What a difference

I shopped a tire store last year and failed them. The bathroom sink was black, the batroom smelled they had 7 christmas tree air fresheners hanging in the bathroom. I went when they opened and the floor in the waiting room was dirty the place looked run down and the coffee tasted like it was a day old.
Yesterday I had to go there for work to get some tires for the car I drive. The bathroom was clean with a white sink and no air fresheners. The waiting room was clean and the coffee pot was now a Keurig system.

Create an Account or Log In

Membership is free. Simply choose your username, type in your email address, and choose a password. You immediately get full access to the forum.

See? You did good!

Mystery shopping get results!

Great story!

I visited a chicken place and it was really bad, with the stuffing coming out of the seats and all seats appeared that way. I put it in the report, and when I returned 3 weeks later, they had all brand-new red vinyl seats!

Thank you all for giving me hope that the Exxon restroom I visited last month cleaned all the vulgar graffiti off the restroom walls and cleaned the 1/4" thick film of old pee residue off the floor. I have it scheduled again on rotation and am dreading it, but maybe they reformed.

VickyS Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Thank you all for giving me hope that the Exxon
> restroom I visited last month cleaned all the
> vulgar graffiti off the restroom walls and cleaned
> the 1/4" thick film of old pee residue off the
> floor. I have it scheduled again on rotation and
> am dreading it, but maybe they reformed.

Was the pee residue on the floor, in the men's or women's restroom?

I'm thinking men's, since they pee on the floor a lot or should I say "miss their mark" a lot...lol..

I had to mention a non-working bathroom sink at a FF place probably six or eight times before they fixed it. It took a lot of shops to straighten that particular store up. I made a comment to the scheduler about how often they wanted it shopped and how sick I was of doing it because they were so non-compliant, and she said that was why they were being shopped so often. The last couple of shops I did, they passed, and they stopped shopping them for awhile.

Time to build a bigger bridge.

SunnyDays2 Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
>
> Was the pee residue on the floor, in the men's or
> women's restroom?

>
> I'm thinking men's, since they pee on the floor a
> lot or should I say "miss their mark" a
> lot...lol..

Lucky me they only had a unisex bathroom. Did I mention this establishment is across the street from an adult store/dancing hall. Luckily I did the bathroom photo after my mystery shop gas & convenience purchase because I drew a bit of attention with my gasp and "OH my dear Lord"! I managed to use a paper towel to turn on the sink and flush before retreating to the hallway where I took a photo in full view of the clerk, my foot propping open the door. Funny thing in when I came back in with clipboard and LOA in hand he had seemed very confused as to my purpose....

I've been doing the same McD's for years. Every time I mention that the women's restroom has a strong sewer smell and the toilet doesn't flush (there's only one toilet) unless you hold the handle down for a good 20 seconds. I'm thinking there's a sewer problem. Three years later and they've never fixed it.

I have noticed places fixing things I mention in my report. Some of the time they were planning a fix anyway but I really do think we make a big difference.
VickyS Let us know how that gross Exxon station was this time around. Hopefully you brought your nose plugs just in case.

You all might want to edit your posts. We're not supposed to give client names on the forums.

But I wonder if you did the "tiger" station that I did last week. Disgusting.

There's a drive-in restaurant that I've done at least ten times. The bathroom is getting worse. The door doesn't close now, the graffiti is still there, and the floors are getting dirtier. I'm required to take at least a bite of the food items, but I'm not sure I feel comfortable doing that anymore. If the bathroom is neglected, what is the kitchen like?

Bluejacket636, you can mention the client as long as the MSC is not mentioned.

I did a grocery store 14 times, reporting the sink was missing (vanity type with two sinks) and they never fixed it....They were using the hole as a trashcan...

But at least "someone" is reading our reports and fixing "some" things

Bluejacket, I appreciate your diligence and sense of propriety, but yes, we can say clients' names as long as we don't mention MSCs, as kathygry pointed out.

I did a convenience store 2 months ago where I had to take any noncompliant photos (discreetly, non-revealed mystery shop). I took photos of the potholes in the parking lot, and as of this month they were filled in! I really love my job sometimes.

I did a "double-dip" doing two different shops at the same location within 10 days. On the first one I noticed some serious damage to a wall. Unfortunately they hadn't fixed it so I had to report it a second time. I hope they fix it soon or I will have to report it again. I shop this location about once a month. We will see!

Make it more obvious what an eyesore it is...and is there any potential hazard involved?

I recently did Exxon. The restroom had an empty bookcase in front of it, but did not have an out of order sign on it. I asked if it was not working. He told me that I could use it and it would be alright. I went in. The floor was filthy and not just from missing the target. So was the sink and the toilet had not been flushed in I don't know how long. The store was dirty too. The forecourt had cigarette butts all over the place. However, the canopy appeared to be new and was in excellent shape. The pumps weren't too bad either except for two small problems.

I wrote a note to the affect that I definitely would not become a customers of this place because of the filth. However, I did make a comment on the good aspects of the canopy and the pumps.

I was told by the attendant that he had been there many years and been shopped before. well bud, then you have to know what we are looking for, so fix the place and don't dare tell anyone that they can use the restroom in that shape.

Mystery shopping does get results. I remember a grocery store at which I used to do a lot of shops. The shopper was instructed to leave an item on the bottom of the cart to see if the employee would notice and ring it up. Then one day I noticed that a sign had been taped near all of the registers where the employee could see it. It said something like, "Remember BOB." At first I was asking myself, "Who the heck is BOB?" Then I realized BOB was an acronym for "Bottom Of the Basket!"

"Evolve thyself and lose all hate...." Orphaned Land

It is mickey D. They do not care about the food or amenities the only thing that is important is getting (hate to call it food) out to people who do not care what they eat in less than 2 minutes. That is why Mickys is not doing the same or better same location sales as they did the year before.

Fast food is fast food. People do not go to Sonic for the food. They go to see if the server on roller skates will land on their butt with a full tray of goodies. They are the same people who follow Nascar to see the pile ups on the track.

Reality mystery shopping revealed. Tell me I am wrong!

Okay, you're wrong. LOL. I go to Sonic to get paid but I also like their chicken sandwiches. And would feel really bad if someone fell. I go to McDonald's in the summer for the 49-cent ice cream cones, but otherwise generally will not eat there. Oh, also, their parfaits are pretty good.

Piled Hip Deep, PHD Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------

>
> Fast food is fast food. People do not go to Sonic
> for the food. They go to see if the server on
> roller skates will land on their butt with a full
> tray of goodies. They are the same people who
> follow Nascar to see the pile ups on the track.
>

I go to Sonic for the shakes. The one near me can't cook food woth a darn.

Went to Sonic one time after 45 minutes had passed after ordering I left. Now when anyone wants to do Sonic I suggest calling in the order. Then go pick it up. Never found a shop for them guess I don't have the MSC in my list that I have signed up for.

if things get fixed depends on the business. A store
that is a grocery store is likely under the company
umbrella and not an a franchisee. Gas stations are
many times franchise locations so the owner is less
likely to care to fix it, even if he gets a fine for the
infraction, it may be cheaper to just pay it than
fix it.

Other cases they use mystery shopping just to
keep their board happy and for no other useful
purpose.

= + = + = + = + = + = + = + = + = + = + = +
There are no stupid questions, but there are a lot of inquisitive idiots
==--==--==--==--==--==--==--==--==--==
When you try to please everybody, you end up pleasing nobody

I love to hear that what we report is making a difference. Places are making positive changes and improving customer service. While I don't like shopping places that are "gross", it's great that it might make a difference to "all" the customers.

Sorry, only registered users may post in this forum.

Click here to login

What a difference

Create an Account or Log In

Official List of Mystery Shopping Companies

Mystery Shopper Magazine