A shop where everything goes wrong....
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Seems to me three kids under 4 is the perfect excuse to go sit at the bar alone for a while.
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.
"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.
Thats what my husband said too...haha
Sorry to hear about your shop. Whenever i have a bar shop, i'm determined to do it no matter what. I have to do what the shop instructions say and i would have politely told the hostess i was going to the bar. Maybe you could do some easier shops where you can get in and out quicker with a meal and some cash. Bar and dinner shops aren't my favorite and i only do it when it's fairly easy.
Wow, sorry for your difficult shop. I had a shop with a guest, where I clearly explained everything to her before hand. During the shop, I had to go to the restroom, so I asked her just to press the button on my stop watch app, when the waitress came back. I told her I would be right back, just to sit there until I got back. I made sure she understood................ I was gone, maybe two minutes, came back and she (my guest) was not at the table. She went outside to smoke.....wth? My phone with my stop watch app, was sitting on the middle of the table, in clear view. Luckily, the waitress had not come back, but I never asked that guest to come with me on a shop again. Everything ended up working out, but I was in panic mode.
Use it as a learning experience. I am hoping they approve and pay for your shop.
Use it as a learning experience. I am hoping they approve and pay for your shop.
I too have screwed up shops before when I was uncomfortable with a scenario and was led in the opposite direction by the employee. It's easy to do when you're uncomfortable with doing something in the first place. I have never dine a shop like this, but I think I recall people suggesting arriving ahead of the rest of your party and using that as an excuse to sit at the bar.
There are reasons that a body stays in motion
At the moment only demons come to mind
At the moment only demons come to mind
I don't like those either but have come to semi enjoy them - sitting at the bar and waiting to see if my husband can join me for dinner is usually my story. I'm going to have a drink and then see what he wants to do about dinner. Then I always "give up" and pay for the drink and wow look he calls and is in the parking lot and wants to eat there...so then I transition to a table. You could work that scenario with the kids as well. But I get it, it's nerve racking.
Liz
Liz
I love shopping with my kids (2 and 5), but it also stresses me out! I'm happy to hear that someone else is also braving this scenario! We have done shops like this and my husband "meets" me at the restaurant with the kids after about 15 minutes. I usually pick an occasion that they are shopping for me, which is why we're separate (Birthday, Christmas, etc.). I've also had a drink after dinner when going before didn't work out. I kind of love sitting at the bar and having a drink. It's so quiet (usually) and a nice break.
That being said, I had a crazy restaurant experience where everything went wrong (both with the restaurant and my kids). The food took longer than quoted, the staff were inconsistent, my kids ran out of patience, etc.. I'm taking some time off from sit down restaurant shops with my family until my two year old is a little older, but my husband and I will still do date night shops and we'll do experiences all together. Just nothing where they might have to sit for an hour straight. Not super helpful, but you're not alone!
That being said, I had a crazy restaurant experience where everything went wrong (both with the restaurant and my kids). The food took longer than quoted, the staff were inconsistent, my kids ran out of patience, etc.. I'm taking some time off from sit down restaurant shops with my family until my two year old is a little older, but my husband and I will still do date night shops and we'll do experiences all together. Just nothing where they might have to sit for an hour straight. Not super helpful, but you're not alone!
I'm similar to Traveliz. I always hang out at the bar and when the bartender offers me a menu, I say, "Thanks, I'm [waiting for a buddy of mine to come and meet me/killing time while my wife finishes shopping next door/whatever]." Then when I take notes or text myself about the shop it doesn't look weird; it just appears that I'm talking to the aforementioned person. Then depending on the scenario I give up waiting on them and eat, or whatever I need to do. It goes pretty smoothly.
"The future ain't what it used to be." --Yogi Berra
This did not happen in a place with a bar... I entered the restaurant, saw a maze near the register area, and followed the maze. To the wrong spot. It was like cutting in line. Oops! That was both rude and embarrassing. I don't remember if I ate there that day anyway. I only remember that after I left, I re-scheduled my shop for a different day. On shop day, I knew how the maze worked and got my cheese I mean mystery meat without incident.
Nature does not hurry, yet everything is accomplished. - Lao-Tzu
How about not only getting called out as the mystery shopper but the person also claiming they know because they wrote the scenario! I denied being a shopper, of course.
A lot did go wrong on my last dining shop, but the worst thing was my own mistake. By the time the food arrived, I was very hungry. I started eating, and realized later, I was supposed to take a photo of the food!
Ouch! I've been afraid of that so have started making it a habit if I don't know for sure if I need a photo.
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 09/20/2017 07:50PM by leaiso.
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 09/20/2017 07:50PM by leaiso.
I have a problem with my hungry husband eating before photos. I can't turn my head to get my phone out of my purse fast enough to stop him, lol. He's getting better but sometimes he still is reaching with his fork and I'm saying, "Hold on now!"
You are not the only one, however, I notified my MSC and they were understanding and let me redo the shop
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 09/22/2017 11:45PM by dpatchie.
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 09/22/2017 11:45PM by dpatchie.
The worst shop I have done wrong? The movie one at The cinema grill. I am required to sit at the bar and order a drink before the movie. It was cold out so I ordered a coffee with Bailey's. It was good so I drank it, not realizing the effect the thing could produce. I don't drink very often so I am not used to it. I was required to order a drink at the table in the theater. I got a cup of coffee who knew. So make a long story short. I could not complete the report. I could not recall the number of patrons, what was on the adds, What was previewed before the movie, or any timing ( I would trust). So I told them I failed the assignment and even told them why. I was forgiven and thanked for being honest. So now I only do daytime lunch shows LOL! no drinks needed.
My hubby did the same thing- removed the whipped cream from his pie while I'm kicking him under the table because the server was still standing there. I explained this in my report and the MSC thanked me for my honesty and approved the report.
Susie shopping the Columbus Ohio area and outlying communities.
Oh Lucy, LOL I can so relate!
I recently met my Mom while doing a dine-in, fast-food shop. She hummed and hawed over the menu for about ten minutes trying to get them to make a combination that wasn't on there, and kept calling me into the conversation to ask if I wanted her undesirable items. I was anything but the inconspicuous, average Shopper that day.
Mine was a grocery audit in a very sketchy area. I completed the audit (1 1/2 hours) and was checking out to get a receipt. My clipboard with the information and signatures was in the cart. I unloaded my 3 grocery items and I double-checked the cart to make sure I got everything. I know the cart was empty when I pulled out of the lot. Forty five minutes later as I started my report, at home, I realized my clipboard and audit information were nowhere to be found. I called the store to see if anyone turned in a "lost" clipboard but no luck. I tried to submit a report as close to the original as possible, but it was rejected. I understood but, emotions clouded my judgment and I said I would never do this particular store again. Combine that fiasco with my fan belt breaking and the resulting tow meant I had to cancel two grocery audits I had scheduled for the next day. Needless to say, grocery audit shops are no longer showing up on my searches for work. Breaks my heart. I loved them and always tried to do the best I could with them. Oh well. 
After all these years you just met your Mom and it was on a shop?
@Rayuka wrote:
I recently met my Mom while doing a dine-in, fast-food shop.
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.
"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.
I have to laugh Lisa, that is exactly what crossed my mind when I read it too.
Thanks for making my first posting experience such a great one! I thought this was a forum to share thoughts, not be ridiculed by the grammar police.
I've not been here very long but I think they were laughing *with* you not at you, but I don't know.
It was a joke, nothing more. I read it and it made me chuckle.
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.
"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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