Can someone please explain the differences between various gas station shops. I see there are mystery shops, ms with reveal, and audit. What are the main components of each? What are the pros and cons of each?

The differences are ------->buy gas, use a credit card for payment, and get the receipt, make a in-store purchase and get another receipt, use to restroom and take pictures, listen for "keywords" for the reward program, listen for closing remarks, go to your car, move it away from the gas pumps, get your LOA (letter of authorization) go back into the store, present your LOA. At this point I take a picture of the employee and tell him I will be outside taking pictures of all the fuel pumps, main id along with non complainant issues. .

Other differences may include----->just getting gas, a credit card receipt, an in-store receipt, taking pictures of the fuel pump used, non complainant issues, all without letting the retail know what you are doing there, until the end and only if asked.

Some gas stations shops only want pictures from across the street. I find GSshops are harmlesss. But if I came across a problem I would reconsider. Someone else may have a different approach. Reading different posters on the board, some shoppers do 20-40 or more shops a day. To each his own.

The pros and cons--------> is a Cettie adventure and a shop going on without a problem.

Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 03/05/2017 03:59PM by sojo917.

I have done gas station shops for several different companies, different brands, and different types of shops. NONE have been the same. Even shops for the same brand but with a different company are different. Sooo, really, nothing we can tell you will apply to EVERY gas shop whether its a mystery shop, mystery with reveal, or audit.

Generally speaking, though, a mystery shop usually involves an evaluation of the public restroom (if available), cleanliness and stock levels of the convenience store (if available), friendliness and appearance (description of employee and clothing) of the employee (if an attended station) and possibly the EXACT greeting and closing given by the employee, and an evaluation of the exterior amenities/services (again, if available) which typically include whether towels, squeegees, and fluid are available, content of pump toppers, if pay at the pump is available, condition of curbs and bollards, are prices lit on the ID sign, etc. Some locations require a receipt, some do not. Some locations require a gas purchase, some do not. Some locations reimburse for purchases (up to a set amount), some do not. And pictures of the restroom, pump, price sign (including hi-rise and off property signage for the location), building, canopy, curb appeal, and anything amiss or not compliant, or any combination of the above. Pictures of the interior of the convenience store are not required, except for the restroom. All done without calling attention to yourself or letting the gas station attendant see you taking the pic, of course.

A mystery shop with reveal typically involves all of the above evaluations, but not necessarily the exterior pics, before going back inside to present the LOA (letter of authorization) and getting permission to take additional photos. These photos MAY include pictures of the interior stock levels, dirty areas, and/or employees and more detailed pics of the exterior. Since the employee now knows you're taking pics, you don't have to be "sneaky" about getting the pics, but you do have to be careful of traffic on the lot.

I've only done an audit twice, so I'm not going to be able to give much advice on this. On the ones I did, they were more like mystery shops with reveal in that I did the mystery shop portion first, then revealed before taking more pics. I was looking to see if the location had the correct color curbs, bollards, canopy poles, ID sign poles, what POP was in the pump toppers, how the ID signage was configured, if the canopy graphics were in the proper place and the right color, etc. I think some audits involve checking stock levels inside the convenience store and possibly checking temperatures on the heated food, etc. I've not done any of those shops.

@Bec2117 wrote:

I have done gas station shops for several different companies, different brands, and different types of shops. NONE have been the same. Even shops for the same brand but with a different company are different. Sooo, really, nothing we can tell you will apply to EVERY gas shop whether its a mystery shop, mystery with reveal, or audit.

Generally speaking, though, a mystery shop usually involves an evaluation of the public restroom (if available), cleanliness and stock levels of the convenience store (if available), friendliness and appearance (description of employee and clothing) of the employee (if an attended station) and possibly the EXACT greeting and closing given by the employee, and an evaluation of the exterior amenities/services (again, if available) which typically include whether towels, squeegees, and fluid are available, content of pump toppers, if pay at the pump is available, condition of curbs and bollards, are prices lit on the ID sign, etc. Some locations require a receipt, some do not. Some locations require a gas purchase, some do not. Some locations reimburse for purchases (up to a set amount), some do not. And pictures of the restroom, pump, price sign (including hi-rise and off property signage for the location), building, canopy, curb appeal, and anything amiss or not compliant, or any combination of the above. Pictures of the interior of the convenience store are not required, except for the restroom. All done without calling attention to yourself or letting the gas station attendant see you taking the pic, of course.

A mystery shop with reveal typically involves all of the above evaluations, but not necessarily the exterior pics, before going back inside to present the LOA (letter of authorization) and getting permission to take additional photos. These photos MAY include pictures of the interior stock levels, dirty areas, and/or employees and more detailed pics of the exterior. Since the employee now knows you're taking pics, you don't have to be "sneaky" about getting the pics, but you do have to be careful of traffic on the lot.

I've only done an audit twice, so I'm not going to be able to give much advice on this. On the ones I did, they were more like mystery shops with reveal in that I did the mystery shop portion first, then revealed before taking more pics. I was looking to see if the location had the correct color curbs, bollards, canopy poles, ID sign poles, what POP was in the pump toppers, how the ID signage was configured, if the canopy graphics were in the proper place and the right color, etc. I think some audits involve checking stock levels inside the convenience store and possibly checking temperatures on the heated food, etc. I've not done any of those shops.

Thank you for your help!

Be forewarned...some of the gas station restrooms are totally gross. No only are some restrooms 50 years old, but they are in the creepy stockroom and not out in the open. I did gas station shops for awhile, but it got to be too gross for too little pay. Plus, on two occasions a man came out to my car and demanded to know why I was on his property taking pictures even after I had handed each man the (LOA) letter.

While too much information is a detriment. Other info can be helpful. But you truly won't know what information is required of you, until you assign the shop and are given the guidelines. Best of all, one Shoppers Trash is another Shoppers Treasure.

Make sure you also have a safety vest, whether the shop requires it or not. They can be purchase at an Odd-Lot,Walmart, HomeDepot, Loews, or an official Public employees store. Price range can start at $1 and up.