How long until Ardent approves?
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Ardent requires in person training to do their shops. The next time they have training in your area you will most likely receive an invitation to training. Unless your writing sample sucked skunk ass. I dunno. I had to wait about 3 months. Others have had to wait over a year.
Also be prepared that "in your area" may or may not be what YOU consider to be "in your area." Either suck it up and go or don't but complaining that you have to drive an hour and a half each way for $20 and a free meal won't do you any good. Look at it as an investment.
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 11/23/2015 01:19AM by bgriffin.
Also be prepared that "in your area" may or may not be what YOU consider to be "in your area." Either suck it up and go or don't but complaining that you have to drive an hour and a half each way for $20 and a free meal won't do you any good. Look at it as an investment.
There are reasons that a body stays in motion
At the moment only demons come to mind
At the moment only demons come to mind
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 11/23/2015 01:19AM by bgriffin.
Interesting. Thanks for the info. Why is this company so different than others?
They work very closely with the client to give them exactly what they want. The client wants shoppers trained on exactly the things they're looking for.
There are reasons that a body stays in motion
At the moment only demons come to mind
At the moment only demons come to mind
I got an invite after a couple of months and didn't take them up on it due to scheduling issues. I can't say I regret not driving 1 1/2 hours to the training in Washington in November. I'll catch the next one, after they resolve their issues.
[Edited to be more vague about details that would identify the client]
Edited 2 time(s). Last edit at 11/23/2015 02:15AM by Alter_Ego.
[Edited to be more vague about details that would identify the client]
We are all here on earth to help others....What on earth the others are here for I don't know.
--W. H. Auden
--W. H. Auden
Edited 2 time(s). Last edit at 11/23/2015 02:15AM by Alter_Ego.
When I originally applied for training it was by invitation so I knew they were scheduling one in my area. I heard from them a few days before the training inviting me to fill a spot because someone had cancelled. I guess I was on a waiting list but I had not been told that. It was well worth it as I have been enjoying their food ever since. I myself might have not gone had it been far away but since I live in a large city there was one fairly close by.
All it takes is an Ardent shopper to refer you to speed up the process. What state are you located in?
Shopping the Greater Denver Area, Colorado Springs and in-between in Colorado. 33 year old male and willing to travel!
I got an invite from them but never took them up because of their one client, I never go there.
FYI: In case you are unaware, their Meixcan food client's e coli outbreak has spread to several more states and the investment community wonders if their stock will take a dive. Love their food, but not about to risk contracting e coli... the report is a royal pain in the azz and takes over one hour, absolute overkill of redundant nonsense. Wish they would streamline it...
California is now on the list of affected states. Good luck. [www.cdc.gov]
@las30 wrote:
I am in California.
Shopping Southeast Pennsylvania, Delaware above the canal, and South Jersey since 2008
2 cases out of 1000's of burritos eaten daily? I'd press my luck 
Shopping the Greater Denver Area, Colorado Springs and in-between in Colorado. 33 year old male and willing to travel!
We have been told (on the private FaceBook Group Page) that a streamlined report form is in the works. They said they were a couple of months away, probably will be finished and ready for use early next year. If we are lucky sooner.
Would be a great early X-mas gift!
I had the exact same experience as SandyF. I found out about their training on Jobslinger. And 2 days later they asked me to attend training, as a spot had just opened up.
Edited 2 time(s). Last edit at 11/24/2015 02:08PM by Lady Marius.
Would be a great early X-mas gift!
I had the exact same experience as SandyF. I found out about their training on Jobslinger. And 2 days later they asked me to attend training, as a spot had just opened up.
Lady Marius
Canadian Mystery Shopper
Canadian Mystery Shopper
Edited 2 time(s). Last edit at 11/24/2015 02:08PM by Lady Marius.
I just attended training last week and a new "streamlined" version was not mentioned.
Also, the report don't look like an hour of work to me. Maybe 40-45 mins.
Also, the report don't look like an hour of work to me. Maybe 40-45 mins.
@desertfour wrote:
I just attended training last week and a new "streamlined" version was not mentioned.
Also, the report don't look like an hour of work to me. Maybe 40-45 mins.
This was confirmed by one of the main folks in Ardent on the Ardent Facebook group. They stated it would be rolling out in sometimes in in 2016.
Shopping the Greater Denver Area, Colorado Springs and in-between in Colorado. 33 year old male and willing to travel!
Just saw that there is an e coli outbreak due to chicken salad from Costco. I think it's hard to avoid perfect avoidance of possible contaminants. You basically have to cook all of your own food from sources trusted by you, and that's just not realistic for most of us city slickers. I totally get not wanting do the Mexican chain if you don't like the food. And I also get giving them a break while they work out their supply issues. But to say you'll never eat there again because of the outbreak is an overreaction in my opinion.
Shopper in California's Bay Area
I have been shopping[client name removed] locations in SoCal for about a year now - as many as 6 per month sometimes. The reports are long and time-consuming because of the narratives and crew member descriptions. That said, these shops require a shopper who will (discretely) observe the crew members every move throughout their dining visit (usually 30 to 50 minutes). The client is looking for specific things during the visit, like how many times do you see a crew member wash their hands, etc. These observations, along with specific observations about the food in the pans when you order AND how the food the shopper eats tastes are all part of the report - hence, detailed = time-consuming reports. There is redundancy in the reporting so it will be nice to see the revised report. The training by the client is imperative for shoppers and the MSC provides sample "Quality Reports" and very detailed reporting guidelines to follow. This is not the shop for you if you are into eating, glancing around, scoping out the restroom, then leaving. The shopper must have keen observation skills, be organized in gathering their thoughts for the report (casually taking notes on your cell or iPad works too) and excellent writing skills for this MSC and client.
Mod note: Client name removed for ICA violation and a breach of forum rules. Please refer to the posting guidelines when posting.
Mod note: Client name removed for ICA violation and a breach of forum rules. Please refer to the posting guidelines when posting.
I've never spent close to 50 minutes in [client name deleted]. They require a shopper to stay 25 minutes after the time on the receipt. I am easily able to do all of my observations between 25 to 30 minutes.
Mod note: Client name removed for ICA violation and a breach of forum rules. Please refer to the posting guidelines when posting.
Mod note: Client name removed for ICA violation and a breach of forum rules. Please refer to the posting guidelines when posting.
@desertfour wrote:
Also, the report don't look like an hour of work to me. Maybe 40-45 mins.
If it doesn't look like an hour of work, just wait until you do the first one! If the first report doesn't take you at least an hour, you're probably not doing it correctly. Some of us never get it down to less than that, but some people can do them in about 45 minutes. But I doubt anyone could do the initial one in less than an hour.
However, the food is good, and the schedulers are great! And the editors generally give good, constructive feedback if necessary.
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've learned to never trust spell-check or my phone's auto-fill feature.
The first couple reports took a little over an hour. Now I can do them in about 45 minutes, but I type fast. I wouldn't say they're difficult, but you do need to be very observant during your visit.
For December, remember you have to pay with an e-card purchased off the [client name removed] website.
Mod note: Client name removed for ICA violation and a breach of forum rules. Please refer to the posting guidelines when posting.
For December, remember you have to pay with an e-card purchased off the [client name removed] website.
Mod note: Client name removed for ICA violation and a breach of forum rules. Please refer to the posting guidelines when posting.
I agree that it is highly unlikely that you only spend 45 minutes on your first report, if you do it correctly. It took me closer to two hours but now it is more like one hour and if there are no issues and it is an easy report then perhaps 45 minutes. There are many details and as others have said, the report is redundant in many areas, but with practice you get used to it.
Discreet=careful, circumspect, cautious, wary
Discrete= separate, distinct, individual, detached
Happy Holidays from the Grammar Nazi!
Discrete= separate, distinct, individual, detached
Happy Holidays from the Grammar Nazi!
Kona Kathie
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