I'm currently in my last night of a hotel shop. From the beginning I had this prickly feeling that I was made from the moment - or maybe 30 minutes after - I drove up to the hotel. It was little things, like when I checked in, only a few had name tags on but 30 minutes later when I went to the lobby EVERYBODY was wearing a name tag. Just stuff like that. I always tell myself that maybe they know they're going to be visited by a shopper this week

But this afternoon, I'm almost sure I was made. Or I'm paranoid. I had to visit an event at the hotel and the guy who was running it was the same guy who also ran a similar event at ANOTHER hotel I evaluated over a year ago. So this is the 2nd time he's going to be in my report. Apparently he had been promoted/moved from that hotel to this hotel. Go figure. I do travel quite a bit for work and often stay at the same hotels so I'm hoping that he'll just think it's coincidence. But there was that awkward, hesitant, I-don't-know-what-to-say moment. (FYI, I am not memorable which is why I like doing this work. Men simply do not get all speechless around me so when they do, it isn't a good thing.)

I'm continuing to write my report like usual and hope that I'm wrong. I have this sick feeling in my gut though and I've never had that feeling before during a hotel shop. So if I don't get paid or reimbursed, it'll be the first time and I'll just have to learn from it.

Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 11/14/2013 05:28AM by Flippitti.

Kimpton? What part of the US do you work? I'm in the northern east coast.

it's possible the hotel just knew when one was coming but not who it was...
many times regional managers alert locations when one is expected to
boost their score and bonus/incentive or in the case of franchisee reduction
in rates/penalties.

just relax. Order a bottle of wine from room service and have fun flirting with the guys at the front desk! They'll stop thinking you're the shopper. Heck...stage a cry fest. Come down drunk, with mascara running and give a sob story about your 'boyfriend' dumping you by text...they would never suspect a shopper as doing that!

Okay, in case I ever do one of these, what can men do instead that's just as credible? (Nothing that might get me arrested, please.)

I've often felt this way at McDonalds. Could be coincidence, but shortly after I order my food the floor is swept and tables are wiped and the drink station is cleaned. I also audio record my visits so I am not suspicious using a stopwatch or anything like that.

Lol Curlzz!! That's too funny and so true!! Flippitti I would think that too but it really could have been coincidental. There's been a few times when I was just certain I was found out and expected a phone call from the MSC when I got home (that's what this particular company does when I was found out one time) and nothing happened. So I guess I was fine.

Or if they know but they are smart, they will just do what they are supposed to do and not say a word that they know. That way they get their good scores that they want and everyone is happy.

People who travel a lot for work tend to stay in the same chain because they know what to expect in the hotel. I remember talking with a friend and she told me that she stays at the same chain because the layout of the floor is almost always the same, same gym equipment and hours, type and food availability, toiletries, etc and that she feels like she is at home because everything is familiar.
It could be that a supervisor reminded everyone to wear their nametags.

If it's any consolation, I was identified once on a resort hotel shop and the hotel still reversed my charges and I was paid. I had the same bartender as in the previous visit and was the only guest at the bar both visits. I recognized him and knew before I sat down it was going to be risky.

In your shoes I would NOT do anything to call attention to myself as a previous poster mentioned (maybe they were joking?).

We shoppers are over paranoid about being made. Unless we do something unusual or obvious (sometimes mandated by ridiculous guidelines!), it is just our imagination, running away again. Resist the temptations to beat yourself up over being made. It is usually not the case.
(There's a corny musical reference in there, by the way.)

I have been doing a trendy clothes chain shop for some time and I KNOW they know I am the shopper as last time I shopped this particular store, I had three sales associates fawning all over me and kissing my A$$. I always wondered what it would be like to be rich and have people kissing my A$$ and here I have found out (but minus the wealth). LOL. Good news is that I never was reported as the shopper as when I am there they hit ALL their points, and I also discovered I'd much rather not be swarmed all over like that.

Good to hear there is a down side to being rich!

(heart)

I did a bank shop last night and wondered if I was 'had'. I ended up getting a new girl and the bank manager was hovering the whole time. Even grabbed a name badge for the girl. The poor girl...she forgot to take my deposit and caught up to me just as I was in the parking lot to ask if I wanted to make a deposit. lol. I was so thankful that there was no where on the report to mention that. The girl was nice and sweet and did everything right, except for have me make my deposit. But, I figured, even if they figured it was me, oh well, we all have our jobs to do. I just need to practice my answer to "what do you do?" I think I'm going to switch from the truth of Independent Contractor/Ghostwriter to Pharmacy tech. Probably less questions. One bank shop I started fibbing big time as they probed my job as a ghostwriter. I started saying I do tech writing in the oil and gas industry and like some landmen I spend hours on end in courthouse basements doing research before I can write up local reports and that it's so dusty and moldy that it's really not fun writing work. I really need to find a boring faux job...pharmacy tech. That sounds boring.

DrSquash Wrote:
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> Okay, in case I ever do one of these, what can men
> do instead that's just as credible? (Nothing that
> might get me arrested, please.)


You can give the same story too! And don't forget the mascara!

IMTrashman Wrote:
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> We shoppers are over paranoid about being made.
> Unless we do something unusual or obvious
> (sometimes mandated by ridiculous guidelines!), it
> is just our imagination, running away again.

We don't always know if maybe the staff was just given their score on a recent shop last week as typically these are in rotations. I have done shops where you have a new shopper everyday for 4-5 days! I only knew when I tried to reschedule for the next day and told they already had a shopper.

Curlzzzzzzzz Wrote:
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I really need to find a boring faux
> job...pharmacy tech. That sounds boring.

What if you actually met a pharmacy tech during a shop? A real one I mean. Would you be able to fool one? I worry about that when thinking about having a faux job. So I try not to have a made-up job that I know little about in case I meet someone during a shop that actually has that job.

I have a friend who is a mortician. He says that when people find out what he does, no one asks any more questions. I've known him all my life and I don't care to know what he does. It would be a great faux job.

I had done a route of about 25 new home shops. Towards the end, I was getting tired of all the variations in the faux jobs, so I told the female sales agent that I raced Formula 1 cars back in the 1980's. Turned out her father was a big F-1 fan and she knew some about the sport. I know enough that I was able to bluff my way through.

With my luck, if I said I was a mortician, someone would probably ask me what mortuary I worked for and strike up a conversation about a cousin of theirs who owns and operates the one down the street. Or, ask for a business card from me in case they need my services in the future, asking questions about fees and such!

Maybe the best answer to "what do you do?" so we're not had would be, "Well, I used to tell people what I did, but ever since the NSA leaks I find it's best for me to say Independent Contractor". Think that could squelch the interrogations? lol

When I do bank shops and they ask about my employment, I tell them that I am a retail merchandiser and a demonstrator event specialist (which I am). It's easy to explain the truth about what I do since I do store resets and demonstrate products, handing out samples, etc. Even if you don't really do those things, it isn't hard to answer questions about the stores and products. It isn't very interesting work so most people don't ask any more questions.

One sales agent asked me who some of my clients were when I mentioned I do graphic design. So I mentioned a multinational company that EVERYBODY works with.

I've been asked for my business card in the past too!

JASFLALMT - sounds like you are marketing.
Landlord could be a good one or a Building Manager.

JASFLALMT Wrote:
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> When I do bank shops and they ask about my
> employment, I tell them that I am a retail
> merchandiser and a demonstrator event specialist
> (which I am). It's easy to explain the truth
> about what I do since I do store resets and
> demonstrate products, handing out samples, etc.
> Even if you don't really do those things, it isn't
> hard to answer questions about the stores and
> products. It isn't very interesting work so most
> people don't ask any more questions.

"Porn Star" usually ends the conversation with conservative females. "Minister" ends it with the "less-than-conservatives", to use a euphemism.

IMTrashman Wrote:
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> "Porn Star" usually ends the conversation with
> conservative females. "Minister" ends it with the
> "less-than-conservatives", to use a euphemism.


Great ideas.....I should say set designer for the porn industry.

One location I visit once a year. On my last visit the employee said as I was checking out, see you next year. I just smile and left. It was my 3rd year in a row. Well I am back there in a few months, may be she is off that week end.

Wow cherise! What an amazing employee to remember you and to still be working there for three years!

Some believe we were made. Some believe we were created.
I believe I'll have another drink and ponder it.

iillini24 Wrote:
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> Landlord could be a good one or a Building
> Manager.

But then again--that could start questions about my properties, like where are the houses I own, or what building do I manage, as he tells me about his niece who is looking for an apartment or his brother-in-law who is a realtor...I like to stick within my comfort zone.

IMTrashman Wrote:
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> Some believe we were made. Some believe we were
> created.
> I believe I'll have another drink and ponder it.


I could use a drink right about now--wanna make me one, too, and drink it for me? Since I have no wine in the house and nothing to make a cocktail with.... Got whiskey and vodka, but nothing to mix with either of them.... then again, whiskey on the rocks might be what I need, after the weekend I've had--LOL!