Bad restaurant experiences are making me think twice about the 'free meal' hype
Warning: For Full Access Please Log In or Create an Account (Free)
BusyBeeBuzzBuzzBuzz Wrote:
>
>
> The same MSC had the same, don't-complain
> instruction for another client. I did one of
> those shops. An employee made a huge mistake with
> prices. I did not complain but I was charged much
> more than I should have been. When I asked the
> MSC whether it would reimburse me for the
> overcharges, I was told I could/should have said
> something to the employee.
Your experience makes me feel even more inclined to no longer do non-reimbursement restaurant shops - damned if you do, damned if you don't. It takes the so-called 'fun' out of the concept of mystery shopping.
>
>
> The same MSC had the same, don't-complain
> instruction for another client. I did one of
> those shops. An employee made a huge mistake with
> prices. I did not complain but I was charged much
> more than I should have been. When I asked the
> MSC whether it would reimburse me for the
> overcharges, I was told I could/should have said
> something to the employee.
Your experience makes me feel even more inclined to no longer do non-reimbursement restaurant shops - damned if you do, damned if you don't. It takes the so-called 'fun' out of the concept of mystery shopping.
I understand, but these restaurant shops have both a fair reimbursement amount and a fee, and I happen to love the food. The MSC is also not stingy with bonuses. Even more importantly to me, the MSC was kind when I messed up before.
What bugged me the most about the overcharge shop situation was the MSC not bothering to approach the client to ask if the client would reimburse for the overcharge.
What bugged me the most about the overcharge shop situation was the MSC not bothering to approach the client to ask if the client would reimburse for the overcharge.
I did a reimbursement-only shop recently that reimbursed $45. We had to order a drink at the bar, 2 entrees, share a dessert and get another beverage (did not have to be alcoholic). With tax and tip it was over $45. This was a new restaurant and I'd never been before. Needless to say, I will not be back. Everything on the menu was under 475 calories and everything we ordered was bland and simply not good. I left the restaurant at the end of the meal feeling disappointed, and hungry!!! The restaurant was 45 minutes each way and I was kicking myself for driving so far for such a shoddy meal.
I guess you could say all meals have the possibility to not be good, but I've decided if I've never been to the restaurant before, and if the fee doesn't cover the cost of the meal, I'm going to pass. I've been burned a few too many times
I guess you could say all meals have the possibility to not be good, but I've decided if I've never been to the restaurant before, and if the fee doesn't cover the cost of the meal, I'm going to pass. I've been burned a few too many times
If the meal is the payment and the meal is inedible the most you can do is earn back the money you've already spent. Plus you're still hungry. There are 3 parties involved here and two of them win (the restaurant because they got their money and the MSC who got their report) guess who's left.
James Bond 007.5 Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> A Closer Look has some restaurant shops. While the
> report does require narratives in each section, I
> don't find it that hard to do. And I don't mind it
> being reimbursement only.
I ditto the Closer Look. The two different restaurant chains that are offered once every 180 days are great. I look forward to them. I would not go to one of those Chains if it were not reimbursed. $75 for dinner for two is great if they pay. I would rather go to the other "EATS" type place that is inexpensive but impossible to get into on a weekend. Over a three-hour wait on a Saturday night. As Yogi Berra said, "It is so crowded no one goes there anymore". If you go there lunchtime or weekdays the wait is much less and the food and prices are great even without a shop.
-------------------------------------------------------
> A Closer Look has some restaurant shops. While the
> report does require narratives in each section, I
> don't find it that hard to do. And I don't mind it
> being reimbursement only.
I ditto the Closer Look. The two different restaurant chains that are offered once every 180 days are great. I look forward to them. I would not go to one of those Chains if it were not reimbursed. $75 for dinner for two is great if they pay. I would rather go to the other "EATS" type place that is inexpensive but impossible to get into on a weekend. Over a three-hour wait on a Saturday night. As Yogi Berra said, "It is so crowded no one goes there anymore". If you go there lunchtime or weekdays the wait is much less and the food and prices are great even without a shop.
I had one horrible experience where my report was rejected. Since the editor's remarks were unclear, I asked for clarification. Her reply was snotty and had spelling errors. I just removed myself from their system. This had been a first shop for them, and while others may give a second chance, their attitude told me they would be a problem in the future too. I don't even remember the company. I do restaurant shops all the time, and have learned to be picky. I need pay in addition to reimbursement.
Before I apply for a shop at a restaurant I am not familiar with, I check yelp and the restaurant's website menu. If the reviews are 'iffy" or just plain bad, i do not apply. I never do reimbursement only. Even when there is a fee I have gone over the reimbursement occasionally. This is because they tell you to order specific courses. I have had to order items that I would not normally eat and then leave it. i do not want to be out of pocket for 6 weeks for a bad meal.
Susan
Susan
Unless specified that you must pay cash, I always use my credit card. That way, if the MSC (and ultimately the client) stiffs me, I can dispute the charge with the bank and not be out the money from the shop.
It's only fair.
It's only fair.
tjfx Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Unless specified that you must pay cash, I always
> use my credit card. That way, if the MSC (and
> ultimately the client) stiffs me, I can dispute
> the charge with the bank and not be out the money
> from the shop.
>
> It's only fair.
Does that actually work? You did eat there, so the restaurant should get paid unless the food was inedible or something else went horribly wrong.
-------------------------------------------------------
> Unless specified that you must pay cash, I always
> use my credit card. That way, if the MSC (and
> ultimately the client) stiffs me, I can dispute
> the charge with the bank and not be out the money
> from the shop.
>
> It's only fair.
Does that actually work? You did eat there, so the restaurant should get paid unless the food was inedible or something else went horribly wrong.
Disputing charges on credit cards is a slippery slope. We don't always know who declined the shop and who will lose.
During the carpet cleaning fiasco, some shoppers were getting their money back that way. The problem as I saw it, most of those were franchisees. Disputing the charge took the money away from that franchisee who had performed the service and incurred the cost, not the MSC and not the actual client. Many franchisees also pay fees to the parent company for the mystery shops, getting doubly screwed on the reversed charges. This made the franchisee just as much of a victim, if not more so, since the shoppers had actually received a service for their money.
During the carpet cleaning fiasco, some shoppers were getting their money back that way. The problem as I saw it, most of those were franchisees. Disputing the charge took the money away from that franchisee who had performed the service and incurred the cost, not the MSC and not the actual client. Many franchisees also pay fees to the parent company for the mystery shops, getting doubly screwed on the reversed charges. This made the franchisee just as much of a victim, if not more so, since the shoppers had actually received a service for their money.
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.
"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.
And disputing a charge when you have received the goods or services can be construed as fraud.
.
Have PV-500 & willing to travel.
"Answers are easy. It's asking the right questions which is hard." (The Fourth Doctor, The Face of Evil, 1977)
"Somedays you're the pigeon, somedays you're the statue.” J. Andrew Taylor
"I have never met a man so ignorant that I couldn't learn something from him." Galileo Galilei
Have PV-500 & willing to travel.
"Answers are easy. It's asking the right questions which is hard." (The Fourth Doctor, The Face of Evil, 1977)
"Somedays you're the pigeon, somedays you're the statue.” J. Andrew Taylor
"I have never met a man so ignorant that I couldn't learn something from him." Galileo Galilei
That is a good theory but unfortunately hard to battle a credit card company.
tjfx Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Unless specified that you must pay cash, I always
> use my credit card. That way, if the MSC (and
> ultimately the client) stiffs me, I can dispute
> the charge with the bank and not be out the money
> from the shop.
>
> It's only fair.
tjfx Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Unless specified that you must pay cash, I always
> use my credit card. That way, if the MSC (and
> ultimately the client) stiffs me, I can dispute
> the charge with the bank and not be out the money
> from the shop.
>
> It's only fair.
I think the most important is to read the guidelines for each shop that will tell you what is allowed and what could get the shop rejected. One time, at a Buffalo Wild Wings location, they messed up the food and service. The server realized how bad it was and send the manager to our table. The manager gave us a discount of 10% off an appetizer that ended in an amazing $0.96 discount. Because the guidelines allowed me to comment on the solutions the manager had for inconveniences, I gave them my 2 cents....
Which company does not allow you to send food back? There is only one restaurant that begins with the letter "H" that I know that does this?
I do (and have done for 6 years) restaurant shops, but only the places where I would eat anyway....usually the same shops,
I know what I like to eat (no restrictions on ordering) and am select. There should be no problem, if you only get a meal,
you better enjoy it!!
I know what I like to eat (no restrictions on ordering) and am select. There should be no problem, if you only get a meal,
you better enjoy it!!
Live consciously....
Some MSC's specify in the instructions that food cannot be sent back as it would make you "memorable" to the staff. I don't recall which MSC's at the moment though.
audrialyn30 Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Which company does not allow you to send food
> back? There is only one restaurant that begins
> with the letter "H" that I know that does this?
audrialyn30 Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Which company does not allow you to send food
> back? There is only one restaurant that begins
> with the letter "H" that I know that does this?
.
Have PV-500 & willing to travel.
"Answers are easy. It's asking the right questions which is hard." (The Fourth Doctor, The Face of Evil, 1977)
"Somedays you're the pigeon, somedays you're the statue.” J. Andrew Taylor
"I have never met a man so ignorant that I couldn't learn something from him." Galileo Galilei
Have PV-500 & willing to travel.
"Answers are easy. It's asking the right questions which is hard." (The Fourth Doctor, The Face of Evil, 1977)
"Somedays you're the pigeon, somedays you're the statue.” J. Andrew Taylor
"I have never met a man so ignorant that I couldn't learn something from him." Galileo Galilei
Sorry, only registered users may post in this forum.