definitely. I found a bank and an investment advisor. Also a place to get my hair cut, a place to buy sushi, a furniture store. I also learned that mattress prices are always negotiable.

Shopping Southeast Pennsylvania, Delaware above the canal, and South Jersey since 2008

Quite a few actually. The last time I had Sonic before shopping them was in the late 80's or early 90's and all I remembered was everything tasted like onions. Their burgers. Their fries. Their slushes. The tea. After shopping them I realized they have actual good food and often eat there on my own dime. When 5 Guys opened near me I tried it and thought it was a tasteless dry burger. I didn't eat there again until after shopping them and the food was good. I detest golf but after doing a Top Golf shop I will totally go there again, although probably not on my own dime. There are others that come to mind. Mod Market. Another Broken Egg. And I know quite a few of you will find this odd but if I need gas and there are two gas stations in a row with the same price gas, I will go to the one I make the most off of from audits.

There are reasons that a body stays in motion
At the moment only demons come to mind

"I will go to the one I make the most off of from audits." I don't find it odd.

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.

WOW! Everyone, thank you for the input!

I sometimes wonder if the MSC clients are looking for new customers in the shoppers. I wondered what the general consensus was for doing that.

Thanks again!

"I told myself to quit you; but I don't listen to drunks." -Chris Stapleton

Because I devote myself mostly to gas stations, I know all the stations with clean bathrooms pretty much in a hundred mile radius. Also the stations where I like the staff and the deli has fresh food, and most importantly, the stations to avoid. I am a vegetarian 99% of the time, but if I really want a burger I know to get it at 5 guys and NOT to eat the whole thing.

BTW, nice to see you back, HonnyBrown.

Thank you CoffeeQueen! I still love that name, by the way.

I never really left. I lurked because I didn't appreciate being called a troll by the bullies. I see they are still at it. I guess that's all they have.

"I told myself to quit you; but I don't listen to drunks." -Chris Stapleton

I purchased my car at a dealership where I did a shop. I now regularly get my oil changes there, sometimes on a shop and sometimes on my own dime.

I had a shop at a credit union that was offering a very good rate on a certificate of deposit, so I opened an account and put some money in a CD. Over the next two months I shopped them several more times, opening a checking account, getting a credit card and depositing a check. Incidentally, I should offer kudo's to Shoppers Inc. for not having their company name on their checks. They list the owners name and "payroll account", which made their check perfect for my needs during a teller shop at the credit union.

For a while years ago, I knew every cell phone monthly plan, whose was best, whose was cheapest etc! That was helpful info when I wanted to switch carriers. I've learned a lot about the various banks and credit unions. I know what car dealers I would consider and which ones I would avoid like the plague. Because of shopping a fancy steak house over several years, we knew exactly where to have a small wedding celebration dinner for our son and daughter-in-law!

When I was in college in the 'burbs, Coyle had a review for a historic, upscale tavern restaurant that I took my roommate to. When I graduated, I had my graduation dinner there.

@DennisNE wrote:

I had a shop at a credit union that was offering a very good rate on a certificate of deposit, so I opened an account and put some money in a CD. Over the next two months I shopped them several more times, opening a checking account, getting a credit card and depositing a check. Incidentally, I should offer kudo's to Shoppers Inc. for not having their company name on their checks. They list the owners name and "payroll account", which made their check perfect for my needs during a teller shop at the credit union.

Dennis, I shopped my credit union this week. I realized how awful they are because of the many bank shops I do. I asked my original question because I am considering consolidating all of my accounts to one of the banks that I shop.

That's a good point about depositing the checks. The MSC for the credit union pays by check. The MSC for the bank pays by check also. I'll have to make sure not to make those deposits when I do a shop.

"I told myself to quit you; but I don't listen to drunks." -Chris Stapleton

Yes, I was assigned to do one of those mattress shops and was so impressed with the salesman and the quality of the product I bought a set for my ouwn home then got another set for my in-laws too.

Her Serene Majesty, Cettie - Goat Queen of Zoltar, Sublime Empress of Her Caprine Domain

I got hooked on Aveda hair products but can no longer locate their jobs. I pick other jobs to justify spending $29 for a small bottle of shampoo but it still hurts every time I have to pay for one out of pocket. And now I am a member of Landry's and do not shop them anymore but they have a nice Happy Hour and I try to spend enough in a year to get my $25 birthday gift.
On the other side of the coin I have tried many places where I did not think it was worth the (my) money at all and have never been to those places once the mystery shop opportunities have dried up.

@EileenS wrote:

For a while years ago, I knew every cell phone monthly plan, whose was best, whose was cheapest etc! That was helpful info when I wanted to switch carriers. I've learned a lot about the various banks and credit unions. I know what car dealers I would consider and which ones I would avoid like the plague. Because of shopping a fancy steak house over several years, we knew exactly where to have a small wedding celebration dinner for our son and daughter-in-law!

Eileen, that is very true. I do a few phone shops a month and I always get confirmation that my current cell provider is the best for me!

"I told myself to quit you; but I don't listen to drunks." -Chris Stapleton

@Cettie wrote:

Yes, I was assigned to do one of those mattress shops and was so impressed with the salesman and the quality of the product I bought a set for my ouwn home then got another set for my in-laws too.

I did a mattress shop and fell asleep during the presentation. That says a lot!

"I told myself to quit you; but I don't listen to drunks." -Chris Stapleton

@sandyf wrote:

I got hooked on Aveda hair products but can no longer locate their jobs. I pick other jobs to justify spending $29 for a small bottle of shampoo but it still hurts every time I have to pay for one out of pocket. And now I am a member of Landry's and do not shop them anymore but they have a nice Happy Hour and I try to spend enough in a year to get my $25 birthday gift.
On the other side of the coin I have tried many places where I did not think it was worth the (my) money at all and have never been to those places once the mystery shop opportunities have dried up.

I seem to get the Aveda shops once a week. I haven't bitten on them.

"I told myself to quit you; but I don't listen to drunks." -Chris Stapleton

I changed internet/TV companies after doing a shop. And here's a big one. I joined a church after doing a shop! Gosh...I know there is more but can't think of any.

@Cettie wrote:

Yes, I was assigned to do one of those mattress shops and was so impressed with the salesman and the quality of the product I bought a set for my ouwn home then got another set for my in-laws too.

If I hadn't bought a mattress set just two years ago, I'd have purchased one of the ones I tested during my mattress shop!

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 shopped Fatburger right after shopping the McDonalds in the nearby Walmart. Needless to say I was very full and not pleased. However, my SO accompanied me the next time and he fell in love. Now when I see Fatburger, I apply immediately because he likes going there so much.

@Kristie6923 wrote:

I changed internet/TV companies after doing a shop. And here's a big one. I joined a church after doing a shop! Gosh...I know there is more but can't think of any.

The text message MSC has a year study for switching cable providers. They also pay a dollar amount for something over the following year.

Of course, I found out about that after I switched.

Yeah, the church is a biggie! Is it the same denomination?

"I told myself to quit you; but I don't listen to drunks." -Chris Stapleton

3 words: Buffalo Wild Wings. I was not impressed in the past by them, but once I started shopping them, they became my favorite casual restaurant. I was doing 2-3 shops per week with the old MSC. Now since I moved to SoCal it's been harder and harder to get the shops, but I still go as a paying customer every now and then.

I also got a Planet Fitness membership after shopping two of them, and opened an account at Bank of America. And if I could afford it, I'd buy a Tesla tomorrow based on the one and only car shop that's ever really wowed me (both the car and the sales process).

I got hooked on one of my earliest assignments, WingStop. However, there was a long gap b/t doing the shop and becoming a regular customer.

I've thought about switching to TD Bank based on my assignments there, but I haven't pulled the trigger yet.

I don't think there are any Russians / And there ain't no Yanks
Just corporate criminals\ / Playin' with tanks

Honnybrown I see those shops for switching providers but they don't include the company i am with. As far as the church, my situation is a bit odd. I grew up Catholic in Wisconsin, didn't like it, and while living in Arizona went to a non denominational spiritual growth center. When I moved back to Wisconsin, I never found anything that I liked. The church through the MSC is methodist. Doesn't matter a bit to me. Is that strange?

Edited 3 time(s). Last edit at 03/08/2016 01:01PM by Kristie6923.

I am finding that some of the retail shops require a bit of self control. I did a shop at a couple of shoe retailers recently. One of them was a purchase and return (required). I thought about going back and getting them again to keep. I went right to the next shoe retailer which was a purchase and return, but return not required. I kept those shoes. :-) I am a thrift store addict so those are always fun shops for me.

@Kristie6923 wrote:

Honnybrown I see those shops for switching providers but they don't include the company i am with. As far as the church, my situation is a bit odd. I grew up Catholic in Wisconsin, didn't like it, and while living in Arizona went to a non denominational spiritual growth center. When I moved back to Wisconsin, I never found anything that I liked. The church through the MSC is methodist. Doesn't matter a bit to me. Is that strange?

Kristie, I went to a Catholic school and grew up in a Baptist church. Nothing is weird to me!

"I told myself to quit you; but I don't listen to drunks." -Chris Stapleton

@Nova2000 wrote:

I am finding that some of the retail shops require a bit of self control. I did a shop at a couple of shoe retailers recently. One of them was a purchase and return (required). I thought about going back and getting them again to keep. I went right to the next shoe retailer which was a purchase and return, but return not required. I kept those shoes. :-) I am a thrift store addict so those are always fun shops for me.

Hi nova. Welcome!

No way in the world would I do a shoe shop. I would go broke!

"I told myself to quit you; but I don't listen to drunks." -Chris Stapleton

@retrodaddy wrote:

I got hooked on one of my earliest assignments, WingStop. However, there was a long gap b/t doing the shop and becoming a regular customer.

I've thought about switching to TD Bank based on my assignments there, but I haven't pulled the trigger yet.

I opened my account with BB&T this week. My credit union was really bad. It was one small thing after another.

"I told myself to quit you; but I don't listen to drunks." -Chris Stapleton

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