Unsuspicious Reason for Separate Check

Hello Fellow Mystery Shoppers!

I just started Mystery Shopping this past month and am quickly understanding the do's and don't's of the industry. I apologize if this is a newbie question, but please bare with me.

My main question is, when you are mystery shopping a sit down restaurant and you are out with your family (up to 5 people are allowed with me), what is an unsuspicious way of asking for a separate receipt? Any server would automatically assume you would have one bill as a family. How do you get one receipt without letting anyone on that you are mystery shopper.

The second is for the people who have very young children. If the guidelines say "do not bring anyone with you", would you think this would include a baby (less than a year old)?

Thanks in advance!

All the best.
Kelly

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I would check with your scheduler...

Shopping Bama and parts of Georgia.
I'm still learning 24/7.

If I am dining as a family and still at or under the number of folks allowed, don't worry about a separate check. Although on the report it often means commenting on the extra food items, usually we dine as a group when the reimbursement is larger than we usually use as a pair so we are getting an advantage in being able to receive the maximum reimbursement amount. Where there are coupons and other deals available but I can't use them with the shop, they are handed off to another adult in the group and it is easy enough to have two of us on one check and others on a separate check with the coupons or other deals. We are just matter-of-fact about 'these two are on a separate check from those'. Most frequently the 'other check' is my adult kids and I at least offer them cash to pay 'their' bill.

Thanks everyone. Unfortunately, it's required I have a separate check only listing my meal items as I need to scan my receipt and submit that with my report. Thing is my meal will be with my husband and baby, and wouldn't it look suspicious to ask for a separate check if I'm with my family? I thought of the "I'm expensing this" excuse...but it's kinda weak.

If the guidelines say do not bring anyone with you I think the baby qualifies as an "anyone." mrcomputer was right on in saying to check with the scheduler. Different companies have different rules.

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.

Thanks! I was leaning towards the same assumption as well, but wanted to get your thoughts.

My main question is what reasons have you given for a separate check on a restaurant mystery shop?

I've only done 2 restaurant shops and neither required me to have a separate check from my guest. That's bizarre to say the least!

You don't need to give a reason. Just matter-of-factly request separate checks.

As shoppers we spend too much time worrying about whether we have been spotted or how to ask for a receipt or what to tell them "if". While it is always good to have a backup plan, for something like separate checks in a restaurant, woe to the server who would ask why! That would definitely warrant a MYOB glare.

I don't think I would want to be the recipient of one of those

To what Flash said, the surest way to be spotted in any situation is to defend a response when it's unwarranted. As stated, just ask matter of factly. And even though you're with your husband, how would they know it's your husband, and not just a male friend? In this situation, I'd probably keep the baby close to me and tend to his/her needs, rather than my spouse, just to keep up the "male friend" scenario.

Or the baby could belong to the male friend

Or they could be divorced parents and neither wants to treat the other to dinner!

You can't always guess a situation. On a restaurant shop last night there was a woman and two adult males at a table with two children. I figured one of the guys was hubby and the other their friend. I didn't watch the billing procedure, but one of the guys carried the baby in the kid carrier out while the woman walked with the other child. We were leaving about the same time. There were no hugs or handshakes as the gal started putting the baby carrier in the van and the kid crawled in while the two guys went on to their separate vehicles. No clues as to the geneology there, though I suspect the kids are hers :-)

Remember the old adage? Why does a mother love her children so much, because she's sure their hers

Haha! I love you guys. I took your advice and just asked for separate checks without any further comment. No further response and I wasn't receiving stares so I don't think I was found out. LOL

I did think of the divorced couple thing. Awk-ward. Although I think it was apparent we loved each other and the baby was ours. Oh well. They got a good review anyway so I doubt they'll gripe much.

Too funny. I had no idea you were actually going tonight, good job girl! People will only find what you are doing as odd if you let them. It is so normal for a new shopper to think everything they do is under scrutiny rather than the other way around

Just ask for a separte check and if they give you a funny look, just say I'm on a per diem they're not.

Haha! Yes, it was last night. Hence the reason I was so persistent in getting responses.

Thanks again!

Practice on non shops and you will get more used to it.
I think servers are pretty used to any and all scenarios.

I did my first Tijuana Flats shop last night. It was for "Closing". I had never been to one before. I got to asking the manager if they had anything that was "Gluten Free". I totally forgot to get my receipt! As I was eating the server came by to check and I asked her if I could get my receipt. She happily did so, No questions asked & No reason given! Don't act nervous when doing so.

They really don't care. Talking too much or acting "nervous" like it is an unusual request gets you into trouble .... just act like it's the most reasonable thing in the world and a do-it-all-the-time attitude and probably no one will think anything about it.

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