Making sense of pharmacy department guidelines for grocery shop.

July 06, 2017 11:56PM

And how helpful and no long-winded was that; IvaRaeNot?. Unless at the drive-thru? ParkCityBrian; can't find one response that isn't an inflammatory thorn in a tiger's paw and no original posts. Y'all r the pot calling the kettle black.

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July 07, 2017 02:59AM

@Iva Rae wrote:

How do you toggle?

Click on the username.
At the bottom of the drop down click "Toggle User Visibility."

If you ever want to change just repeat the process. There will be a message stating the post is hidden while in toggle mode. You can choose to read a single message without changing the status permanently.

July 07, 2017 07:13AM

You are trying to look too deeply into this. This is a super-easy shop.
The client basically want to know, "Are my employees smiling and saying "hello" to customers when reasonable to do so? It is impossible to spell out every single possibility for scenarios in which it would and would not be reasonable to say "hello.":

However, as a general rule, they have decided that "reasonable" is defined as "within seven feet, not already engaged with another customer and without a solid barrier in the way."

Pharmacy: Yes, if the employees are in the back working, you will not count them. Yes, if an employee is talking to somebody at the counter, s/he is engaged already. Yes, unless a pharmacist is standing at the counter or outside of the enclosed drug area, s/he will not be expected to greet you. What the client wants to know is if, when they are available, are they being friendly?

@shoptastic wrote:

[***I'm paraphrasing the guidelines, since I'm not sure if verbatim quoting is allowed.]

In the guidelines for my grocery shop, there's an instruction to not count, nor evaluate (i.e., see if they acknowledge you in some way) associates working in a pharmacy department if:

a.) They are filling a prescription OR
b.) They are separated by a barrier or glass window.

Quick Question 1: This seems to pretty much exclude almost anyone who's working in a pharmacy, though, is that right? Since pretty much all pharmacy workers will be behind the counter (which is a barrier), unless they're on the floor for some random reason (usually helping someone find something, in which case they are already occupied and not free), then what workers are left that you're allowed to count and evaluate?

Shortly after the instructions up top, my guidelines also say:

Anyone else who does not fit a.) and b.), evaluate them ONLY if they're within 7-feet of the pick-up counter. If the associate is on the phone or at a drive-thru window and helping someone AND are within 7-feet of the pick-up counter, then we should count them as helping a customer.

Quick Question 2: Maybe I'm missing something very simple, but I was thinking huh??? Wouldn't anyone on a phone or at a drive-thru window already be behind the counter or glass of any pharmacy area? If so, then wouldn't they have already been excluded from a.) and b.) above?

If anyone's familiar with these types of shops and can offer any clarification/insight, I'd greatly appreciate it. Just think I'm missing something here. tvm!

Hard work builds character and homework is good for your soul.

July 09, 2017 08:29PM

I've thought about the original post a lot, because I do these shops all the time, and in the past, had problems with another part of instructions that led to the rejection of a shop.

As a matter of fact, anyone with so many problems understanding the instructions after going through the video, documented instructions, and quiz should call the scheduler for clarity.

Most likely, the OP would be determined ineligible to do these easy and basic mystery shopping shops at all. The OP just didn't get it. After my shop was rejected, the company was very kind, and went the extra length to help me understand the instructions.

It doesn't seem to help when a shopper obviously has a critical misunderstanding, comes into this forum and gets 40 different responses. It's like the kid in class that constantly has their hand up with questions and comments that are not productive to the rest of the class.

Someone must be sitting back happy with the number of responses chocked up for their posts, and I'm a dummy to keep responding. It's either at troll or someone who really acts like one: stupid.

Edited 2 time(s). Last edit at 07/09/2017 08:37PM by Iva Rae.

July 09, 2017 08:50PM

Iva Rae,
you read the guidelines, had questions about the instructions but didn't ask for clarification. As a result, your shop was rejected and you weren't paid. And your conclusion is that the OP doesn't "get it"? Interesting.

July 09, 2017 09:49PM

Chris,
Nice welcome for a new forum member and poster! NOT.

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.

July 09, 2017 09:54PM

I second what Chris said, 100x over.

July 09, 2017 10:15PM

Walesmaven, the poster has been a member for 3 days and has 5 posts. In that time she has warned others of an MSC's bad reputation without explaining why and called other shoppers "stupid" twice. I'm guessing she can handle an admonishment of "Interesting" without losing sleep.

July 09, 2017 11:16PM

Based on Iva Rae's first 5 posts, the posts she has chosen to make to introduce herself to us, it looks like she is making a real statement about who she is. I think ChrisCooper has welcomed her appropriately.

July 10, 2017 12:43AM

Not. I'm gone.

July 10, 2017 12:52AM

@Iva Rae wrote:

Not. I'm gone.

there is a lot of give-and-take on this forum and don't let snarky, sarcastic comments (even though they might be directed to/at you) dissuade you from participating. there really is a lot of useful info that you can take/glean from this forum as well. this industry is not for the timid or thin-skinned. take it from this snarker who usually doesn't let too many opportunities pass him by. and, yep, this is really my name for those who are doubters.

July 10, 2017 12:55AM

Iva Rae, don't go!

But, where do you people come up with statements like " It's either at troll or someone who really acts like one: stupid." If someone asks a question that doesn't make sense to you or seems like it's a simple resolution then you say they're a troll, stupid or just a person wanting attention. Yet, when you ask a question if people respond to you in that way.....you're gone.

If it wasn't for all of the drama this forum would go the way of others and spiral down the $hitter throne.

July 10, 2017 01:15AM

@parkcitybrian wrote:

@Iva Rae wrote:

Not. I'm gone.

there is a lot of give-and-take on this forum and don't let snarky, sarcastic comments (even though they might be directed to/at you) dissuade you from participating. there really is a lot of useful info that you can take/glean from this forum as well. this industry is not for the timid or thin-skinned. take it from this snarker who usually doesn't let too many opportunities pass him by. and, yep, this is really my name for those who are doubters.

PCB, you must be lying down, cuz that joke went right over your head. S/he used a winky icon, which indicates humor.

July 10, 2017 01:18AM

Another of the 16 personalities.

July 10, 2017 01:30AM

Chris, a lot of jokes go over PCB's head

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
Never try to teach a pig to sing. It's a waste of your time and it really annoys the pig.

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Making sense of pharmacy department guidelines for grocery shop.

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