1. Forums
  2. Mystery Shopping Discussion

Grrr. follow up based on instructions that were muddy

October 17, 2011 05:05PM
Just got a call from Shoppers Critique- saying they needed "lots more information." based on a shop I did for them last week for lunch. The instructions specifically say that you are to address all "no" answers ( I had 2) and that they want detailed comments. There are 55 questions on this shop, and apparently a sentence for ALL 55 questions is required, or more. I wrote about the salad, which I said was wonderful, but I wouldn't order it again because of the extremely long stems on the spinach. It made it awkward, and I had to sit and cut all the stems off before finishing my salad. I was asked over the phone, "well, how was the dressing?" ummm...there's no question about the dressing. "Was it fresh?"- yes, and I already checked yes and addressed that. "Did the employee smile when she delivered your food?" No- and I said the employee set my plate on the table, rattled off what I ordered, and ran back to the kitchen- she never even looked at me. Sigh- it's Monday.

~~~~*~~~~~*~~~~~*~~~~~*~~~~~*~~~~~*~~~~~*~~~~~*~~~~~*~~~~~*~~~~~* Shoppin' Mama of 4 lovely & unique girls and Nana to Bella, Delilah and Lincoln, shopping in Oregon and parts of Washington
Reply
Log In
x

Create an Account or Log In

Membership is free. Simply choose your username, type in your email address, and choose a password. You immediately get full access to the forum.

Already a member? Log In.

October 17, 2011 05:31PM
Obviously there is no such thing as a free lunchsmiling smiley One of the many reasons I refuse reimbursement only restaurant jobs.

Equal rights for others does not mean fewer rights for you. It's not pie.
"I prefer someone who burns the flag and then wraps themselves up in the Constitution over someone who burns the Constitution and then wraps themselves up in the flag." -Molly Ivins
Never try to teach a pig to sing. It's a waste of your time and it really annoys the pig.
Reply
October 17, 2011 06:04PM
LisaSTL Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Obviously there is no such thing as a free lunchsmiling smiley
> One of the many reasons I refuse reimbursement
> only restaurant jobs.


+1

And a perfect example of..."If you want us to evaluate something, put a SPECIFIC question about it on the survey". Don't assume that just because I'm evaluating a salad that I'm going to give you a specific comment on the dressing. Your client wants to know about dressing? Put a question about dressing on the eval, simple.
Reply
October 17, 2011 06:31PM
Agreed!

I recently had questions about stuff that was NOT in the report! Um, hello? If you want to know about x and y and z and u, then write the questions in the report or put it in the instructions that you want to know.

Dont' expect me to have ESP!
Reply
October 18, 2011 01:58AM
I just figure that my iced tea description includes the flavor, whether there was enough ice (or too much) and the number of wedges of lemon dropped in it. My entree includes not only what I specifically ordered, but the plating and garnishes and sides. My salad includes the contents and the dressing, the container(s) used and whether it was served with crackers. My dessert includes any decorative drizzles, garnishes, whipped cream, cherry or whatever else hit the plate. Some companies provide examples of what they are looking for, but I figure that a restaurant shop is going to need full descriptions of food for quantity, quality and appearance; server for attire, menu knowledge, service, courtesy and upsells; location for cleanliness, ambiance and attendance. When one does NOT want any/all of the above, it is a lot easier to cut down the report than to fluff it up.
Reply
October 18, 2011 02:00AM
Wow, considering that list I can't help but think it would pay much better (and be a helluva lot more fun) to be a food critic, LOL!

Equal rights for others does not mean fewer rights for you. It's not pie.
"I prefer someone who burns the flag and then wraps themselves up in the Constitution over someone who burns the Constitution and then wraps themselves up in the flag." -Molly Ivins
Never try to teach a pig to sing. It's a waste of your time and it really annoys the pig.
Reply
October 18, 2011 02:08AM
I suspect it would be! At the same time, a food critic is giving opinions rather than stating factual observations. A food critic can state that "The Chicken Cordon Bleu was the best I have ever had in Poughkeepsie!" The shopper only gets to mention that it was golden brown with a crispy breading. The ham inside was a flavorful slice of meat and the cheese was well melted. The chicken was completely cooked and moist.
Reply
October 18, 2011 02:14AM
You know, they may be able to give the meal a thumbs up or down, but they do describe everything a shopper must. Maybe it comes from being a Food Network jumkie, but just telling someone something is the best without telling them why doesn't cut it. And while they don't mention specific timings and what a server was wearing, they sure will talk about fast/slow service and how attentive that server was. I've never been a food critic, but got to do a shop where the meal was part of a much bigger job. I was able to write up that portion in a way that it read like a review and it was fun!

Equal rights for others does not mean fewer rights for you. It's not pie.
"I prefer someone who burns the flag and then wraps themselves up in the Constitution over someone who burns the Constitution and then wraps themselves up in the flag." -Molly Ivins
Never try to teach a pig to sing. It's a waste of your time and it really annoys the pig.
Reply
Sorry, only registered users may post in this forum.

Click here to login