Overall Gas Station Picture

I do a ton of gas audits and just had a shop returned because the PID was not in the overall picture. I have some occasions, that due to the location of the sign, you cannot get it in. What do ya'll do in this case?

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I go back and take another photo that has the sign in it.

Her Serene Majesty, Cettie - Goat Queen of Zoltar, Sublime Empress of Her Caprine Domain

I guess my question is, what if you cannot get it in the picture? I have done several where you cannot get it in. This is the only time it is a problem. I am going to call the company today and explain it, just wondered what others did.

I have had this happen a few times. In my town, there are strict regulations on how high the sign can be. Many are very low to the ground -- chest height at best. It is nearly impossible to get the MID in the same picture as the building and canopy. I do my best, but sometimes have to submit the overall picture without the price sign. It has never been an issue for me. That said, I may also not have been shopping the same gas station clients as you do. Could you let us in on which company is the client for this shop? You may get better or more specific insight that way.

Either way, please let us know what the MSC says after you contact them.

The company is Maritz with the ocean gas station

I have completed hundreds of these and it has never been a problem. This sign sits at the far front corner and it is impossible to get everything in. I am wondering if it is a new editor.

I'm glad I work for companies who are understanding of such things and don't reject shops because of the impossible.

There are reasons that a body stays in motion
At the moment only demons come to mind

I always worked under the assumption we needed to include the main ID "if possible." I frequently leave out the ID in favor of a better shot of the canopy/pumps/building. Have never had a problem, but then again I don't do many of the ocean stations.

I have learned that a lot of issues with Maritz can be headed off at the pass by including an explanation at the bottom of the report before they ask you. There is usually a box for "internal" comments and explanations.

Shopping Southeast Pennsylvania, Delaware above the canal, and South Jersey since 2008

How about crossing the street? Sometimes moving away from the scene can help. Try going to all four corner of the GS. Maybe one side of the street is a better view, but does capture the MID.

Not in this case. Plus it is a night shop and there are zero street lights. Even if I cross the street, you would not see the sign just the legs. I will call this afternoon and hopefully it will be resolved.

@myst4au wrote:

I have learned that a lot of issues with Maritz can be headed off at the pass by including an explanation at the bottom of the report before they ask you. There is usually a box for "internal" comments and explanations.

This. They have a bunch of new editors so they need every little thing explained and "headed off at the pass" as myst4au says. Sometimes it's just not possible to get it all in one shot. If that is the case I take a separate shot of the MID and if there is nowhere to upload it I"ll explain at the end and tell them I have the shot if they want it.

Do not underestimate what your camera sees. Visually you may see 'legs" only but your camera can capture more. Some of "todays" digitally enhance cameras has a night vision mode. You would be surprise to see what your camera can take a picture of. I am not speaking of cell phone cameras, IDK about them. I am surprise the canopy lights and the perimeter lights aren't illuminating enough.

None of the OCEAN GSs are in my area but the other ones are. Some of the MID are ground level build on bricks. So I feel your pain. Take the overall in two separate pic or more. Then photograph, the separate pics together and submit it as one picture, if you have to.

What time is NIGHT? Maybe an early morning pic might work

before sunrise

All suggestions are for the future

Yes, it is new scheduler and editor time. I had to call them because the system was not letting me submit the report. The brand new team member said that I was her first "customer." She was so confused about the report, I had to guide her through it! I'm sure my training incentive will be in my next paycheck. Ya, right!

P.S. The team members do not have access to the reports so they can not see what we see. Weird, huh?

The ocean stations have a lot of new editors trying to prove their worth. I reviewed the 2016 reference guide and it says the location facility photo should include building, canopy, fueling area and PID. It does not say mandatory. And curious thing, their example of a valid overall photo (on page 11) does not show the PID. I would definitely call the scheduler and explain why you could not capture the PID. You can also respond by email to the editor. Be nice.

Ok, so this is bizarre. I received an email last night alerting me that I had this issue. It said to re-submit a new overall photo due to the PID. So, I took everyone's advice and opened the report to explain my situation in the comments area. The editors notes at the top of the page, now says nothing about the PID but now says I need a new product photo? I am confused! Luckily, I took two product pictures so I do not need to go back. I just wonder why they changed what they origanally said in the email?? Weird!

@LIJake wrote:

The ocean stations have a lot of new editors trying to prove their worth. I reviewed the 2016 reference guide and it says the location facility photo should include building, canopy, fueling area and PID. It does not say mandatory. And curious thing, their example of a valid overall photo (on page 11) does not show the PID. I would definitely call the scheduler and explain why you could not capture the PID. You can also respond by email to the editor. Be nice.

That's funny! Lol

Yes, it would be funny if it wasn't so pathetic. I have shied away from the Ocean shops until the editors get a little time in grade. It should be mandatory that editors spend a little time in the field before making academic judgements.

I was actually thinking the same thing. Not all stations are the same. I have a ton of these, it should be interesting.

Weird, because I also got mine kicked back for not showing the PID. (My location actually doesn't have one!) When I went to put in a new photo showing more surrounding area to confirm the absence, my shop was already closed and showing as completed. Also I noticed when it bounced back that they had changed my narrative to say a certain light was malfunctioning, when it was actually a completely different one, AS I HAD STATED and shown in a photo. What is happening?

@Threemom wrote:

Weird, because I also got mine kicked back for not showing the PID. (My location actually doesn't have one!) When I went to put in a new photo showing more surrounding area to confirm the absence, my shop was already closed and showing as completed. Also I noticed when it bounced back that they had changed my narrative to say a certain light was malfunctioning, when it was actually a completely different one, AS I HAD STATED and shown in a photo. What is happening?

Wow! Unfortunately, I have tons of these scheduled. Ugh!

If its team 3 i deal with Barbara and like was stayed earlier put notes in the bottom.

I've never had this problem regardless of how tall the sign is. Sometimes you have to walk around to find the right angle to get everything. It also helps to be using a DSLR with a zoom lens.

"To be persuasive we must be believable; to be believable we must be credible; to be credible we must be truthful." Edward R. Murrow

Thou shalt not steal. I mean defensively. On offense, indeed thou shall steal and thou must.--Branch Rickey

This works. Take extra photos. Write the explanation at the bottom; that is why that space is there. I have done more than a thousand gas station audits for this company and have never had one rejected, but I have occasionally had an editor ask if I had another photo. Bottom line: take plenty of extra photos. It doesn't cost anything since we don't use film anymore. Extra photos have saved me many dollars, especially on remote location shops.

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