Walesmaven:

A followup to my last posting: look at the General Chat section of this forum (also listed under Everything Else at the bottom of this page0. You will see a thread there listed as "Mystery Shopping is becoming a REALITY...show, that is." You may find it of interest after our discussion. Check it out FYI.

BTW, how can I do a general search under V-shopping on this forum. Is it similar to a Googlr type search except for being connected with this forum. It sounds like you have a familiarity with it. Please advise at your earliest convenience. Thanks.

Search "all dates" for the word "video." But, most of the video threads and v-shoppers are over on the v-forums. Just look for the "search" area here.

I am very familiar with that thread about the show, as well as several other, more extensive threads elsewhere.

Irene_L.A. Wrote:
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> Explain please, I don't get what you mean?
> dkk5685 Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> > Irene - any idea what bar? Haha


Just curious if you knew. Being from a somewhat smaller town before LA, I get overexcited about 'things' around me being from somewhere I can actually see. I guess I'm still in borderline 'tourist' mode...

dkk...no, the bar on Mystery diners is nothing I've ever seen, looks like a tiny town somewhere in the midwest. Dressing is a givaway, and the bartender would never last in a city like L.A., he was a total hick for a real bartender.

I googled Mauve's bar and there is one that looks like the bar in Studio CIty. No picture of Mauve and the name is Mauve's Residual. The name of the company that did the video was Discrete Diners Has anyone heard of them. I could not find much when I did a search.

Irene_L.A. Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> dkk...no, the bar on Mystery diners is nothing
> I've ever seen, looks like a tiny town somewhere
> in the midwest. Dressing is a givaway, and the
> bartender would never last in a city like L.A., he
> was a total hick for a real bartender.


I don't have cable so I'm going to have to see if I can find this episode online somewhere. I thought I read it was 'set in LA', maybe even that was fake?

I was thrilled enough to see the fountain from Weeds!

I think foodnetwork films out of New York, I could be wrong, but it doesn't film in L.A. No cable, I'd die...

A blurb off the website: "A pub owner in Los Angeles suspects that one of her bartenders might be overpouring for customers, giving away too many free drinks and overtipping himself. To find out, she calls in the Mystery Diners, who outfit the bar with hidden cameras and go in undercover to see what is really happening when the boss is away."

When I did my audition, they hired a casting agent that came to my house with camera's, the whole nine yards, it was fun and very interesting. The agent said, after casting, it is out of her hands. This took one year to get on the air. We actually filmed in my house, then went to a restaurant that I don't shop, and filmed outside, guess that was too boring for T.V., as it was the real deal. Having done many bar audits in L.A., this must have been one in the boonies, and we know the bartender was an actor. I saw the program, it doesn't come close to an actual shop. Foodnetwork headquarters are in New York, but as they came to my house, they are huge and can go anywhere. I wouldn't be surprised if this bar was in San Bernadino County, not Los Angeles county, folks that don't know call everything in So. CA. Los Angeles, but it is not.

I have my recorder set to record the re-run of the show, which is set for 10:00 P,M, tonight ((12/16/2011) in the Central Time Zone. W ith all the commentary it will give me a new perspective on the show. A couple days ago, I was scrolling through the channels and came across the Food Network and happened to notice "Mystery Shoppers". Intrigued, I watched the show and now we are having this interesting discussion. I am pleased that the show is having re-runs so I have the opportunity to watch it again with anew perspective, as I have mentioned. As for other re-runs, I guess you go to the Food Network online and check it out, which is what I will do. I remembered that the alleged location was called Mauve's, but I didnt'recall that it was called Maeve's Residual

Walesmaven;

Thanks for your helpful tip.

I had been going back and forth on this issue too...will it hurt or help us?
I don't have the food network and had decided I wasn't going to watch it anyway.

I really don't care what others think about this industry or me doing it. When I have told people what I do they are always surprised (I don't tell many people because I am supposed to be invisible!), and are very interested in how to get into it and of course ALWAYS, make a statement like "I thought it was a scam thing!" I also am always sure to tell people they make anywhere from 2 to 3 dollars a shop when they first start out (typically) and that it takes at least 6 months to start getting paid better (still not well, but better). That usually discourages most folks! Having said that; I have introduced 4 people to the industry. One is already not doing it any more, one doing it occasionally, and one is doing it as she wants to (how I started out) and one is going full speed in order to supplement recent job losses in the family and other reasons.

I think right now Mystery Shopping is a blessing to so many people who have lost jobs and due to age or other reasons are having a hard time finding new work. I think there won't be many who make it past the one year mark, and once the economy is better competition will slow again. So far I have not had any trouble getting plenty of work, but I realize alot of it has to do with location.

BTW, one time I told an apt. agent that I was an Independent Contractor not thinking as it was an automatic response and then she asked me what I did as an IC!!! Oh my gosh, was I surprised! I wasn't thinking on my feet that day, and I responded, "I do highly confidential work and am not allowed to discuss it, though I can say I work for the government!" Do you think she swallowed that? I doubt it. We should start a stupidest things I have said or done on a shop." Bet there are Lulu's out there!

I posted this recently on a diffent forum:

Well, I was excited to see the show as many others apparently were here too. I'm a generally very positive person, and look at the good as opposed to the bad in most situations; however, I felt this show was rather poorly done, as well as, some of it's content and process almost dangerous in regards to proper "bar spotting."

Bar Spotting is a near art form and I know from experience that only few and far between do you find the talented ones to execute it correctly. You have to be VERY careful about how you conduct yourself.

Now we employ many "pre-texts" integrity checks, but the way this was conducted with the girls was a bit over the top. The best bar spotting is done via observation, not per-determined set up.

I also really snickered about the pour the alcohol in a container bit. Come on, really, order a clear drink and go to the restroom and pour it out and fill with water...or any other countless ruse. Besides, if it's in there purse and they leave premise, I believe in CA that is a violation.

The big issue I had was they solved nothing. It was a weed-eater chopping a weed...well, leave the root and it grows right back. The problem was that bar owner obviously has no policies and procedures in place. That's why the idiot kept saying he was "helping her." Without proper comp policies, in reality he did nothing wrong and that can be libelous as was reflected in Doug's statement. However, Doug I don't agree about your PI only assessment as it depends on how the client is using the report; for possible litigious and/or termination reasons (as what was in the show) or for information only reasons and the MS company is delivering it as an "Information Broker." Moreover, taking that guys tips was a no-no, because she has no apparent policies in place, and moreover, terminating him specifically on a third party observation (even if it is a camera) is an issue too. Maybe in the TV world though.

Further, again, maybe it was for television, but setting up such an elaborate video sting, for a seemingly broke pub owner was far fetched to me. I charge more than anyone else out there for our services and know that this wasn't realistic in relation to the bar's demographic and owner's apparent economic status.

I'm not knocking the owner of this company as kudos to him for being pro-active about doing a show, but the loop-holes and the show progression disappointed me. I do hope the show continues though.

I'm currently writing a book titled "How Bartenders Steal & How We Catch Them" and you can read excerpts from the book and our spotter reports at my blog [bartheft.com] or on our company website www.eyespyspotter.com

Michael Zenner - CEO
Eye Spy Spotter Services Inc.
“Bartender Theft & Service Staff Evaluations”
eyespyspotter.com
bartheft.com (blog)

Hospitality Check Point
“Liquor Liability Assessments & Industry Investigations”
hospitalitycheckpoint.com
liquorassessment.com (blog)

PO BOX 995 Gilbert AZ 85299

Athena34 Wrote:
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> Having looked at some of the other auditions, it
> looks like a lot of them aren't long term
> shoppers. Lots are just people who want to be on
> TV (eg aspiring actors!)
>
> Check out this one:
> [youtu.be]
>
>
> skip ahead to 3:10 where he talks about his
> "experience" mystery shopping for Subway, because
> he "has a friend who owned a bunch of stores". He
> goes on to talk briefly about the report, etc....
>
>
> Ummm,, if his friend owns the store, shouldn't he
> NOT be mystery shopping them? Does he even know
> what he's talking about?
>
> This show is going to give such a distorted view
> of what mystery shoppers really are like...

I watched about 1/3 of that youtube. If you go with the theory that eye movements tell whether someone is lying or not, what I saw would indicate he was being mostly truthful. The way I learnt it is "eyes left are lying." His eyes moved a lot but mostly to the right, which is "eyes right is real".

Mystery shopping companies do set up parameters where you cannot shop a certain location or a certain industry if you know someone, but they seem somewhat arbitrary. If working with a large shopper pool maybe they choose to err on the side of caution. We all know that many companies hire virtually anyone and weed out the poor shoppers as time goes on.

I was actually asked by a friend to mystery shop some of her employees. Obviously she knows me well and also knew she could count on me to be objective. She did not provide me with any information to make me bias one way or another and there was certainly no incentive for me to provide anything other than objectivity.

I thought the Subway owner hired his friend to shop his stores not that then shopper was shopping for any MSC.

This show is obviously fake. I have seen 3 episodes now and am convinced. No one acts like that - it is poorly acted. It is even worse publicity for the restaurants. I am disappointed in it as a tv show.

I thank goodness I only pay for netflix I am saved from the obvious embarassment of watching that show. BG XD

I don't know if it is fake, but it is certainly far removed from mystery shopping. We are there to report objective facts while these shows are depicting a sting operation and sending in the "Mystery Diners" to entrap the targets. Even though they are portraying the targets as deserving of scrutiny how many of us are given any information beforehand or instructed to lure targets into unethical and/or illegal behavior?

There are reports on the internet that the show is fake. I found it hard to believe so I did a little research. The show never intended to highlight mystery shopping. It is basically about a restaurant detective company that provides a service to clients who already know they have a shortage problem but have no proof. There seems to be only 3-4 employees of said company.

After watching 2 shows, I'm convinced this is fake. Participants seem to be (poorly) acting. Plus, I believe you can't put someone on TV unless they sign a release. Who in their right mind would sign a release when they are shown to be stealing among other things. They know they would never get another job after the airing. Food Network needs to own up to this scam.

I got an email from one of the companies that I am signed up with saying they are sponsoring the show. I only saw it once and thought it was also just a way to entrap employees.
I dont know it the email from the company is a ffake or not,. Did anyone else receive the e mail from them?

The Mystery Diners are a part of Business Evaluation Services.

I saw the previews, not bad and yes they choose BES over a couple other MSC's that were involved. They redid the show, I might get addicted. I was given an "interview" and did an actual taping of the show. Shoppers Confidental emailed me ages ago, stating they were doing a T.V. show and would I care to be on it, and I ignored advice given on this forum, and went for it. I found the experience interesting and met some nice people. I almost made it on T.V, no regrets.

BES hosts it and Nina Gonzales of BES has said they hoped the show will bring about a positive light for mystery shopping. I haven't seen it but from what I've read, their main hope was to spark the interest of potential clients and make mystery shopping more legitimate in the face of all the scams that are out there. They filmed in L.A. but also Vegas, which might be where some of the other episodes were filmed.

Is it possible the you all are not talking about the tv show but another show in the works ? What you are saying does not jibe with what I saw on tv.

This is the newer version, has been played around with a bit, and this will be airing next Friday at 10:00PM in L.A. this version is much better than the
old one, more realistic, but I don't think we shoppers have to worry.

Thanks, Irene. Will it also air on Food Network ?

What doesn't jive? I'm a FN junkie and have seen several of the shows.

In my mind the goal of mystery shopping was the opportunity to "catch" employees doing it right and provide training opportunities for those that need it. I thought we always fought the idea that we are there to get employees in trouble and possibly even fired. That philosophy won't be furthered by focusing on a program that is designed strictly for loss prevention. Obviously that aspect of mystery shopping is also necessary, but they are not showing the other positive aspects. My problem is not with that side of the business or the methods they use as much as it seems to muddy the waters of general mystery shopping.

Granted, what most of us experience would not be "must see TV," with Cettie's adventures being a notable exception

LisaSTL Wrote:
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> Granted, what most of us experience would not be
> "must see TV," with Cettie's adventures being a
> notable exception

Therein lies the crux. MSing is boring for Primetime TV.

Narrator: "Lisa just ordered the sub with no pickles. Will the veggie person prepare it correctly? There he goes. So far so good. He's going in for the onions now. Oh no! It looks a stray pickles that was in with the onions fell onto the sub! This spells disaster! What will become of the veggie person? They've just lost their perfect score. They've JUST lost their perfect score! This is truly a sad day for all of us!"

Who wouldn't tune out to miss that? LOL

I've only read reviews of the flirty girls pilot episode. Seeings how the network wants ratings, two young, flirty girls is one way to get it.

Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 06/04/2012 09:50PM by AlwaysAngie.

LisaSTL Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> What doesn't jive? I'm a FN junkie and have seen
> several of the shows.
>
> In my mind the goal of mystery shopping was the
> opportunity to "catch" employees doing it right
> and provide training opportunities for those that
> need it. I thought we always fought the idea that
> we are there to get employees in trouble and
> possibly even fired. That philosophy won't be
> furthered by focusing on a program that is
> designed strictly for loss prevention. Obviously
> that aspect of mystery shopping is also necessary,
> but they are not showing the other positive
> aspects. My problem is not with that side of the
> business or the methods they use as much as it
> seems to muddy the waters of general mystery
> shopping.
>
> Granted, what most of us experience would not be
> "must see TV," with Cettie's adventures being a
> notable exception

So far in the show they have used the same 2-3 actors over and over. Why would they be interviewing real shoppers if they use the same people ? The restaurants have been all over the country - not concentrated in LA.

The so-called employees who are caught stealing are actors as well. The show itself is a caricature of mystery shopping.