TS apparently does grocery store shops with several different chains, because I've read of several different requirements from different shoppers. The grocery stores I do for Trendsource pay $5 with $9 reimbursement. I have to visit Meat or Seaford, Deli, Produce or Floral, and Bakery for my 4 outlying depts, and ask a question. If no one is in the dept within 2 minutes, I move on, and return later to see if someone is there. If no one is there within another 2 minutes, I move on and report it so. Then in the Center/Freezer/Dairy section, I'm supposed to find up to 2 associates to ask where an item is, to see if I am walked to that item. Many, many, MANY times, I've only been able to fine ONE associate, and have reported that. I've NEVER had any issue with reporting if a certain dept has not had an associate...there is a way to report that on the form. And with those areas I've mentioned above, if the associate is wearing a nametag, that's ALL the info I have to provide...no description...UNLESS the nametag is not being worn, then yes, I have to provide a description.
For the checkout/bagger areas, for some reason, Trendsource wants BOTH the name AND descriptions of each of those associates. But again, if there is no bagger, or if the bagger leaves your lane and goes to another, that's not an issue in reporting. Checking the bathroom is no big deal, since it's usually a pit stop I have to make...(I drink lots of water!), so that's easy, as is reporting on the condition of the shopping carts.
Because I frequent this particular chain anyway, I like to walk around and see what I can find, so a typical shop takes me about 25 min in-store, and the report takes me about 10-12 min. To me, it's worth it, because as many others have said, I go grocery shopping there anyway...why not get something out of it that works for me?