In my area, the new round of gas station shops have begun today (April 1). With the new round, the flying horse gas stations are requiring the station attendant's name and address if they ask the shopper the proper question about the card program they began last year.

As with the requirement of the attendant's torso photo to show they are wearing their uniform and name tag, I'm expecting some initial hesitation.
One station owner forbid his attendants from having their photos taken. He pulled me aside and explained his decision: It seems some of them complained about their breasts being photographed.
That was at the start of the program. After what I presume were numerous complaints, the MSC relented and changed the requirement, instructing the shopper to ask the attendant for permission before taking the shot. If they did not agree (which was their prerogative), the shopper should take a photo of the counter rather than the attendant. This has become the standard procedure.

As with the original attendant photo, I'm wondering how some of the attendants will respond when asked about giving their full name and address. To me, it seems kind of creepy. Will they really want to give their personal information to some stranger, even if after they have been given the piece of paper advising they have been awarded a $25 Visa debit card that will be mailed to them?

It seems especially relevant, since I'm currently reading Safe Haven, the story of a battered woman.

Like i said. Maritz, was that such a good idea?

Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 04/01/2016 09:38PM by French Farmer.

They say it can be mailed to the station on their behalf. I will certainly mention that to them **IF** any actually meet the requirement to get the card. They don't seem to do well in that aspect, usually.

Problem is that you have to ask the personal questions (name & address) whether the the certificate is sent to the attendants home or forwarded to the station. I can see getting some resistance to this. But if they want the $25 the information must be given. Secondly, how many stations have you visited several times and seen the same attendant who knows you as soon as you enter the store? Is he going to ask about the card program? This program is based on, in my opinion, the erroneous assumption that it is a complete surprise when the shopper reveals himself. It also appears that two photos of the attendant's torso will be required, the second being a close-up of the name tag. I had been using the same photo for both but will now zoom in to the name tag for a second. It is not my position to question the needs of the client but I agree with French Farmer on the validity of this idea.

If the information isn't given, there's nothing you can do but report what happened. Regardless, we don't know who came up with this, but we can assume it's something agreed upon between Maritz and their client.

Based on this, these are definitely on my 10 foot pole list.

In 20 years I've never seen a gas station attendant with breasts that deserved to be photographed. That is just plain weird. The uniforms could not be less sexy if they tried.
Name & address? Forget it. That's crazy.

@SoCalMama wrote:

In 20 years I've never seen a gas station attendant with breasts that deserved to be photographed. That is just plain weird. The uniforms could not be less sexy if they tried.
Name & address? Forget it. That's crazy.

Being a gentleman, I've always asked permission (as I should) and always offered the alternative of the counter shot. I never considered either a problem until the owner advised me of the issue.
However, I now understand that there might be a problem if some leering guy was the shopper.
Since the position of the the name tag is apparent, the focus upon it certainly will be a personal issue when before it was not (that's my opinion).

As my friend Dominique often says, "Ce qui sera sera".

do you have to prompt them to mention the card? no one ever mentions the card...

We are not supposed to prompt the attendant but a couple, who know who I am as soon as I walk in, play the game and ask the questions. If they don't object to giving out personal info they will get the $25.

After giving it further thought, I can solve my name tag close problem very easily. I take my photos in high resolution with my phone camera then convert them to 640x480 with pixresizer. It is not difficult to zoom & cut the original photo and much less awkward then zooming into the breast area of the attendant, especially if female.

This MSC specifically demands that you NOT submit a zoomed-in portion of a photo. They state it becomes too blurry. Also, somehow they can tell if a portion of a photo is submitted; i.e., if you submit a photo in answer to one question, they can tell if a portion of that photo is submitted to answer a 2nd question. Of course, you can just take 2 photos of the clerk, and zoom on one and just be sure you're not using the same photo to answer two questions.

Also, so far, I've never had a clerk refuse a photo. I have had a BOSS refuse to allow photos and chase me out, but never a clerk!

the breasts thing is ridiculous. it says take a photo from the neck down, that's what we're doing. you have to be a big time prude to be offended over something like that, and a little bit full of yourself.

Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 04/02/2016 03:46PM by jay225.

I have done about 75, I'd gather, of these shops and I still have never been asked for the card. In fairness to these clerks, why are you going to ask for it on a customer buying a quick, minor item as I assume most of us do? This is why I am not even worried about getting names and addresses. Perhaps I will get one or two ambitious associates who see the program and go for it; and since they're "going for it" was because of the gift card, I don't anticipate much of an issue. All the stations I signed up for in April, it is my second time going and based on the staff in the first visit, only one do I think it is possible that I will be asked for the card. When I go to my "regulars" later in the quarter who know me as soon as I walk in the door, I figure its simply on them to know the program, play the part, and get an easy $25.

The "breast shot" can be awkward for a guy, but for every one that's shown a reluctance, I'll get one that will pose to make up for it.

Edit: Actually I just remembered that the first time I went to one of the stations I am doing for the second time this month; I had only mystery shopped the older male clerk because he was the only one there at the time. Sometime during the audit this attractive female clerk showed up and insisted I take it of her because, "you know you want too!" This moment isn't always a difficult chore. I did what I was supposed too though, and remember telling her "maybe next time." Wonder if she will be there. lol

Edited 2 time(s). Last edit at 04/02/2016 04:57PM by tcurione.

I am not really sure how much I like this new Plenti card section. I know that they have increased the pay but I have 70 of these to do so far this month and I'm just thinking about the amount of ink and paper that will be wasted here. And I know it is all tax deductible but to have to print out now the letter of authorization, the reward certificate and the Plenti leave behind is sure going to give my printer a work out this month for sure. These are and have always been my favorite shops but this is going to also take extra time per shop, I wish I would have know this before I assigned 55 of the shops in one week window.

I agree wholeheartedly!

The report itself is much longer and the information to submit for the pumps alone is extensive. Time is a factor in performing the shop and then the report. Add the additional paper(3 sheets of paper for each visit) and ink used does not add up to the additional $1.50 for each shop.

I'll be doing more gas station shops for Alta next month!

We won't be using many of the award certificates. I didn't use a single one yesterday. On the leave behind, I set the printer to use the least possible amount of toner. It looks good enough.

@LIJake wrote:

It also appears that two photos of the attendant's torso will be required, the second being a close-up of the name tag. I had been using the same photo for both but will now zoom in to the name tag for a second. It is not my position to question the needs of the client but I agree with French Farmer on the validity of this idea.

The reports have required a torso photo and a name tag photo for 2+ years. I have always taken two separate photos because that is what the guidelines have said to do. It is nice to see that they are actually going to enforce their own guidelines now.

I just got back into town after a wonderful 10-day vacay. Now the reality of all the changes to this program are slapping me in the face. This sux!

@French Farmer wrote:

I agree wholeheartedly!

The report itself is much longer and the information to submit for the pumps alone is extensive. Time is a factor in performing the shop and then the report. Add the additional paper(3 sheets of paper for each visit) and ink used does not add up to the additional $1.50 for each shop.

I'll be doing more gas station shops for Alta next month!

What is Alta? I don't see a company with that name listed any where.

Thanks.

What is Alta? I don't see a company with that name listed any where.

Thanks.[/quote]


It used to be Ritter & Associates

Alta 360 was the former Ritter and Assoc

What other MSCs have gas stations w/ gas reimbursement? I've seen a couple on Marketforce, but rarely in my area. I see three different brands on Alta, but they seem to actually be convince store shops, or don't offer reimbursement at all. Maritz shops seem too tedious to do at base rate, but I would love to get some gas covered!

@iagal wrote:

Alta 360 was the former Ritter and Assoc

Thank you.

@katioard wrote:

What other MSCs have gas stations w/ gas reimbursement? I've seen a couple on Marketforce, but rarely in my area. I see three different brands on Alta, but they seem to actually be convince store shops, or don't offer reimbursement at all. Maritz shops seem too tedious to do at base rate, but I would love to get some gas covered!

Stericycle.
Only look after the 20th of a month, though.

If the associate does not pass the award criteria the personal information is not captured based on my understanding. If I am wrong please let me know. I have not had my shops held for not providing this info.

@ddeblois wrote:

If the associate does not pass the award criteria the personal information is not captured based on my understanding. If I am wrong please let me know. I have not had my shops held for not providing this info.

That is correct, and more then likely they are not going too.
I will say though, earlier in this thread, I posted that I didn't think the new changes were going to make things that much longer. Well, now that I have done a handful, I will admit I was wrong with that. It is adding quite a bit of time.

Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 04/07/2016 04:13AM by tcurione.

Yes these do seem to be taking a lot longer to do and report. And I don't know if they have new editors but I have had four sent back today for stuff that is already answered in the report. Also don't forget that now we have to take photos of the Branded Diesel pumps and do the POP check on them. Thank god the only one that I have forgotten this on is fairly close to my house so I can fix this. I do have a question though, how do you know if it is branded or unbranded diesel? I will be calling tomorrow to ask about this because there is no explanation in the guidelines or in the update letter. There is an example of a non-branded diesel and that's it. No written explanation how to differentiate between the two. I have always loved these shops, have been doing them for over four years, a minimum of 60-80 a month, but I really do not like the changes. Definitely not worth the $1.50 difference in pay but these have been paying my rent for years and don't want to give that check up. Ok enough complaining for me, at least for today

In my experience, unbranded diesel pumps (regardless of the station brand) will have a sign on it saying something to the effect of "Not a Turtle Product" (assuming that Turtle is the station brand or "This Product is not Supplied by Turtle". The pumps are also often a different color. I have never had reason to wonder whether a pump was regardless of the station brand. If in doubt, ask the station attendant. They know that you are there. Diesel pumps are often not under the main canopy, especially in NJ where it is legal to pump your own diesel but not your own gas.

About those Diesel pumps: Remember - they must be under the "branded" canopy. If not, then I'm assuming they will not need to be evaluated per their April update instructions. I have always taken their photos anyway as a matter of reference, especially so for the question about the number of pumps at the site.
On my personal worksheet, I have a separate space for up to 24 pumps. This is helpful for designating that yes, there are 6 pumps total at the site. However, 2 are diesel (designated with a "D".
If you're not sure about the brand, take the photo, evaluate it and don't report it. Keep your information with the other location's and ask the scheduler, if you feel confused. Usually, though, you will see the brand's name on the pump.
As for the reports, they are very lengthy, asking for at least 5 separate areas of data for each pump (before only 2). I've not come across anyone asking for the card yet. But, I now carry a small hand sized notebook. If an attendant does get an award, I'll ask the attendant to write in their information on the tabled. Afterwards, I'll tear of that page and staple it to my worksheet for the site along with my receipts.

I'm ready to kiss Maritz goodbye. Not because of the gas stations, which I've never done, but because of the hardware store.

I did a hardware store for them last week. The scheduler begged me to do one this week, by Friday. I agreed, reluctantly. I go in and see that I have to take ANOTHER frigging quiz for the same hardware store I did last week! I took the quiz on my tablet and I'm not sure if I have fat fingers but it said that I missed one question, the one about the hours I can complete the assignment. I kept hitting the right answer, but then it said that I had missed all three tries and I was locked out. I called Maritz and left them a message. Haven't heard back. At this point I'm ready to say, "screw it" and cancel it. A required quiz for each assignment is crap.

It's really annoying to have to take the quiz EVERY month on EVERY scenario to take one shop. Can they not let us pass the overall test one time and trust that each time we take a shop we will review the specifics of the scenario?