@myst4au wrote:

Funeral directors have close to ties to hospitals. It is the nature of the business. I tried the funeral shops and decided that they required too much of a backstory, and too many options for things to go wrong. The ones I did were recorded calls, and if they had to call back, you could not talk to them, you had to call them back. And only the last call was retained, so that in the second call you had to somehow make sure that they repeated everything that they had told you in the first call. I decided that there were better types of shops for me to do after I got one of those call back situations and could not figure out how to get them to repeat some of the stuff without asking questions - I was dinged for asking leading questions.

I've always found the funeral home mystery shops to be so morbid as to be surreal, like something out of a Burroughs novel. I wonder why there are so many of these- or maybe there aren't many at all, and they just seem to be prolific because no one ever does them.



My second-ever hotel review, for Coyle, was a luxury hotel in New York that I quickly learned was a common location for people to bring their @#$%&, mistresses and call-girls (I later read a pretty interesting article in I think the New Yorker about a woman working as a prostitute and I recognized the interior of one of the rooms). I'm a young man, and I was treating my mother to some of the dinner and bar evaluations I had to do at that location. The looks the staff, servers and even other guests gave us were so weird and chilling: I wasn't sure if people thought I was a young man who hired an older prostitute, or if I was some cougar's kept boy.


Ironically, I ended up doing another, more casual restaurant review for Coyle and my server actually up and asked me if the woman with me was my mother or "A woman who knows what she wants." If I wasn't required to give a 15% tip and avoid being "memorable" I would've refused to tip and complained to the manager.

@ccbutterfly wrote:

So one night after a band concert, I took a different son there to eat and then we had some ice cream for dessert. My dessert was supposed to be a turtle sundae, but instead of being made properly, it was just a caramel sundae with some nuts sprinkled on top. I sat there hoping the manager would make his rounds and check on the tables as I knew he was supposed to, so he would see how I'd been slighted, but I had not seen him speak to anyone other than employees the whole time we'd been there. After a while, I decided to take a picture of what was left of my sundae to show "the girlfriend" so she could pat me on the head and tell me I got a bad deal, haha. I hadn't really thought about it myself, because this particular shop does not require photographs, but as soon as I took the picture, my son whispered, "Mom, now they're all going to think you're mystery shopping."

He was right. Within 60 seconds, the manager emerged and strolled out into the dining room. He casually spoke to the family at the table next to mine before speaking to me. He made his way to our table and asked how we were doing, and we said we were fine. Then he asked if everything was okay, and he was very clearly looking at my sundae. I said, "Sure, everything's fine. ... but since you asked ... Are you guys out of pecans?" I could see his face go pale, and he said, "Well, no, I shouldn't think so. What type of sundae did you order?" I said, "Well, it's a turtle sundae, which is what I always order. I've never had it made this way before." He began to babble and apologize and INSIST on making me another one, which I couldn't possibly have eaten. I told him it was fine; that I was just curious for future reference, but he would not relent. He ended up making another sundae for me to take home with me "for later."

I don't think I received that treatment because I was an everyday customer. I think my son nailed it. I think that photo I took made them think I was a mystery shopper and then I got the royal treatment. The ironic thing is, if I had been shopping them, I obviously wouldn't have reported the problem. It just would have gone in my report as one seriously messed up menu item.

Perhaps he was afraid you would post on Facebook what happened.

@JASFLALMT wrote:

I was doing a "debranding" shop where I had to take a photograph of the gas station building showing that the previous log had been removed, and there was a man inadvertently included my photo...who got in his car and followed me around for 30 minutes everywhere I went after I pulled out of the lot.

How did the man know he was photographed? I've had someone ask if she was included and she wasn't. I just tell people even if they look in my direction with a curious expression, "Don't worry. I don't take portraits." The way that man acted was suspicious. I think I would call the police. If it is in a small town, just parking in front of one might be a good idea.

I did my first ever senior living, and had my story all laid out. It was bonused very well, and so I was excited about it. Well, the director was so so good at her job that as she was speaking to me with great compassion I could feel myself begin to tear up when speaking about my mother and the situation needed to put her in to these facilities.

She was exceptionally compassionate and had such empathy that after the tears started up I almost began to weep - which made her even more kind to me. Which was making it worse! Even in my head I knew that my mom was fine, the tears could not stop flowing when she was saying how my mother held my hand as a child, and now it was my turn to hold hers.

I actually apologized about being so weepy about it, and I supposed it made my scenario more genuine! She said that was very normal and that I should not feel ashamed about it.

But, good gosh was she excellent at what she does. I spent more time writing her an extremely positive report than I do whenever something goes wrong on a shop. And that is a lot!

I'm way too embarassed to even explain how I got busted at a city bus stop by the salesman after doing an automotive sales shop...

I remember a revealed shop a while, while back, when the associate (staff in charge) refused to sign the paper indicating I did the shop. No amount of encouragement would work. He failed the requirement of the shop and he was furious. He shouted that he did not care because it was going to be his last day and he was tired of being paid very little for the kind of work he was doing, most of the time alone. He gave me an earful. I felt sorry for him and at the same time very angry with him for taking his temperamental frustrations out on me.

I was not prepared for that kind of scene. I left the place shaken, made the report and I was paid for it. But what an experience! I cannot handle violence (verbal or otherwise) very well, even to this day. And I considered that violence, with his tirade and hand motions, his spittle practically coming out as he shouted and screamed at me while he lambasted his boss and the establishment. Come to think of it, I was actually trying to remember some of the Wendo moves I learned when he came out of the counter.

When they changed the Guidelines and the winning prize had to come from the shopper first, to be reimbursed later, I backed out from more shops and lost my elite status. I became very, very picky of shops to accept as I gained more experience and signed up with more MSCs.

Ah, com'on, please tell us.

(heart)

@Lexxycon wrote:

I'm way too embarassed to even explain how I got busted at a city bus stop by the salesman after doing an automotive sales shop...

My guess: Neither you nor the car salesman actually owned a car, and he was taking the same bus as you?

@Lexxycon wrote:

I'm way too embarassed to even explain how I got busted at a city bus stop by the salesman after doing an automotive sales shop...

Okay, well... I moved back to my childhood metropolitan area after living in Small Town No-jobs America for 11 years in order to go back to school for my Masters. I lived with my parents for two months while looking for work and an apartment. But I needed chump change to avoid eating away at my savings. So I decide to work for <that one company with tons of questions, low pay, but pays in two weeks and also does tons of auto sales shops>.

I sold my car before I left because I figured I'd get a nice one once I got an apartment; there was no room in driveway there for another car and no street parking and it was agreed I could share theirs. Then my mom wound up with a bad infection in her legs and my dad wanted the car available to take her to back the hospital if suddenly needed. So I figure no big deal. I have a ton of these shops scheduled; I haven't been on a city bus in years but I should re-learn them. I did 6 of 7 shops fine, no problem. Got off at a stop where they wouldn't see me and never a question about where was my car.

Then we have shop #7. Way out in the boonies. It's 90+ degrees. I realize I have to take it to the end of the route and then I have to walk 12 blocks. So I got there at just an hour before close, which is the latest the shop can be done. He asks about my car. I lie and say I was visiting a friend to help her with gardening (explains the sweat, plus I noticed some decent condos with gardens five blocks away). I tell him it's for my son who's starting college and had been meaning to stop in to check their prices.... something like that. He does perfect (thank God).

It's now closing time and we finish up. He offers to give me ride ride to my friend's condo. I bullsh*t and say "No thanks. I told myself if I walked, then I would be off the hook for the evening jog with my husband because I hate jogging. It's only five blocks." I pretend I love this weather and being out in it, even though I've turned grey and sweat is pouring off me. Seemed like he bought it to me.

I take off and walk back to the bus stop, which out there is a good 45 minute wait between busses; it starts raining. I'm there 15 minutes soaked, not caring because I'm so glad I'm done with this round of impossible shops, and he comes wizzing past in his car. Saw me -- did a massive rubber neck, double take at me. As I glanced after he passed I could see through his rear view that he was shaking his head, probably laughing.

Aw, you should actually feel proud of the great job, being able to roll with the punches like you did. I applaud you!

(heart)

Today I got my first "bribe" (if you want to call it that).

Gas station I was at had a full restaurant. The owner told me that I should stay for lunch before I leave. She said that she gives lunch to all the police, firefighters, and mystery shoppers including the last guy that used to do this location.

I didn't make a note of it but I may email the MSC directly about it. I'm still undecided.

Naturally, I didn't accept it. I'm not really into ruining my relationship with an MSC for some Klav Kalash and a Clam Juice.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 05/04/2015 03:59PM by Hoju.

Hoju -

My advice is to never accept anything. It gives the wrong appearance, and there is always an issue of quid pro quo.

I suggest that you change the wording of your post here. You never know who is looking, and the internet spiders are everywhere.

@stilllearning wrote:

Aw, you should actually feel proud of the great job, being able to roll with the punches like you did. I applaud you!

(heart)

Thank you. That was quite the nightmare. I was laughing myself afterwards. Soaked on a bustop in my business casuals...

I have been offered food and drink at a mall shop audit. The audit was not very positive as there was a refrigerator that was completely in the red zone. If I accepted any free samples even, they could use this as an excuse to throw out a much needed audit. This was with a large MSC that will take the word of a manager of the large customer and deny a shop over a technicality that the manager comes up with.

I will accept the water cup that they will give to customers that buy something and no more.

Never give a reason to have a shop denied. I won't even take a sample if they are offering it to the public.

While on an upscale resort shop for Coyle Hospitality I was doing the bar section and a male patron came alongside of me and literally put his hand down my pants.

I had to report it because there was a bar camera right above me.

They had to contact the hotel managear apparently and tried to find the guest lol. I also noticed they didn't even make me pay for over 300 in additional services that weren't supposed to be reimbursed Good times.

@Sandra Sue wrote:

@JASFLALMT wrote:

I was doing a "debranding" shop where I had to take a photograph of the gas station building showing that the previous log had been removed, and there was a man inadvertently included my photo...who got in his car and followed me around for 30 minutes everywhere I went after I pulled out of the lot.

How did the man know he was photographed? I've had someone ask if she was included and she wasn't. I just tell people even if they look in my direction with a curious expression, "Don't worry. I don't take portraits." The way that man acted was suspicious. I think I would call the police. If it is in a small town, just parking in front of one might be a good idea.

I accidentally got a guy in my pictures at a gas station and he approached me about it. I explained I was doing an audit for the company, apologized, offered to delete those photos and did so with him watching.

I didn't even realize he had noticed me taking the photos at first. It didn't occur to me. He didn't approach me and ask what I was doing or start walking towards me. I also didn't realize he was following me initially. He got in his car and pulled out behind me on the street, and that's not abnormal. It was after he changed lanes several times to stay behind me and then took each turn that I took that I figured out he was on my tail. At that point, I sure didn't want to pull over and try to explain anything to him. I don't know where a police station on that side of town is even located. I didn't even own a cell phone at the time, so calling the police would have involved me pulling over somewhere to use a phone...

@cjbstar wrote:

A guy at one of gas pumps walks across the parking lot to ask me why am I taking a picture of him when I was taking a picture of the curb appeal. Awkward.

Once I was taking an overall picture of a gas station (non-reveal). I was at the edge of the parking lot, mind you, and a guy (customer) yelled over from one of the pumps and angrily asked why I was taking a picture of his truck. I said, "I'm not; I'm taking one of the whole station!" He didn't hear me, so we had that exchange three times, louder every time. And I was thinking, great, so much for being discreet (and that some people are a liiiiiittle too self-absorbed). Haha! Good thing all the employees were inside, and they must not have seen/heard because that location continued to show up for me. And that MSC definitely blocks shoppers who have been ID'ed.

I still don't think that's the most embarrassing moment, but it's up there! xD