This week I did my first ever shop for Coyle. I registered with them a while ago, but they don't have much in my area, so when I saw a hotel shop near me, I applied. I didn't hear anything back for a few weeks, and I forgot about it. Then one night, I recievied an email from Coyle stating that they wanted to assign me the shop, but since I hadn't shopped for them before, they were reluctant. After a few emails back and forth, they agreed to let me do the shop.

I knew from the previous threads here that the shop was going to be a lot of work. I spent some time reviewing the guidelines, checklists, etc. so I knew what exactly I would be doing when I got to the hotel. I scheduled a couple of apartment shops for the drive to and from the hotel, but none for during my stay. While I spent a decent amount of time writing my report and taking pictures during the stay and a little bit of time to tie up loose ends when I got home, about 60 pictures (I took extras just in case there were any issues with my photographs) and 21 page report later, I submitted everything this afternoon.

While the pay isn't very high taking into consideration the amount of time involved, it was nice to get away for a few days. Quite honestly, I enjoyed the challenge of seeing if I could do this shop.

I haven't gotten a score back yet, but I modeled my report pretty closely on the examples, so I'm hoping to do well.

Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 10/17/2013 01:00AM by CAscotch.

Is the 21 page report a joke or did you really prepare 21 pages of typed text?

The report I submitted with their headings in it was 21 pages.

CAscotch, I'm in Michigan.

Good for you.

Wow, and I thought my ACL 4 page hotel reports were long. I guess couple more years of shopping before even attempting a Coyle shop would be a good idea.

This wasn't just the hotel stay itself. The evaluation included three meals, a few interactions with the concierge/front desk, evaluating the hotel amenities, and a few housekeeping interactions.

Congrats! Be sure to share the news when you hear back from Coyle.

I was contemplating taking the Coyle plunge tonight, but I will probably start with a restaurant. I had actually scheduled one several months ago but canceled it as soon as I saw what was involved because it seemed more time-consuming than I had time for on that route. But I will have reason to be in the Phoenix area more than usual in the next few months so I think I'll try one, and then pick up a hotel shop in Phoenix another time. I think my sister must be getting tired of me being at her house by now.

I'll be eagerly awaiting to hear what feedback you get from your first shop.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 04/28/2013 01:07AM by itsasecret.

I love working with Coyle. They are the most time consuming shops but the best destinations! I would recommend not starting with one of their hotel shops.

I did a few restaurants and then a couple Coyle restaurants. I applied and got a local two night hotel with Coyle. It was my first hotel shop for any company. I spent two days after I got home on the reports. I spent most of the time on the property working as well. My guest really enjoyed the stay, however.

I would strongly recommend doing a couple hotel shops for a few other companies before taking a Coyle hotel shop. I find ACL easier reports but I don't like a simple reimbursement and no fee. I only do their hotel shops when I need a place to stay for the night.

So Angela, what was your score?

17 I forgot to send the pictures as 640x480 since I was in such a rush to get it all submitted. The other point deductions were also for minor formatting issues that I can easily fix in the future.

Guys,I am new to MS,so pls explain 17 out of what?
I applied with Coyle also,bur have not heard fromthem yet

Their editors are pretty stingy with the 20's and 19's. Seventeen is actually a pretty good score. I once got an 18 because I provided the name AND description of an employee for a restaurant shop. They asked for the name OR description. I thought that since the employee's name was John, they might have more than one John working for them and a description would be helpful. Guess not.

"The other point deductions were also for minor formatting issues that I can easily fix in the future."

"I once got an 18 because I provided the name AND description of an employee for a restaurant shop. They asked for the name OR description"

Oh they just love to nickel and dime you. Having a different editor every time doesn't help with getting consistent feedback. My favorite one so far - I referred to a female who stands at the podium as the HOSTESS. Apparently, that editor doesn't care for gender appropriate terms - hostess should be host, she said. I mean, really? Come on.

Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 05/03/2013 01:44PM by Avenger9.

Juliasha1981 Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Guys,I am new to MS,so pls explain 17 out of
> what?
> I applied with Coyle also,bur have not heard
> fromthem yet


Their top score is 20, so 17 out of 20.

Coyle has some great assignments, for both restaurants and hotels. They are real sticklers for style and format though, so follow their examples CLOSELY. I suspect they have to maintain those ultra high standards given the nature of their clients. You'll eat and stay in some very fine establishments, but you'll work for it. "There ain't no such thing as a free lunch."

Hmmmm. Sounds like more trouble than it's worth to me.

Robinv

I just completed my first shop this week. It was a restaurant shop. I didn't follow the examples as closely as I should have, so it was sent back. Then they've contacted me with a bunch of questions....that I thought were explained in my narratives. One question was how did I get the spelling of the manager's name. His name was a very short name with only one way to spell it, as far as I know!!

I applied for this shop because I was going to be in this city for a conference for work. I learned my lesson for that one. I should only do shops like this when I have more time!!

I like the questions about the tines on the silverware question from Coyle. This is the second time I got this question. I wish the examples were in a Word format so that I could just copy and paste it and edit my report from there. It would be much easier.

Even as a seasoned shopper the Coyle shops scare me a bit. I applied to put my feet back in the water again, so we'll see. I remember they were very unhappy with my format as well on a restaurant shop. Next time I will pay MUCH better attention to the way they like their forms completed.

What is the reimbursement & fee for such a shop?

I would be scared to do a shop and then get it rejected and not paid for.

Congrats on your shop and earning a 17!

Coyle wants all narrative in the past tense. Apparently they really don't like the word "very" either.

I like their subjective bar evaluations. If you are new with them, this report, at least to my way of thinking, is the easiest way to start out.