Are the safety vest pictures still required for the gas station audits? I haven't done them in a few years.

Probably. I haven't looked at any this year, but they were last year.

Thanks.

Depends on the particular client. However, I always recommend wearing it, if for nothing else, other cars respect you more. (and you can do things like direct traffic, for example you are waling to pump 6, that car is heading to pump 6, you can hold them up for a second and they'll either wait, or figure pump 4 is fine.)

For one, they not only require the vest photo, they require that you show you have the shopper booklet with you.

I'm with @tcurione. I wear it as often as I can remember to, even if I don't have to. I starting doing a ton of night jobs, as well, and I feel like it's especially important at that time of day.

Please pardon me while I step up on my soapbox......

Safety vests are a topic that is near and dear to my heart. The amateur radio club I'm a member of helps with two parades each year. We help the police by blocking off side streets so they can focus on more important tasks before, during and after the parade. Since we're working on a public roadway we have to follow Department of Transportation safety standards. I did a lot of research on the topic and found a safety vest that was comfortable, affordable, useful, VISIBLE and also met standards. Over the years I've purchased a bunch of them and resold them to club members at cost. I also arranged to have them silkscreened to identify our group.

How does that relate to mystery shopping you ask? Simple, we all have the same goal.... don't get run down by a driver who didn't see us standing (walking) there. A safety vest can also be worn while changing a flat tire on your car, riding a bicycle or any other time you need to be more visible to the people around you.

Whether you're doing a mystery shop that requires one or not, I encourage everyone to get a standards compliant safety vest and keep it in their car for emergencies. If you have children (of any age) give them a safety vest to keep in their car, just in case. A good vest is cheap insurance, and unlike an insurance policy that pays off after a disaster, a safety vest can prevent the disaster in the first place.

The safety vest our club is using is the Radians SV-7G. The "G" stands for green, as in lime-green, they also make an orange version. The vest is available in any size you're likely to want from 'medium' to '5X'. The SV-7 is sold as a surveyors vest and it has lots of pockets, some which velcro shut. Radians manufactures other styles of vests, pick whatever you like that complies with safety standards. 3M and others also make fine vests.

Here are a few links to more information on the topic and to specific vests you might want to consider. These vests are available from many retailers, both online and brick & mortar. I own both the Radians SV-7G and the 3M vest linked below. They're quality products.

(link to general information about high visibility attire)
[www.workzonesafety.org]

(Link to the Radians web site)
[www.radians.com]

(size chart for Radians safety vests)
[www.radians.com]

(Amazon link to a size 'large' SV-7G vest. Search for the size you need before buying)
[www.amazon.com]

(3M vest, one size fits most, may be too large for smaller people, read the reviews. Easily adjusts to fit over winter clothing!)
[www.amazon.com]

(climbs off soapbox)

And in the imortal words of Sergeant Phil Esterhaus of "Hill Street Blues" (1981-87): "Hey, let's be careful out there!"

Thank you all for listening. Please resume having a great day.

Thanks everyone! I used to keep a safety vest in my trunk, but I got a new car. I haven't done any gas station audits in three years. I took a shop nearby, and just remembered the vest. When I looked at the guidelines, it was suggested that you wear one, but not clear if I had to take a photo wearing it. My fiancé just went to get one for me. Dennis, thank you for taking the time to post that information.

Dennis,QSL & 73

[Removed ICA Violations] - Mod.

Ace Hardware locations carry a lot of safety equipment, at prices competitive to online; plus you get to see and try on what you are planning to buy. For about $35 you can buy a nice insulated jacket, which really stands out. I also recommend a ball cap, yellow neon color is good. If you ever break down on a busy road, you are that much more prepared.

@TeriW wrote:

For one, they not only require the vest photo, they require that you show you have the shopper booklet with you.

This is NOT true. The large client that I perform Maritz shops for does NOT require a vest photo. If you carry the guidelines with you, they must remain out-of-sight in your vehicle. I even had a team member question why I was wearing a safety vest on a shop. I explained that I chose to for safety reasons especially at dusk and night. She said that the client does not require it. I repeated that it was my choice for safety reasons. And it makes the drug dealers scatter when I am on the property.

Not all gas stations, not all clients and not all MSCs have the same guidelines and requirements.

@Sybil2 wrote:

@TeriW wrote:

For one, they not only require the vest photo, they require that you show you have the shopper booklet with you.

This is NOT true. The large client that I perform Maritz shops for does NOT require a vest photo. If you carry the guidelines with you, they must remain out-of-sight in your vehicle. I even had a team member question why I was wearing a safety vest on a shop. I explained that I chose to for safety reasons especially at dusk and night. She said that the client does not require it. I repeated that it was my choice for safety reasons. And it makes the drug dealers scatter when I am on the property.

Not all gas stations, not all clients and not all MSCs have the same guidelines and requirements.

For a certain client of this company the do indeed REQUIRE the vest photo showing you holding up the client booklet. Not the other gas clients, just one in particular.

There are quite a few of these revealed gas station shops very near my home area, and I'm thinking about signing up for some. But exactly what photos require a vest? Just the pumps, in case of vehicles pulling into a pump? Or is there another area of the station that's considered "dangerous"?

@Sybil2 wrote:

@TeriW wrote:

For one, they not only require the vest photo, they require that you show you have the shopper booklet with you.

This is NOT true. The large client that I perform Maritz shops for does NOT require a vest photo. If you carry the guidelines with you, they must remain out-of-sight in your vehicle. I even had a team member question why I was wearing a safety vest on a shop. I explained that I chose to for safety reasons especially at dusk and night. She said that the client does not require it. I repeated that it was my choice for safety reasons. And it makes the drug dealers scatter when I am on the property.

Not all gas stations, not all clients and not all MSCs have the same guidelines and requirements.

Who said that they did?

If you are going to respond to me, at least read what I write first.

When a vest is required by a client, you are required to wear it at all times when conducing the audit phase. In such a situation, you are required to submit a photo of yourself wearing the vest. This can be done using the mirror of the bathroom if there is one, or in a reflection from your car's window. Or you can aske the CSR to take you photo.

@hutch4549 wrote:

There are quite a few of these revealed gas station shops very near my home area, and I'm thinking about signing up for some. But exactly what photos require a vest? Just the pumps, in case of vehicles pulling into a pump? Or is there another area of the station that's considered "dangerous"?

OK I'm out of here. Read the MSC guidelines and you will have your answer.

Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 02/01/2016 09:57PM by LIJake.

Well Jake, I used the same color terminology that you did and got moderated for an IC violation. How many times have these color designations been used on this forum? My guess is hundreds of times. Well, no one is likely to see your post or my reply. And if Your post remains, then I claim discrimination based upon you mentioning Pegasus and me mentioning the US flag colors.

@LIJake wrote:

Deleted ICA violations to avoid discrimination by Mod.

I think you are right myst4 I may get zapped by a moderator. But there seems to be some confusion over the vest issue and the information I posted is accurate and perhaps will be useful to someone. I always felt obvious color or other references to a MSC/client were a bit silly but I had no other way to get my point across.

@Cettie wrote:

For a certain client of this company the do indeed REQUIRE the vest photo showing you holding up the client booklet. Not the other gas clients, just one in particular.

Yes, I know that but we can't name the client or give descriptions or hints as to which client we are talking about. I think some people are getting confused on which clients certain people are talking about.

@TeriW wrote:

Who said that they did?

If you are going to respond to me, at least read what I write first.

I did read it. That is why I quoted you. Duh!

Jake could self-edit his post before a moderator does, and simply say that three of the four clients he's done for Maritz do require vest photos and the fourth urges that a vest be worn but does not require it. When you get right down to it, mentioning the colors or geographic places is identifying the clients, which is violating the cardinal rule, not only of this forum, but also is violating your ICA.

I bought a vest because it was required for one of the Maritz Gas Station shops that I wanted to try out. I didn't end up liking the shop and likely won't do any more of those specific shops unless there's a hefty bonus, but I'm glad I have a safety vest now. It's in the trunk of my car in case of emergencies, even if I never need it for another shop. Also, since it was required for the group of shops, it was a business expense.

Moderators are volunteers who are also shoppers. With hundreds of posts each and every day don't you think the most likely scenario is nobody bothered to use the report function and the mods simply missed the violation. Personally, I hate to "report" these kind of violations, but if it will make everything seem more fair we can all start using it more often.

@myst4au wrote:

And if Your post remains, then I claim discrimination

For the one that requires a picture, I usually will grab the restroom picture when I check the restroom (if able to get it covertly like a single-occupancy). Especially if it is locked, I really do not want to go get the restroom key again just to get the vest picture. I will usually do the selfie by reversing the camera on my phone (like a teenager), holding the booklet in front of my face and click the camera button. As long as I hold it out enough so the pretty vest shows the shoulders and upper chest to show I am wearing it, all is good. The guidelines even say that you can do the selfie.

i wouldn't want to do one of these without a vest. not just for safety reasons, but because you look like an absolute sketchball otherwise, and draw unnecessery attention to yourself from everyone who sees you. there's always someone who wants to report something they find suspicious.

Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 02/02/2016 09:02PM by jay225.

I cannot imagine why anyone would not want to wear a safety vest while doing these shops, but the new photo requirement of the manual is an annoyance.

I did my first one last night that requires the photo. It was very easy to prop my phone up against the car window and do a selfie. My iPhone has a built in timer function. 10 seconds to position yourself and snap - you're done.

That was indeed the easiest part of these tedious photo heavy shops. During the debrief my length of the visit was questioned. I think the next ones should go a lot faster than 70 minutes. I am glad it was bonused for darkness.

@AZwolfman wrote:

but the new photo requirement of the manual is an annoyance.

Yes it is but I solved the problem by making a color copy of the first page of the guide, put it into a page saver and then slipped it into the folder I use to carry and work with my worksheet. I have the folder with me as I take notes of the audit. I don't carry the entire guide around.

They sure are and make sure you wear one. This item saved my life with a moron cut through the station at a red light corner to save time.