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You know you've been outed when....

August 11, 2018 03:18PM
My Kroger shop has the Butcher becoming my best buddy, runs out from behind the counter, hi, how ya doing, having a good day, what can I get for you...and I have to ask the question of the week, "what's the best fish to grill"? feeling dumb and dumber.

Live consciously....
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August 11, 2018 07:01PM
I agree about the guidelines being a giveaway. I think they should allow for more natural interactions. One I dislike the most was to show up for a car mystery shop dressed business casual, which I think is a dead give away. Of course, I seemed to be the only one there over dressed to look at a car. If I was really searching for a car, I would want to be as comfortable as possible ( of course decently dressed) But for me no tennis shoes was a bit of a stretch.
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August 13, 2018 02:38AM
I have had the associates in the grocery stores falling all over themselves to help me suddenly, and chatting with each other with gesturing at me and looking at me pointedly. I’ve also had the knowing look when I’ve used a scenario suggested by the MSC, or when I’ve visited too often. The funniest was when my dining partner (whom I adore but is bad at blending and being discreet) asked our server what his favorite dishes were. He rattled of a couple and then casually said, “...but I don’t get them for free.” Wait, what?!
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August 13, 2018 03:00AM
Hahaha!! These are hilarious! I really enjoyed reading them...and got some good tips, too, to try to not be outed.

When I used to do Chase Bank shops years ago, we were buying and selling homes. The guy we worked with knew I was a mystery shopper because we worked so closely with him for so long...for personal reasons, and got lots of information from him. Then I would go in for a shop, acting completely unlike my talkative, inquisitive self, and have him "lead" convos...he totally caught on. I had to give up Chase Bank shops, (he called all nearby branches, too) and every time I would go in, he would ask me about shopping.
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August 13, 2018 03:49AM
These are hilarious!

I was at a store once where they are supposed to wear name tags, but none of them did. I needed to get the names of three different employees. The first two didn't catch on. The third asked me if I worked for the store! I did not look like a typical customer. I blend in at Chanel, not at Ross.
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August 13, 2018 05:26AM
I've done a clothing store where you have to go to several sections and count 125 items in each sections. The employees would get in front of me and start organizing the racks. So much for the mystery part of the shop.
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August 13, 2018 02:41PM
I asked for a receipt for my $1.00 gum purchase at a gas station that only took cash (I usually pay with a credit card so I get the receipt easily). The guy said "Really? You need a receipt for your gum?" I said "Yes, I need to track all my purchases for my budget." He said "really?" I said "Yes, I have to give it to my husband". "He says "really, you have to give the receipt to your husband?" I dropped my eyes to the floor and said "Yes" and he gave me the receipt. I hoped that I came off as a woman who had a very controlling husband rather than a mystery shopper. Still haven't shopped there for over a year though
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August 27, 2018 02:10AM
Ive been outed at 2 restaurants...one specifically said ask for a particular location to be seated and i did.it was by the fireplace. They didnt have the firellace on and seated me elsewhere. I mentioned that in the report. Guess what never got that shop again and i emailed the scheduler and i was told i was outed as the shopper.
Another steakhouse...they ran out of coke and A1 steak sauce...on memorial day weekend. I put that in the report as the meal sucked without the two. Walla...never got assigned that shop and the scheduler later on told me i was outed.
It almost seems like too much details give you away. Places also tend to out shoppers who critique them(fairly and truthfully).its a double edged sword.
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August 27, 2018 02:32AM
When I ask for a receipt for a gum purchase, I tell the cashier that I use the Receipt Hog app and get money for scanning my receipts. Then, they get interested and ask me to repeat the name of the app,.

Happy Camper
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August 27, 2018 02:33AM
I recently did a comic book shop. This was in an apartment complex. I went to the door and was told they only sell online. I was also told they know who the mystery shoppers are. You're the only ones coming to the door on Tuesdays looking for comic books. No one else ever comes to their door, they only sell online.
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August 27, 2018 03:50AM
When you do restuarant/entertainment/hotel shops, following specfic instructions, and the manager ONLY checks on your table and doesn't ever go check on any of the others. Also, one night stay hotel shops in your city that require valet, luggage assistance, problem resolution, lock-out, etc. etc. etc. etc. The luggage assitance for a ONE night only stay is the most obvious giveaway, no matter how big my suitcase.
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August 27, 2018 04:55AM
I finished the shop and the salesman ran out of the store to my car, pleading with me, "Wait, wait. If you're the mystery shopper, I'm sorry. I know I didn't do everything. I'm new. Please give me another chance. I can do better."
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August 27, 2018 02:22PM
We have also experienced being the only table that is visited by a manager at a restaurant. That happened two days ago. The waitress was going overboard trying to do her job. She did things waitresses do not normally do and it was like she was following the checklist for the shop. The experience was uncomfortable.

Yesterday, I did a grocery shop where you needed the names of four associates. One of them turned her name tag around! I later saw she turned it back, so I approached her again. She turned around her name tag again so I could not read it!

Edited 2 time(s). Last edit at 08/27/2018 02:23PM by Niner.
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August 27, 2018 02:32PM
When it comes to getting names. I always ask the person their name. Doesn't matter the shop. I use it as a way to thanking them by name for their service.
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August 27, 2018 03:50PM
John, you might want to be careful with that -- some guidelines specify to absolutely NOT ask for names.
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August 27, 2018 03:52PM
True. If I really need the name, I will do that. The form said you could describe the associate, if needed. At the restaurant, I made sure to ask for names, which is what I think outed us. That was fine since I knew we needed the names.
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August 27, 2018 04:18PM
Unless they ask you or mention mystery shopper, I wouldn't worry about being outed.
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