I used to do bank shops where I used to live. There were a lot of these banks, but I still ended up doing each of them often. Short of using a disguise, it was inevitable that I'd look familiar to certain bankers. They would swear they knew me. I would give them a dead pan look and raise my eyebrows. If they continued, I'd say, "Oh that was my twin sister! She's the one who told me she got great service here." When I had to shop looking for checking accounts for kids, I invented quite a back story for my (imaginary) son and daughter. To the point where I was actually sad when they changed the shop and I never got to see my kids graduate. LOL

Re grocery shops: I regularly mystery shop my local grocery store. I think they were pretty sure I was the MS (I'm in the middle of nowhere with no other shoppers from this MSC nearby.) BUT I started faking them out by coming in twice or even 3x a week. They were totally confused. Also for those shops where you are wandering around looking for the elusive 2nd floor associate, I've pulled out my Fitbit and say I only need a couple of things but I really need to walk! Now I just get great service ALL the time.

After eating lunch at a table, I was required to sit at the bar and order a beverage. Sounds fine, right?

Well, this particular day was EXTREMELY slow in the restaurant. There were only two other tables occupied in the entire place, so there was no legitimate reason that I couldn't have a drink at the table...especially when I was just offered an after lunch cocktail.

However, no matter how ridiculous I felt, I took a seat at the bar. It was at that moment I realized that the server who just finished waiting my table would now be my bartender. Womp womp.

I recently did a business scenario for a bank shop. I was dressed appropriately and had my business well thought out.

Despite the fact that I said I had been in business for 7 years and fully licensed, the banker made comments about me having a new business. This was straight from the guidelines!

The last week until the new round next month!

@CaliGirl925 wrote:

I remember when I got the "This is the last week for paint shops!!!" email. My first thought was, "Oh, thank GOD". I should have created a filter for those emails.

@HonnyBrown wrote:

The last week until the new round next month!

@CaliGirl925 wrote:

I remember when I got the "This is the last week for paint shops!!!" email. My first thought was, "Oh, thank GOD". I should have created a filter for those emails.

Filter created

My son is a butcher in an upscale meat market. He started there at 16 and is now 32 and assistant manager. When he started he could not believe all the adults that had to have a specific cut of meat but didn't know how to cook it and were asking him.
He helps me out doing dining shops needing to ID but I have to remind him to wait to be asked.

@niteflytes wrote:

Pointing to a steak in the meat case and asking "what kind of meat is that?" and then asking "how do I cook it?"
I'm 51. The kid behind the counter must think I just got out of the loony bin and never saw a steak.

I love it when a target at an apartment shop asks me if my furniture will fit.

When you are caught taking pictures of a store bathroom.

Refusing to buy the rewards card at the theater at the concession stand, even though it would make your food free and still save you $2. I honestly don't know if it gives me away as a shopper or not, but it sure does make me feel dumb.

As a tall red-head living in a mostly Asian community I know what it is like to stand out in the crowd. I call it the "Where's Waldo" shop, me being the Waldo. Am loving this topic ... better than most late-night comedy shows.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 05/04/2016 06:06AM by PuaM.

Those five guys places are much cleaner thanks to our efforts!



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 05/04/2016 06:03AM by PuaM.

I posted this response at the end of the string rather than here: My idea is to keep a cheap drug store wrist brace or finger splint in the overnight bag. Put it one before requesting extra assistance that would usually be a DIY project - like changing the temperature on the thermostat.

I put on a different color hat when I went through the drive-thru since I had been inside.....

I acted as if I was having a conversation via FaceTime to take a picture of the restaurant....

I asked to see the Manager to tell them how wonderful someone was because I had to describe a manager and never saw one in my 90 minutes there.....

I went in the restroom and washed my hands

This is a fun topic!
Today, I had a mystery/reveal shop. I did the mystery portion and went back to my car to jot down the major details so I could do my report at home.
I grabbed my folder and walked back into the store. The guy behind the counter seemed confused and I told him I was here for another purpose and asked if his store manager was available. (I was smiling and trying to not create tension.) The store manager came in and I explained what I was doing and wow... instant respect. The entire vibe just shifted. Fortunately, there was only minor things to report but I was just surprised with how quick folks react. Granted, it was my first reveal shop.

I also recently did a shop where I had to take my teen to see if she could purchase a rated R movie ticket. The ticket area and such were entirely inside so I had to wait a couple of beats and then follow so I could get a visual view of the interaction. My thought was that it would be busy enough that I could blend into the background. My mistake. The lobby was completely empty except for her which wasn't noticeable until you went inside. I panicked and just hung back as far as I could for as long as I could. I was sent an email saying they needed to verify us on camera and to describe ourselves. I so badly wanted to just tell them that if they look at the camera, we were the only ones there! LOL I'm still crossing my fingers. That shop was ..interesting.

Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 05/05/2016 11:00PM by schylarsok.

I had an indoor food shop where I had to count customers, do timings and take pictures of boards that were towards the ceilings where there was no way to play off taking the picture. Also had to take a pic of the receipt while in the store and any promotional signs in the store.

This was a 4 week, same day, same time assignment. On my third visit, I left the register without the receipt. Sat at my table. Timed how long it took someone from line to receive their food, then went to take a pic of my receipt... Oh @#$%&. Forgot it. I went to the counter to ask for it saying something about needing one for business. The cashier said, "no problem. I saved it for you." Then, plucked it from the side of the register and handed it to me. Well, needless to say, the 4th and last trip, I took pics, did timings and counted customers like normal but all the staff just smiled at me. Busted? I think so.

MSC's, think about it. Asking us to do a shop the same day of the week, the same time of the day, for 4 weeks in a row usually means the same staff will be there. I enjoyed the assignment but know I was busted.

Look, man, you know me by name, I know you by name. Clearly the mystery shopping company I work for doesn't know how to manage rotation. Just tell me what your employer has told you they are currently hot for and give me a copy of any paperwork, and I'll make the rest look good. Good? Good.

I was once at a cable shop and the employee kept moving her sweater so her name tag was visible. Since I am a female I did not think it was so I could see her chest better!!

I had a banker ask me today, "Weren't you here a month or two ago?" I looked at him with a deadpan face and said no. He seemed to buy it. I like these shops, so the next time around I will finally have to say I have opened an account and now I have other questions.

@deelitefullyme wrote:

I had an indoor food shop where I had to count customers, do timings and take pictures of boards that were towards the ceilings where there was no way to play off taking the picture. Also had to take a pic of the receipt while in the store and any promotional signs in the store.

This was a 4 week, same day, same time assignment. ...

MSC's, think about it. Asking us to do a shop the same day of the week, the same time of the day, for 4 weeks in a row usually means the same staff will be there. I enjoyed the assignment but know I was busted.

In this instance, it most likely was not the actual company that was the client. Think about it - do you think the client would need you to count customers? Their cash registers are wired up and in the blink of an eye, they could cull any and every electronic transaction over the past month. And they don't ask you to describe the employee or get an employee's name - one of the primary reasons we do mystery shopping.

For situations like these, they are commonly individuals or firms who are trying to gauge the business level of a particular company, and see what promotions they are offering in their stores, prior to the quarterly earnings announcements of the chain.

I have done Fast Food shops going through the drive through in a uniform or gear for my volunteer work (nothing sticks to their mind like a bright lime green shirt or vest with hard hit sitting there) then put a normal shirt on for the inside portion.

LOL! This is exactly how I feel sometimes!

@Michael C wrote:

Look, man, you know me by name, I know you by name. Clearly the mystery shopping company I work for doesn't know how to manage rotation. Just tell me what your employer has told you they are currently hot for and give me a copy of any paperwork, and I'll make the rest look good. Good? Good.

I entered the restaurant and suddenly a group of red-shirt wearing staff and a gray-shirt attired woman were having a sort of meeting on the corner. On my way to the cashier, I heard the boss say, "Be sure to check the washroom." She assigned someone to take my order.

I was handed my order from the counter with a broad smile. A second later the manager, sans her apron, started wiping the table near me. She asked me if everything was fine, I said, everything was alright. Then she was gone and I never saw her again.

Buying my one corn dog and asking for a receipt.

Had this one happen today. I waited for 10 minutes in a department, no associates around. Later I waited at least 10 minutes for a cashier. At one point, all 5 cashiers were looking at one till screen (actual transaction, I don't know the issue). Meanwhile I'm buying one bottle of pop and the two self-checkouts are left untouched. At least I wasn't the only one not using them.

I went into a gas station and purchased two gallons of gas, I have a luxury car that only takes premium gas so I don't know if it was odd to the Associate that I only got two gallons but I went to get a bag of chips and as I walked back, I could see the Associate quickly putting on his company banded jacket before I got back to the counter. I could be wrong but I felt like he recognized me.

I did a bank shop recently. One of the requirements was to ask the teller to break a $20.

Who does that?

She gave the head teller "The Look:" be on your ps and qs...we have a shopper!

Bubba, wear a pink mesh shirt during those shops!