Grocery store compliance shops

I have completed many compliance shops but yesterday was the first time I have ever been rudely told to leave the store right in the middle of it. I was so upset I still can't sleep. AAAARGH Anyone else had this happen? If so, how did you deal with it?

none

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Why were you asked to leave?

I was kicked out of a small-town store grocery as well, even after they called the phone number on the letter I was to show if I was questioned. Makes me think they had something to hide!

Are you referring to the unrevealed/revealed ones that are done once a year?

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techman01 Wrote:
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> Are you referring to the unrevealed/revealed ones
> that are done once a year?

That's the one It was a small grocery store and I caught the manager as he was leaving for the day (early). He read my paper and let me get started. I took a few of the required photos and told him I would need to check the temperatures in the coolers. That's when he turned to me and said, "Leave the store."

none

mitchk Wrote:
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> I was kicked out of a small-town store grocery as
> well, even after they called the phone number on
> the letter I was to show if I was questioned.
> Makes me think they had something to hide!

Did you get paid?

none

I just did one of these today and two days ago. The first one went great but I had to wait for awhile. The owner was there and he walked me around. The one today was a little bit harder because the manager was busy and no one could walk me around. The guys in the back helped me out though and pointed out thermometers and took me to the coolers and freezers.

I'm sorry that happened to you. I worry about that happening with some of the gas station shops.

Jessica

Shopping Indiana, Ohio and Kentucky
Silver Certified

After waiting a bit, you should start rather their ready or not. Them stalling is almost always because their trying to clean etc. also I have my own food safety infrared thermometer that I can beam out their product in the coolers and get the temp instantly. Costs around 25 buxx. If you do alot of compliance shops well worth the money.

Lindazane Wrote:
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> Did you get paid?

I did. The purpose of my shop was to see whether the store was actually stocking the items for which they were submitting manufacturer coupons to a national clearinghouse for redemption.

This story tells me the store employees were not adequately briefed to expect an auditor and how to behave. You should make that point with your scheduler and in your report.

I've been lucky in all of the 15 or 20 audits I have performed in that I was well received by the staff. They knew someone was coming (not when, exactly) and what they needed to do as part of the audit. For a few, they had to show me stock in the back areas of the store. All of this made the audits quite enjoyable to do.

Happily shopping Rhode Island and nearby Massachusetts and Connecticut

All stores in this audit know you are coming this month, just not when. Problem is, not all of them bother to read their email in a timely manner, since the program just started, some aren't aware. A manager throwing an auditor out only hurts them as they are then inelgible to receive any bonuses that corporate provides to the franchise owners.

If a store doesn't want to participate in the program corporate does allow them to opt out.

You can BET the manager, telling you to leave the store immediately, has something he needs to "hide, fix, or clean up" and it was serious enough for you not to even SEE it, not even a glimpse.

I did a grocery mystery/reveal and had to audit the store. I found numerous dead flies (in the freezer laying there dead), a freezer (15 footer) that looked like something out of a horror movie, or should I said a "serious hoarder house, with rotten food" issue type of store.

There was absolutely no smoking allowed in the store and the manager was inside the food stock room (around all the food) smoking away....

Total lack of caring for the safety of customers by keeping rotted fruit and vegetables, numerous dead flies that lay in the open view of customers, the freezer their graveyard, this was one hideous nightmare and I will never forget it. I can see this with my eyes open right now...

Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 05/05/2012 02:34AM by SunnyDays2.

Thanks everyone for the great feedback. I know I will never go in that particular store again.

none

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