I just started mystery shopping because someone mentioned to me I could make money doing tobacco and alcohol compliance shops. Today I decided to venture out into another world: real mystery shopping that doesn't entail seeing if I get carded or not. (Btw, it's scary how often I don't since I am only 21).
I signed up for two gas station mystery shops that were going for high amounts on the last day of the month. The first one went fine, but the second one was just weird. It's a full service station only, I didn't realize that before I signed up for it so right away I start panicking! I pull out of the parking lot without doing anything and try to formulate my game plan.
I go back, tell the attendant to put $10 in (because $2 would be silly and I'd need the gas anyway). I knew in advance the station would not have a bathroom from the guidelines so I get out of my car to go to the convenience store. The guy shouts at me to stay in my car and that there is no where for me to go. I say I just want to buy a water and he tells me there is nothing there but a service center and there is nothing to buy unless I need a repair.
I get back in my car, he gives me my receipt and I am wonder how the heck I am going to do everything else. I drive away, pull into the store across the street, take my exterior shot of the station then decide wth I am going over there anyway to get that pump picture. I walked across the street, but not directly across, trying to sneak up on it and when I saw the guy go back inside, I made a dash for my pump picture, and snapped a couple other non-compliant pictures, then rushed right out of there. He might of saw me, but he never approached me. In the end, I have everything I need for the report.
But there has to be a better way to do this type of station. What do other people do?