I did a movie shop a while ago and one of the guidelines was the ticket purchase had to be minimum of 3 minutes. I also had to bring a kid to see if they could be sold an R rated ticket. I brought my 17 year old who looks like she's 20 because I wanted to see if they asked her for ID. Naturally, they did not and sold her the ticket.
I was suppose to hang back as to not look like we were together and then buy my ticket 3 mins later. I was to observe who sold her the ticket and which counter was the person using.
Here's my problem. The lobby and ticket counter were inside. The windows were tinted. I had not been to this theater before so when I got there, I had to enter a few seconds after her to observe her transaction. I got into the lobby and there was NO ONE ELSE THERE. There wasn't anyone I could hide behind. I was made the moment I walked in. It wasn't on purpose and I didn't do that knowing the lobby would be empty.
I had to think fast and wasn't fast enough to think about getting on my phone and acting like someone was coming to join me. So I hung back for a minute or two and then went to get my ticket. I sat down in the lobby and then made a fake call and my daughter had already gone into the auditorium.
Because of the ticket timing, they declined my shop even though if I hadn't gotten the ticket, I would not have been able to complete the rest of the shop. I'm out almost $25.00
I don't feel like I should be penalized. I did another shop later and that was a mess too. I was out $10 on that one. I have since deactivated my account as I feel like we are ultimately ill fit for each other.
I would like some compensation. I do not feel it fair to not pay me anything. I'm a good shopper and I have shopped other companies with no problem.
Is it fair or should I just let it drop? $25.00 is a lot of money to just eat.

Sorry to hear you won't be paid, I know that is a disappointment. You knew you needed to delay 3 minutes before purchasing the ticket. It sounds fair to me. I would drop it.

I have to agree. It is sad but a correct decision by the MSP. Write off the tickets as an unreimbursed business expense.

Is there an emotional distress damages expense? Perhaps I can use this when a MSC invalidates one of my shops and I feel so depressed when that happens. If it is allowed, write off a reasonable amount $100 and call it a day.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 06/15/2016 09:30PM by DavePi.

I always hesitant to comment on these situations but I would not go after this if you did not wait three minutes. That really isn't long (although I understand it can seem LIKE FOREVER) and I am a fast thinker but I can think of quite a few stall tactics. And so if it should happen again here are a few ideas (good for general stalling anywhere)

Slow down and then start to fumble with your purse, drop it if necessary, let things spill out.
Oops forgot something in the car, even mumble to yourself and turn around and walk back out and then return.
Decide you need to use the restroom first...go there and then go back for your ticket purchase.
Pretend you got a text you just have to deal with.
Or an emergency call from work.
The idea of waiting for another friend is great too. And then oops she isn't coming.

It doesn't matter if they ultimately knew you were with your daughter (after they sold her the ticket) for several reasons...one, she is older and you agreed to go with her but she had to pay for her own stuff.
Second, that shop is typically for the industry (not the movie theatre, although it may be) and they will never see the report.

Hope that helps. And don't be too down on yourself. It seems like my shop problems all come in the same few days and then I am back on track.

Liz

Undo your shoelaces and tie them very ssssssllllllooooooowwwwwwwllllyyyyyyyyyy.........

@schylarsok wrote:

I did a movie shop a while ago and one of the guidelines was the ticket purchase had to be minimum of 3 minutes. I also had to bring a kid to see if they could be sold an R rated ticket. I brought my 17 year old who looks like she's 20 because I wanted to see if they asked her for ID. Naturally, they did not and sold her the ticket.
I was suppose to hang back as to not look like we were together and then buy my ticket 3 mins later. I was to observe who sold her the ticket and which counter was the person using.
Here's my problem. The lobby and ticket counter were inside. The windows were tinted. I had not been to this theater before so when I got there, I had to enter a few seconds after her to observe her transaction. I got into the lobby and there was NO ONE ELSE THERE. There wasn't anyone I could hide behind. I was made the moment I walked in. It wasn't on purpose and I didn't do that knowing the lobby would be empty.
I had to think fast and wasn't fast enough to think about getting on my phone and acting like someone was coming to join me. So I hung back for a minute or two and then went to get my ticket. I sat down in the lobby and then made a fake call and my daughter had already gone into the auditorium.
Because of the ticket timing, they declined my shop even though if I hadn't gotten the ticket, I would not have been able to complete the rest of the shop. I'm out almost $25.00
I don't feel like I should be penalized. I did another shop later and that was a mess too. I was out $10 on that one. I have since deactivated my account as I feel like we are ultimately ill fit for each other.
I would like some compensation. I do not feel it fair to not pay me anything. I'm a good shopper and I have shopped other companies with no problem.
Is it fair or should I just let it drop? $25.00 is a lot of money to just eat.

You said that you performed this shop awhile ago. Why did you take so long to address the issue here? Sounds like it is a moot point since you have deactivated yourself.

How long have you been a MS'er? I read a few of your posts and you seem to be having quite a few problems including reports not being accepted. Maybe you should accept easier shops which do not require a purchase so you don't have to rely on the reimbursement. As far as being out $25.00 for this shop, don't you think spending time with your daughter and enjoying a movie is worth $25.00?

I did the shop in April. I wanted to give ample time as requested before asking about payment. I had not heard back since they were asking follow up questions. I answered and that's all that was said. The shop log has it graded and received. I just found out all these details today when I inquired as to the status and when I could expect payment. Yes it likely is a moot point; doesn't mean I'm not angry.
Expensive lesson on my part. I'll agree with Flash. Just write it off and move on.

A question to the seasoned shoppers....would it have been a better improvisation to wait the three minutes and then state in the report that the windows were tinted and she was unable to see who sold the ticket?

I hate when unexpected things happen on shops I get frazzled and get worried I'll do the wrong thing!

No. If there was a requirement that she observe who was selling the first ticket, claiming she couldn't see because of tinted windows would also likely invalidate the shop. My reaction would be to come in, look around quickly and if I saw the situation she mentioned, head for the restroom (with a sense of urgency) and emerge after 3 minutes with a look of comfort and relief. That way she could have seen what she needed to see and have had a perfectly reasonable reason to disappear before coming over to buy a ticket.

I see... I would also think that in that situation, if they aren't busy they may only have one cashier and you would be able to narrow down who helped the daughter. However in 3 minutes they could easily switch employees. But also, if the daughter was aware she was on a shop she could have noted the descriptive information and given it to mom inside the theater. The bathroom idea is a good one, but my local theater has restrooms past the ticket check and I'm not sure they may not let you through. The downside of MSing (and life sometimes) is you never know what questions to ask until you need an answer....and its usually at a bad time....with money on the line.

I find that it really doesn't matter where I am. I put on 'that look' of desperation and make a beeline for the bathroom. If it in an area that supposedly has no access to the public, 'that look' will nevertheless get me escorted to the restroom quickly. I have never been denied that I can remember.

If the theater is empty enough that you need to get lost for a couple of minutes you will not be denied the restroom whether you have a ticket yet or not because they will watch for you to come back out for your ticket rather than viewing it as being a ploy to sneak into the restroom.

Banks and gas stations are more likely to be concerned if you head for the bathroom because they half expect you will come out with a mask and a gun to rob them, but I'm old enough I don't think they worry much about me.

Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 06/16/2016 01:57AM by Flash.

My local theaters don't check tickets until you enter the hallway to the theaters themselves. So you could have access to the restroom, arcade, concessions, etc. In this instance I would have walked in and stood there looking out the window for whoever I was meeting. I mean I'm sure it was too hot or raining or too cold or to windy or too something to stand outside to wait. After 3 or 4 minutes you could decide to just meet them inside.

so what if they make you.....you have to follow the instructions...and I don't really think that absolutely would have made you.....

your daughter could have helped you describing who sold the ticket if you couldn't get a very good view, she could have waited inside for a few minutes pretending to make a call, etc

but i can't picture why you couldn't observe then step aside for 3 minutes..maybe pretending you just got a call, etc

3 minutes is 3 minutes. I honestly don't think you have a case, nor do I think the MSC should give you a kind gesture with proceeding with a shop they cannot use for their client's project.

While I do think some MSC's take risks and checking with their client to see if they could take exception, it's possible they did not proceed to this next step to see if they could make your work acceptable to the client. But again, it shouldn't be looked down upon on the MSC if they choose to exclude your report altogether.

Have you attempted to explain the situation to the MSC and see their response? It wouldn't hurt you, at this point.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 06/16/2016 03:17PM by Tarantado.

@Sybil2 wrote:

You said that you performed this shop awhile ago. Why did you take so long to address the issue here? Sounds like it is a moot point since you have deactivated yourself.

How long have you been a MS'er? I read a few of your posts and you seem to be having quite a few problems including reports not being accepted. Maybe you should accept easier shops which do not require a purchase so you don't have to rely on the reimbursement. As far as being out $25.00 for this shop, don't you think spending time with your daughter and enjoying a movie is worth $25.00?

Why does it matter if the shop was done 'awhile ago.' There were a couple late catches I found when I was doing a final round up come tax time, but was still able to properly address some payment shortages or overlooked bonuses from shops I did earlier that year. In the end, I was able to come to agreement with those MSC's.

i'm guessing this location has been successfully shopped before...and since...and other shoppers have figured a way..maybe the teen could be secretly recording the transaction to help.

I feel for the OP. It burns SO BAD when you go through all the effort of the shop only to miss something and then not get paid OR reimbursed for it. Doesn't matter if it's $100, $25 or reimbursement only. YOU know you went through the effort the best you could, and then you get nothing for it. Happens to the best of us. One of the downsides of MSing.

@Tarantado wrote:

Why does it matter if the shop was done 'awhile ago.' There were a couple late catches I found when I was doing a final round up come tax time, but was still able to properly address some payment shortages or overlooked bonuses from shops I did earlier that year. In the end, I was able to come to agreement with those MSC's.

It matters because instead of asking for advice BEFORE deactivating from the MSC, the OP deactivates himself/herself and then tries to back-paddle for advice. It is like closing the barn door after the horse has bolted.

@Sybil2 wrote:

It matters because instead of asking for advice BEFORE deactivating from the MSC, the OP deactivates himself/herself and then tries to back-paddle for advice. It is like closing the barn door after the horse has bolted.

Your question, "Why did you take so long to address the issue here?" has little or nothing to do with OP deactivating themselves.... I guess indirectly, maybe?

Well, you are entitled to your interpretation. I just think it is a waste of time to debate the "what ifs" when deactivation is pretty much a done deal. I guess some people have more free time than other people.

@Sybil2 wrote:

It matters because instead of asking for advice BEFORE deactivating from the MSC, the OP deactivates himself/herself and then tries to back-paddle for advice. It is like closing the barn door after the horse has bolted.

So my interpretation of your comment is that because I deactivated before asking for advice means I should just write off all the money I could be owed? I am asking now, instead of "back-peddling" because this information was told me to me two days ago. Should I move forward with pursuit or should I drop it was all I was asking. I'm not sure were or why this tangent occurred. You've said your piece and gave your viewpoint which I appreciate but then why are you still commenting?

@schylarsok wrote:

You've said your piece and gave your viewpoint which I appreciate but then why are you still commenting?

I was responding to Tarantado's post directed towards me. I did not feel the need to put his/her name on my post since I responded directly below their post. If someone directs a question to me, I try to answer if I am available.

How long ago it was is really irrelevant. Also irrelevant is that the OP deactivated herself. She is not asking for opinions about her deactivation. She wants compensation for the shop even though she recognizes she did the shop wrong. She wants advice about whether she should go back to the company and ask for some compensation, acknowledging that she did not do the shop right. My viewpoint is NO, I would not go back and ask for money. The shop guidelines weren't followed.

OP, I hope it was a good movie and you enjoyed the time with your daughter. Be glad it was only $25 and not a fine dining for $150 or more. I've missed getting paid a couple of times and it's not about the money. It's more the loss, like losing a soccer game. There's lots of could, should, woulda and maybe I can still save this. I'd forget it.

Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 06/16/2016 10:03PM by Jay C.

Okay then, back in 2011 I did not realize that I could submit my parking expenses and tolls for reimbursement with a particular MSC. Do you think I should contact them and ask for my reimbursements? I have my all of my receipts and bank statements.

IMO as long as you deactivated you lost the chance to battle them.

In the world of mystery shopping... I always try to account for all the things that could go wrong. ....Yes... The windows are tinted but mostly on the outer box office. (I have not seen interior box office windows) You were supposed to observe whether they sold a certain age child/teen a ticket. I get that. The 3 minutes. This is what I would have done, (if allowed) Pretend like you are talking on your cell phone. Stand right behind her but in view of the ticket transaction. If you are supposed to be somewhat near, (obviously to observe her sales transaction) then why not be behind her but acting like you are talking to someone? Meanwhile, you can see if they ask her for ID or deny her the ticket, or whatever the case may be. By not doing the "3 minute window" the timing is off. There were so many responses here and I hope I understood your story correctly.

So now we are complaining about *when* someone asks a question??

What do you think the chances of a shop being paid after a dispute after a shopper is out of the system? I say slim to none.

@bgriffin wrote:

So now we are complaining about *when* someone asks a question??