Mystery shopping with children
Warning: For Full Access Please Log In or Create an Account (Free)
Since 2003. I have shopped for many MSC that required shops to be completed alone. I have shopped banks, retail, fast food, casual dining, coffee shops, doughnut shops, grocery stores, bars and airport shops that state that the assignment must be shopped "alone". Look for those keywords in the guidelines.
****Beware that video is being recorded to confirm that you are alone in many instances. If you gave anything but perfect scores, expect them to check the video. If you brought a friend, child, parent, you won't get paid your fee or reimbursement.
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 02/06/2018 08:32AM by eyespy.
****Beware that video is being recorded to confirm that you are alone in many instances. If you gave anything but perfect scores, expect them to check the video. If you brought a friend, child, parent, you won't get paid your fee or reimbursement.
MSPA Gold Certified 2003
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 02/06/2018 08:32AM by eyespy.
I only took my grandchildren with me one time last year. I checked with the MSC first to see if it was okay. Since it was a grocery shop, they gave permission. Follow the guidelines closely. I found three active little boys to be a huge distraction!
Susie shopping the Columbus Ohio area and outlying communities.
I had a shop tell me I brought kids and refused to pay -- could have even been my post you read about -- except I don't have kids and I have a couple of unique features; I'm tall with 3 feet of hair. The company wouldn't budge and I ended up just resigning all together from the mystery shop company because of the accusations and refusal to check cameras, etc. It's the one time I've just not 'went with it' to keep working for a company.
Kiddos could make you more memorable on certain shop types like a bank or a car dealership. Not always, but it could. Probably more so if the kids are loud or temperamental or if it is just generally a more adult environment. ID compliance checks with booze and smokes while you have your kids might make you more memorable to the cashier. I have a family member who is showing at 5 months pregnant* and no shame in her game about ID compliance. She wouldn't smoke or drink, but for a $50 bonus she'll roll in and try to buy them
Kiddos could make you more memorable on certain shop types like a bank or a car dealership. Not always, but it could. Probably more so if the kids are loud or temperamental or if it is just generally a more adult environment. ID compliance checks with booze and smokes while you have your kids might make you more memorable to the cashier. I have a family member who is showing at 5 months pregnant* and no shame in her game about ID compliance. She wouldn't smoke or drink, but for a $50 bonus she'll roll in and try to buy them
MegglesKat
To each his/her own but personally depending on the shop and the age of the kids I would have a hard time focusing enough attention on the shop at hand. I avoid it for that reason.
Many shops require that you go alone. Some specifically say "no children." Others to do specify, but keep in mind that you still have to do the shop right or you will not get paid - and can you ignore your children and focus on the shop? Can you control that one of your children will not do something that gets the shop rejected? One poster here posted that her child grabbed food and started to eat before she could take the required picture. NO PAY, shop rejected. Another posted to say the shop requirements said "No children allowed," but she had one small child who she would take in a stroller and asked if that would be okay? Huh? A child in a stroller is still a child and not allowed according to the guidelines.
Remember also that, even if allowed by the guidelines of a shop, shopping with children makes you stand out and be memorable. This is definitely not what you want as a mystery shopper. As mystery shoppers, we are the "average customer," not memorable. We should not stand out. There are many shops that are actually geared to children and taking children to those would be great. There are Build A Bear, Chuck E. Cheese, LEGO, and a bunch of other shops that welcome kids.
Remember also that, even if allowed by the guidelines of a shop, shopping with children makes you stand out and be memorable. This is definitely not what you want as a mystery shopper. As mystery shoppers, we are the "average customer," not memorable. We should not stand out. There are many shops that are actually geared to children and taking children to those would be great. There are Build A Bear, Chuck E. Cheese, LEGO, and a bunch of other shops that welcome kids.
Teens can do movie compliance shops. Will they be allowed to see a movie that is rated too old for them?
My garden in England is full of eating-out places, for heat waves, warm September evenings, or lunch on a chilly Christmas morning. (Mary Quant)
Depends on the shop.... my 16yr old is a HUGE help on some shops. And I do a set of shops every month where taking my kids helps me blend in and NOT stand out... doing a valet parking shop where the parking fee is high and there are cheaper garages nearby I can comment "it's so much easier to just pull up here and have you take my car then search around for a space with these little ones"..... also they are cash integrity shops and attendants less likely to suspect that I'm the shopper...
Some guidelines specifically say no kids. Some are unclear. I always ask unless the guidelines say kids are okay. I have seen guidelines say no kids under 10 allowed. Although, there are certain shops where you need to bring a kid. Like Lego or Build-a-Bear.
I often shop with my kids! If the guidelines don't specifically state that children are permitted, I always confirm with the scheduler prior to performing the shop. I usually bring an adult when shopping with the kids (especially at restaurants) except on a few AA shops and on a specific build your own toy shop.
My kids aren't kids anymore (youngest is 16), but the only shops I ever brought them on were bowling and family restaurant shops where kids were explicitly allowed or encouraged. Even when my youngest was 12 or 13, he was a big help on B-Dubs shops, for example. But most of my shops state to either do them alone or to not bring children along. If the guidelines are silent on the subject, what a lot of other folks have said is a good idea--check with the scheduler first.
I'd like to do some of those Game Stop shops with the 16-year-old, but they don't pay enough.... Would be interesting to see what happens, though.
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 02/07/2018 02:57PM by BirdyC.
I'd like to do some of those Game Stop shops with the 16-year-old, but they don't pay enough.... Would be interesting to see what happens, though.
I learn something new every day, but not everyday!
I've learned to never trust spell-check or my phone's auto-fill feature.
I've learned to never trust spell-check or my phone's auto-fill feature.
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 02/07/2018 02:57PM by BirdyC.
My daughter is 13 and she comes along whenever it is appropriate and allowed. It has made her much more observant and mindful of her surroundings. She even gives me details on hotel rooms or restaurant visits when we are not on a shop. I don't rely on her info when we are on a shop, but it is nice to have the confirmation and to see her skills develop.
MissChele - Shopping KY, IN & OH
Thread Killer
Thread Killer
Sorry, only registered users may post in this forum.