Beginner Mistakes
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Yep. Still do sometimes.It will get better.
Thanks. I remember next time for sure.
Don't feel bad. We've all made mistakes. I've done probably thousands of shops and still occasionally screw up. It happens.
Thanks. Trying to make sure to remember all then forget my info. It is getting easier the more I do. Luckily havent made but a couple. I appreciate letting me know it happens.
I've been shopping for 17 years and still occasionally make mistakes. This past fall I did a shop where they had changed the guidelines for the shop to be conducted during specific hours. I had done the shop before and didn't notice this change, since before the shopper could go any time of day. This time they wanted it after 2 PM. I went at 1 PM. Rejected. Oops! I just asked them to change the due date so I could go back and do it correctly. It was a bummer that I spent the time doing the shop, bought the item for the required purchase, and then spent time submitting the report, but it was my fault so I couldn't complain. Of course I didn't get paid or reimbursed the purchase for the first shop (it was only $6), but the MSC was happy that I went back and did it right the second time.
I completed a shop that required I give my loyalty card number if asked and mention the card if the cashier forgot. The very next week I did another shop for the same store, different location and they changed the requirement to do NOT mention the card. I didn't see the change and the shop was rejected.
Thamks you guys. Sometimes it is the simplest thing too. I need to just remember better lol. I do appreciate you guys replying.
I've been doing mystery shopping for two months, and recently had two shops on the same day invalidated 5 days after submitting the reports. The reason: I forgot to accept when I was offered ketchup at the drive-thru windows.
I could swear I didn't see anything in the guidelines that said I had to take ketchup, but it has taught me to save a copy of the guidelines for every shop since you can't access them after submitting your report to see if the person invalidating is in the wrong. It's entirely possible I just missed a line in the guidelines (I did it once in my first week when I missed a line about not ordering anything with chicken at a different fast food place), but I'll never know for sure since I made the mistake of not saving my own copy.
I could swear I didn't see anything in the guidelines that said I had to take ketchup, but it has taught me to save a copy of the guidelines for every shop since you can't access them after submitting your report to see if the person invalidating is in the wrong. It's entirely possible I just missed a line in the guidelines (I did it once in my first week when I missed a line about not ordering anything with chicken at a different fast food place), but I'll never know for sure since I made the mistake of not saving my own copy.
Yeah i saved the guidelines and its in there. Just a overlook on my part. I totally understand what you are saying tho.
One of the great things about mystery shopping is that you can practice almost anytime. Going out to dinner? Practice discreetly taking notes on your phone, record service times, take pictures. Grocery shopping? Practice keeping track of names, go up to employees and ask questions, make notes. Hold onto your shop instructions and you can use them practically anywhere with some modification. You can develop good habits without the stress of missing something without doing anything except what you do everyday. When I started doing fast food shops, I was already visiting fast food places 3-4 times a week. It didn’t cost me any extra time of money to do a few dry runs to make sure I had it down before the actual shop.
On my 2nd or 3rd shop ever, I let the McDonald's order taker talk me into a B1G1 Egg McMuffin sandwich when I was supposed to only order one (which technically, I did only order one). I remember feeling that not accepting the free sandwich would let them know that I was the shopper. I initially turned down the free sandwich, but the order taker went on and on about taking the free Egg McMuffin. Of course the shop was rejected and I almost gave up mystery shopping because of it. I wouldn't have spent the money for a McDonald's breakfast if not on a shop and the shop was very well bonused as well.
After a few days, I calmed down and decided to keep plugging away. I'm so glad I did!
After a few days, I calmed down and decided to keep plugging away. I'm so glad I did!
"We're just two lost souls swimming in a fish bowl -- year after year..."
To clarify, I would not recommend going to your assigned location and doing a practice shop. In my case, I practiced at different locations so there wouldn’t be a chance of employees remembering me.
Yep! Mistakes happen, especially when we're learning something new. We're only human! When you do make a mistake, as long as you're honest and communicate with your scheduler and/or editor, things will usually work out. Always offer to reshop if you can; we really appreciate it.
When I take on a shop I haven't done before, I have to take notes about the guidelines (as if it was for a class, and I was going to be tested on it later). You'll figure out what works for you.
When I take on a shop I haven't done before, I have to take notes about the guidelines (as if it was for a class, and I was going to be tested on it later). You'll figure out what works for you.
Administrative Manager for Shoppers' View
p: 800.264.5677 | e: christinew@shoppersview.com | w: www.shoppersview.com
p: 800.264.5677 | e: christinew@shoppersview.com | w: www.shoppersview.com
I would have offered to do the reshop but it was for info on renting a storage unit and figured the gentleman might wonder why i was coming back asking for all the info again.
That might be hard to pull off. Maybe bring a friend and have them casually mention that you have "halfsheimer's" and are always forgetting stuff. Probably best to just chalk it up to experience and move forward.
"We're just two lost souls swimming in a fish bowl -- year after year..."
One of things I never did before MShopping was to take the itemized receipt before paying for the bill in a sit down restaurant. I always ask for receipts now, take the itemized receipt, and ask for names regardless of my shopping experience.
We've all made mistakes. Hopefully being part of this forum helps you avoid making more than you might have without reading. One of my earliest mistakes was thinking I knew where the FF location was (there are two within a mile of each other) and I shopped the wrong location. Silly me.
Sometimes, after a mistake, I've made the decision to drop the company. Maybe the directions are too long, poorly written and contain necessary information in a different font on page 6. Whatever the reason for the mistake, I find keeping the mantra "keep it moving" helps me not to dwell on mistakes and move forward to keep making a profit.
Good luck!
We've all made mistakes. Hopefully being part of this forum helps you avoid making more than you might have without reading. One of my earliest mistakes was thinking I knew where the FF location was (there are two within a mile of each other) and I shopped the wrong location. Silly me.
Sometimes, after a mistake, I've made the decision to drop the company. Maybe the directions are too long, poorly written and contain necessary information in a different font on page 6. Whatever the reason for the mistake, I find keeping the mantra "keep it moving" helps me not to dwell on mistakes and move forward to keep making a profit.
Good luck!
Evaluating and mailing packages since 1994
You must read your Guidelines for every shop no matter what. Print out the Guidelines for each shop until you get to the point where you can just read them before you shop. I always print the first page of my shop with the address and make Guideline key notes on it. I still check all of my Guidelines just before I leave my house. Yes, I have made mistakes along the way! Good luck with your new shopping experience. Note: If you are doing a bank shop using a fake name, be sure to make a note on your print out for future reference of what name you use.
I've been MSing for just less than a year and consider myself new but I have A LOT of shops under my belt. It's amazing how you need to keep re-upping your game in this business. And by that I mean you can't take anything for granted.. We can never assume! Every shop is an adventure.
@Marynannie wrote:
I would have offered to do the reshop but it was for info on renting a storage unit and figured the gentleman might wonder why i was coming back asking for all the info again.
Yeah, for some shops, it just doesn't work out.
Administrative Manager for Shoppers' View
p: 800.264.5677 | e: christinew@shoppersview.com | w: www.shoppersview.com
p: 800.264.5677 | e: christinew@shoppersview.com | w: www.shoppersview.com
When I'm faced with a BOGO either on a shop or not, I tell them I don't want the extra calories. End of discussion.
@msimon-2000 wrote:
On my 2nd or 3rd shop ever, I let the McDonald's order taker talk me into a B1G1 Egg McMuffin sandwich when I was supposed to only order one (which technically, I did only order one). I remember feeling that not accepting the free sandwich would let them know that I was the shopper. I initially turned down the free sandwich, but the order taker went on and on about taking the free Egg McMuffin. Of course the shop was rejected and I almost gave up mystery shopping because of it. I wouldn't have spent the money for a McDonald's breakfast if not on a shop and the shop was very well bonused as well.
After a few days, I calmed down and decided to keep plugging away. I'm so glad I did!
"I told myself to quit you; but I don't listen to drunks." -Chris Stapleton
Being a newbie is sometimes rough. Some editors will help, others expect a 10 on day one. When you get a 6 or 7 just pick yourself back up and work for 10. When the tens start coming remember the rude editor and pass on their assignments.
@shopper8 This is very helpful, thank you! I'm brand new so am in for a learning experience I'm sure! I'd like to ask--I started a thread on certifications and have read some of the other several posts on certs that are on here--but do you think upgrading to Gold from Silver, or taking additional courses- such as the one on Professional Industry Writing, or the Professional Ethics and Responsibility course for instance, would help bypass some of these newbie mistakes? And help us move up so to speak as far as getting more/high paying assignments from the get go? I appreciate your insight and would love to hear from someone with experience!! Thank you,
Sara B.
Sara B.
@TroyHawkins Hi Troy, I'm brand new and don't know what you're referring to.. May I ask where one receives such information? When you sign up for an assignment, or on another informative/getting started website with, MSPA? Also would you recommend getting additional certifications (upgrading to Gold from Silver, or even the Professional Responsibility and Ethics or Professional Report Writing for instance, to try and bypass some of these mistakes and get noticed i.e. get more/better paying assignments sooner? I appreciate you sharing and would love to hear what you think, thank you!
Sara
Sara
@Margovt Hi! Thank you for sharing. You said one needs to continually be re-upping their game. Curious, do certifications come into play with this re-upping by any chance? OR, do they help when starting out sort of bypass some of these newbie mistakes, which in turn may help one progress faster than if they hadn't taken the courses and learned just by experience? Would love to hear your opinion since it sounds like you have ample experience! Thank you,
Sara
Sara
"May I ask where one receives such information?"
What information?
What information?
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.
@ShoppersViewChristine This is great info! Thank you for sharing. Is that not tedious/time consuming?--although I assume worth it? And.. I'm very curious about all the courses offered by MSPA. Do you think or have experience with any, or could you guess based on what you know, that by taking some--upgrading to Gold from Silver for instance, or even taking one of the Professional Responsibility and Ethics, or Professional Report Writing courses--might help bypass some of these newbie mistakes so one can get rolling on the track of a successful Mystery Shopper sooner? Would love to hear your experienced opinion as I'm brand new! I appreciate it,
Sara
Sara
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