How often do you think that companies compare the shops to their video?
Warning: For Full Access Please Log In or Create an Account (Free)
Honestly I think it is very rare. I say that because if they did they could practically do the shops themselves and I also think it is rain based on the pure fact that most videos are clearly well not clear. Have you ever seen the grainy photos from convenience store or bank robberies where you can barely make out the person's face? Or what about the mystery shows where you see on the surveillance that the person has entered the store...its usually hard to tell who is who. Many of the tapes have a very short shelf life also. I am not saying it doesn't happen I just don't think its common.
Liz
Liz
They will check the tapes if something in your report indicates that the company's procedures were not followed by the employee or timing was too long.
rare, if ever. More often then not it's never by corporate and always by the franchise owner.
= + = + = + = + = + = + = + = + = + = + = +
There are no stupid questions, but there are a lot of inquisitive idiots
==--==--==--==--==--==--==--==--==--==
When you try to please everybody, you end up pleasing nobody
There are no stupid questions, but there are a lot of inquisitive idiots
==--==--==--==--==--==--==--==--==--==
When you try to please everybody, you end up pleasing nobody
Close to 1500 shops now - and I haven't ever had one of mine reviewed/monitored (that I know of).
But I'm always aware of the possibility of going to the video, so I don't B.S. my times or fudge my observations. Why risk losing my reputation?
But I'm always aware of the possibility of going to the video, so I don't B.S. my times or fudge my observations. Why risk losing my reputation?
I know of one time it happened to me. The client argued the report and referenced the video, which they had checked after they got my report. While they had the right time and right video clip - they were looking at the wrong person (i.e. they thought the wrong person was the shopper). The behavior in question was performed - just not with me.
I was doing a gas station audit when the employee began talking about their mystery shopper. She described him and said that they looked on the video to see him.
On one occasion I did have an editor asking me who my guest was and what me and my guest wore on a particular shop. They asked to check if the information I gave them actually agreed with the video they must have watched.
If you are doing things right and going by the MSC's books, you need not worry about going on video.
If you are doing things right and going by the MSC's books, you need not worry about going on video.
Now see this makes me so nervous about bowling shops. There is so much to cover, it's easy to forget something or not even do a portion of the shop. Then they ask for a physical description of you and everyone who accompanies you on the shop in your report. So if there is a discrepancy they can pin point you on the cameras.
Then there's those phone shops that have you inquire about web listings on houses. I've never done them, but I've heard that the real estate agents claim they never spoke with a shopper, and then the shopper can't provide phone records to validate their reports. It's not video surveilance, but that right there shows they do check up on shoppers once in awhile. They have allegedly caught several shoppers doing this with these particular shops.
Then there's those phone shops that have you inquire about web listings on houses. I've never done them, but I've heard that the real estate agents claim they never spoke with a shopper, and then the shopper can't provide phone records to validate their reports. It's not video surveilance, but that right there shows they do check up on shoppers once in awhile. They have allegedly caught several shoppers doing this with these particular shops.
The pure overwhelming nature of attempting such a project would preclude most from ever doing it. But of course, if you say something totally outrageous in your shop or make claims that seem impossible (e.g. "I waited for over an hour in that checkout line."
, then someone might pull up a given security tape to verify your claim or just to see what the problem may have been. So whether they check any or all or just a few shops, it really does not pay to fudge times or facts. It's mostly an ethics and honor issue but it could literally burn you for life as a shopper. You ARE affecting someone else's job...so consider how carefully/carelessly you wield the sword of justice, lest it accidentally pass over thy head for a quick cropping as well.
, then someone might pull up a given security tape to verify your claim or just to see what the problem may have been. So whether they check any or all or just a few shops, it really does not pay to fudge times or facts. It's mostly an ethics and honor issue but it could literally burn you for life as a shopper. You ARE affecting someone else's job...so consider how carefully/carelessly you wield the sword of justice, lest it accidentally pass over thy head for a quick cropping as well.
I did a shop last week and the editor emailed me and asked me if I were wearing a green shirt and black bag. I think the company that does the golden arches shops definitely checks cameras.
I was emailed yesterday about a golden arches shop too and someone was trying to figure out which customer I was. Asked what type of car I drove, how tall I was, hair colour, what I wore that day (almost 3 weeks ago - who remembers), where I stood in line inside, etc etc etc.
This is twice now, two different golden arches but in the same city - last time I was asked my model of car and which line I got into in the drive through. Must be the same franchise owner checking the video, which makes me nervous because I don't want to be i.d'd. Think I will skip that city from now on.
(Both times, there were very long line ups so possibly questioning my timing, who knows)
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 07/12/2012 06:45PM by Dhunt1.
This is twice now, two different golden arches but in the same city - last time I was asked my model of car and which line I got into in the drive through. Must be the same franchise owner checking the video, which makes me nervous because I don't want to be i.d'd. Think I will skip that city from now on.
(Both times, there were very long line ups so possibly questioning my timing, who knows)
**********************************
Always take the high road.
Always take the high road.
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 07/12/2012 06:45PM by Dhunt1.
I've used them to prove a negative issue. In my report, I suggested they check the video so they could see what I was describing.
Allyshops, why did they want to know if you were wearing a black bag? Hehe.
There is a now famous pretzel shop where the video was used to show that the shopper missed key elements to the shop. One of them including a name tag: the shopper said that the cashier was not wearing a name tag, when she clearly was. Another was a question of sampling: she said there was no sampling being done, meanwhile on the glass next to her was a tray of samples. In this case, the manager scolded an employee for not wearing a name tag. When the employee said she was wearing one, the mamager took a look, and not only was she wearing one, but the manager also found other mistakes in the shop.
All shoppers should assume they are being taped and their shop can be viewed. I always take this principle view with me when I am shopping. Is what I am saying and doing accurately going to be reflected in the video?
This is a video world now. People capture fights and fires on their cellphones. Police officers capture what happened at a pullover stop with dashboard cams.
So basically, shopping or not, you are being watched in public/private areas.
This is a video world now. People capture fights and fires on their cellphones. Police officers capture what happened at a pullover stop with dashboard cams.
So basically, shopping or not, you are being watched in public/private areas.
I would be asking them to tell me what I was wearing, what model my car was and where I was standing and then I would confirm or deny.
Liz
Dhunt1 Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> I was emailed yesterday about a golden arches shop
> too and someone was trying to figure out which
> customer I was. Asked what type of car I drove,
> how tall I was, hair colour, what I wore that day
> (almost 3 weeks ago - who remembers), where I
> stood in line inside, etc etc etc.
>
> This is twice now, two different golden arches but
> in the same city - last time I was asked my model
> of car and which line I got into in the drive
> through. Must be the same franchise owner
> checking the video, which makes me nervous because
> I don't want to be i.d'd. Think I will skip that
> city from now on.
>
> (Both times, there were very long line ups so
> possibly questioning my timing, who knows)
Liz
Dhunt1 Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> I was emailed yesterday about a golden arches shop
> too and someone was trying to figure out which
> customer I was. Asked what type of car I drove,
> how tall I was, hair colour, what I wore that day
> (almost 3 weeks ago - who remembers), where I
> stood in line inside, etc etc etc.
>
> This is twice now, two different golden arches but
> in the same city - last time I was asked my model
> of car and which line I got into in the drive
> through. Must be the same franchise owner
> checking the video, which makes me nervous because
> I don't want to be i.d'd. Think I will skip that
> city from now on.
>
> (Both times, there were very long line ups so
> possibly questioning my timing, who knows)
Sorry, only registered users may post in this forum.