Who should I sign up with if I want ...
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Pretty sure it's not Red Lobster. No one in their right mind would be seeking that awful place out for a meal--dirty, nasty environment. I would not eat there if you paid me, LOL.
While I would agree that the OP reacted badly after reading the original responses, you must admit 10 responses with nothing but "go figure it out yourself" could seem quite frustrating. Seems that no one wants to help when it comes to finding shops, and it is kind of sad. We are in competition for the shops, but do most of you even eat at this place (many of you say you would not)? I just would love to see more kindness here, a lot of threads seem to have a not-nice tone to them. 
Orlando - lightly shopping NC
This post I made 4 years ago is relevant to both this thread and the person asking why most shoppers adhere to not sharing this information:
[www.mysteryshopforum.com]
[www.mysteryshopforum.com]
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
Now I'm gonna be nice and tell her where to find Red Lobster shops. If you are signed up with all of the companies and you haven't seen them it's either because they don't currently have any (I see them sporadically) or your shops aren't good enough for you to see them.
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
@bgriffin, I am not arguing that we should tell or not tell the person. I am saying we can say with kindness "sorry, most people here will not give out names of MSC that shop X restaurant", and then a mod can close the thread. Easy peasy lemon squeezy, no one gets upset, and we move on.
Also, I read your post, I agree that most people worked very hard to find what they have found. I am signed to a ton of companies, and have a spreadsheet of who does what, but I have not shopped in a few years, and let me tell you nothing really matches up like it did a few years back. Seems that we always need to work/keep up, as companies change, and go out of business, and clients change even faster.
Also, I read your post, I agree that most people worked very hard to find what they have found. I am signed to a ton of companies, and have a spreadsheet of who does what, but I have not shopped in a few years, and let me tell you nothing really matches up like it did a few years back. Seems that we always need to work/keep up, as companies change, and go out of business, and clients change even faster.
Orlando - lightly shopping NC
Bgriffin's post is right on the money. As they say in science "For every action, there is an opposite and equal reaction". What I mean is, every time a forum member hands out information that "doesn't affect them", they create a loss for another shopper that worked hard to gain the knowledge of a shop they might really enjoy. Many times that information is even hurting another member right here on this forum.
Here's the thing @oteixeira. Normally most posters give shoppers a time or two with polite "we can't tell you" responses, then they get a bit more direct. In this particular case, it's my understanding she has asked before. I don't know that, I don't pay enough attention, so maybe she hasn't. However, no one was rude to her at all. There was a couple of pieces of good advice and a lot off topic discussion of lobster and then the OP got pissy because no one answered her question. It's one thing to ask to be spoon-fed. It's another to get pissy when you don't get the response you want. That's specifically why this particular thread went off the rails. I think the number of times a poster asks a question like this and gets a rude response on the first offense is very rare.
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
For questions such as "Where do I find xxx shop?" or "What is the best MSC?" I believe that answering the question hurts somebody more than helps them.
I am happy to share what I have learned about approaching mystery shopping as a business an important part of which is to sign up for many companies. When we point somebody to sign up for XXX MSC, we are giving that person a way out of signing up for so many companies. Sure, getting that "one" MSC might feel like a victory, but it also prevents the shopper from finding all those gems of companies and shops that the shopper might not even have considered. Moreover, it is by signing up for many MSC's that we get a better sense of the breadth of opportunities available to us.
Of course, there is also the concern about ICA violations...
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 06/11/2018 09:46PM by MFJohnston.
I am happy to share what I have learned about approaching mystery shopping as a business an important part of which is to sign up for many companies. When we point somebody to sign up for XXX MSC, we are giving that person a way out of signing up for so many companies. Sure, getting that "one" MSC might feel like a victory, but it also prevents the shopper from finding all those gems of companies and shops that the shopper might not even have considered. Moreover, it is by signing up for many MSC's that we get a better sense of the breadth of opportunities available to us.
Of course, there is also the concern about ICA violations...
Hard work builds character and homework is good for your soul.
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 06/11/2018 09:46PM by MFJohnston.
@oteixeira wrote:
While I would agree that the OP reacted badly after reading the original responses, you must admit 10 responses with nothing but "go figure it out yourself" could seem quite frustrating. Seems that no one wants to help when it comes to finding shops, and it is kind of sad. We are in competition for the shops, but do most of you even eat at this place (many of you say you would not)? I just would love to see more kindness here, a lot of threads seem to have a not-nice tone to them.
Learning not to get upset when you don't get your way is an invaluable life skill. Being kind is great, but no one here was abusive. Not everything needs to be coated in sugar, wrapped in a fleece blanked and hand delivered with an apology note. If you read here often you will read about editors, schedulers and even MSC owners who range from downright rude to super sweet. Learning how to deal with a business associate that could be abrupt, short or curt in responses is a great skill to have, and one that appears to be sorely lacking in society today.
@luckygirl0100 wrote:
Learning not to get upset when you don't get your way is an invaluable life skill. Being kind is great, but no one here was abusive. Not everything needs to be coated in sugar, wrapped in a fleece blanked and hand delivered with an apology note. If you read here often you will read about editors, schedulers and even MSC owners who range from downright rude to super sweet. Learning how to deal with a business associate that could be abrupt, short or curt in responses is a great skill to have, and one that appears to be sorely lacking in society today.
Actually, I think most of us have that skill, for work. I was just incorrectly assuming that because this was a forum for shoppers by shoppers that it would be a friendly and kind place. I will adjust my expectations, and am glad I now understand that. Have a wonderful day.
Orlando - lightly shopping NC
@oteixeira wrote:
Actually, I think most of us have that skill, for work. I was just incorrectly assuming that because this was a forum for shoppers by shoppers that it would be a friendly and kind place. I will adjust my expectations, and am glad I now understand that. Have a wonderful day.
I'm not even sure where to start.......
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
@oteixeira
This forum is not "unfriendly." However, you have to remember that, when push comes to shove, we are all competitors. If I refer somebody to my "best" MSC, I am effectively giving myself extra competition - which cuts into my income. Overall, the experienced folks on this forum are not going to give you their money-makers.
What folks do very willingly here is advise newer shoppers how to approach this as a business, how to find MSC's and great shops on their own, and how to navigate tricky situations with both MSC's and shopping assignments. Shoppers have made long informative posts that have been pinned in the "new shoppers" area. In other words, we will largely try to help folks become better shoppers.
There is no requirement that veteran shoppers do this. Heck, we could even argue that it is in our best interest not to give advice. After all, why would I want there to be more quality shoppers in my area? We all have different reasons for participating. It's reasonable for folks to set limits on help much "help" they are going to give their competition.
This forum is not "unfriendly." However, you have to remember that, when push comes to shove, we are all competitors. If I refer somebody to my "best" MSC, I am effectively giving myself extra competition - which cuts into my income. Overall, the experienced folks on this forum are not going to give you their money-makers.
What folks do very willingly here is advise newer shoppers how to approach this as a business, how to find MSC's and great shops on their own, and how to navigate tricky situations with both MSC's and shopping assignments. Shoppers have made long informative posts that have been pinned in the "new shoppers" area. In other words, we will largely try to help folks become better shoppers.
There is no requirement that veteran shoppers do this. Heck, we could even argue that it is in our best interest not to give advice. After all, why would I want there to be more quality shoppers in my area? We all have different reasons for participating. It's reasonable for folks to set limits on help much "help" they are going to give their competition.
Hard work builds character and homework is good for your soul.
I'm sure that the OP was not looking for Red Lobster. There are other places that have lobster rolls...not sure that Red Lobster has lobster rolls anyway.
@oteixeira wrote:
While I would agree that the OP reacted badly after reading the original responses, you must admit 10 responses with nothing but "go figure it out yourself" could seem quite frustrating. Seems that no one wants to help when it comes to finding shops, and it is kind of sad. We are in competition for the shops, but do most of you even eat at this place (many of you say you would not)? I just would love to see more kindness here, a lot of threads seem to have a not-nice tone to them.
The OP has been around here long enough (2 years and 250 posts) to know.
@oteixeira wrote:
@bgriffin, I am not arguing that we should tell or not tell the person. I am saying we can say with kindness "sorry, most people here will not give out names of MSC that shop X restaurant", and then a mod can close the thread. Easy peasy lemon squeezy, no one gets upset, and we move on.
@oteixeira wrote:
Actually, I think most of us have that skill, for work.
I this is where I'll start as it was the line I found particularly offensive.
What, might I ask, do you think this is? A bowling league? You say this like "oh this is just mystery shopping, I'm sure people here act professional with their REAL work."
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
You took the words right off of my fingertips. That was my next post.
@bgriffin wrote:
@oteixeira wrote:
Actually, I think most of us have that skill, for work.
I this is where I'll start as it was the line I found particularly offensive.
What, might I ask, do you think this is? A bowling league? You say this like "oh this is just mystery shopping, I'm sure people here act professional with their REAL work."
What I meant, is I think anyone that has worked for a while, including in mystery shopping, would know how to act professional. I never used the word "REAL", and the fact that I have been a mystery shopper since 2006 should show you that I consider it real work. What I meant is that a forum where people come together to shoot the breeze about any type of work (or hobby, or interest, or anything) should not be the same as where people actually are working, in my humble opinion. I never in my statement put down MS, nor would I, as I enjoy it a lot.
Orlando - lightly shopping NC
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 06/11/2018 11:29PM by oteixeira.
Let's have my favorite exercise. Let's pretend this is a lawyer forum.
ShopWhisperer: where can I find juicy class action lawsuits?
Redlst of forum: Random discussion that doesn't answer question
SW:. Rude!
Otex: We should be nice to people who ask how to find class action lawsuits that we might want for ourselves.
JAS: SW shouldn't throw tantrums, it's not professional
Otex: I'm sure they know how to be professional at work
ShopWhisperer: where can I find juicy class action lawsuits?
Redlst of forum: Random discussion that doesn't answer question
SW:. Rude!
Otex: We should be nice to people who ask how to find class action lawsuits that we might want for ourselves.
JAS: SW shouldn't throw tantrums, it's not professional
Otex: I'm sure they know how to be professional at work
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
@bgriffin I feel as though I am being put on the defensive, but I am not sure what it is that I did wrong.
Orlando - lightly shopping NC
**NNNNNNHHHH---NNNNNHHHHH-- This is a test. This is only a test.**
While this is not your emergency broadcasting system, it is the umpteenth carnation of same old, same old. I have sounded a cyber-alarm which I hope will remind me that I need to consider what to do when someone asks a question in this forum. If I were a judge. I would recuse myself because on multiple occasions I have answered questions in ways which could have been restated, re-shaded, or not posted. I
While this is not your emergency broadcasting system, it is the umpteenth carnation of same old, same old. I have sounded a cyber-alarm which I hope will remind me that I need to consider what to do when someone asks a question in this forum. If I were a judge. I would recuse myself because on multiple occasions I have answered questions in ways which could have been restated, re-shaded, or not posted. I
Nature does not hurry, yet everything is accomplished. - Lao-Tzu
My Mom loved Red Lobster, to the point where she would take you there on your birthday. The last time we went, she said her veggies had dirt on them. It was visible. The manager comped her meal and dessert. She hasn't been there since.
@JASFLALMT wrote:
Pretty sure it's not Red Lobster. No one in their right mind would be seeking that awful place out for a meal--dirty, nasty environment. I would not eat there if you paid me, LOL.
"I told myself to quit you; but I don't listen to drunks." -Chris Stapleton
Honny, I can imagine that 30-40 years ago it might have been okay, and I get having some sort of brand loyalty to a place when you have good experiences in previous times. The unfortunate thing is that many of the locations are still operating out of the same building from 30 to 40 years ago that never has been properly cleaned, ugh...and with the vast variety of places you can get good seafood (especially near where you live), I can't imagine they are doing okay. Then the staff tends to get a DGARA attitude...so maybe someone actually dropped the veggies on the floor, scooped them up, and threw them back on the plate My youngest stepdaughter worked at one as a server briefly when she was 19, and she said it was horrible in too many ways to describe.
@oteixeira wrote:
@bgriffin I feel as though I am being put on the defensive, but I am not sure what it is that I did wrong.
So sorry, that wasn't my intention. Just trying to show why I found your statement a bit offensive. It sounded as if you were insinuating mystery shopping wasn't professional work.
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
bgriff, you were offended? Fainting....
"I told myself to quit you; but I don't listen to drunks." -Chris Stapleton
@bgriffin wrote:
So sorry, that wasn't my intention. Just trying to show why I found your statement a bit offensive. It sounded as if you were insinuating mystery shopping wasn't professional work.
@bgriffin apology accepted. I guess it just confused me because I explained that it was never my intention to make someone think that mystery shopping was not a real job, yet you followed on with another post that I felt was singling me and my responses out. I hope we can now continue on with no issues, and again, I am sorry if my post came across as anything but respectful to people who mystery shop.
Orlando - lightly shopping NC
I've only been at this a few months. I managed to shop lobster once. Hint: you will likely go over your reimbursement.
All of the shopping groups I participate in, outside of this one, are TIGHTLY moderated. So if someone shares inappropriate information, they are reined in fairly quickly and read the riot act. So the difference between this forum and the others I am in - is that apparently, this one is moderated by veteran shoppers as opposed to the others that have designated moderators so you know who they are, can ask them questions, etc..... I have yet to come across a forum that is a free for all. If you know of one, please clue me in! HAHAHAHA.
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 06/13/2018 12:30PM by BarefootBliss.
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 06/13/2018 12:30PM by BarefootBliss.
look for the MSC that does Pappadeux in your area. this restaurant serves seafood and lobster. They are frequently offering me mystery shops, Closer Look? Sentry?
The one I did is not known for lobster, so just look for restaurant shops and check out their menu online. This MSC is known for restaurant shops. It's as simple as that. I haven't seen this restaurant in a while. I also live in MA, so lobster is more readily available.
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