When they know

We went to a chain restaurant that we had previously shopped. We had been there the month prior.

Our waitress initially acted bored, was indifferent, and mainly went through the motions.

At some point, someone tipped her off.

Her entire personality changed. She smiled and was effusive. She came back, and now I was 'deeeeaaaaar and sweeeetheeaaart," whenever she came to the table.

Incredibly, she said, "I remember you, you are here often," and she offered us a free soda since we apparently were part of the reward club. We had only been there that one other time, ever.

Part of their job is to tell you about some of the restaurant's specialties. When we were done eating, she asked us if we wanted a "night cap Margarita?"

She was supposed to offer us one at the start, but she forgot. We still joke about the night cap Margarita, and how we were waiting for the "middle of the night burger."

The first time we were there, I was seated at a booth where someone had spilled water. I sat down and my clothes got drenched. I had to literally get new pants from my car. I guess they remembered us from that, since I did mention that event in the report.

Anyone catch on lately during one of your shops?

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Thanks for giving me a new adjective to use in my reports. I don’t think I’ve ever used “effusive” before but it seems to fit some positive service experiences I’ve received.
If its reall really over the top in a sort of creepy way- unctuous.
I did a bank shop yesterday using a fake name. Everything went well. When I got up to leave the banker said, "Have a good day Mrs XXXX" my REAL name.
Barbage, that would have freaked me out!

Shopping Arkansas, Louisiana, & Mississippi.
Okay, I did a ton of storage shops for different MSC's. So recently I called a storage facility because I really do want a unit and the lady asked for my name and number. I gave it to her. Then "another lady" called about 5m minutes and went on and on and on about all key points and she knew my name from her computer. Which makes me believe maybe they "mark you" in the system as a mystery shopper. Maybe I will get good treatment was the thing that crossed my mind after that lengthy call from the storage place. smiling smiley
Many places ask if they used your real name, they get it from your credit card.....I was caught once, I've written about it here, very embarrasing, the Manager caught me, told me he knew I was the shopper as my mouth hung open.....he was totally making a fool of himself.

Live consciously....
Yeah, but barbage was doing a bank shop. I can only guess she had been to that bank before.

I once did a bank shop in my area and about 2 years later went to a different branch, ran into the same banker, and he remembered me. He did not remember my name but he remembered my face. He said, "I know I have met you somewhere. I never forget a face." I just innocently said that I just had one of those faces and get that a lot. But, I could tell from the way he conducted the rest of our interaction that he suspected (or knew) I was the shopper. He did a perfect job, LOL.
I'm not sure if a company knows you're the shopper, why say anything to the shopper. I don't see any benefit to them to put the shopper into a gotcha moment. Wouldn't it be more beneficial to the company to keep quiet to the shopper, but let the coworkers know. I would be very tempted to do this if I was being shopped and knew it.

Shopping Idaho and Oregon/Idaho border region.
You would think that they would just want to do a great job and get a good report. It makes no sense if they confront you.
If they reveal you as the shopper, and they already know who you are, aren't they making it harder on them trying to figure out the new shopper?

Shopping Arkansas, Louisiana, & Mississippi.


Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 11/04/2018 12:44PM by ArkLaMissshopping.
Because if they know who you are and out you to the MSC, you can't shop that client anymore, so then they have to figure out who the new shopper that comes in is. If they already know who you are but don't say anything to the MSC, you can keep shopping them and they can keep doing a perfect job and getting a perfect score by smiling and going through the act every time you come in.
Exactly!
Well said, JASFLALMNT!!

******* ***** ***** *****
To the World You Just Might Be One Person,
But to One Person, You JUST Might Be THE WORLD!
******* ***** ***** *****
After agreeing to do a certain bank every time the scheduler said: "PLEASE!!" and "URGENT" I'm now excluded from all of the branches because they said that I was spotted. That's what I get for helping.
Related, but a bit off topic. I was once walking up to an order counter at a buffet and openly heard the staff talking about not having had a mystery shopper there yet for the month. Luckily I was experienced enough to show no emotion when I walked up to the counter and the staff broke off their conversation. I eat at this place when not MS enough that the staff could remember me without much issue, but no one has ever called me out. It was quite a thing to hear and I got quite a good laugh with my family that was with me about it afterward.
I mentioned to the cashier, that I had previously been a shopper for her grocery store. She told me that she always knew when she was being shopped and proceeded to recite every possible question that could be asked to the cashier. I was amazed. She said she read the reports carefully.

And on another shop I think the guy suspected me b/c he said at the end "Did you get everything you came for?" Unfortunately for him he had been a complete jerk and I eviscerated him to the best of my abilities.
@Niner wrote:

What do you mean?

What I mean is it doesn't seem like it would help the company by outing a shopper. If they know who the shopper is, it's easy for them to do things right because they see the shopper coming. If they out a shopper, then they will have to try to figure out who the new shopper is. It's best, in my eyes, for the company to keep the shopper they know already is the shopper.

Shopping Arkansas, Louisiana, & Mississippi.
You should never draw yourself to be noticed as a mystery shopper. Once they find out, your tagged.
Of course. Have you ever sat in a freshly spilled drink? I had to change. The bench was soaked. This was not an ideal situation smiling smiley
I get my eyebrows and facial done with a salon shop once in a while. The staff there was extra nice to me one day and it really creeped me out. She kept calling me "Dear" and "Hon" while I distinctly remember her being downright cold and rude a month earlier. She also kept complimenting me on my "luscious eyelashes." That still makes my husband laugh since she pronounced it as LUCIUS. He keeps calling me LUCIUS hon nowsmiling smiley

Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 11/06/2018 05:03PM by Mum.
I encountered a banker who remembered me from the last time I had shopped there, but she gave no indication that she understood that I was a shopper. I think, however, that I need to stay away from that location for awhile.

"Evolve thyself and lose all hate...." Orphaned Land
allicatt:
Wait a few years and try again. That happened to me, too, and I have recently started shopping the same bank chain again albeit in a different but nearby state.

"Evolve thyself and lose all hate...." Orphaned Land
What about when the MSC outs you to the client? I did an auto dealership shop last month and I was surprised to get an email two weeks later from the sales associate thanking me for the kind words on my report. So he was obviously allowed to read it. I guess I can't shop there again but I didn't know that MSCs included the names of the shoppers to the clients.
When exposure sensitive info. is given in my reports, I always put a "special note" in it to ask management to consider not revealing that to employees. I wonder if those notes ever make it to the management from editors and, if so, if they black out those areas so workers don't see it....I hope so!

It does place us in a bind, though. Give details that could out us or leave out potentially important info. that the client would benefit from.
I sincerely doubt they will black out anything... you agreed to the shop... details go with.. if you are so worried dont do them!


@shoptastic wrote:

When exposure sensitive info. is given in my reports, I always put a "special note" in it to ask management to consider not revealing that to employees. I wonder if those notes ever make it to the management from editors and, if so, if they black out those areas so workers don't see it....I hope so!

It does place us in a bind, though. Give details that could out us or leave out potentially important info. that the client would benefit from.
@Coyote wrote:

What about when the MSC outs you to the client? I did an auto dealership shop last month and I was surprised to get an email two weeks later from the sales associate thanking me for the kind words on my report. So he was obviously allowed to read it. I guess I can't shop there again but I didn't know that MSCs included the names of the shoppers to the clients.

Could also be that the sales rep put two and two together with details in the report.
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