1. Forums
  2. Mystery Shopping Discussion

Lucky Shop Pairing

July 24, 2017 08:01PM
I already had a shop scheduled in a nearby large city. It was for one of my favorite companies, which unfortunately doesn't have a lot in my area. But when they do, they are well worth it. They pay parking fees and mileage, plus they pay for the time to learn the guidelines. A shop for another company popped up that was for valet parking at the same place where I was already going. Love it when something like this works out. What are the ethics on submitting the parking receipt to both companies? Either way, I'm still happy about it. Both shops have super easy reports.
Reply
Log In
x

Create an Account or Log In

Membership is free. Simply choose your username, type in your email address, and choose a password. You immediately get full access to the forum.

Already a member? Log In.

July 25, 2017 01:40PM
Just curious, since no specifics on the MSCs nor the place you shopped were mentioned, which MSCs are you talking about? As for your other question, I think ethically you shouldn't charge both companies. But it's tough,. You'd still have to submit the receipt to both companies for the report and then explain to one of them that you don't need reimbursement and why. I guess you could leave it up to the company you explain it to. Ultimately though it's up to you.

What's done is done. An egg cracked cannot be cured.
There are 3 kinds of lies. Lies, Damn lies, and statistics.
Reply
July 25, 2017 02:10PM
Ultimately it is up to the OP whether she should charge her client for the parking expenses. It is not up to the OP to tell one client what she is doing for another. She should not be explaining and leaving it up to her client to decide if she "deserves" payment or not. Like any other business person, she needs to decide if she will give one client a break since she is performing work for two. It would be the same if you hired an electrician with a $70 trip charge. Let's say the electrician had a job at the same time at your neighbor's house. The electrician has the option to charge both of you the trip fee or decide to split it. Unless you were the one who recommended the electrician to your neighbor, most would just charge both of you.

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.
Reply
July 25, 2017 02:37PM
But if the OP decides to charge one and not the other, how does she tell the MSC who she's not charging why they don't need to pay her for it? I personally think rather than trying to explain that it's easier to just charge both of them, but since we're talking ethics and not practicality I think the OP should follow what her personal code tells her. I don't think it's up to the rest of us to judge. But she asked for advice and that's why I weighed in.

What's done is done. An egg cracked cannot be cured.
There are 3 kinds of lies. Lies, Damn lies, and statistics.
Reply
July 25, 2017 05:51PM
My understanding is one shop pays expenses, but is not evaluating the parking. Why would the OP need to explain anything beyond telling them she does not need the reimbursement? Why would you think they would ask or beyond that, even care?

I don't know if it is mystery shoppers in general, but I am always amazed by the things people feel they need to explain whether it is why they want a receipt for their purchase or why they want to close their bar tab before moving to the dining room.

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.
Reply
July 25, 2017 09:28PM
Maybe because we're detail-oriented in general and feel the need to cover all the bases?
@LisaSTL wrote:

My understanding is one shop pays expenses, but is not evaluating the parking. Why would the OP need to explain anything beyond telling them she does not need the reimbursement? Why would you think they would ask or beyond that, even care?

I don't know if it is mystery shoppers in general, but I am always amazed by the things people feel they need to explain whether it is why they want a receipt for their purchase or why they want to close their bar tab before moving to the dining room.

Happiness is not a goal; it is a by-product. Eleanor Roosevelt
Reply
July 25, 2017 09:47PM
It's not covering the bases to make excuses or explain why we want something or don't want to do something any other customer wouldn't think twice about. .

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.
Reply
Sorry, only registered users may post in this forum.

Click here to login