What level of detail is "extraneous?"

I got a 7 out of 10 on an Intell-shop report for which my feedback was "too much extraneous information."

It was on a shop where I transcribed a nearly 10 minute conversation so that the client (and the editor) would know exactly what items were recommended in what context (i.e. how MUCH indecisiveness was required to elicit a recommendation), how the Chocolatier spoke to me and asked me questions, and how long it took the Chocolatier to get to asking for a sale.

So my question is: What level of detail is "extraneous?" Usually on their pizza shops there's a word limit so I have a guideline. Here, none. How was I supposed to know where the bright line of providing context and being too detailed is?

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I would not have transcribed a 10 minute conversation. I would have summarized saying something about the opening, a comment about what managed to occupy 10 minutes before the SA closed, and how you exited the interaction. Unless the guidelines ask for a blow-by-blow account of the conversation, you did, indeed, provide extraneous detail.

Based in MD, near DC
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You kind of have to know the company you're working for. Some companies want you to write a novel about the texture of the mashed potatoes you were served and some don't want any comments about anything. Intelli-Shop is not one that wants overly detailed narratives.
Extraneous:

Definition: irrelevant or unrelated to the subject being dealt with.
"one is obliged to wade through many pages of extraneous material"


synonyms: irrelevant, immaterial, beside the point, unrelated, unconnected, inapposite, inapplicable, superfluous
"extraneous considerations"

Since this was a chocolate shop, maybe they were not interested in how long it took the associate to decide or offer a recommendation of the type of chocolates you should get.

Next time (I do it too-write too much).... trim it down to the most pertinent of information and observations. Unless the client says: And what did you say? And what did she say? And what did you say after she said that? Pretty much means they don't care for the blow by blow detail. smiling smiley
That comment is irrelevant. The OP has already stated in another thread they work in a one party state. You also fail to take into account recording can be permissible if the employee has given written consent previously. This is often obtained by employers as part of the employment contract.

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I wouldn't worry about a grade from Intelli, the editors are all over the place. I got the opposite, note enough information.
It depends on the editor. Some are frankly lazy and if they *gasp* actually have to EDIT your report, you'll lose points.

Now scheduling travel shops for the day after Christmas through mid-January.
In general, any level of detail that the questions did not cover, or the guidelines did not ask for, is extraneous. Many guidelines, for example, request we limit quotes. Instead of a blow by blow, we are expected to provide general context.

For example: With a smile and good eye contact the associate greeted me stating; "Hello, welcome to Chocolate World." Without inquiring if I had any preferences, they stared into the case and started to point out several selections, including the Big Chunk, Drizzle Smhizzle and mumbled something. The associate finally looked back at me and stood there smiling. I informed them I prefer dark chocolate and coconut. The associate turned away from me and said something that I did not hear well. They walked to a shelving area, keeping their back to me. They pointed out some items, I heard references to orange and tropical. They turned to look at me so I asked which items were dark chocolate with coconut. The pointed to a central display case and said I could look there......

My posts are solely based on my opinions and for my entertainment, contact a professional if you need real advice.

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I write a lot of detail in my narratives, but have never transcribed a conversation. If you literally transcribed it, word for word, I'd guess it probably did contain extraneous information. It can be tough to decide what's enough, what's not enough, and what's too much. But I don't think most MSCs want a transcript of a complete conversation, even when they ask for exact wording of a very specific part of the shop (exact greeting and parting comment, for example).

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Sad to see this shop seems to be with a different company now....I need to look to see if my msc still has it as well. How many places have Chocolatiers after all? The company I did this job for does not mind a lot of narrative...it is true though that each msc has it's own preferences on that. So save your exhaustive narratives for the group of companies that embrace wordiness.
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