Waiting for the cashier...
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I don't do those shops, but in other situation, yes. These shops are often used to train employees and the company wants to know if the employee is completely oblivious to what needs to be done or simply needs more practice with the pacing . It is his/her job t lead you through the transaction. I have exactly this happen in apartments. I have had many "long awkward pauses" as I am waiting for the leasing agent ask me (over the phone) if I want to come for a tour and (while sitting at the leasing agent's desk) if I want to put down a deposit and start the application process. I simply wait until the leasing agent speaks.... The cashier at the burger joint should know that, if you are staring at the menu, you want something else. If you are taking a long time, you clearly need help. If you haven't ordered a drink, you just might need one.....
Hard work builds character and homework is good for your soul.
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In a retail situation recently, an associate said hello, then just raised her eyebrows to prompt me for my question. She didnt use any words. I waited a few seconds for her to speak, but she just raised her eyebrows higher and tilted her head. I went ahead and asked my question. She hit all the right marks after that, but it was a very informal way to initiate a conversation.
And some greetings amount to, "Yes?" With or without raised eyebrows. That is why the clients need us.
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.
Yes, it can be awkward, but I just look at the menu and at the cashier for at least 3 seconds upto 5 seconds or so and then if they haven't offered an item, I continue with the ordering. I write it up as I gave the cashier a chance to do their thing and then proceeded with the shop. To me 3-5 seconds is enough time not to be too awkward.
I don't find it awkward at all... I get to the register, say I want such and such and wait a few seconds to see if she makes it a combo. If she does not and we are required to make it a combo, I say to make it a combo. If they do not offer one and we can't prompt them to ask, then I just order what is required. Of course your shop might have been different than my ordering requirements....
What I find awkward (sometimes) is asking those obvious supermarket questions. I always wonder if they think I am a shopper with those questions we must ask.
What I find awkward (sometimes) is asking those obvious supermarket questions. I always wonder if they think I am a shopper with those questions we must ask.
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Liked by: LeslieKay111, mcav0y
Yes, I've had plenty of these where there are awkward silences where I wonder if I'm the one looking stupid. I always try to "help" the person out but when I went to a fast food shop last week and I was not asked by three different people for any of the add-ons I sat there without a complete meal or a drink. lol! I was looking forward to trying the items I was "suppose" to get but was not offered. I was a bit bummed because I drove out of my way just to try this place and did not use but half of the reimbursement offered.
I often fear that I've said too much and if it may get rejected. On those that you MUST buy an item or find out some information I'll wait 20-30 seconds, sometimes. The employees just stand there and don't say anything. I've wondered when I put in my report that I asked a question and they said nothing if they really believe that "Yes, that does really happen!" especially with the supermarket shops.
Some of the questions feel so obvious to me but no one there has asked if I am a shopper yet. I've asked how does the mPerks work and my reward bonus pops up. haha. Obviously, I shop there a lot to have a reward to redeem but I'm asking how does it work?!
I often fear that I've said too much and if it may get rejected. On those that you MUST buy an item or find out some information I'll wait 20-30 seconds, sometimes. The employees just stand there and don't say anything. I've wondered when I put in my report that I asked a question and they said nothing if they really believe that "Yes, that does really happen!" especially with the supermarket shops.
Some of the questions feel so obvious to me but no one there has asked if I am a shopper yet. I've asked how does the mPerks work and my reward bonus pops up. haha. Obviously, I shop there a lot to have a reward to redeem but I'm asking how does it work?!
Sometimes I will detail in the report that I waited to be upsold or offered whatever they were supposed to offer, and after a long uncomfortable silence of at least 10 seconds (I'm counting under my breath) was still not offered a combo or whatever. I make sure to be very, very, detailed and specific about this particular thing. I have yet to have a shop rejected. If the cashier used facial or body language as Chris Cooper mentioned, i would detail that as well.
This gas station pavement is $%^@*#& hot.
If they announce the total without any add-on offers, I move on to the next step. I've never had one just stare at me without saying, "Anything else?" or telling me the total.
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I was addicted to the Hokey Pokey, but I turned myself around....What if the Hokey Pokey really is what it's all about?
I was addicted to the Hokey Pokey, but I turned myself around....What if the Hokey Pokey really is what it's all about?
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Leslie - one of the msc says if you pause and are not offered the rest of the required meal, then you can go ahead and order the rest of the meal. At least this way, i get the whole meal !
Yes, every situation is different. Initially I would wait 10 seconds maximum before getting things moving along. I was tempted yesterday to see just how "patient" the cashier was willing to be. Again, my main concern is with guidelines and reports that require us to wait for the order to be totaled if not asked.
Being a mystery shopper has helped me be a little more patient.
I sympathize with the situation where we can not add items if they are not offered. I contemplate, do I really want to apply for this shop if I may not be able to include sides or a drink. I appreciate the ones that could care less what we add on, especially if the maximum reimbursement encourages splurging a little.
Being a mystery shopper has helped me be a little more patient.
I sympathize with the situation where we can not add items if they are not offered. I contemplate, do I really want to apply for this shop if I may not be able to include sides or a drink. I appreciate the ones that could care less what we add on, especially if the maximum reimbursement encourages splurging a little.
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@isaiah58 wrote:
...Being a mystery shopper has helped me be a little more patient..
Ditto. When sales associates would ask an inane question as soon as you walk in the door, "How do you like all that rain/heat/snow?" I would give a monosyllabic response. Now I realize they are required to say such things, so my responses have become friendlier. MSing has been a positive learning experience for me.
@7star wrote:
Leslie - one of the msc says if you pause and are not offered the rest of the required meal, then you can go ahead and order the rest of the meal. At least this way, i get the whole meal !
Thanks! Unfortunately, this one said you had to be asked specifically. I may try it again as I thought the food was good.
I have to say I have never had a cashier NOT ask if i wanted a combo and a drink.....guess they're well trained here, you always have to wait until they upsell, and they do.....
Skills can be taught, Character your born with....
Anthony Bourdain
Anthony Bourdain
Most of the cashiers have asked me if I wanted to get the required sides. There was one, a manager nonetheless, who didn't ask me. He just stood there with me for awhile until I added the missing items.
@7star wrote:
Most of the cashiers have asked me if I wanted to get the required sides. There was one, a manager nonetheless, who didn't ask me. He just stood there with me for awhile until I added the missing items.
Like 7star, I find the managers are the ones who miss all the points when they take their turn at the register. And like Irene, also in L.A., I never have to wait long for the cashier to either offer more or start to ring me up. But then I do not study the menu while I am waiting. I act like I am done. I have only done shops where I get to order the item if they do not up sell so I still get my full meal.
I think the problem was looking at the menu. That's confusing for some people. Just order your burger and then look them straight in the eye like you are waiting for them. They will either ask if you want something else or give you a total.
They can kick dirt in your face, dress you down and tell you that your place is in the middle, when they hate the way you shine.
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And those phone shops where at the end of the call you are supposed to let them say thank you, and/or invite you to visit. And you sit there saying OK then all righty then like five times lol.
@bgriffin wrote:
I think the problem was looking at the menu. That's confusing for some people. Just order your burger and then look them straight in the eye like you are waiting for them. They will either ask if you want something else or give you a total.
I was generalizing, didn't mean for the burger shop to be the only type of scenario. But I understand how your suggestion will work universally. Thanks
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One gas pump employee Always just come to the window, nods and says Nothing. I hesitate what feel like an uncomfortable amount of time but is probably a few seconds only and then I request my fuel.
@ChrisCooper wrote:
In a retail situation recently, an associate said hello, then just raised her eyebrows to prompt me for my question. She didnt use any words. I waited a few seconds for her to speak, but she just raised her eyebrows higher and tilted her head. I went ahead and asked my question. She hit all the right marks after that, but it was a very informal way to initiate a conversation.
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I just did a dealership shop like this. It was the quietest test drive ever!
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Mcav0y, that is really unusual for a salesperson of a high ticket item to not talk. Awkward. Wonder if that person will still be selling cars in 6 months?
Yesterday, after saying I never have a cashier that doesn't offer a combo, I hae a cashier that after ordering my burger looks at me like the cat had his tongue. I wait and nothing, finally I say and fries, then no offer of drink.
The other cashier is friendly, my guy, was asleep at the wheel....and believe i put it all in my report.
The other cashier is friendly, my guy, was asleep at the wheel....and believe i put it all in my report.
Skills can be taught, Character your born with....
Anthony Bourdain
Anthony Bourdain
I hate jobs where we cannot order some items unless the cashiers suggest them, even if the reimbursement would cover them. Why should the shopper be restricted because the employee is not doing their job. I know we are all honest and truthful but the MSC's should realize that such restrictions on ordering will skew the reports. I would guess that there are shoppers who report inccorrectly that the employee suggested the items so that they can enjoy the full reimbursement. If not done blatantly, some shoppers will perhaps pause for an inordinate amount of time waiting for the upsell. This is not a consumers natural behavior and may result in the employee getting a higher evaluation than deserved.
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 05/19/2017 05:19PM by kenasch.
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 05/19/2017 05:19PM by kenasch.
@mcav0y wrote:
I just did a dealership shop like this. It was the quietest test drive ever!
The best car sales associates do not say much during test drives. Most of what I say has to do with driving directions. Customers want to hear the vehicle, road noise, maybe the radio, not the sales person.
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When you've been shopping for a long time, you will come across pretty much all kinds of scenarios, employee responses, situations. I also keep in mind that many of the employees at the fast food chains earn minimum wage and probably don't have proper training or maybe not even a good manager. I also factor in that some of the retail shops find it hard to hire people so some of the employees don't even speak good english. I ordered a pizza at a shop similar to MOD and the employee didn't understand english that well and acted like i was crazy when i ordered double spinach as a topping.
@Irene_L.A. wrote:
Yesterday, after saying I never have a cashier that doesn't offer a combo, I hae a cashier that after ordering my burger looks at me like the cat had his tongue. I wait and nothing, finally I say and fries, then no offer of drink.
The other cashier is friendly, my guy, was asleep at the wheel....and believe i put it all in my report.
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