Well, I just completed my first report on the new form for Chipotle. I must say that I am very pleased with the new format. They have done away with the two paragraph narrative that took up most of my reporting time. Most everything is Yes/No with explanations for no answers and a few required responses, like before.There are also no more requirements for counting numbers of guests, etc. I didn't even see a place to report how long it took to get your order; just questions about if it felt quick and if you were able to pay without delays.

Unfortunately, my shop today had a few hiccups that needed some extra explaining, but I still took only half the time I usually do for these reports. I expect that on future reports, I will be much faster. While I am sad that we lost a couple of bucks off the fee, I feel like my rate per hour went up because of the change. I was always writing those paragraphs in my head as I ate my burrito. There is still a lot to observe and report, but the exhaustive detail is no longer as exhaustive. Cheers to the MSC for taking a hard situation and making the best of it for the Client and the shoppers.

I am interested to see what everyone else thinks. I thought the lower fee might cause some shoppers to look elsewhere, but the Orphan List hasn't grown around here. Of course that may be due to the fewer number of shops being ordered.

I am very happy with the new, easier form. I don't understand some of the posters in the MSC's secret FB group when they make suggestions that would, IMO, make the report more time consuming or complicated than it is now.

I was pleasantly surprised when I got assigned almost as many shops as I used to regularly, without the need to look for orphans. Good thing, as I, too, see very few orphans nowadays.

I did find the example form to be different than the expectations. The inconsistencies right off the bat are disappointing. This month's KQ also has sent people into a different direction.

Yeah, I don't have any real problem with this month's KQ, but it seemed like some people were uncomfortable. I guess I just have a lower expectation that the kid working at Chipotle is going to remember me next month. I have no illusions that I'm that memorable.
(note: I'm intentionally not discussing the KQ in depth: I don't think it's smart to provide too much detail about it on a public forum. But I'm planning on doing my first April shop tomorrow, and I'll note any issues or feedback on the new report if I have anything constructive to contribute)

I'm eager to see how much less time it takes me to do the new report. I'm doing my first shop this weekend, and have another one scheduled.

I don't know why, and maybe it's because of the KQ, but I was offered three shops this month. Usually I'm offered two, and I only expected one this month. I figured with the new report debut, shops would get snapped up. But there are a lot of declined shops already in my region.

There was a similar KQ question a few months ago, but this one is a little more involved. I'm not keen on it, but I'll see how it goes....

I did my first report today and DID like the new format. This was an interesting KQ, but the crew members at my store rose to the challenge.

I can certainly see why some shoppers would be apprehensive about this months knowledge question. I shop one location most of the time, but they have me do other locations nearby, every couple months. Fortunately, they assigned me one of the alternate locations this month, so I only go there two or three times a year. I doubt I will be that memorable to anyone there.

I looked at the sample filled out form and was pleased to see that the pay will probably now be worth my time expenditure. I will wait until next month to try one out though, because the April knowledge question scenario is just too uncomfortable for me. As far as I know, the fee has not been reduced here.

The form email sent out stated, "New $25 flat fee."

I just looked at the KQ after reading this thread. It's not as bad as some seem to make it out to be. I'd rather do this months KQ than to do some complaints a certain grocery store wants done to the customer service counter with no receipt.

The employees hear this request often enough that I'm not concerned about being memorable. With the shop cutbacks, the odds of even getting the same tortilla #1 the next month are unlikely.

Out of the shops I've done this month, only about half handled things correctly in terms of the KQ scenario. If the KQ were real life, I would have probably ended up in distress.

Just did the new report. I liked it better than the previous one, I think it's worth the $2 reduction in fee for the simplified report. The KT wasn't an issue for me at all: the store did just what they were supposed to do and it made reporting it easy.
The report used to take me about 45-60 minutes and I did today's in about 30 minutes. I'll probably cut it back by another 5 minutes or so next time.

I haven't seen them yet since I just signed up for training, but glad to hear that they're relatively simple. I like the food and the two locations near me are excellent.

There will be a training in my area next week. I would like to sign up however most of the time I am at work. If I sign up but I e-mail them ahead of time and let them know that I can't make it, will it effect me for applying for future jobs with them?

Also why will it take 2 hours for training?

Thanks

I'm confused but I'm sure I'm missing something. Why would you sign up and then email them and say you can't make it? It seems that would just be annoying to them. Like I said, I'm sure I'm missing something.

It's like planning a date with your spouse. Today is Tue Apr 10.. You make plans to go out on Sat Apr 16. On Friday Apr 15 your boss calls you and ask you to cover a shift on Sat Apr 16.. It is like this

Training is next week in my area. If there is a limited number of spots I would like a seat. What happens if I sign up to go and then on the day I go to my training, my wife is sick or something happens to the kids and I need to take them to the hospital or something?

Yes I know things come up at the last minute and I also know that when it comes to Mystery shopping some schedulers will work with you.

But since this is training I'm not sure how it works

Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 04/13/2016 02:54AM by Isaiah4031a.

I'd say the MSC would probably rather have someone in that slot who is reasonably certain they won't need to cancel at the last minute. Stuff happens, but if you have reason to think it's likely that you won't make it, I think it'd be best to pass on the training until it's scheduled at a time that you can commit to. Just my two cents.

@Isaiah4031a wrote:

Also why will it take 2 hours for training?

Thanks

My training session included an introduction, background/history of the company, review of paperwork, Q&A, and demonstration. I believe it went a bit over 2 hours. It was interesting and a welcome change from the norm.

@Isaiah4031a wrote:

There will be a training in my area next week. I would like to sign up however most of the time I am at work. If I sign up but I e-mail them ahead of time and let them know that I can't make it, will it effect me for applying for future jobs with them?

Also why will it take 2 hours for training?

Thanks

I agree with CaliGirl. I would only RSVP if I were sure I could commit to attending on the day. I took a planned day off from work, spent the morning at the training and the afternoon relaxing at the pool.

When I attended, it started at 9 and ended about 11 on a Friday morning. There was a rep/trainer from the MSC and several Chipotle managers. The rep greeted us and told us about the MSC. The Chipotle managers all introduced themselves and talked briefly about their Chipotle, the work force, the corporate culture, etc. The rep talked to us about reporting and standards, instructing us on what to look for and how to report it. Then we went to the serving line and walked through the line as one of the managers showed us each item and they made comments on the standard for each items (part of the report). We sat back down and had a Q&A, then went to the serving line again and each of us were comped and got to order what we wanted: bowl, burrito, etc., + chips + drink. By the time we ate, it was about 11. We got paid for the training, I forget how much it's been so long, but you get the training pay at the same time as you are paid for your first Chipotle assignment. I'm guessing that if you never end up doing a Chipotle assignment, then you don't get paid for the training.

It was a pleasure to complete the new format. No problem with the KQ.

@Isaiah4031a wrote:

There will be a training in my area next week. I would like to sign up however most of the time I am at work. If I sign up but I e-mail them ahead of time and let them know that I can't make it, will it effect me for applying for future jobs with them?

If you really want to shop for Chipotle, if you can take the morning off from work, I would (if I were you). I don't think that training sessions are done in the same areas on a regular basis. It could be a long time until another one comes along. Months, maybe longer. Or you may have to travel quite a way to take one at a future date.

You can't work for them until you do the training, so you can't apply for any "future jobs," just future training. The MSC is great to work for, but I'm guessing they may not invite you for training again if you renege on this one. Or, if you apply for another training session in the future and it's close to full, you may be given low priority for it. I don't know that for sure, but it's my guess.

I started shopping for them because someone cancelled out on a training session, and they called me to see if I could fill the slot. So, if you commit and don't go, they'll try to fill that slot--and may end up with enough shoppers that they won't schedule a training in your area again. I'm not sure, but think they've had just one training in my area since then. Or there may have been none.

My training last 1.5 hours, and I must admit that it was somewhat a waste of time. The person doing the training simply read the entire packet word-for-word. It was obvious that he was new to it. Then we went through the line and ordered. The best thing about the training was meeting the other shoppers. Other than that, I could've just read the packet at home and learned just as much.

Thanks to all who have reply. If I am able to attend do I e-mail the scheduler and let them know that I can attend and then they will send me a e-mail back with all the directions?

I love their food and I would like to work for this company.

Yes, you need to let them know you are coming, since they limit the training to a certain number of shoppers each session.

DareWright, sorry your training wasn't what it should have been. The session I went to was excellent. The regional manager who presented it knew what he was doing and gave us a thorough explanation of Chipotle's history and philosophy, what things were, what to look for, etc. There were two or three experienced shoppers in the group, and they all said it was one of the best trainings they'd been to. As a new shopper, it was really helpful for me to hear other shoppers' opinions and get tips from them.

I will let you know if I am able to attend and how it goes

@Isaiah4031a wrote:

It's like planning a date with your spouse. Today is Tue Apr 10.. You make plans to go out on Sat Apr 16. On Friday Apr 15 your boss calls you and ask you to cover a shift on Sat Apr 16.. It is like this

I read your post as saying you were going to apply for training then turn around and send them an email saying you really want to do these but couldn't make training.

I've done my first new report, and I have to say.... After all the time they've spent on this, I would have hoped it would have been more "tightened" down at this point. There seem to be programming issues, as well as questions that are really poorly worded and, in some cases, downright confusing. It seems as if they rolled it out to meet the April 1 deadline, but didn't really and truly have it bolted down.

But, it sure beats the old one!

@BirdyC wrote:

I've done my first new report, and I have to say.... After all the time they've spent on this, I would have hoped it would have been more "tightened" down at this point. There seem to be programming issues, as well as questions that are really poorly worded and, in some cases, downright confusing. It seems as if they rolled it out to meet the April 1 deadline, but didn't really and truly have it bolted down.

But, it sure beats the old one!

I agree. I asked if we could preview the form in March before it went "live" but the answer was no. I believe that they could have used some of their shoppers as a valuable resource to critique or at least proofread the form and avoided the problems, typos and other issues. I'm sure the loyal longtime shoppers would have gladly done this without additional compensation. Another approach would have been to enlist a handful of shoppers to "test" the new form and provide feedback before it went live. Now we are seeing changes to the form made on the fly as we proceed through the reporting month. However the form is a big improvement and I just hope their client agrees.

Edited 2 time(s). Last edit at 04/15/2016 05:19PM by kenasch.

@kenasch wrote:

I believe that they could have used some of their shoppers as a valuable resource to critique or at least proofread the form and avoided the problems, typos and other issues. I'm sure the loyal longtime shoppers would have gladly done this without additional compensation.

Yep! Totally agree. Why MSCs don't utilize their most perceptive audience (their own shoppers) when they make changes like this is beyond me. They know what they want to say, and they think they're saying it. But they're not. Shoppers could help with this by asking for clearer statements and/or instructions, and just plain old copy editing and proofreading. I think holding selected-shopper focus groups would be extremely helpful to MSCs, and I'm not sure why they don't think shopper input is one key to success.

@kenasch wrote:

@BirdyC wrote:

I've done my first new report, and I have to say.... After all the time they've spent on this, I would have hoped it would have been more "tightened" down at this point. There seem to be programming issues, as well as questions that are really poorly worded and, in some cases, downright confusing. It seems as if they rolled it out to meet the April 1 deadline, but didn't really and truly have it bolted down.

But, it sure beats the old one!

I agree. I asked if we could preview the form in March before it went "live" but the answer was no. I believe that they could have used some of their shoppers as a valuable resource to critique or at least proofread the form and avoided the problems, typos and other issues. I'm sure the loyal longtime shoppers would have gladly done this without additional compensation. Another approach would have been to enlist a handful of shoppers to "test" the new form and provide feedback before it went live. Now we are seeing changes to the form made on the fly as we proceed through the reporting month. However the form is a big improvement and I just hope their client agrees.

If it helps any, the MSC does soak in shopper feedback to improve their guidelines, report forms, etc. from the Facebook group.

I don't believe there was a "test" round and instead, the month of April was probably their "interim" period with the new shopper format. Is it the right approach? I'm sure we can all think of more efficient ways to take it, but that's outside of our scope as shoppers / IC's and well-above our pay grades.

Seems like they could have had about 10 "test shops" in March with the new reporting form and they likely would have uncovered the few issues that I saw. Overall, though, I thought it was fine. There were a few bumps and I asked if I had answered one of the questions correctly in my note to the editor, but otherwise I thought it was fine with very few issues or confusions.
Certainly an improvement over the old form with less repetition.