Closed location

Is it the shoppers responsibility to check if the location they go to mystery shop is open?
Does the company still have to pay if the shop is closed?

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YES it is 110% YOUR responsibility! Read your guidelines - they typically cover what happens if the location is closed. Each MSC handles differently.

Shopping up and down the Colorado Rocky Mountain front range.

@COMystery, Then why in the other thread you said "They owe you for the attempt, but not for the completed shop." ?

Seems like you told the opposite to the other person on separate thread?

[www.mysteryshopforum.com]

Was that a trap?

@alycija - my mistake. I took the other post to have implied that she checked beforehand. In re-reading the post it doesn't say one way or the other.

Shopping up and down the Colorado Rocky Mountain front range.

Wow and the plot thickens.

And the thick plotens.

Based in MD, near DC
Shopping from the Carolinas to New York
Have video cam; will travel

Poor customer service? Don't get mad; get video.

I have been paid for 1/2 of a shop that has been closed. I think it depends on the MSC. I did make a phone call first and the store did not tell me they were closed. When I got to the location there was a sign on the door. I took a picture of the sign. I'm sure that is why I did get some pay.

@shopper8 wrote:

When I got to the location there was a sign on the door. I took a picture of the sign. I'm sure that is why I did get some pay.

I agree. Always get a POV photo. The sign was perfect. Another business at that address? Take a pic. Building has been demolished or is under construction? Take a pic. Empty field? Take a pic.

Definitely take photos. I called a sweets store three different times and was told they were open 8 A.M. to 4 P.M. All three times I visited within the time frame, someone had shut down and put a handmade "closed" sign on the register. There were even dirty pans and food left out. I took photos and was paid half the fee and all my tolls each time. The final time I went, they even gave me a $50 bonus for the shop.

Sometimes owners know something is fishy and that's why we do the shops. Other times, the place shuts down for extenuating circumstances. Just be sure to get photos if you can. Not every company will work with you, but many will.

MegglesKat

I've had a few well-bonused shops where I've only gotten the small "go to" fee ($3 If I remember right). I've had a few others where the scheduler just removed the job from my job board when I informed them and I received no payment. Some MSC's have paid half the shop fee. It all depends on the contract, company, and scheduler.

I generally do not check to see if a place is open if I have been there before and do the location regularly as in the big city most of these chain places stay open unless I hear something on the nightly news and they have enough employees so that one of them is there to open/close on time. I do check out new for me locations ahead of time and will often see on yelp when I google them that they are now closed/out of business. In these cases I contact the company after confirming somehow...calling , google map picture of a closed or different place etc and let them know and do not waste my time driving thru city traffic, finding a parking space and getting out to take a pic for the princely sum of $3 or even $6 if it is a very high paying msc. They have thanked me for the info but not paid me for my time which is okay with me. Then I sometimes see these same places sitting on the boards for a long time the following months. I assume other shoppers have found out the same info I did but the address is not taken down.

In my experience, if an establishment is SUPPOSED to be open (online hours state they are open, for example) and you show up to a closed shop, you will be reimbursed for that. I have also attempted a nightclub shop and been turned away at the door because they were at capacity. I was reimbursed for mileage in that situation.

I called a national oil change Service location several times and got no answer. NO msg saying the phone disconnected. There was no negative information on the corporate website. I could not get the one other location whose number I had on hand to answer the phone on that Friday eve either. I went to the site and took pics. When I reported to the company in a call that the site was permanently closed for business and advised the measures I took in addition to the 45 minute drive one way I was advised to complete the report and I would be paid the five dollar fee! I politely complained that I objected to being advised I had to complete their report for a lousy five dollar fee without the benefit of the expected service after I made every effort. Five dollars did not justify the drive and work. The corporate office advised them the location was closed AFTER my execution date. I had to make many calls to learn there would be no additional pay. In the end I was more upset that they did not handle my complaint with any courtesy of a return call after many times I dialed. I don't choose to work for them any more.

Nah, you don't have to check if a business is open! Don't worry, you will get paid.

Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 01/21/2017 12:06PM by Robin2.

I was suppose to do a Smashburger shop a while back however I saw on FB that they had closed. So I emailed my scheduler and told her what was happening and I asked her what I needed to do. She said that she will email me back.

I was about to head out (my shop was 2 or 3 days later) and I was going to be in that area so I drove buy there and sure enough they had closed and the sign was gone. I did take a couple of pictures through.

When I got home i checked my email and she said that they had closed.

I miss my Smashburger shops.

Since the shop was a few days later I didn't get paid for it. But that is OK.

Now in its place is a seafood restaurant

Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 01/22/2017 01:59AM by Isaiah4031a.

It really depends on the MSC. I have one that pays the full amount, others that pay half, and others that pay the $3. The one that pays the full amount asks specifically not to call in advance. The ones that pay less than half I do check if I think there is some reason to believe there is a chance they might not be open. The one that pays half I shop only if I am going that way already if I can't determine anything in advance.

Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 01/23/2017 03:04PM by junk1958.

I got paid for a closed shop a while back when Mickey D's was still with the Big Guys. It was sort of funny because the location was one I had shopped multiple times and was just off a freeway offramp I often took. I showed up one Sunday and there was nothing but a bulldozer, dirt and a sign saying a new Mickey D's was being built (I didn't call ahead ...) I took the photo, called the number on the assignment (which had been disconnected) and explained it all in the scenario. I got my $3. I agree that taking photos is the best defense. They are dated and timed (and location is noted if that is turned on.) I even take a photo as I am walking into a shop just so I can state with accuracy what time my shop started.

Shopping SoCal and Maui.

Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 01/25/2017 01:41AM by PuaM.

@Sybil2 wrote:

@shopper8 wrote:

When I got to the location there was a sign on the door. I took a picture of the sign. I'm sure that is why I did get some pay.
I agree. Always get a POV photo. The sign was perfect. Another business at that address? Take a pic. Building has been demolished or is under construction? Take a pic. Empty field? Take a pic.

I agree. I do all this but I also talk to a retail store (if nearby) and casually ask them what happened to that store? I add that in my report that the sushi place said it was torn down for remodeling, etc.

I applied for three of those door hangers (oy vey). Two out of three are locked and don't accept solicitors , could not get in, no Managers #, was totally locked out. Wrote the report anyway, think they're basically
looking for apartments to get into, not knowing the status that most are locked. I will get paid, now have
access of flyers they don't want back as they are re-printed monthly with new promotions. Gas here being 2.89
I didn't need this, but will get paid, still.....

Live consciously....

@Irene_L.A. wrote:

I applied for three of those door hangers (oy vey). Two out of three are locked and don't accept solicitors , could not get in, no Managers #, was totally locked out. Wrote the report anyway, think they're basically
looking for apartments to get into, not knowing the status that most are locked. I will get paid, now have
access of flyers they don't want back as they are re-printed monthly with new promotions. Gas here being 2.89
I didn't need this, but will get paid, still.....

A gated community is NOT the same as a closed location. I am not sure what your point is.

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