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Phone shops

August 15, 2012 12:31PM
Hi!! Can someone relieve my stress on this one? I REALLY want to try one, but for some (stupid) reason, the thought of being recorded is freaking me out! Do they give you a script to follow and as long as you remember little details like whether you have a boy or girl, you are fine? Or are you on your own except for questions you must ask? About how long is the average call? Thanks!

Robin

Silver certified, I shop in Cities in NM and TX that no one has ever heard of.
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More About Phone Shops
August 15, 2012 12:50PM
robin,
Every phone assignment is different. You can read through the shop guidelines and make some notes for yourself ahead of time. For instance, I note my alias for the shop, if I am supposed to have children, I note their names and ages, or if I am shopping for assisted living, I may note my "aunt's" name, her age and what ailments she takes meds for. In other words, based on the shop guidelines I create a list to match. Most are not scripted, although some will give you a single question that you are supposed to use verbatim.

These are easy shops, mostly, so relax.

Based in MD, near DC
Shopping from the Carolinas to New York
Have video cam; will travel

Poor customer service? Don't get mad; get video.
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August 15, 2012 12:53PM
I usually do not note down anything. I use real names of my family members.

Shopper and auditor since March 2012.
Cover all center/north Oklahoma and south Kansas.
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August 15, 2012 12:57PM
charyuop,
The ones that I often do have linked data bases on the client side, so several different aliases and scenarios may be needed in order to avoid being discovered. For simpler calls, I do as you do. And, a nervous beginner may feel more secure if she has a little cheat sheet, in case of brain freeze. smile

Based in MD, near DC
Shopping from the Carolinas to New York
Have video cam; will travel

Poor customer service? Don't get mad; get video.
Reply
August 15, 2012 01:55PM
I rarely do phone shops, unless they pay particularly well. I am phone shy, and tend to forget things when I'm nervous.

Before the shop, I jot down my scenario information. My address, or a fake address I'm using. My name, or a fake name. Any other information I'm supposed to provide. That way if I get nervous and start to flounder, I have all the facts written out.
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August 16, 2012 01:22AM
You can talk to a friend in person or on the phone to get used to the form's Q&As. I always record my calls whether the MSC records it or not.

If you record your practice calls, you can hear yourself. You can know whether you sound scripted, nervous, etc.

I use my own recordings to answer the report questions.

I used to jump on phone shops, but once some MSCs started saying only one call per shopper, I stopped. I'm not going to read/learn one job's rules for $5 or whatever the pay is. The pay has to be able to go longer than one job. Learning curve.

I will accept phone shops of jobs I've done before that don't vary or vary little.

I have also marked on my spreadsheet the phone call shop that wasn't worth the $9 it paid.

smiling smiley Jamie
Editor and shopper
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August 16, 2012 01:53AM
thanks guys! Great info! Jamiesan, my biggest problem (and I have it with answering machines too, is that I sound like Alvin from Alvin and the chipmunks on them.

Robin

Silver certified, I shop in Cities in NM and TX that no one has ever heard of.
Reply
August 16, 2012 03:18AM
No one will know or care what your recorded voice will sound like. I do them all the time. Just do the call and be yourself and take notes. I, frankly do not think that anyone listens to the recording, unless there is a problem. I HAVE NEVER had any one call me or question me about a recorded call. Hope this helps.
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