Is there a secret gesture?

A while ago, there was a thread about shoppers who thought they encountered other shoppers while on assignment. I think that happened to me recently.

I was doing 3 wireless shops. The first shop was crowded. I needed a customer count and a sales associate count. As I scanned the room, I notice someone sitting alone along the "waiting wall." When she was assisted by the SA, I noticed she wasn't talkative, just nodding her head. She left and I left shortly after and completed my second shop. At the third shop, I noticed the same woman again. She was sitting waiting for assistance. All of sudden, like a bell went off, she stood up and left the store. That's when it hit me that she was a shopper. At least I think so. I think she was working for the MSC that requires you wait for 30 minutes to be assisted before leaving. I was working for the MSC that requires a 15 minute wait.

Here's the question: is there a gesture that MSers give each other as acknowledgement? Like putting your index finger to the side of your nose = Mafia, is there something similar for MSers? Or maybe saying to someone, "The chicken sleeps alone" is code for "Hi. I'm a shopper, too"

Also, have you encountered another shopper while shopping?

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You're too funnysmiling smiley

"Or maybe saying to someone, "The chicken sleeps alone" is code for "Hi. I'm a shopper, too"

Equal rights for others does not mean fewer rights for you. It's not pie.
"I prefer someone who burns the flag and then wraps themselves up in the Constitution over someone who burns the Constitution and then wraps themselves up in the flag." -Molly Ivins
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If there's a secret handshake, or an ear pull, no one has filled me insmiling smiley I have never encountered another shopper while on assignment. Strange occurrences though, like someone at the table next to me is taking pictures, but I'm the shopper. Or, someone is asking the leasing agent a question about security, but I'm the shopper. Or, someone is asking the deli associate about nitrates, but I'm the shopper . . .
Honestly never had this situation. I believe I am at the opposite end of the spectrum. I am always getting calls and assume I am the only one in the area because I always get to ask for bonuses. There are few shop types and MSC that I don't seem to get first serve on.
I have noticed other shoppers (known or suspected) on assignment. I would need an extremely good reason to risk blowing their (or my) cover.

It's only funny until someone loses (or risks losing) a fee/reimbursement.
Well, now I want us to create a secret gesture so I can finally meet another shopper. lol

When a flower doesn’t bloom, you fix the environment in which it grows, not the flower.
Alexander Den Heijer
I'm pretty sure I saw a lady I replaced as a brand ambassador... I was performing a shop and she was supposed to be coaching the cashiers based upon how my shops went. She just walked up and placed promotional items on the counter, said nothing at all, and kept going. It was so strange and impersonal. Fine by me since I took her spot... but I'd have loved to have had a secret gesture to say, "I see you!" (I didnt turn her in or anything, I didn't even know the position existed til she was let go!)

Doing what I can to enhance the life of my family! I LOVE what I do smiling smiley
Of course there is a secret gesture!! The key, however, is to be subtle - whether your are initiating or responding. Here is a demonstration by two of the best: [www.youtube.com]

Hard work builds character and homework is good for your soul.
I was doing an audit last week and another auditor approached me. I knew what she was doing but didnt want to blow our cover. Had to firmly tell her to act low key and talk quietly as she spoke w me in the grocery store , lest we both get our cover blown.

I have seen what I think are other shoppers while shopping, but I ignore them.
I've never encountered another shopper (that I know of), but one time when I parked at the mall I happened to glance into the car parked next to me, and inside there were handwritten notes about a shop (stuff like 12:58 - 1:33, cashier female brown hair 5'5).
I was doing a Chevron mystery shop once while another shopper was doing an audit. Ended up having a long conversation.

There are reasons that a body stays in motion
At the moment only demons come to mind
Let's start a color of the day as done by NYPD undercovers with their clothing or wrist bands....
@DareWright wrote:

I've never encountered another shopper (that I know of), but one time when I parked at the mall I happened to glance into the car parked next to me, and inside there were handwritten notes about a shop (stuff like 12:58 - 1:33, cashier female brown hair 5'5).

You must have great eyesight!!
I'm surprised with all the seasoned shoppers here no one knows that you tap the left side of your chest twice, nod once, and then pull your right ear lobe. Never mind that was the bunt signal.
I say from now on we all say "The chicken sleeps alone." That is the funniest thing I have heard! Thank you, I needed that chuckle for the day.
I am a member of a credit union that I schedule for. I always wonder if one of my shoppers is in the branch when I stop in. I've never met any of them in person! :p

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@ChrisCooper wrote:

@DareWright wrote:

I've never encountered another shopper (that I know of), but one time when I parked at the mall I happened to glance into the car parked next to me, and inside there were handwritten notes about a shop (stuff like 12:58 - 1:33, cashier female brown hair 5'5).

You must have great eyesight!!

I do have 20/20 vision (thanks, Lasik!), and I never look inside cars, but at the time I was looking for a new car and this was the particular model I was interested in. The paper was on the front passenger seat, and was written in large print.
@DareWright wrote:

@ChrisCooper wrote:

@DareWright wrote:

I've never encountered another shopper (that I know of), but one time when I parked at the mall I happened to glance into the car parked next to me, and inside there were handwritten notes about a shop (stuff like 12:58 - 1:33, cashier female brown hair 5'5).

You must have great eyesight!!

I do have 20/20 vision (thanks, Lasik!), and I never look inside cars, but at the time I was looking for a new car and this was the particular model I was interested in. The paper was on the front passenger seat, and was written in large print.

As long as you did not try to get the car salesman to give you every last # printed on that new car purchase...... Lol
I have been doing MS's for about a year & a half. I have never heard of a Brand Ambassador either. Can you tell me what they do?
I remind a funny story. I did "Five guys" shops and I did them 2 in one day. One of my shop was around 12 PM. There was only one woman at the store and she did not play with her cell phone. How much we both surprised when we saw each other at the same evening in totally different location again in "Five Guys". I looked at her and she also gave me a sign that she noticed me, but we never discussed it. She went to restroom just before leaving and I did the same. I was wondering why we were sent at the same shops at the same day by one MSC and how much our report would be close to each other. smiling smiley
Only once did I encounter a mystery shopper and I was doing a trailer check. I entered the auditorium early and there were only two people seated separately at the very top seats. I chose a lower seat and while waiting for the pre-show, I saw one of the early comers go down to my area and intentionally hit me with a bag or something as she passed my seat. She then took a seat somewhere else. Perhaps that was her 'secret' gesture to let me know she was competition. winking smiley
Brand ambassador could mean many things. I worked with a barbecue restaurant years back as an ambassador which meant more of a sales/ marketing job. I went into surrounding businesses and told them about our catering options and even brought them free meals on occasion. I always left them with coupons and menus. Some brand ambassadors will work promotions at local events and stores. For this particular job, I'm not exactly sure what I'll be doing! I just know I'm not supposed to leave promo items on the counter without a true interaction! I should be receiving more info very soon.

Doing what I can to enhance the life of my family! I LOVE what I do smiling smiley
It's official then.... "The chicken sleeps alone!" is the phrase for the person initiating the conversation. The response shall be "The Mongoose joined her". After all you need a response so we can verify each other smiling smiley.
I think the best thing to do would be to just smile big and shout across the room, "Are you on a mystery shop also?"
You could yell, "How did they do? Are you going to get the cashier fired for not offering you fries and a drink?!"

Doing what I can to enhance the life of my family! I LOVE what I do smiling smiley
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