I had a shop where I recorded the associate basically recommending the competition. Of course, said associate denied it. I was lucky that I had recorded the shop. I sent the recording to the editor and then the editor sttod up for me because the shop got accepted and I got paid. Had the recording not existed, I probably would have lost $25.

Now I record every shop but only save the ones where there might be a serious question because of something that was said during the shop.

I think definitely yes and I have the ear piece so I can record both sides of a telephone conversation. You can't do that with a cell phone recorder and it makes it a lot easier to remember the conversation. It's saved my butt a few times when I've had editors come back later wanting more information.

I use my cell phone for many shops and especially love the ShopIt app which has the ability to record while in it. I've been on some cell phone shops where I can't have my iPhone with me so I use my DVR. I can usually conceal it in my bra and it picks up great. I feel like it sometimes slows me down doing the report, but I also try to do most of the questions as I'm listening and will stop when I need some info. My DVR also has playback speeds of up to 2x so I can get through it quicker.

I got my voice recorder at Costco for $40. You can probably find one at Wal Mart or Target if you don't have a Costco account. Or check Amazon.

LisaSTL Wrote:
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> Originally the Voice Recorder on the iPhone would
> stop if you put it to sleep or when taking a
> photo. I've found it will now keep recording. Just
> be sure to put it in airplane mode since an
> incoming phone call will still stop the recorder.

Thanks regarding the tip to put it in airplane mode. Does that send the phone call to voicemail?

Calls go to voicemail and e-mails and texts get held until you are out of airplane mode.

I use my digital recorder for recording phone calls too, when they are part of a shop. I just put my cell phone on speaker and then hold the digital recorder near the phone. It works great.

James Bond 007.5 Wrote:
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> I had a shop where I recorded the associate
> basically recommending the competition. Of course,
> said associate denied it. I was lucky that I had
> recorded the shop. I sent the recording to the
> editor and then the editor sttod up for me because
> the shop got accepted and I got paid. Had the
> recording not existed, I probably would have lost
> $25.
>
> Now I record every shop but only save the ones
> where there might be a serious question because of
> something that was said during the shop.

I'm in an all-party consent state so I can't do that but the same kind of situation has happened to me quite a few times. I have an even more outrageous story.

Years ago, I was doing a home improvement shop. The employee pulled me aside after I shopped him and told me not to pay the store to do the installation. He told me I could buy the materials for my project but hire him to do the installation for a much cheaper price. Of course, I played along. I made sure I had his name and personal phone number before I left. (I don't remember if they were in his handwriting or mine.) Then, I went home and contacted my scheduler. She was incredulous at first--until I told her about the name and phone number and offered to send them to her so that the client could confirm.

Of course, I got paid.