Oh okay, I'll have to check out jonk's blog and the forum newsletter. I'm not sure what I'm missing, but it's probably good information. Thanks for the advice everyone.

Also, just because the motel/hotel chain is very low down the food chain does not mean that the write up is not long and demanding as if it was a 5 star hotel. Bestmark has some low-mid range hotels with trip advisor reviews about bedbugs, etc, but BM requires almost the same lengthy report as their high end and boutique hotels do.

Well if the low end hotels are no easier than the higher end hotels, then what would be the point in doing low end hotels if both types were available?

Snoopy4678 Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Well if the low end hotels are no easier than the
> higher end hotels, then what would be the point in
> doing low end hotels if both types were available?


Exactly, none. That's why the easiness of a shop also depends on the MSC. Some companies have as demanding long reports for a $5 shop as they do for a $20. I remember when BM had the hardware stores and required looooong narratives for every question. The client has changed two MSCs since then and both had easy breezy reports.

So I wonder then, why would anyone want to do the low end hotels? I thought I might want to do them because they might be easier, and more readily available than the higher end ones, but if that is not the case, I don't see why anyone would want to do them.

Snoopy, first if there is a problem you will only be out $70 instead of $500 for the hotel expenses; the interactions are less and easy as they usually just require one forgotten item and one room problem and you do not have to go around the entire room with a white glove looking for dirt and take 100 photos; it is a good way to start and learn how to do hotel shops; free hotel stay when you are on a route and do not have time to do the tons of interactions with hotel staff that will be time demanding. I only gave the example of BM as a pre-caution to take under consideration that an easy shop can be equally demanding based on the MSC, just like a fine dining restaurant can be a breeze when done for MF!

I'm sorry, Snoopy, but I think it's unreasonable to get a hotel shop and not have to do narratives. I fully expect narratives on high-reimbursement shops, even if they are not high-paying.

I did a hotel shop for Sentry, which also requires shopping the restaurant and gift shop. I also did a hotel shop for . I only had to do the hotel, but had to review the front desk for all 3 shifts, the lobby and its amenities, the room, and the free breakfast.

I have received emails from Ipsos asking if I am interested in hotel shops. I wasn't interested because I had to do the shop by myself - no one else could share the room with me.

Bare also posted hotels for one. I am not leaving hubby behind...

If a mystery shop company offers hotel shops without requiring narratives, I don't see anything unreasonable about accepting one. Such a company might not exist, but if it did, what would be wrong with it offering one or a shopper accepting one? It's their money, and the shopper's time.

Snoopy4678 Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> If a mystery shop company offers hotel shops
> without requiring narratives, I don't see anything
> unreasonable about accepting one. Such a company
> might not exist, but if it did, what would be
> wrong with it offering one or a shopper accepting
> one? It's their money, and the shopper's time.


There would be nothing unreasonable to accepting it. I think all that was being said is that there are not a whole lot of hotel shops without extensive narratives, so you might have to re-set your expectations.

And there are a couple of hotel companies that do not require extensive narratives on some or all of their hotel shops. One that comes to mind is not accessible without invite, but it literally is capped at one page of narrative total for a three to four night stay... Also, I know that Dataquest used to offer a lot of shops with very little narrative. Not sure if they still do though ...

Also - SQM has 50percent off hotels (more like a big coupon, not really a shop) - and the report does not require any extensive narratives either (nor should it, since you are still paying to stay there - you are just getting a discount for filling out a survey.

Dataquest has a ton of narratives!

Hello everyone! I am new to the MSC and after reading all the posts on hotels/motels I have a question?! Are there any hotel shops in Puerto Rico ??i am going there next month and would like to get some more information. If so in Puerto Rico ( ha it rhymes ) which company shall I apply? Please advise. Thanks!!

SQM sounds like something worth looking more into. I wonder if it's possible to combine discounts obtained through them with other discounts...

Hi. I live in Puerto Rico. I'm a mystery shopper since 2007. You need to apply in [evaluators.coylehospitality.com] or search the company Coyle Hospitality Group in www.google.com and apply and check the options they offer. Welcome to my Island.

Mickey, were you invited by another shopper or a scheduler? Just curious how anyone would ever get that ticket :/

MickeyB Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Snoopy4678 Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> > If a mystery shop company offers hotel shops
> > without requiring narratives, I don't see
> anything
> > unreasonable about accepting one. Such a
> company
> > might not exist, but if it did, what would be
> > wrong with it offering one or a shopper
> accepting
> > one? It's their money, and the shopper's time.
>
>
> There would be nothing unreasonable to accepting
> it. I think all that was being said is that there
> are not a whole lot of hotel shops without
> extensive narratives, so you might have to re-set
> your expectations.
>
> And there are a couple of hotel companies that do
> not require extensive narratives on some or all of
> their hotel shops. One that comes to mind is not
> accessible without invite, but it literally is
> capped at one page of narrative total for a three
> to four night stay... Also, I know that Dataquest
> used to offer a lot of shops with very little
> narrative. Not sure if they still do though ...
>
> Also - SQM has 50percent off hotels (more like a
> big coupon, not really a shop) - and the report
> does not require any extensive narratives either
> (nor should it, since you are still paying to stay
> there - you are just getting a discount for
> filling out a survey.

Regal Hospitality used to accept shoppers with no experience to do hotel shops, or at least that's how I got my start with them. Now the shops around here require highly rated shoppers or Gold certified shoppers. Still, I wouldn't say their narratives are very difficult and it might be worth starting with them if they have anything in your area. You can start with some of their bar shops or get lucky and be available when they're desperate for someone to complete a hotel shop.

Living in Hawaii, there are plenty of opportunities for resort shops around here, but I still feel like there must be more MSC's I'm not aware of as there are many high end properties I'd love to stay at but have no idea who shops them. It's become a little bit of a game for me and there are two local hotels in particular that are on my mystery shop "bucket list" and I can only assume they are shopped.

I have found that all Hospitality shop providers require detailed comments and extensive narratives.

Hi who is doing hotel shops for Days inn Microtel Super8 --- <The MSC who did the shops> for years went bust!



Mod note: Look at the post right under this one.

Posting Guidelines: Be honest. Add a positive contribution to the community. You are responsible for all the content of your post. Do not reveal the clients of mystery shopping companies. We're in this together. And most importantly: Have fun!

Kudos for posting the guidelines under the question. GREAT idea!! Gonna steal that one from you.

THIEF!!!!

Guilty!

Did anyone notice that the poster asked exactly the question a few months ago and a year ago? There's a proverb there, somewhere.

I suspect the poster has no clue about the posting guidelines. Good idea posting them in response to his most recent question. He appears to stop in infrequently to ask for updates on the dead company and leads on who now shops the dead company's ex-clients.