Today I met a mystery shopper while I was doing mystery shopping at the same store. How did I know he was a mystery shopper? Read on to find out!
*****STORYTIME!*****
Today I was conducting a mystery shop at a cash checking/payday loan store. My scenario was to just simply cash out any check.
When I was filling out an application, the teller called over a customer. I was minding my own business, until out of nowhere I heard someone said "secret shopper" out loud. I immediately looked to my right and blatantly stared at the guy. This shopper was an African American wearing a black cap, dark shirt, gold necklace, and rings on both hands that resembled brass knuckles. He didn’t notice me. He was busy looking at the teller. I recalled the teller asked the customer "What is your occupation?"
At this point, I had two thoughts running through my head — the guy was either at the store for personal purposes or conducting a real mystery shop. I assumed it was personal because you are not supposed to announce that you are a mystery shopper. I was also guessing that he does not do mystery shop at this location or else the teller will remember him. Okay, I went back to completing my application.
Afterwards, I went back to my position to wait for the teller to assist me. The teller went to the back room. After 15 minutes passed, the teller came back and asked what the customer needed. He said he wanted to sign up for a prepaid card to put his funds in. The teller said she will need to call his bank for verification. After she was unable to contact his bank, she asked him if his bank was open right now. He said they were closed. She said could not help him; his bank has to be open during its business hours.
Hearing a grunt and mumbling from him, he said he wants his card today. The teller apologized, saying that she cannot do it today. He said, “Are you serious? Wow. Man. I gotta this done today. You know, I’m a mystery shopper." I was shocked. Did he just announced that he was a mystery shopper? In the back of my mind, I silently shook my head and facepalmed. Worst shopper ever.
The teller kindly told him to come back tomorrow, and then she can help him. He reluctantly agreed, and he left the place. Then she called me over, and I proceeded to complete my shop.
I can’t help but to think he will waste his time coming back. He will mostly likely get his shop rejected without any reimbursements. I didn’t want to tell him that he failed his shop just by identifying himself (twice!) as a mystery shopper.