I do a lot of gas station audits and have got them down to about 17 minutes on site, then maybe 15-20 minutes at home to fill out the information and upload photos. First, I've made my own one page form that has room for three shops, saving me paper. The company's form is several pages and the print is tiny. Their form is horrible. I don't print their last page at all, the chart to fill in for each pump. For that I refer to the photos when I get home. This cuts the time at the store considerably. I don't know why anyone would mark these while on site, however I sometimes make notes if there's something you might not see in the photo. My photos always go in order with bathroom first, then when I get back to my car and before the reveal I take photos of the receipts. This way I don't have to worry about losing them. Then I take the photo of the employee, then all of the pumps, MID, and any infractions. I complete my shop, get in my car and put the next shop into my GPS. Then I drive across the street and take the last overall photo. When I get home I use a bulk photo resizing site to resize all of my photos in just a couple minutes. And that's it. This could be done with just about any gas station audit that you know well. Also, I never print the first page of the packet with the code on it. For that I just go to print preview and I can see the code and make a note of it, saving paper and ink.

Wow. I could have written this post myself, almost. I do the exact same, except I'm too lazy to photograph the receipts, which I probably should be doing. Also, I take the overall photo from the corner and not from across the street. But other than that, I follow the same order (except I carry the LOA in my pocket during the purchase and then do the reveal immediately afterward.) I also make my own one page forms with room for three shops, although I write mine out by hand. And it takes me about 17 minutes per station. I budget 20 minutes, 25 minutes for the yellow ones, and almost always stay on schedule. Some take longer, some take less. I read posts of people spending 45 minutes or an hour on these shops. There really is no reason once you get the hang of it, unless you are using the app.

That's weird. I wrote this because I know I that in the beginning it was taking me a lot longer and it might help someone. But it just goes to show that it works and makes sense to do it this way. It took me about 10 minutes to type up a form. I did a new one recently when they updated. And it takes me 17 minutes too!! If there's a hiccup, maybe 20 or 21. We're pros! Lol

I always capture a picture of my receipt after every shop for 3 reasons.
1) Shop end time
2) Marks the end of each shops photos.
3) Need a photo of the receipt.

4. Eliminates the risk of losing the receipt before you get a photo of it.

I also do alot of gas station audits. The ones I do for MaritzCX I do straight on their website as I am doing the audit either using my phone or my tablet. I love how their reports are a continuous flow unlike some other MSCs. That way when I get home 90% of the report is done and I only have to upload the photos and check my responses. It might take me a little longer at the site but not by much, usually 30 mins unless the site is especially busy and I have to wait for customers to get out of the way.

In my opinion the best way to avoid customer interference. (these usually take 20-25 mins for me, or less if there's only 4 pumps):
Upon completing all elements of the mystery portion....

Take pictures of all pumps without customers.... don't evaluate (yet).... go to car and put on safety vest... bound to have one or two customers that have since left.... take those pump photos.... make note of what pumps you still need.... begin evaluating for infractions while keeping an eye on those pumps you need. Pounce on those pumps when able. Complete evaluation, if not done yet. Like the OP and others, I don't use the DCF and use my pictures to fill out what the pumps have and don't have.

Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 02/07/2017 10:43PM by tcurione.

I've also learned to not let a customer tell that you are waiting for them to leave the pump. Some people will deliberately be a douche if they think you are. Grab the exterior, or step inside the store briefly. This can work wonders if you think someone is deliberately being in your way.

Great minds! I do my gas station audits in this exact order, and I do alot!

@50pink wrote:

I don't print their last page at all, the chart to fill in for each pump. For that I refer to the photos when I get home. This cuts the time at the store considerably. I don't know why anyone would mark these while on site, however I sometimes make notes if there's something you might not see in the photo.

Because it takes less time for me to check off elements on the pump chart I have created while I am in front of the pump than sitting at the computer looking at each photo when I get home.

Each of us must work the way that is most efficient for us. I admire the fact that you have gotten your time onsite reduced. My pump chart serves me well.

For the gas stations that do not require photos, I created a spreadsheet. The First Column is all of the questions in order that are on the questionnaire in abbreviated form. All the rest of the columns are for the answers per station you can get 10 stations on one paper.

@christinereed wrote:

Because it takes less time for me to check off elements on the pump chart I have created while I am in front of the pump than sitting at the computer looking at each photo when I get home.

I do the same thing. I'd rather spend a little more time on site and do all of my observations rather than miss something important. I have never had to make a return trip to a gas station for a mistake. I have had to return due to extreme weather issues or a crime scene investigation in process.

How do you skip a question without loading the photo? I'm new to using the app. I thought it would be easier but I found myself running back and forth.

@tcurione wrote:

In my opinion the best way to avoid customer interference. (these usually take 20-25 mins for me, or less if there's only 4 pumps):
Upon completing all elements of the mystery portion....

Take pictures of all pumps without customers.... don't evaluate (yet).... go to car and put on safety vest... bound to have one or two customers that have since left.... take those pump photos.... make note of what pumps you still need.... begin evaluating for infractions while keeping an eye on those pumps you need. Pounce on those pumps when able. Complete evaluation, if not done yet. Like the OP and others, I don't use the DCF and use my pictures to fill out what the pumps have and don't have.

I have yet to do a gas station mystery shop or audit...Where do you get the safety vest?

Have to buy your own. Home Depot, Lowes, hardware store, Harbor Freight Tools. Only some clients require the vest.

Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 02/17/2017 01:35AM by sestrahelena.

How do you upload the photos using the app? I only have the option of taking the picture onsite. I usually take a few more with a back of camera but have no idea how to get them on there,
Now I can get back home and use the other pics but then it takes forever.

I have not done many since the resize s tedious. What site do you use for bulk photo resizing

Has anyone have an answer to CABZmom's inquiry about photo resizing? I know there has to be a lot of you doing this. Can you provide some software suggestions? And did you pay for membership? Thank you