So, I was finally outed at one of my favorite stores to shop. I'm unsure how I was outed, but I imagine it has something to do with the ridiculous questions we are told to ask each week and probably some camera reviews of times. Plus, if the other shopper asks the question the week before and I ask it again in three or four days, I bet it sends up red flags.

I knew something was up on my last trip when I went in because associates would not leave me alone. I even had a pharmacist trying to get all up in my business while I was looking at tampons so the gig was definitely up. I was so annoyed when I left that when the pharmacist walked up to help me after I told her no thanks, I wanted to scream at her. She asked what I needed help (after I said no twice) with and I felt like saying PRIVACY. I counted 28 associates at the store where I usually count 6-10. 24 of the 28 spoke to me... see where this is going? My report was sent back with questions about the four associates who didn't speak or see me. They wanted to know if I walked within 7 feet, if the associates may have spoke or nodded and I missed it, or what the associates were engaged with.

I received a message from my scheduler telling me he couldn't use me at this location any longer because he received word I was outed. Up until this weekend, I've never had an issue or anyone seem on to the gig. In fact, often, the store didn't do too terribly awesome on their shops. How do the schedulers know we are outed, though? Do managers tell the company when they spot the shopper? Or perhaps higher management wanted someone to know so they could get new shoppers the store wouldn't recognize. Anyway... dang it.

Ah, bummer. But then again, perhaps I'll just keep on shopping there and fly with the extra special treatment. Sundays shopping trip was painful. I couldn't breathe without an associate by my side so I'm guessing they reviewed cameras and finally spotted me. Aargh. As a regular shopper, I'm normal, but once I'm spotted, it's hard to miss me. I have hair that is about three feet long and I'm taller, 5'7"-5'8" ish.

Just wanted to share my experience of being "caught" this weekend.

What type of shop was this? CVS? Are you in a small town? vig city? When I go to chiptole or the grocery store, most remember me. They know my order at Chiptole and the thai place near me.

Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 02/15/2017 12:35AM by eyelove2shop.

I'm in a tiny town. My little town has about a thousand people, and the one nearby where I do my grocery shopping has 6k people. It's still not a large town by any means. Several of the grocery people know me by name and are used to me shopping there as I've lived in this area for over a decade now. It just sucked that after three years of mystery shopping this location, I was finally outed Bummer. There are other stores and shops, but I liked this one. I think someone cheated to see who I was or the questions gave me away.

I would have thought that spotted shoppers might actually be kept a secret and the staff would just treat you EXTRA nice (getting them good reviews)!

It's good to know they're honest folks!

But that stinks you can't do a shop you like.

Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 02/15/2017 01:24AM by shoptastic.

Haha. Yep, but I'm kind of bummed and curious who finally put it together haha. I have shopped here for at least 10 years.

@clinen11 wrote:

Haha. Yep, but I'm kind of bummed and curious who finally put it together haha. I have shopped here for at least 10 years.

Actually, maybe someone would want to have you not shop them anymore if they ever got a bad review. lol. I would hope not and that they were just being honest to let the ms company know. But ya never know.

Don't feel too bad. I'm sure it happens to everyone at some point if you shop long enough.

Did you behave in weird ways that made it suspicious? I guess those questions, right?

I have a shop I do right now that has a weird ordering requirement (food shop) and I'm worried I'll be outed at some point because most people wouldn't order this - let alone order it a lot. We'll have to see, but I'm going to enjoy it while I can!

Edited 2 time(s). Last edit at 02/15/2017 01:32AM by shoptastic.

It just so happened I think I was outed today at a restaurant/cafe. When people are outed do they get usually get shut out of just that location or all locations for that client?
I am in a large city and apparently there is a new regulation that a restaurant has to give me an ingredient list upon request so new shop requirements include asking for the list. Clearly asking for the ingredient card was a total flag that I was a shopper. I have always had very good service there but today it was above and beyond including a free cookie. Fingers crossed that they don't review the tapes for this shop to see the multiple visits to my table.

Sarah, I was told that I just wouldn't be able to be used for that particular location any longer. I think all my other locations are safe. Just this one. I don't think I did any peculiar other than asking the weird questions. They sound off the wall to begin with, no matter how you phrase them. I always try to ask the most normal one... ah well. I did two more shops today and have four scheduled for tomorrow for the same client at different locations so I guess I'll just consider this one loss a lesson learned and try to be more blasé
at the rest.

That stinks!! Sorry to hear it.... ☹️

I was outed recently at one location of a chain of stores. While it stinks, I am still able to do the other locations for the same client, just not the one. My scheduler said they will reconsider after a "cooling off" period of maybe 3-6 months. So, I may get this location back again in the future. Fortunately, another nearby store just had their grand opening so I stayed the same net locations.

When one door closes, another one opens...

I was outed from MarketForce but I'm doing the EXACT same location two more times and feel really weird about it. At least the first is a drive thru. But I'm not sure if I should give a fake name for my order inside or what to do exactly. Use cash? It's so weird that they didn't cancel my upcoming shops at this location, right??



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 02/15/2017 03:27AM by ShopSouthTexas.

I was once told that the client requested that I not shop that location for 3 months...I dont think I was outed...geographically in that location I was the only one doing the shops month after month.

I'm sure a number of us are very well "known" are "outed" as you state, b/c sometimes the questions they have us ask or the scenarios are quite a give away. They really need to think about that when they design the shops.

@taraklunkler wrote:

I'm sure a number of us are very well "known" are "outed" as you state, b/c sometimes the questions they have us ask or the scenarios are quite a give away. They really need to think about that when they design the shops.

When there are weird questions like that, do you guys email the company with suggestions and to voice your concerns? I bet they'd want to know too, because if you get outed and they don't have a regular and willing replacement(s), then they would lose out as well.

I think it's a win-win when they design shops that don't out you. I wonder how open to shopper feedback ms companies are?

shoptastic - I have emailed a couple of companies...to no avail. I've told them that purchase/return shops look kind of obvious, and when I used to do a fast food, they wanted me to dine in and go through drive thru the same shop? and order a specific item on both? um...that's a dead giveaway, but I suppose they are trying to maximize their dollars per shop.

Sarahshopper,
It depends on the client as to how many locations the outed shopper might find off limits permanently. When you think about how often bank employees, for instance, "float" among locations to cover vacations or when others are on sick leave, you will see why more than one location may well be involved. Even hotel valet parking staff may float among the locations owned by one franchisee, even though one hotel may be a Hyatt and the other, across the street may be another brand. If both garages are managed by the same parking management company the employees may rotate through different locations.

I had this happen with my H&R shops. I met the same manager at three stores but she knew it was revealed and just an audit so no biggie. She was familiar with me and a hoot to work with. I am just a bit bummed about losing out on $60 in food each month and $30-$60 in fees Ah well. BULLOCKS!

I found out yesterday, I was busted at 2 locations. Woe is me. The 2 were part of a monthly trip I used to get fresh seafood and fresh, cheap Rio Grande Valley produce..

I knew it was going to happen eventually and surprised it didn't happen sooner.

The news is a blessing in disguise. I need to get things up and running at my home. New neighbors are starting a vineyard across the street. Their game plan is to have customers come in for tasting and I believe bed and breakfast. If my garden and flock are up and running I could make money without ever leaving my driveway on the weekends.

I'm fairly certain this place either recognized me because of the goofy questions, had a person sign up to view shop dates, or just flat out reviewed camera footage. I'm leaning more towards cameras tho and probably easy to have associate point out the girl who asked the weird questions. I've done this store so many times I know all their names and I've lived here almost 11 years now so I knew a lot of names before hand. Any shop notes I'm stressed over, I send to a text message and I have an abbreviation method that only I would understand.

I've answered notes on this report 6 times at this point. I'm guessing they watched cameras but I am not budging on my report. I did what it said to do as always. We walk through first for attentiveness, AND THEN we go back to questions. I don't change attentive answers either. If they ignored me the first time, I don't change it for the second trip through and this store is fighting hard on it 0_o I guess they've been getting bad reports but c'mon. 24 out of 28 people engaged me. Why argue over the 4 who were too busy in their own worlds to care? Usually when you're within 7 feet -- and sometimes I get even closer if it's not too weird-- people will say hi or ask how ya are. Especially in the south!

I have been busted at two locations in 10 years, one was a bank branch the other was a store at the airport. The employees have moved on and I have returned to both shops with no problems. I waited about 6 months that's all. I never knew why, both reports were good.

Ive onky had one shop so far since i started in june last year where the guy outright just asked me if i was mystery shopping. I said no and unloaded on him about the customer service he was providing and if this was how it was going to go im going to take my business elsewhere. It was a phone shop.

Same thing happened to me recently. I agree it does suck but one way to look at it is it opens up the possibility for a future recurring shop at better pay.

Sorry if this sounds like a strange question but I frequently complete shops at a fast food place and a grocery store. There seems to be no issue regarding rotation so I might be at either place twice a month. Does anyone ever try to make themselves look a little different with subsequent visits to the same place? For example, wear a hat or put hair in a ponytail? Just curious.

@queenie1 wrote:

Sorry if this sounds like a strange question but I frequently complete shops at a fast food place and a grocery store. There seems to be no issue regarding rotation so I might be at either place twice a month. Does anyone ever try to make themselves look a little different with subsequent visits to the same place? For example, wear a hat or put hair in a ponytail? Just curious.

Occasionally I will do this. I'll sometimes dress way down and other times dress up. I have snakebite lip piercings and my ears are pierced ten times on each side and if I'm feeling froggy, I'll put those in at the grocery store. Usually not the type of mystery shopper folks expect. My hair is also about 3 feet long. I sometimes wear it down, others in a braid, and at other times still in a bun. I put my glasses on occasionally and other times I don't. It depends on my mood, but the times I try to change it up most are at bank shops.

Thanks, Clinen. I think I will try the dress down/dress up idea in the future as well as keeping my reading glasses on part of the time.