What things have you learned from mystery shopping that you would not know otherwise?
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Some Ace Hardware stores have very nice household decor departments.
One of the things I would like to learn is how to get the photos uploaded on MF's app. I can enter the report using the app in a matter of minutes, but I have to upload the photos from my laptop at home, delaying their receipt of the report - which they want within 8 hours. I've asked HelpDesk three times but they look at the report, see it was entered and tell me it's all OK (because I entered from the laptop). What am I doing wrong?
I think it takes forever to verify the upload. Try waiting it out.
@pordener wrote:
One of the things I would like to learn is how to get the photos uploaded on MF's app. I can enter the report using the app in a matter of minutes, but I have to upload the photos from my laptop at home, delaying their receipt of the report - which they want within 8 hours. I've asked HelpDesk three times but they look at the report, see it was entered and tell me it's all OK (because I entered from the laptop). What am I doing wrong?
Evaluating and mailing packages since 1994. I am an undercover connoisseur of customer service, a master of disguise in the aisles, and a sworn enemy of subpar experiences. I blend in, observe, and report—because excellence should never be a mystery.
I have also learned enough prices on things that I wish I could get on the TV show "The Price is Right".
What a great thread! I have learned a tremendous amount about the hospitality, restaurant, and retail industries. I still have tons left to learn, after all, it has only been 3 years and there is a learning curve. The technology involved is fairly easy but I still had to learn how to use GeoVerify, sync the phone to the computer, upload one hundred photos at a time, etc. It's good for my middle aged brain.
That when you order an item at Chipotle and ask for "a little more" protein they will give you a little more five out of five times!
I've learned that the burgeoning "gig-economy" is very real and very concerning. Time will tell how this paradigm shift in employment will play out for the USA economy, healthcare, and individuals.
"We're just two lost souls swimming in a fish bowl -- year after year..."
I've learned that the food at the airport is more expensive than I imagined and it is worse than at the same brand of restaurant on the outside. I have also learned that although I really like it when the employees are friendly, I really do not care if they don't give me their scripted welcome statement and I am much more interested in focused attention to me, the customer, than I am in upselling skills.
@NinS wrote:
That when you order an item at Chipotle and ask for "a little more" protein they will give you a little more five out of five times!
Ewwww
I learned which hotel chains are somewhat reliable and which ones let a franchisee slide quite far before yanking a sign. It is unfortunate for those clean motels I will never stay at when traveling with kids but I just don't have learned that some brands get a location get disgusting before sending out a shopper. Nope.
I learned to be more detail oriented than I had been, am more aware of everything which goes into real life, good or bad. Learned to appreciate servers more. Learned Vegas Starbucks is a ripoff, $4.85 for a small coffee, please....but since many hotels (Flamingo) own that SB franchise, they get a kickback. Learned so much that I can bring into real life. Question is: is ignorance bliss?????
Live consciously....
I've learned I'm much better at lying and BSing than I thought, though I've had 1 or 2 disasters too haha.
I learned that an old dog can learn new tricks, but some tricks are for young pups.
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)
The airline that is anchoring the airport gets a cut of the sales in those outlets; that's why.@sandyf wrote:
I've learned that the food at the airport is more expensive than I imagined and it is worse than at the same brand of restaurant on the outside.
"Let me offer you my definition of social justice: I keep what I earn and you keep what you earn. Do you disagree? Well then tell me how much of what I earn belongs to you - and why?” ~Walter Williams
Actually, it is the airport managing authority that takes a cut. This is just like the landlord for other retail properties may take a percentage of sales plus a per-square-foot rent. .
Based in MD, near DC
Shopping from the Carolinas to New York
Have video cam; will travel
Poor customer service? Don't get mad; get video.
Shopping from the Carolinas to New York
Have video cam; will travel
Poor customer service? Don't get mad; get video.
I’ve learned that good or bad customer service can be delivered regardless of the associate’s age, race, gender or any other factor that some might generalize about.
I have learned so much about all of the above from computers, cell phones, restaurants, reports, narratives, banking, good and bad service, reliability, working with schedulers, MSC, Airports, memory, adding a positive contribution to the forum. Most of all it is great to be able to communicate with others who perform the same services on this forum.
@morakt wrote:
I learned that luxury shops offer discounts if you ask!
Which ones? Chanel or YSL level?
I learned so much about tires and auto companies. I can just ramble on an on about what store offers free road hazard warranty and which ones are too cheap to charge for it
I look like such a bad ass when I tell my husband or his brother the difference between Michelin and Continental.
I look like such a bad ass when I tell my husband or his brother the difference between Michelin and Continental.
Wow - really? I wish I had known that about mattresses a couple months ago when I dropped a boatload on a new one. 
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 12/19/2018 04:59AM by Shops-A-Lot.
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 12/19/2018 04:59AM by Shops-A-Lot.
Hotel security procedures. As a female who travels alone a lot it is calming when a GSA points to the room number and doesn't state it out loud, and when you are locked out of your room, security verifies your identity.
How do you know if you are getting a good deal on a mattress?
If you haven't at least gotten them to the point where they have to call the district manager for a price discussion, you are nowhere near low enough. Then when the district manager offers a last-best-price, offer 10% (or more) less, and start to walk out the door. There may be even better techniques, so I hope to hear from others.
Oh, practice mattress price negotiation when you really don't need a mattress. That way you can't be tempted to give up too soon. In fact, you will never give up.
Oh, practice mattress price negotiation when you really don't need a mattress. That way you can't be tempted to give up too soon. In fact, you will never give up.
@fluteplaya wrote:
How do you know if you are getting a good deal on a mattress?
Shopping Southeast Pennsylvania, Delaware above the canal, and South Jersey since 2008
I've learned that when I see the words "Super Easy" attached to a visit the MSC is looking to fill it is anything but. Because the visits that are "Super Easy" are not the ones that say that because those visits get gobbled up ASAP. "Super Easy" is the MSC's way of saying: This visit it not only NOT "Super Easy" but tough and not worth the low pay you get for it. We are saying it is "Super Easy" so new shoppers who have no clue about thse visits will take them and then find out the hard way how NOT "Super Easy" they are but come next month we will do the same thing and hope we can continue to con our newest shoppers into doing what our veterans won't because they know what a pain in the.............these are
I just realized after doing two groceries, I spend more on food with shopping than I did without shopping. guess I'm in the stores more, go figure.
Live consciously....
I've learned how to take a kernel of truth and grow it into a real backstory.
Happiness is not a goal; it is a by-product. Eleanor Roosevelt
KathyG,
that is the essence of so many shops that many consider "too complicated." You have distilled it perfectly!!!
that is the essence of so many shops that many consider "too complicated." You have distilled it perfectly!!!
Based in MD, near DC
Shopping from the Carolinas to New York
Have video cam; will travel
Poor customer service? Don't get mad; get video.
Shopping from the Carolinas to New York
Have video cam; will travel
Poor customer service? Don't get mad; get video.
I learned, from this forum, how to use the Bluetooth feature to send photos from my phone to my laptop.
"I told myself to quit you; but I don't listen to drunks." -Chris Stapleton
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