Having just read a note in a different thread, I figured I'd ask about something that has had me scratch my head on many occasions.

It is very common to be asked if something "met" my expectations or "exceeded" them. Often, especially when dealing with a person, this is easy. However, I do a few reports for retail establishments and apartments with some regularity that ask this about their parking lots.

Let's see.... No pot holes... parking spots easily identified.... There is somewhere convenient to park.... There is not garbage strewn about.... It's a bleedin' parking lot. It met my expectations. However, how could a parking lot "exceed" my expectations? Here are some of my thoughts:

1. I am met at my car door as I roll in and a guy offers to park my car for me. (No, in most parking lots, that would raise a few red flags...)
2. I notice a sign near the front door of the business which I am about to visit marking the spot "Parking reserved for mystery shoppers."
3. As I enter the lot, an electronic display pops up, has me punch a button for my destination store, and instructs me to put the car in neutral and keep my foot off the brake. The car is then automatically conveyed to the best possible parking spot.
4. I pull into the parking spot and a computer screen appears. I use the interface to order whatever it is I came to purchase. In the case of a mystery shop, an employee walks out, hands me the report he used to self-assess (making a snide remark about how I was a little to harsh), and gives me my $20 payment (plus a $20 bonus) - in cash.

Edited to clarify that this question is not for a parking lot shop, but for a retailer at a strip mall or an apartment community.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 01/05/2018 04:57PM by MFJohnston.

Exceeds expectations.... "When I told the attendant that I would rather pay cash to him than use the brand new self-service payment machine, he assisted me as if I was a respected elder, not a ditsy senior, as he walked me through using the machine" This was a cash integrity shop. Obviously, the attendant passed, but he also exceeded my expectations. It is also one of the reasons that I love the multi-culti Washington, DC area.

Not doing parking lots per say...I wouldn't put exceeded, I don't think they are talking about the street, (pot holes), just the cleanliness of the exterior, more about employee smiling fully, thanking you etc...as they never do much. I just did a bank and believe me all employees exceeded my expectations, with an employee opening doors and standing in the front greeting customers, as well as opening door for them to leave and thanking them for coming in. The Investment Banker
went above and beyond to explain and was respectful and really an amazing asset to the bank. I also do a popular burger place (not jacks) where they want a bit of detail about employees, and giving the name of the one that stood out and gave great service,..."exceeded expectations". I think it a fair question as they may be looking to giving someone a promotion. I take that question as fair.
edited to add...thinking about my jobs, many have exceeded expectations...



Edited 2 time(s). Last edit at 01/05/2018 05:09PM by Irene_L.A..

I should have been more clear and will edit my post accordingly.

While shopping a casino, I had the question:
Did the parking lot "not meet," "Meet", or "Exceed" expectations.

I've had the same question while shopping a couple of retailers and apartments as well...

Hmm, perhaps the company asking this question has parked in Los Angeles. Were you able to find a parking spot in under 15 minutes and a gallon of wasted gas? Were the spaces large enough for anything larger than a Spark? Were you able to maneuver into the spot easily....or were the aisles too narrow? Could you open the doors on both sides without climbing over seats to get in or out? Was your spot within 50 feet and/ or only one elevator ride of where you were going? Were spaces and directions to parking floors and spots easy to find or did you spend over the free parking limit just to park and then find your car again? Were you able to exit with less than a 45 minute wait to get to the cashier? All of the above would exceed for parking in my area. lol

Aside from my really true jokes above I do a parking job in a lot that electronically reads your license plates as you enter and evidently keeps track of your time in. When I exited my plate was read again and as I was within the "free" amt of time the gate just opened for me. I just rolled on out without stopping. So much for lost ticket shops where you pay the max. in that lot. So much for Big Brother watching you.
And I would say exceed for the garage lots that have the little green and red lights above each spot so you only have to drive down a lane or even a whole level if you spot a green light somewhere.

I did one recently that asked me if the glass of wine met my expectations and the editor came back to me and asked why I hadn't marked exceeded my expectations. It was a house red and not the variety I would normally choose. It was fine but nothing special. I'm not sure a wine could ever really exceed my expectations.

@MFJohnston wrote:

I should have been more clear and will edit my post accordingly.

While shopping a casino, I had the question:
Did the parking lot "not meet," "Meet", or "Exceed" expectations.
.

I did a casino competitor shop over the weekend - maybe same company. Has the lot been newly striped? Are the handicapped signs prominent and shiny? Did they take the time to landscape the area or is it mostly concrete and ugly? Are there signs welcoming you to the casino? Are the sections marked off by number/color/letter to easily locate your vehicle? Is there a covered walkway from the parking area to the casino?

IMHO, the question is more so they can gauge their casino against others in the area. I've been to ones that were like an old K-Mart parking lot and others that were simply beautiful.

@walesmaven wrote:

Exceeds expectations.... "When I told the attendant that I would rather pay cash to him than use the brand new self-service payment machine, he assisted me as if I was a respected elder, not a ditsy senior, as he walked me through using the machine" This was a cash integrity shop. Obviously, the attendant passed, but he also exceeded my expectations. It is also one of the reasons that I love the multi-culti Washington, DC area.

I just get to play ditsy woman..... Ummm I want to pay cash and just can't seem to get my cash to go into the machine, can I PLEASE just pay you and be on my way?!?!?

The staff at the parking lot did not notice me arriving and failed to greet me; they thus fell below my expectations. However, the parking lot itself far exceeded my expectations. The spaces were substantially large and were very abundant. The lighting was bright yet soft. Lovely music played, but not so loud as to be disturbing. The pavement was exceptionally clean; indeed, as vehicles left their spots an automated system washed away those nasty drippings of dirt and oil that are left by some cars; immediate vacuuming ensured that no traces of water were left behind. Somehow this system had been engineered to work silently. Throughout the parking lot there were lovely flower gardens; the natural scent of lilacs helped pushed this parking lot far beyond my expectations. That a sign by the exit read, "Customers are too important to the management to be accessed fees" was the icing on the cake. I left the parking lot my expectations of it being exceeded. It is just a shame that the humans were not as good as the structure.

Edited 2 time(s). Last edit at 01/07/2018 07:29PM by Rousseau.

One of the MSCs that I shop for always asks this question. Their Guidelines show you exactly what Exceeds expectations, which is helpful.