I have had two incidences while taking photos for gas station audits where someone has approached me, one angrily and one extra strange, to ask what I was doing. As if it isn't obvious that I'm there in a professional capacity. I make sure that I'm dressed in business casual, carry a clipboard and try not to hover near the last pump so I can get the shot before the next car pulls up. Some have asked in a nicer way about the what and why of my presence and I gladly tell them.

The first time, after waiting to get the last pump shot, the woman raced up to me in her car and asked why I took the photo of the pump she used. As if I could glean personal information from photographing the pump. The second time, a woman told me I scared her because I had a camera and asked my name and what I was doing. I provided a fake name, said it was an audit and I asked if she was law enforcement because she got my hackles up. Of course, she wasn't and I walked away without another word. She had a very weird vibe.

I don't know if I'm easy to approach like this because I'm female and look 15 years younger than my actual age. I'm concerned, particularly for the overall photo, that someone will get angry about being in the photo. I try, but it isn't always feasible to wait for the pumps to clear.

I want to understand that people are concerned about privacy. But there are security cameras everywhere and we don't know where the footage goes. Do they ever demand to know that? Doubt it. People use public wi-fi, run around with trackable cell phones in their pockets, put their lives on social media. Is there an easy way to explain that when in public we're not entitled to a reasonable expectation of privacy?

Has anyone had a similar experience? How did you deal with it?

Just today I had a customer come over to my car and ask why I was taking pictures. He said his daughter/wife/female in the car told him I took a picture of him. I always wonder just how conceited these people are that think they're so special that I would want a picture of THEM. Really? I don't usually worry too much about it, but I try really hard to not be seen taking pics in the "bad" neighborhoods. I'm always afraid "those" people will shoot first and ask questions later. I'm sure I've gotten pics of drug transactions and who knows what else, but fortunately, I've only been yelled at and had fingers pointed at me, but no guns. I'm always tense and anxious when I go into some neighborhoods. I definitely try to time it so the drug dealers, drunks, and hookers are still sleeping it off.

Depends on the person, how they ask, and my mood. Of the 20 or so times I've been asked almost all of them are pleasant and are just curious. I tell them it's an audit for the gas station brand and leave it at that. I did have one guy start yelling at me asking if his truck was in the photo. I replied I was taking a photo of the canopy not his truck and while he wasn't happy he left it at that. And then there was the rash of 3 in one day that wanted to know if something was wrong with the gas. One of which got freaked out even after I assured him it was just an audit of the branding on the pumps and sign and left thinking there was something wrong with the gas. I'm not sure what that was about......

I've had police officers ask me what I'm doing when I'm in those "bad" areas. Not sure if they were lurking or if someone called. They don't care about the paperwork, but once they look at the digital photos, it's all good.

I have occasionally been approached as I am taking pictures and asked what I am doing, usually in a non-confrontational way. I have three photo ID's with my picture, the name of the station brand, the logo of the MSC and miscellaneous info like MSPA, IC Pro and Field Agent. Looks official. I have one in a flip open wallet, one that I clip to my shirt and one on my clipboard. Customers usually see the on I have clipped to my shirt and assume I am there on official business. If not I show them the one on my clipboard. When I reveal to the attendant I show them the flip open wallet. Kind of makes me feel like Columbo.

Hey, I like your logo ID idea. Catch me if you Can. I have heard that shoppers also wear the safety vests.

I have been asked if I was there auditing due to all of the credit card skimming. I have also been told that I am doing inventory (this is usually said by someone in a matter of fact way like they already know). If I am asked directly, I just say that I am there to audit the advertising (as most customers don't know what POP is). This makes them feel relieved that it has nothing to do with the pump itself or their information.

I tell them I'm there to take pictures of the station for the brand's corporate office and that it's done on a regular basis at any major branded station.

just put on the vest. seriously, when they see you in orange, they know you're taking care of business and won't think to question you.

We are having so much road work in my area that the orange vest means nothing. They think you are just part of the construction crew and you blend in with all the other orange and green and yellow vests.

@bgriffin wrote:

And then there was the rash of 3 in one day that wanted to know if something was wrong with the gas. One of which got freaked out even after I assured him it was just an audit of the branding on the pumps and sign and left thinking there was something wrong with the gas. I'm not sure what that was about......

I have gotten that question also. The paranoid fringe and conspiracy theorists must have read something on The Dark Net about terrorists putting something in our fuel supply or something.

@jay225 wrote:

just put on the vest. seriously, when they see you in orange, they know you're taking care of business and won't think to question you.

I get approached all the time in my safety vest. Sometimes I am accused of being a cop. I just smile and walk away. Keep them wondering.

Not sure if it is hilarious or downright scary those folks would think just taking pictures of the pumps would identify a problem with the gas.

@bgriffin wrote:

And then there was the rash of 3 in one day that wanted to know if something was wrong with the gas. One of which got freaked out even after I assured him it was just an audit of the branding on the pumps and sign and left thinking there was something wrong with the gas. I'm not sure what that was about......

That was similar to my reaction at the time as well.

I've been accosted 3 times while performing Citgo shops. All 3 were by station employees, and two of them were at the same station on different visits.

The first time, a station employee shouted over to me "Who the f*ck are you and what the F*CK are you doing?" I gave him the authorization letter and he shut up pretty quickly.

The second time, at the very same station, as I was wrapping up, a different attendant said to me "You better not have any pictures of me. I don't let ANYBODY take pictures of me without permission. If you do, get rid of them." I told him I did not, then discovered I had one. I let him know and he said "Get rid of it. I don't let ANYBODY take pictures of me without permission." I retook the picture and left.

The third time, I was about to leave a station when an attendant came up to me and angrily wanted to know why I was taking pictures. I gave him the letter and he then became friendly. He said he was only asking because they're directly across the highway from a very large chemical plant.

Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 04/22/2016 12:14AM by thegov2k2.

@thegov2k2 wrote:

I've been accosted 3 times while performing Citgo shops. All 3 were by station employees, and two of them were at the same station on different visits.

The first time, a station employee shouted over to me "Who the f*ck are you and what the F*CK are you doing?" I gave him the authorization letter and he shut up pretty quickly.

The second time, at the very same station, as I was wrapping up, a different attendant said to me "You better not have any pictures of me. I don't let ANYBODY take pictures of me without permission. If you do, get rid of them." I told him I did not, then discovered I had one. I let him know and he said "Get rid of it. I don't let ANYBODY take pictures of me without permission." I retook the picture and left.

The third time, I was about to leave a station when an attendant came up to me and angrily wanted to know why I was taking pictures. I gave him the letter and he then became friendly. He said he was only asking because they're directly across the highway from a very large chemical plant.

You seem to live in a very angry part of the country!

I rarely have anyone ask what I am doing, but it just happened this weekend. Some man thought he had been overcharged for his gas and wanted to know how I was going to correct it. I told him I was only auditing the signage and looking for cleanliness issues. He insisted I put something in my report how "they" were gouging customers on gas prices. He was getting irate so I told him I would take his information and pass it along. He asked that I take a picture of drivers license. I just asked him to put his contact information on a piece of paper. I wrote it down on the internal comments because I didn't know what else to do.

Take a picture of his license!? You should have told him that you prefer pictures of his credit cards.
Weirdos...

Hoju, I'm in New Jersey. You be the judge.

Should have told them you were a film location scout looking to shoot a movie in their area...

Tell the "nuts-cases" that you are taking pictures of the pumps because you are from the planet Vultar and you have been placing secret mind-control additives in the gasoline and you need to take samples back to your planet,.. which in the next galaxy.

We live in a different world, one where we are now taught to be on the lookout. People don't know why someone is taking pictures. Maybe it's a stalker? Maybe it's a prep for something worse. We are told now that we need to pay attention and call the police, no matter what it is. I can't blame an onlooker for calling the cops or questioning it.

I had a friend who worked in a very sensitive job back east. He absolutely refused to let his picture be taken and believe me, this guy could be intimidating when he wanted/needed to be.

I just think shoppers need to be aware that people nowadays are going to be more aware, and I can't blame them for doing what they think they need to in order to protect themselves, a company, or the city. You just don't know anymore. That's the world we live in.

Im asked all the time..50/50 just curious or they're hostile/angry. 99% are men. Im a woman. I just smile and say im taking pictures of the pumps, but youre such a cutie i wouldnt mind a pic of you. So far this disarms everyone and even those angry that i might be taking their pic will often offer to pose for me lol. I routinely go into kinda rough neighborhoods in brooklyn/bronx etc...and often quite late at night, and get confronted by strange folk. I find smiling and being absolutely friendly turns everything around in an instant.

I haven't done a gas audit in awhile but I do, do a lot of revealed retail audits. I've been approached many many times by customers they always assume you work there and either want to aske where something is, ask about a product or complain about the business. I usually let them finish their sentence as soon as they approach because I don;t want to be rude and cut them off. The very first thing I always respond is "I don't work for [company] I am a third party conducting an audit, but I'm sure there's an employee around that can help you out" I've found 80% of people understand, apologize and walk away. But the other 20% really just don't get it. Some of them give me a look like they think I'm lying to them and I do work there but just don;t want to be bothered with customers or something. I try not to let it bother me but once in awhile I've gotten people that insist on telling me their bad experience with the business because they really think I'm some kind of higher up with the company, I try to explain they should take up their issue with a manager at the store but they just don;t get it idk. One time at an electronics sales place I had a lady go to customer service and complain about me cause she said to them that I was ignoring her and wouldn't help her.....they told her I didn;t work there and she even told them "don;t use that excuse with me" lol

This reminds me of a story from years ago. When I was in high school and college I worked at my local Sears. A good friend of mine worked at the Hibbett's Sporting Goods in the same mall and we used to go to lunch together pretty often when we both had 8 hour days. So one day I go down there and I'm waiting for her to finish with a customer and just browsing around. A lady walks up to me frantically wanting some help with something. I politely explained to her that I didn't work in that store and showed her my Sears name tag. She huffed and puffed and perhaps cursed a few times at me. As if since I worked in another retail store I should be able to help her in that one.

I was shopping after work one day, when a customer walked up to me and started asking random questions. I realized that she thought I worked there for some reason. I politely said, "I'm sorry, I don't work here". She said, "What the *&%# do you mean you don't care!", and continued to go off. I chuckled and repeated myself more clearly. She looked mortified and hurried off the other direction!

Agree with the vest. Mine is green, and I have a clip board. Haven't been asked yet, but will probably answer with "Corporate Compliance Audit".

I've had customers tell me what to put in my report.
"Hey! Tell them this pump is too slow!"
"Hey! Make sure you let them know I had to swipe my card 3 times in order to get this thing to work!"
"Hey, Where the hell are the current credit card applications? All they have are these applications from last month!"

Okay, maybe not that last one.