For the Record, Fast Food Timings
I'm confused. Did you include the time you spent verifying the address and reviewing your guidelines as part of the shop?
Equal rights for others does not mean fewer rights for you. It's not pie.
"I prefer someone who burns the flag and then wraps themselves up in the Constitution over someone who burns the Constitution and then wraps themselves up in the flag." -Molly Ivins
Never try to teach a pig to sing. It's a waste of your time and it really annoys the pig.
"I prefer someone who burns the flag and then wraps themselves up in the Constitution over someone who burns the Constitution and then wraps themselves up in the flag." -Molly Ivins
Never try to teach a pig to sing. It's a waste of your time and it really annoys the pig.
I'm confused, too. Or are you saying that they don't understand that unless you're asked for the seconds in addition to the minutes for the start and end times, that 4 minutes does correspond to 3 minutes and 24 seconds? Are they looking at 4 minutes and not understanding that you can't time to the second when the fields call only for hour and minutes?
I learn something new every day, but not everyday!
I've learned to never trust spell-check or my phone's auto-fill feature.
I've learned to never trust spell-check or my phone's auto-fill feature.
I thought Time In would be when I enter the site, but from now on, will enter it as the time I enter the drive-thru.
Time in is the time you actually start the shop, not just when you pull into a parking lot. Same goes for retail shops. You begin timing when you cross the threshold into the store and stop when you walk back through the door. Time to review notes or set up equipment such as timers or video recorders is never included.
Equal rights for others does not mean fewer rights for you. It's not pie.
"I prefer someone who burns the flag and then wraps themselves up in the Constitution over someone who burns the Constitution and then wraps themselves up in the flag." -Molly Ivins
Never try to teach a pig to sing. It's a waste of your time and it really annoys the pig.
"I prefer someone who burns the flag and then wraps themselves up in the Constitution over someone who burns the Constitution and then wraps themselves up in the flag." -Molly Ivins
Never try to teach a pig to sing. It's a waste of your time and it really annoys the pig.
@Robin2 wrote:
Editor can not figure out why the entire visit took longer than 3.24.
Note to self, to avoid future time related issues, just put the Shop In time when entering into the drive-thru lane, and get a grip not to be so annoyed.
Definitely get a grip and try not to be so annoyed. You goofed. To avoid future issues, do it right next time. Any time preparing for the shop before you actually start it does not count as part of the shop. If you had sat in the shade and spent 10 minutes reading the guidelines, would you have counted that 10 minutes?
These are your timings:
09:20 AM
Pull into fast food drive-thru lane, and begin timing
09:24 AM
Receive order in hand and stop timing
Timing = 3.24
Any time you spend doing other things before and after do not count. You haven't mentioned not getting paid, so I am assuming the editor still accepted the shop and you will be paid.
There are many shops where the "Time Arrived" Field is the exact time I pull into the parking lot and begin observations. The "Time Departed" is the time I actually leave the parking lot. This is for shops that have outside observations like trash in parking lot, flag flying, exterior signage, or exterior trash cans overflowing. I guess it just depends on the guidelines for the shop and how the report form is laid out.
I would have to see your guidelines and report before throwing you under the proverbial bus for goofing up your shop.
(No offense to my esteemed colleagues who have offered a differing opinion.)
I would have to see your guidelines and report before throwing you under the proverbial bus for goofing up your shop.
(No offense to my esteemed colleagues who have offered a differing opinion.)
"We're just two lost souls swimming in a fish bowl -- year after year..."
Reminds me of a dining shop I did where I didn't know exactly what to put for time out. I had finished my meal paid, and was getting up to leave. As I took a step a relative of mine stopped in (by complete chance), so I stayed a bit longer to chat as they ate. My shop was done, I was at a different table (same server) and no longer talking to wait staff. So I was wondering if I put the time I initially tried to leave or try to explain why there's a 35 minute difference between the time on my uploaded receipt and the time I say I left.
@texthinker wrote:
Reminds me of a dining shop I did where I didn't know exactly what to put for time out. I had finished my meal paid, and was getting up to leave. As I took a step a relative of mine stopped in (by complete chance), so I stayed a bit longer to chat as they ate. My shop was done, I was at a different table (same server) and no longer talking to wait staff. So I was wondering if I put the time I initially tried to leave or try to explain why there's a 35 minute difference between the time on my uploaded receipt and the time I say I left.
You would put in the time you got up to leave after paying, because your shop was over. The extra time in the restaurant was spent chatting and was not part of the shop.
MF time out for drive-through shops (according to one exasperated editor) is not when you finish the shop itself but should include the time after shop when you pull over observer and taste food. Maybe this is common knowledge to everyone but I was using the time I actually drove away from the establishment?.
I think it should be when I arrive at the site, but don't want to make explanations for a cheap fast food shop. I wasn't doing a lot of stuff like studying, just adjusting the timer and getting ready to take the drive in.
When I go for an audit, if the appointed person is busy or late and I have to wait, I put the into time as when I entered the site. With property audits, I've usually instructed not to set foot on the property, so maybe the emphasize of being on the actual property seems more important.
It could be different with different MSCs. That's all, but why take chances? I plan to be more careful, but I still think it's dumb.
Edited 2 time(s). Last edit at 07/25/2016 06:06AM by Robin2.
When I go for an audit, if the appointed person is busy or late and I have to wait, I put the into time as when I entered the site. With property audits, I've usually instructed not to set foot on the property, so maybe the emphasize of being on the actual property seems more important.
It could be different with different MSCs. That's all, but why take chances? I plan to be more careful, but I still think it's dumb.
Edited 2 time(s). Last edit at 07/25/2016 06:06AM by Robin2.
@wwin wrote:
MF time out for drive-through shops (according to one exasperated editor) is not when you finish the shop itself but should include the time after shop when you pull over observer and taste food. Maybe this is common knowledge to everyone but I was using the time I actually drove away from the establishment?.
This is confusing, and I'll watch for it. Must be their newer fast food contract?
It depends on the guidelines. I perform several food shops where I report when I arrived as well as when each key timing event happens. If there are narratives, I drill down to the seconds only for the key times. In your example, time entered the lane and time received the food would have included seconds. If the form and guidelines do not as for seconds, I do not include them.
My posts are solely based on my opinions and for my entertainment, contact a professional if you need real advice.
When you get in debt you become a slave. - Andrew Jackson
When you get in debt you become a slave. - Andrew Jackson
They key is when you start the shop. Reading over guidelines, setting up timing devices or verifying the address are no more a part of the shop than driving to the location. The time taken for all those things is going to vary widely from shopper to shopper making for a lot of inconsistency.
@msimon-2000 wrote:
There are many shops where the "Time Arrived" Field is the exact time I pull into the parking lot and begin observations. The "Time Departed" is the time I actually leave the parking lot. This is for shops that have outside observations like trash in parking lot, flag flying, exterior signage, or exterior trash cans overflowing. I guess it just depends on the guidelines for the shop and how the report form is laid out.
Equal rights for others does not mean fewer rights for you. It's not pie.
"I prefer someone who burns the flag and then wraps themselves up in the Constitution over someone who burns the Constitution and then wraps themselves up in the flag." -Molly Ivins
Never try to teach a pig to sing. It's a waste of your time and it really annoys the pig.
"I prefer someone who burns the flag and then wraps themselves up in the Constitution over someone who burns the Constitution and then wraps themselves up in the flag." -Molly Ivins
Never try to teach a pig to sing. It's a waste of your time and it really annoys the pig.
No, it's a crazy poultry type place. I really think I get BS answers from editors sometimes. I often wonder if there's much oversite of editors interpretations of instructions. It's not my place to question. I just make the changes and follow the instructions until? another exasperated editor informs me it's wrong and I need to do it her way.
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 07/26/2016 01:39AM by wwin.
@Robin2 wrote:
@wwin wrote:
MF time out for drive-through shops (according to one exasperated editor) is not when you finish the shop itself but should include the time after shop when you pull over observer and taste food. Maybe this is common knowledge to everyone but I was using the time I actually drove away from the establishment?.
This is confusing, and I'll watch for it. Must be their newer fast food contract?
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 07/26/2016 01:39AM by wwin.
For the roast beef place, the timing begins when your wheels stop at the pickup window. 
This particular assignment .....they don't want you to time getting to the speaker, ordering the food, waiting for cars ahead of you to get their food but just when you get to the window and time how long your sandwich takes.
This particular assignment .....they don't want you to time getting to the speaker, ordering the food, waiting for cars ahead of you to get their food but just when you get to the window and time how long your sandwich takes.
My favorite timing anomaly occurs with the chicken fast food shops with a drive thru. There are two timings - First, from the time you enter the line to when you finish paying; and Second, from when you finish paying to when you get your food. I have had, on several occasions, received my drink, when I get to the window and hand them my card. I then receive all of the food, along with the receipt. Therefore, timing one is the entire time, since I completed my payment (received my receipt) at the very end. Timing two is 0:00, since I essentially received my food the instant I completed the payment. The MSC's system automatically throws up a flag and asks how I received my food in less than 10 seconds, or whatever. I have to write a little note about receiving the receipt last, along with all of the food.
Also, there is the Chinese fast food that I don't do anymore because the rate dropped. Their clocks are never in sync with real time. I always have to explain why my receipt says I was there before I said I was or after I said I left.
Also, there is the Chinese fast food that I don't do anymore because the rate dropped. Their clocks are never in sync with real time. I always have to explain why my receipt says I was there before I said I was or after I said I left.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Could I have a receipt please?
Could I have a receipt please?
Well, I have to decide what to do one way or the other. I just feel that timing begins when I set food (foot! lol edited for corrections) on the property, and ends when I leave it. Will go along with the company policy, though.
Thanks for the discussion.
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 07/26/2016 06:21AM by Robin2.
Thanks for the discussion.
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 07/26/2016 06:21AM by Robin2.
I try to review my notes, get my timer ready, etc., in an adjacent parking lot so that I can drive onto the shop's parking lot ready to go.
Part-time Colorado Shopper since 2016.
@Jay C wrote:
@texthinker wrote:
Reminds me of a dining shop I did where I didn't know exactly what to put for time out. I had finished my meal paid, and was getting up to leave. As I took a step a relative of mine stopped in (by complete chance), so I stayed a bit longer to chat as they ate. My shop was done, I was at a different table (same server) and no longer talking to wait staff. So I was wondering if I put the time I initially tried to leave or try to explain why there's a 35 minute difference between the time on my uploaded receipt and the time I say I left.
You would put in the time you got up to leave after paying, because your shop was over. The extra time in the restaurant was spent chatting and was not part of the shop.
You should also explain what actually happened, either in the report if there is room or in a separate communication, in case they review a video and find that your exit time does not match your reported finish time.
@wwin wrote:
MF time out for drive-through shops (according to one exasperated editor) is not when you finish the shop itself but should include the time after shop when you pull over observer and taste food. Maybe this is common knowledge to everyone but I was using the time I actually drove away from the establishment?.
Sounds like a confused editor to me. What the client wants to know is the timings for your actual visit, not what you do after you leave.
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 07/30/2016 09:44AM by silver12.
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 07/30/2016 09:44AM by silver12.
Yup - have had the same situation with the same chain. I was asked what I used for my timing mechanism ( timing starts when I cross the threshold) and I was able to say I used the start time on my cell phone. I figure that's accurate. Power outages etc. can play havoc with the registers. BTW, the crazy chicken FF place has had the name of the street misspelled on the receipt for years. I always mention it when I have to key in the address, but it has never been fixed in the restaurant. That's OK. Now that the pay is $4, I don't bother with the chicken (or the FF Chinese) any more.@InPlainSight wrote:
Also, there is the Chinese fast food that I don't do anymore because the rate dropped. Their clocks are never in sync with real time. I always have to explain why my receipt says I was there before I said I was or after I said I left.
Shopping SoCal and Maui.
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