Do you mention panhandlers in report?
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More then likely not.
Though if it was one shop I do regularly where it makes you select from a bunch of feelings and then describe why afterwards, is a spot I would mention it with an applicable feeling. Other then that, I'll just bite my tongue on it.
Though if it was one shop I do regularly where it makes you select from a bunch of feelings and then describe why afterwards, is a spot I would mention it with an applicable feeling. Other then that, I'll just bite my tongue on it.
It depends. I would probably not report it. If the panhandler was allowed to come inside the location and panhandle inside the business, I would report it. I once shopped a McDonald's where one panhandler was allowed to come inside and walk from table to table and ask for money and a second was allowed to stand next to the drive-thru window and ask customers for money when they got their change and food. I reported that. If the business was in a stand-alone building and had its own parking lot, and the panhandler was allowed to loiter on the premises molesting customers, I would report it. If the business was on a public street with the panhandler on the sidewalk in front, I would NOT report it. If the store was in a mall or in a strip shopping center with a shared parking lot, I would not report it.
Generally, I feel it's not my call, and so I report everything. I let the editors decide what to pass on to the client.
I split the difference. I would not put it into the report; I would email the scheduler and indicate that she/he can make the call.
Based in MD, near DC
Shopping from the Carolinas to New York
Have video cam; will travel
Poor customer service? Don't get mad; get video.
Shopping from the Carolinas to New York
Have video cam; will travel
Poor customer service? Don't get mad; get video.
I agree with you, Mert. Choosing to omit events that took place during a shop negates our objectivity. It is up to the editors to decide how to handle the information presented to them.
I did a valet shop tonight. While I was waiting for the valet associate to arrive, I was harassed for two minutes by a guy asking me money for a bus ticket. I told him I didn't have cash. He asked if I would go to an ATM and come back. I didn't report the play by play of our conversation, but I definitely included that I was dealing with that while waiting to even SEE the valet associate.
He who laughs last thinks slowest.
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I always report it because it is something that can make customers feel uncomfortable and not shop at the business. It definitely can affect the client's bottom line which could, in turn, affect the client's abilty to pay for a mystery shopping program.
Panhandlers are a really big problem where I live. From the comments I read on local forums, I believe customers appreciate those businesses that take a hardline approach towards panhandlers and other solicitation.
Panhandlers are a really big problem where I live. From the comments I read on local forums, I believe customers appreciate those businesses that take a hardline approach towards panhandlers and other solicitation.
I did a steakhouse shops where a woman offered roses the second you walked in the first entry doors. She was then allowed to go table to table to sell them. This happened when I wasn't shopping but when I was, I was more than happy to include it in my report. She was there the next time I went, so either it got deleted, ignored, or management allowed it anyway. There was no way they didn't realize she was there.
I feel the same way you do; uncomfortable being approached for money whether they are selling something or not. I know others have no problem spreading the wealth and helping those who are down on their luck. Unfortunately, I personally know a girl from my childhood who openly admits to scamming her way through adulthood by panhandling and such. It makes it harder for me to "buy" what people are selling.
I feel the same way you do; uncomfortable being approached for money whether they are selling something or not. I know others have no problem spreading the wealth and helping those who are down on their luck. Unfortunately, I personally know a girl from my childhood who openly admits to scamming her way through adulthood by panhandling and such. It makes it harder for me to "buy" what people are selling.
Doing what I can to enhance the life of my family! I LOVE what I do 
@ShopSouthTexas wrote:
I did a steakhouse shops where a woman offered roses the second you walked in the first entry doors. She was then allowed to go table to table to sell them. This happened when I wasn't shopping but when I was, I was more than happy to include it in my report. She was there the next time I went, so either it got deleted, ignored, or management allowed it anyway. There was no way they didn't realize she was there.
I hate being approached, too. But, in this case, was the woman a pandhandler or was she employed by the restaurant? I've been to several places, usually steak houses or places where they are shooting for "fancy," where they have someone stationed at the door and walking through the restaurant selling flowers, and they were actualy employed by the restaurant. Others have someone who walks around and offers to take your photo for money and they were employed by the restaurant. My Dad told me it used to be a big deal in expensive restaurants and nighclubs to have someone walking around selling cigarettes. Maybe this was a money-making venture of the restaurant rather than a panhandler? I wouldn't have liked it either, though.
Allowing people to offer roses by going from table to table is common here and many consider it a charming addition to a date night. I have been the recipient of a single rose purchased from such a vendor in a romantic restaurant and was, indeed, charmed!
Based in MD, near DC
Shopping from the Carolinas to New York
Have video cam; will travel
Poor customer service? Don't get mad; get video.
Shopping from the Carolinas to New York
Have video cam; will travel
Poor customer service? Don't get mad; get video.
It was not someone from the establishment. I've seen those at nightclubs too. This was at Texas Roadhouse and she was dressed in many layers. I used to live close to the border and she only spoke Spanish. I think she was selling to earn money, which is better than panhandling but still odd at a Texas Roadhouse. That being said, they allowed a Girl Scout to wheel her cart around selling cookies as well table to table. I think the manager is just really laxed on his rules.
Doing what I can to enhance the life of my family! I LOVE what I do
In some cities they have rules for panhandlers on public streets. A few years ago in my city they were allowed to stand right next to , but not in front of the doorways. I think since then they have tightened the rules a bit but during that time the shop owners could not ask them to move.
Your encounter with the polite panhandler was very civil and his behavior was not disruptive to the flow of your shop at all. It sounds like you have interjected your bias towards homeless people/panhandlers into your report. I would not have mentioned it all. In fact, I would have offered to buy or give him my food from the shop just like I do on the pizza shops.@siamese5555 wrote:
Today I did a shop where there was a panhandler asking for money right outside the door. He even opened the door for me as he asked for change. I made a comment about the situation in the section about the exterior but I was not sure if I should. If I was not on a shop, I would have reported the panhandler to the employees. They make me very uncomfortable and this person looked a little scary. I did not say anything this time since I didn't want to draw attention to myself but I have seen employees at this location chase away panhandlers before. Do you report them during a shop?
Now if the panhandler was belligerent or aggressive during your shop which affected your timings or the customer service by the staff, I would mention it in the report. If a staff member took it upon themselves to handle a disruptive customer or panhandler in a productive and professional manner, I would have mentioned it in the comments section as a kudos to the employee.
You said, "They make me very uncomfortable and this person looked a little scary." How do you handle people with shaved heads or purple hair, tattoos and/or lots of piercings?
I disagree. Events happen all the time during shops. If the event does not have a direct affect on the performance of a shop, I do not mention it in the report. Some shoppers write way too much in their commentaries; It is a pet peeve of many editors.@Opanel wrote:
I agree with you, Mert. Choosing to omit events that took place during a shop negates our objectivity. It is up to the editors to decide how to handle the information presented to them.
If you are doing a FF shop and the first half is at the drive-thru and the car in front of you taps the car in front of them causing a minor fender bender, yes I would mention that in the report because it will affect timings and possibly the temperature of your food. In fact, I would contact the scheduler ahead of time before writing the report.
If you are doing a FF shop and the second half is inside and a child is throwing a temper tantrum in front of his/her mother because he/she did not get the free toy that they wanted, I would not mention that in the report at all. It does not affect, your timings or the taste of the food.
I agree 100%. This encounter needed to be mentioned in the report because it could have been a major distraction in performing the shop in the correct manner. The valet could have returned with your vehicle but you might have not recorded the exact time because of harassing guy asking for money.@MelNel525 wrote:
I did a valet shop tonight. While I was waiting for the valet associate to arrive, I was harassed for two minutes by a guy asking me money for a bus ticket. I told him I didn't have cash. He asked if I would go to an ATM and come back. I didn't report the play by play of our conversation, but I definitely included that I was dealing with that while waiting to even SEE the valet associate.
If the panhandler is right outside the door it's close enough to be considered company property, and I would put it in my report. If it's happening in a parking lot that's shared by a group of stores, no.
There was one gas station shop that did ask if there were people panhandling or loitering on the premises. This was one of the "nicer" gas stations and I never observed any panhandlers. OTOH, a different station always has panhandlers who would follow me when I was taking outside pictures. Does not bother me much but it can get a little uncomfortable. I don't think I have ever put it into a report.
The gas station shops in my less-than-desirable areas have characters who usually run when they see my camera and safety vest. Occasionally I will get the drunk guy who offers to drop his pants for a "special photo." I just say that I don't have a telephoto lens with me. It usually goes over their heads. Pun intended.@teriraia wrote:
OTOH, a different station always has panhandlers who would follow me when I was taking outside pictures. Does not bother me much but it can get a little uncomfortable. I don't think I have ever put it into a report.
I would not mention it if the report only wants objective information. I did a FF report where they wanted a summation of my feelings and opinions. I did report the guy who came in to the restaurant, dug in the trash can for a cup and helped himself to a free soda. He then dug around some more and fished out some leftover fries and burgers. I was wondering why I had bought my meal.
@Cocogirl wrote:
I would not mention it if the report only wants objective information. I did a FF report where they wanted a summation of my feelings and opinions. I did report the guy who came in to the restaurant, dug in the trash can for a cup and helped himself to a free soda. He then dug around some more and fished out some leftover fries and burgers. I was wondering why I had bought my meal.
Just for clarity, I mentioned the panhandler was at the entrance and opened the door for me as he asked for money. I did not include any subjective comment about how I felt about the situation. Also, the building is surrounded by a parking lot belonging to the business so the panhandler was clearly on the private property of the business.
I vaguely remember questions about "panhandlers". At one location, there was a person on or at the edge of a property who said nothing but held up a sign asking for something. At another location, persons walked on the property and said something but did not say anything that a "panhandler" would say. I do not remember what I said in the reports. I now know that where people are, what they say, and what they do are important in describing the situations.
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 01/12/2017 05:40PM by Shop-et-al.
Nature does not hurry, yet everything is accomplished. - Lao-Tzu
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 01/12/2017 05:40PM by Shop-et-al.
@Sybil2 wrote:
I disagree. Events happen all the time during shops. If the event does not have a direct affect on the performance of a shop, I do not mention it in the report. Some shoppers write way too much in their commentaries; It is a pet peeve of many editors.@Opanel wrote:
I agree with you, Mert. Choosing to omit events that took place during a shop negates our objectivity. It is up to the editors to decide how to handle the information presented to them.
If you are doing a FF shop and the first half is at the drive-thru and the car in front of you taps the car in front of them causing a minor fender bender, yes I would mention that in the report because it will affect timings and possibly the temperature of your food. In fact, I would contact the scheduler ahead of time before writing the report.
If you are doing a FF shop and the second half is inside and a child is throwing a temper tantrum in front of his/her mother because he/she did not get the free toy that they wanted, I would not mention that in the report at all. It does not affect, your timings or the taste of the food.
With the child throwing as tantrum, if they were being loud and it went on for a long time, I'd expect a manager to ask the parent and child to leave. Part of being a manager us ensuring all guests enjoy their stay.
When doing g fast food shops in NY I always report panhandlers who are directly outside the location or even enter it. I think it's the managers job to prevent them from bitherjvg guests and deal with Ben quickly if they do.
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 01/12/2017 10:59PM by Misanthrope.
A few weeks ago I had a panhandler ask me for money as I was checking out during a shop at a gas station. He was very close to me and making me uncomfortable so I walked out and forgot to ask for my receipt. I mentioned it in the report because I forgot my receipt.
Salvation Army has it's people in front of many establishments here, and when I go to .99 store (not a shop),there is always a panhandler, saying God Bless you, have you something. I never have cash, smile and scurry away. The store can't do anything about this, but is it uncomfortable, yes. There is also a stop on the freeway, while waiting for the light to change, there is a panhandler with a sign, three kids, no food...
it's their right to stand in the street. Wonder if they make much?
it's their right to stand in the street. Wonder if they make much?
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