Ardent issues; sad 
Warning: For Full Access Please Log In or Create an Account (Free)
I know the burrito place is not everyone's favorite, but I actually love it. How do I get in with Ardent? Do I really have to be referred by somebody?
@corylus wrote:
I know the burrito place is not everyone's favorite, but I actually love it. How do I get in with Ardent? Do I really have to be referred by somebody?
Ardent works in a very different way from most MSCs. Most MSCs take anybody who signs up, and you can start self assignng or applying for assignments immediately after you sign up.
Ardent will not allow a shopper to perform shops for them until the shopper has attended a 2-3 hour onsite training session at one of the client locations. You have to sign up with the company and wait until a training session in your area is announced. Depending on how many locations there are in your area, and how many mystery shoppers they already have, it may be a long time or it may be soon. Ardent is loyal to its current shoppers who have done a good job, and they do not train and bring on board more shoppers than they need, so if their current shoppers in your location are handling the shops, there won't be any trainings.
I encourage you to sign up and wait for a training session. They seem to be having them les frequently in recent months, because the burrito place is shopped less frequently than it used to be and it seems to be concentrating on fixing its problems rather than opening so many new burrito places.
I love Ardent and I recommend them.
I totally agree with all that have said the reports are quite long for the pay. They were a small company that tried to scale up with their biggest client growing in leaps and bounds and it seems that they are unorganized as a result.
Edited 2 time(s). Last edit at 11/17/2016 07:55PM by visparity.
Edited 2 time(s). Last edit at 11/17/2016 07:55PM by visparity.
I just finished a report for this month and somehow it seemed like it got shorter again. I have not compared line for line with my previous reports. It still takes me an hour though including scanning receipts, figuring out timings etc. Used to take even more time and if I did not really like the burrito it would not be worth it imho.
@sandyf wrote:
I just finished a report for this month and somehow it seemed like it got shorter again. I have not compared line for line with my previous reports. It still takes me an hour though including scanning receipts, figuring out timings etc. Used to take even more time and if I did not really like the burrito it would not be worth it imho.
What timings do you need to figure out? You now only have to report the time you entered, the time on the receipt and the time you left. Also there is only one receipt to scan and upload which is no different than any other mystery shop. I find the new report to be much quicker than the old one. I think some people might be providing more info than is necessary. For instance reporting on every food item on the line when you only need to comment on those that were not ok.
@kenasch wrote:
@sandyf wrote:
I just finished a report for this month and somehow it seemed like it got shorter again. I have not compared line for line with my previous reports. It still takes me an hour though including scanning receipts, figuring out timings etc. Used to take even more time and if I did not really like the burrito it would not be worth it imho.
What timings do you need to figure out? You now only have to report the time you entered, the time on the receipt and the time you left. Also there is only one receipt to scan and upload which is no different than any other mystery shop. I find the new report to be much quicker than the old one. I think some people might be providing more info than is necessary. For instance reporting on every food item on the line when you only need to comment on those that were not ok.
When I went to training several years ago they said they wanted you to report on some of the okay things too. so I use that as my guideline choosing a few okays every time. I do need to match my cheat sheet to the new instructions using the actual report and base what I collect on the actual current questions. I know I over collect things that have been eliminated. I always do my reports late and night and just want to get them finished so I don't use that time to eliminate cheat sheet questions I no longer need. Maybe that should be my new years resolution this year. Seriously I have not noticed they no longer ask for the exact time to seconds from warmer to pay using your own timing and not the receipt. I just always automatically figure that out. Thanks for the heads up.
I signed up with Ardent a year ago, and received an invitation to the paid training this week.
For those who are unhappy with the client, sign up with Bare International. Their client is a competitor.
For those who are unhappy with the client, sign up with Bare International. Their client is a competitor.
"I told myself to quit you; but I don't listen to drunks." -Chris Stapleton
I have been watching the news and again they are in trouble. Seems they fudged on giving folks the correct calories for their Chorizo Burrito, saying they were 300 calories when in fact they have over 1000 calories, which in my book are killing people. They know better than that, but need/want customers so badly, they
don't care. The three hundred calories pertain only to the Chorizo, not the rest. Those watching their weight,
good luck. I worked for them once years ago, and enjoyed it then thinking they were a healthy way to eat Mexican food, but the reports were too much ...i'm glad to see they made them shorter.
don't care. The three hundred calories pertain only to the Chorizo, not the rest. Those watching their weight,
good luck. I worked for them once years ago, and enjoyed it then thinking they were a healthy way to eat Mexican food, but the reports were too much ...i'm glad to see they made them shorter.
Live consciously....
300 calories for a chorizo burrito? The chorizo alone is 400 calories!
"I told myself to quit you; but I don't listen to drunks." -Chris Stapleton
@Irene_L.A. wrote:
I have been watching the news and again they are in trouble. Seems they fudged on giving folks the correct calories for their Chorizo Burrito, saying they were 300 calories when in fact they have over 1000 calories, which in my book are killing people. They know better than that, but need/want customers so badly, they
don't care. The three hundred calories pertain only to the Chorizo, not the rest. Those watching their weight,
good luck. I worked for them once years ago, and enjoyed it then thinking they were a healthy way to eat Mexican food, but the reports were too much ...i'm glad to see they made them shorter.
When did it become the restaurant's responsibility to control one's portion sizes? If (they) were to shrink the size of the burrito to a more appropriate serving size to the general public, a lot of people would @#$%& and moan about how pricey and expensive the burrito is.
Those watching their weight should have figured out to drop the tortilla, lighten up on the rice (or kill it altogether), lighten up on the cheese, lighten up on the sour cream and kill the chips. Also, kill the soda and drink tea instead, but hey, it's easy to point the finger at the restaurant for their unhealthy eating habits when in fact, eating (there) can easily be a healthy solution.
Mod note: Name of client removed to ensure post conforms to Forum rules of not linking MSCs with their clientele
Shopping the Greater Denver Area, Colorado Springs and in-between in Colorado. 33 year old male and willing to travel!
@Tarantado wrote:
When did it become the restaurant's responsibility to control one's portion sizes? If (they) were to shrink the size of the burrito to a more appropriate serving size to the general public, a lot of people would @#$%& and moan about how pricey and expensive the burrito is.
Those watching their weight should have figured out to drop the tortilla, lighten up on the rice (or kill it altogether), lighten up on the cheese, lighten up on the sour cream and kill the chips. Also, kill the soda and drink tea instead, but hey, it's easy to point the finger at the restaurant for their unhealthy eating habits when in fact, eating (there) can easily be a healthy solution.
Mod note: Name of client removed to ensure post conforms to Forum rules of not linking MSCs with their clientele .
What I'm saying per all over the news in CA is they lied about the calories in the Chorizo burrito, saying it only has 300 calories instead of the full 1000 for the burrito. People on diets have been going there thinking they were having a 300 calorie meal, do you think that's alright?
Live consciously....
I agree that it is NOT the responsibility of the restaurant to police anyone's portion sizes. The problem here is that this restaurant was listing the TOTAL calories in this particular burrito as 300 calories. It has now been discovered that the TOTAL caloric amount is closer to 1000 calories, with the 300 calories only being in the chorizo meat itself. So it's the issue of deceptive practices here that is troubling.@Tarantado wrote:
When did it become the restaurant's responsibility to control one's portion sizes?
But NO, no restaurant should monitor whatever portion size a patron wishes to have. But they SHOULD BE accountable for the information they are putting out as to the caloric information, so the patron, if he/she chooses, can make an informed choice.
@guysmom wrote:
I agree that it is NOT the responsibility of the restaurant to police anyone's portion sizes. The problem here is that this restaurant was listing the TOTAL calories in this particular burrito as 300 calories. It has now been discovered that the TOTAL caloric amount is closer to 1000 calories, with the 300 calories only being in the chorizo meat itself. So it's the issue of deceptive practices here that is troubling.@Tarantado wrote:
When did it become the restaurant's responsibility to control one's portion sizes?
But NO, no restaurant should monitor whatever portion size a patron wishes to have. But they SHOULD BE accountable for the information they are putting out as to the caloric information, so the patron, if he/she chooses, can make an informed choice.
Just don't put the calorie count out there and no one can/will sue you.
Live consciously....
@Irene_L.A. wrote:
@guysmom wrote:
I agree that it is NOT the responsibility of the restaurant to police anyone's portion sizes. The problem here is that this restaurant was listing the TOTAL calories in this particular burrito as 300 calories. It has now been discovered that the TOTAL caloric amount is closer to 1000 calories, with the 300 calories only being in the chorizo meat itself. So it's the issue of deceptive practices here that is troubling.@Tarantado wrote:
When did it become the restaurant's responsibility to control one's portion sizes?
But NO, no restaurant should monitor whatever portion size a patron wishes to have. But they SHOULD BE accountable for the information they are putting out as to the caloric information, so the patron, if he/she chooses, can make an informed choice.
Just don't put the calorie count out there and no one can/will sue you.
Actually, they have to now. It was a provision in the ACA that restaurant had to start listing approximate calorie counts for their items. Problem here seems to be that (the restaurant) put the count for the chorizo only rather than an entire burrito.
Mod note: Name of client removed to ensure post conforms to Forum rules of not linking MSCs with their clientele
As I recall their other options have a range of calories listed to cover those who choose only a few ingredients and those who choose all of them. I did not notice the calorie count the last time I was there but perhaps they listed just the lower end of the range and maybe it was a mistake. I will defend them since I really like their burritos and certainly think one could easily fashion a very healthy meal there. I have seen countless errors on many a menu, poster, ad and news article in my life.
If you look at the website or on a menu you would find all the calories for each item you add into your meal. No matter which one entree you chose.
Actually, it is a picture of a burrito with the words "300 calories" below it. The implication was 300 calories for the whole darn thing. Yes, I did a double-take the first time I saw that but common-sense says a stuffed burrito cannot be 300 calories. That's not the MSC's issue. It doesn't post the signs. The client does. It was a bad decision at the marketing level and it got caught.@guysmom wrote:
The problem here is that this restaurant was listing the TOTAL calories in this particular burrito as 300 calories.@Tarantado wrote:
When did it become the restaurant's responsibility to control one's portion sizes?
Shopping SoCal and Maui.
I asked Ardent how I could shop the Asian restaurant and they told me they are not shopping them now.
On a related note, In the 8 months I've been with them, I've only been assigned one shop in my own town. This months shop was 35 miles away. I passed.
On a related note, In the 8 months I've been with them, I've only been assigned one shop in my own town. This months shop was 35 miles away. I passed.
@weatherman2111 wrote:
Sorry, I shouldn't have mentioned the Burger Joint by name. My apologies.
The Asia place is great, but they don't shop it here yet. We'll see how things go, but I'm not feeling very positive about this change.
I think these reports are out of my league at this time. How long should a shopper wait to try get on with this company?
@calicakes wrote:
I asked Ardent how I could shop the Asian restaurant and they told me they are not shopping them now.
On a related note, In the 8 months I've been with them, I've only been assigned one shop in my own town. This months shop was 35 miles away. I passed.
@weatherman2111 wrote:
Sorry, I shouldn't have mentioned the Burger Joint by name. My apologies.
The Asia place is great, but they don't shop it here yet. We'll see how things go, but I'm not feeling very positive about this change.
The Asian concept isn't going to be shopped. (The restaurant) isn't going to open any more of them and they will probably end up being turned into the burger joint (they are) opening. Funny thing though, I got to shop the Asian concept through BARE that must have been doing market research for someone as I had to take a bunch of pictures.
Mod note: Name of client removed to ensure post conforms to Forum rules of not linking MSCs with their clientele
I waited six-eight months. It would be helpful if the MSC would send a brief note to those who inquire on the site that explains the account won't be active until the shopper completes training and that training happens about twice a year in most regions. Training addresses all report-writing aspects. It is worth it to hang in there and take the training. You may find you enjoy the shops.@azbound wrote:
I think these reports are out of my league at this time. How long should a shopper wait to try get on with this company?
Shopping SoCal and Maui.
For at least the last six months the burger chain Ardent shops has made me lie about having an allergy and requires me to order very specific, not particularly tasty items. For at least two, maybe three of the months, I wasn't even allowed to order their famous shakes, and this month I can't get the sauce on the burger that makes them so well known.
I don't get this monomaniacal obsession with asking about allergies... especially when I go back to the same shop every month and sometimes deal with the same employees. I've said I'm allergic to egg, soy, peanuts and this month it's eggs again! At the very least let me phrase the question in such a way that I can still order something tasty, like "my friend has an egg allergy, what can he order?" and let me get the good stuff!
I don't get this monomaniacal obsession with asking about allergies... especially when I go back to the same shop every month and sometimes deal with the same employees. I've said I'm allergic to egg, soy, peanuts and this month it's eggs again! At the very least let me phrase the question in such a way that I can still order something tasty, like "my friend has an egg allergy, what can he order?" and let me get the good stuff!
@PuaM wrote:
I waited six-eight months. It would be helpful if the MSC would send a brief note to those who inquire on the site that explains the account won't be active until the shopper completes training and that training happens about twice a year in most regions. Training addresses all report-writing aspects. It is worth it to hang in there and take the training. You may find you enjoy the shops.
They DO send that "brief note." Actually, it's a pretty thorough email, and here's what part of it says:
"Thank you for completing an application and for your interest in mystery shopping with Ardent Services. Our clients require us to invite new shoppers into their restaurants for training on their standards and a tasting of their fine cuisine before we can assign you their shops. We travel around the country doing the paid trainings for shoppers so we email you with the details when there is a training scheduled near your home zip code. Be sure my email does not go to your SPAM folder."
@DareWright wrote:
Ok, maybe it's just me, but this past month the editors have gotten way too picky.
Example: I was cited for writing "Chips were light and crispy" instead of "THE chips were light and crispy."
Ridiculous, IMO.
I was an editor for Ardent. Your editor shouldn't have bothered you with that. I used to change people's writing all of the time but I would not have bothered letting them know with something so trivial. It's not horribly wrong, but it would be better written as "The chips were light and crispy." However, a shopper constantly referred to crew members as employees and I had to change that to crew member 7 or more times in one report, I might politely let them know about it. That point is moot since they no longer have the novella sized narratives. Really the only thing an editor should be saying if they didn't need additional info and your report was submitted on time is "Thank you for your report." They could expand on it with something about how useful the information was, blah blah blah.
@Misanthrope wrote:
For at least the last six months the burger chain Ardent shops has made me lie about having an allergy and requires me to order very specific, not particularly tasty items. For at least two, maybe three of the months, I wasn't even allowed to order their famous shakes, and this month I can't get the sauce on the burger that makes them so well known.
I don't get this monomaniacal obsession with asking about allergies... especially when I go back to the same shop every month and sometimes deal with the same employees. I've said I'm allergic to egg, soy, peanuts and this month it's eggs again! At the very least let me phrase the question in such a way that I can still order something tasty, like "my friend has an egg allergy, what can he order?" and let me get the good stuff!
Yeah, those shops effing suck. I stopped doing them because I hated what they had me doing for them. They might as well have had a big "MYSTERY SHOPPER" sing blinking over our heads.
I've been declining the burger shops almost every month. I did accept the one this month and I'm kind of sorry I did, but I won't cancel. I don't like not having a choice about what I order. I don't like their knowledge questions. And when I can't have a shake I'm not sure taking the shop is worth it to me. I took the one this month because I'm planning to be next door on a specific day and it is a lunch shop so it is convenient for me.
But I'm turning down more of the burger shops than I am doing. Too bad because the food is okay (although not spectacular) but the lack of choice and the annoying knowledge questions make it not worth it. The shops seem to be getting taken, though, so I guess it is worth it to most of the burger client shoppers.
But I'm turning down more of the burger shops than I am doing. Too bad because the food is okay (although not spectacular) but the lack of choice and the annoying knowledge questions make it not worth it. The shops seem to be getting taken, though, so I guess it is worth it to most of the burger client shoppers.
@LGRM wrote:
Didn't get one. I am glad that's the routine now. I had applied twice under my standard "shopper" email address and once under the one I use to get coupons etc. When I finally got the training invite, I got three of them. I applied that many times (about once every two months) because I thought I had made an error in my application. I couldn't understand why I didn't hear anything back. Thanks for posting the response. It would have been nice ...@PuaM wrote:
They DO send that "brief note." Actually, it's a pretty thorough email, and here's what part of it says:
Shopping SoCal and Maui.
I never got that notification either. Maybe it's something new. I learned how the company worked from other shoppers on the forum but never received any communication from Ardent after signing up.
Ditto on all of the above.@AustinMom wrote:
I never got that notification either. Maybe it's something new. I learned how the company worked from other shoppers on the forum but never received any communication from Ardent after signing up.
Shopping SoCal and Maui.
Sorry, only registered users may post in this forum.